Three, so they say, is the magic number. This blog has reached the grand old age of three years, with three fine book reading seasons now behind it. In the past twelve months, the Worm has read stories about rabbits and Star Trek, about love and polemics, of Batman and the Fantastic Four, from Orwell to Thatcher, of novels, histories, comics, politics and poetry.
In total, fifty-four books were devoured. Books on history – principally that on the Nazis (as ever popular), the Tudors, and the great country of Italy – came out top of the four eyed pops. They were closely followed by novels, as varied from Flaubert to Bret Easton Ellis. Fiction proved a big winner on the eyes, including short stories, plays – thank you, Mr Shakespeare – and poetry. But from this total of fifty-four, only five – yes, count them, five – were given the tremendous rank of “5 Nods”. They join a prestigious – although utterly meaningless – elite of other 5 nodders from book reading seasons gone by, bringing the total to seventeen out of a possible one hundred and seventy-five.
So, onwards to the Worm’s Top Ten Reads of 2011-2012:
1. The Drowned and the Saved (1986) – Primo Levi
Thoughtful, provoking and haunting; Levi’s book on coming to terms with the Holocaust was the Worm’s favourite and most riveting read of 2011-12. What he has to say is never easy to swallow, but it is a dish that the human race must all feed on. As Levi commented: ‘It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say.’ 5 nods.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.com/2012/01/drowned-and-saved-primo-levi.html
2. Love in the Time of Cholera (1985) – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A love story that spans decades and events, Marquez has combined talent of telling a story along with commentary on the changes of ideals and values in the modern world. 5 nods.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/love-in-time-of-cholera-gabriel-garcia.html
3. Watchmen (1987) – Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
This is the first graphic novel/comic to ever feature in the Worm’s Top Ten list; firmly deserves its place amongst other great reads. Moore and Gibbons’ cynical take on the cult of the superhero asks questions about what it is to be human; further enhanced by great storytelling techniques. 5 nods.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.com/2011/11/watchmen-alan-moore-dave-gibbons.html
4. Lord of the Flies (1954) – William Golding
A short book filled with emotion and reflection, of triumph of savagery over progress, of passion against reason, of the id over the ego. This famous story documents ‘the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart’, alongside the menacing mantra: ‘Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!’ 5 nods.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.com/2011/09/lord-of-flies-william-golding.html
5. Notes from Underground (1864) – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Attacks on aspirations of love, western philosophy, the bureaucracy of work, manners and social norms; this man from the underground has a large axe to grind. Riddles abound with Dostoyevsky’s riddles: ‘Gentlemen, you must excuse me for being over-philosophical; it’s the result of forty years underground!’ 5 nods.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.com/2011/10/notes-from-underground-fyodor.html
6. Down and Out in Paris and London (1933) – George Orwell
Insightful social commentary, with humorous characters and events. This is a younger Orwell to be enjoyed, the fruits of which go toe-to-toe with his later, fictional works. 4 nods.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/down-and-out-in-paris-and-london-george.html
7. God is Not Great (2007) – Christopher Hitchens
The most recently published book in this Top Ten list, and the winner of the Worm’s Thinker Award in this season’s “Noddies” (see below). The late – and of course, great – Hitchens is keen to emphasise the growing reasoning of society, whilst giving the Bible and religion both barrels. 4 nods.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/christopher-hitchens-god-is-not-great.html
8. Ceremonial Time (1984) – John Hanson Mitchell
15,000 years of history based on one square mile. An original book that comprises history, science, folklore, topography and emotion. Dig deeper into what it means to be human.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/ceremonial-time-john-hanson-mitchell.html
9. Lunar Park (2005) – Bret Easton Ellis
Many books reviewed – 3 previously in the past 2 seasons – and first time his name is on the Top Ten list. Ellis in great lampooning mood, finally bringing a degree of emotion and maturity to his writing. The same psychotic scenes, but tied deeper into the tradition of American literature of Poe and Gothic thrillers.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/lunar-park-bret-easton-ellis.html
10. The Course of German History (1945) – A.J.P. Taylor
Controversial and argumentative – this is what a historian should always be! It has dated, but remains a key work of the past one hundred years of a western interpretation of Germany.
Read the review here: http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.com/2011/11/course-of-german-history-ajp-taylor.html
These were the great, heart-warming reads of the past twelve months; but every journey has its victims and villains: and for the Worm, these were of the 1 nodder variety that have headed towards the sin-bin of doom. These included John Guy’s confusing history on 30s and 40s England, Julia Skinner’s cash-in book on Plymouth, as well as James Gairdner’s pointless history on Richard III.
Meanwhile, in terms of reading material, the Kindle began to flex its metaphorical muscles by consuming seven reads; but the top spot was a straight fight-off between second hand books (fifteen) and those borrowed from libraries (fourteen). As always, nothing beats an old musty book from a darkened corner; second hand books were once young beauties that were courted and initially treated well, and even years of neglect cannot completely destroy them.
Reviewing the past twelve months has allowed the Worm some reflection: far too much time was dedicated on books about Hitler and the Nazis. Despite some interesting reads (including Laurence Ree’s The Nazis: A Warning From History and Milan Hauner’s Hitler chronology), the Worm is now on a Nazi-embargo. No more books on Mr Hitler, none on the Second World War, and none on those swastika wearing henchmen of his. In fact, no pages written about the Second World War will be fingered (apologies, Winston).
In the months ahead the Worm will be expanding the blog to incorporate more than reviews of the good, the bad and the downright ugly. Reviews, rants and rumours of book shops will be reported, in the hope of celebrating many of the unsung book heroes on our high streets, and tucked away in the forgotten corners of our cities. Furthermore, insight, commentary and biased opinion – mostly biased opinion – will be noted on the world of books. There is too much gold out there regarding books to go untouched by the Worm. Of course, this is all part of the Worm’s plan to conquer the world by 2043… just one step at a time.
Three years of book reading have been completed, the fourth is now upon him. The Worm, then, marches forth.
The Third Noddie Awards:
Read of the Season: Primo Levi’s The Drowned and the Saved (1986)
Recommended Novel: Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Love in the Time of Cholera (1985)
Short Fiction: Edgar Allan Poe – Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1993)
Play: William Shakespeare – Henry VI: Part Three (1591)
Poetry: T.S. Eliot – Prufrock and Other Observations (1917)
History: John Hanson Mitchell – Ceremonial Time (1984)
Thinker Award: Christopher Hitchens – God Is Not Great (2007)
Political: David W. Orr – Earth In Mind (2004)
Graphic Novel: Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons – Watchmen (1987)
Largest Read: Stan Lee – Fantastic Four Volume 1 (550 pages)
Briefest Read: Alan Moore – Writing For Comics (50 pages)
Oldest Read: William Shakespeare – Henry VI: Part One, Two & Three (1591)
Shredder Award: Julia Skinner – Plymouth: A Miscellany (2006)
