Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

 I read Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell about 16 years ago and I loved it at the time. Piranesi was published last year and I've just had a chance to listen to the audiobook.  It's fairly short and well read by Chiwetel Ejiofo.

Piranesi is a magical and mysterious book that reminded me of the Narnia tales of CS Lewis. It's a story about a massive house, deserted and partially flooded, filled with strange things and inhabited by the narrator and another.

The story flows and was succinct and well constructed.  I totally recommend it.

we often forget how lucky we are

 on a Friday night I'm often knackered after a week at work.  A week at my well paid, comfortable job.  after putting the baby down to sleep I'm often sitting and, as always, I feel a bit brain dead.  sometimes I listen to music.

This evening I was listening to some jesus lizard music and remembering the great times when I saw them play live.  Then I realised that I was once lucky enough to see scratch acid play.  And then I remembered seeing the elephant 6 orchestra play enlightenment by sun ra. twice. and that was really fucking special.

and then i remember how fortunate I am.  how lucky I am.  I have a great wee family and a nice house and a good job and i've had amazing experiences over the years and nothing is perfect but it's important sometimes to just remember how good things actually are.

I hope all of you out there get to feel this good some times.