books

I'm surprised it's been almost a month since I last posted something; in my head I've been blogging all along. I've also been reading quite a bit; it's easy to do when Lilly nurses. First I read Marianne Mjaaland's most recent novel, 13. uke (2008), which deals with abortion. It initiated much discussion here in Norway, including a debate in Morgenbladet between sociologist Willy Pedersen and the author, who's also a medical doctor, that you can read here. Then I moved on to Dag Solstad's Professor Andersens natt (1996), Armand V. Fotnoter til en uutgravd roman (2006), T. Singer (1999), and Ellevte roman, bok atten (1992; coming out in English this Christmas). T. Singer didn't grab me much at first, but the portrayal of T. Singer's relationship to his stepdaughter in the book's final part is very moving. Armand V. and Ellevte roman, bok atten also contain interesting portraits of father-son relationships. Right now I'm reading Per Petterson's Til Sibir (1996; To Siberia, 1998) while I'm on a wait list at the library to check out his most recent novel, Jeg forbanner tidens elv (2008), which have received excellent reviews (Graywolf will publish it in the US).

Leighton's of course busy reading all the time; I think it's his favorite part of grad school. Everyday over dinner he shares interesting parts from his readings, mostly very complex theoretical stuff. For fun he's also reading Solstad's Professor Andersens natt (also to learn more Norwegian) and The Lazarus Project (2008) by Aleksandar Hemon.

And finally, Lilly. Like her mama and papa she seems to have a passion for books, as the below photo and videos show. She loves her soft toy books in particular. Since she'll suck and chew on just about anything she gets her hands on these days, books with paper sheets are not safe around her (I had to tape some pages in a library book).