What we're reading: Atkinson, Skinner & Batrouney
Each week our amazing staff bring you a sample of the books or music they're immersed in.
Lian Hingee is reading Normal Rules Don't Apply by Kate Atkinson
I've been listening to Kate Atkinson's marvellous new book Normal Rules Don't Apply on Libro.fm this week. This excellent collection of short stories is a little bit funny, a little bit sad, a little bit spooky, and all brilliant. From a Stephen King-esque dystopia about the end of the world, to an absurdist story about a talking racehorse, to a gorgeously rendered fairy tale that reads exactly like something from the Brother's Grimm, Normal Rules Don't Apply makes me feel like I've taken a little side-step through the looking glass into another version of reality. I've found myself taking unnecessarily circuitous routes on my mundane day-to-day chores, just so that I can spend a little more time with the book.
Lou Ryan is reading I’d Rather Not by Robert Skinner
I’d Rather Not by Robert Skinner is so funny, you’ll laugh out loud. It’s so Melbourne, you’ll identify.
It’s loosely a memoir, or a collection of self-effacing entertaining autobiographical essays involving romance, sleeping rough, house parties, literary magazines and camels.
Melinda Houston is reading The Bannerman Shortlist by Colin Batrouney
The Bannerman Shortlist is a great yarn. There's a lot going on but he makes it feel effortless – and his female characters are terrific. Very satisfying ending, too – resolved, but not too neatly tied up. Good fun.
