The small swarm of new Venice-set novels I mentioned in December has begun to slip through my letterbox, including one dealing with The Secret Life of Vivaldi. But if you're looking for a review of Frail Barrier by Edward Sklepowich then breath-holding is not advised. The publisher has refused my request for a review copy and unhelpfully supplied a pdf file for reading on my computer. Now I have many odd habits, but taking my computer to bed is not one of them. Also on the horizon is a novel called The Venetian Mask by Rosalind Laker which is due in March, as is The Troubles of Janice 4: Voyage to Venice, an erotic graphic novel. If your heart is not faint check it out here. And Nicholas Woodsworth has written something unfictional called The Liquid Continent - A Mediterranean Trilogy, of which volume two is about Venice and its relationship with the briny stuff.
Reading: Michael Chabon Gentlemen of the Road
A rollicking respite from seriouser tomes.
Watching: Civilisation - Save Our Souls
Matthew Collings on the continuing influence and importance of 'visionary British art guru' John Ruskin - mighty clever and stimulating stuff.
Listening: The Radio Dept Pet Grief
Not sure why I've taken so long to discover this bunch of Swedes but I love them now, as they obviously love the Pet Shop Boys and Prefab Sprout. Giving shoegazing a very good name.
