An end of week recap

“The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie. One word of truth outweighs the world.”
– Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

A handful of the many notable birthdays occurring today: German poet and author, Wilhelm Hauff (1802), American novelist, short story writer and poet, Louisa May Alcott (1832), English writer and Anglican lay theologian, C. S. Lewis (1898), Lithuanian writer and actor, Antanas Škėma (1910) and American writer, Madeleine L’Engle (1918). Tomorrow we can commemorate the lives of English poet and courtier, Philip Sidney (1554), Anglo-Irish writer, essayist, satirist and Anglican cleric, Jonathan Swift (1667), American writer, humourist and essayist, Mark Twain (1835), Canadian author, L. M. Montgomery (1874) and Estonian poet and leader of the Noor-Eesti (Young Estonia) literary movement, Gustav Suits (1883).

Sadly, it was on this day in 1900 that the Irish playwright, poet and wit, Oscar Wilde died, marking the end of one of the most dazzling literary lives of the fin‑de‑siècle.

As ever, this is a post in which I summarise books read, reviewed and currently on the TBR shelf. In addition to a variety of literary titbits, I look ahead to forthcoming publications, see what folk have on their nightstands and keep readers abreast of various book-related opinions and happenings.

CHATTERBOOKS >>

If you are planning a reading event, challenge, competition, or anything else likely to be of interest to the book blogging community and its followers, please let me know. I will happily share your news here with the fabulous array of bibliowonks who read this weekly wind up.

I will continue to drip-feed announcements to you each week about literary challenges coming up next year, so as not to overwhelm you with an avalanche of information. 😱

* Your Reality Fix For ’26! *

When her hugely popular Reading Austen 2025 event finishes at the end of this year (and let’s not forget her widely-enjoyed Reading Orwell 2024 project, too), Bronwyn from This Reading Life has an exciting new reading challenge up her sleeve: to wit, Reading Non-Fiction 2026. However, “there will be no bingo cards, checklists, check-ins or read-by dates” as she does not want to “encroach” on any of the existing non-fiction happenings that take place annually – though she does intend to create an introductory master-post followed by a “wrap-up post [a year next] December”, in the hope her “minimalist, organic approach appeals” to others who may wish to join in. Given that she still has “eight Orwell/Austen books to finish”, Brona’s plan is to read a total of 24 non-fiction titles over the year, at the rate of two a month (that, of course, is in addition to anything else she reads during this period). If this tempts you in any way “and you would like some company” as you read non-fiction titles, please head over to Reading Non-Fiction in 2026 for all the gen. Finally, you are politely requested to use the #ReadingNonFiction2026 tag when posting relevant content to social media sites.

* Blogs from the Basement * 

Once again, we journey out in Book Jotter’s very own version of Doctor Who’s time-travelling Tardis: (1) Firstly, we go back a little over twelve months to Lisa Hill’s review for ANZ LitLovers LitBlog of The English Teacher (the final book in a “semi-autobiographical trilogy”) by R.K. Narayan, “one of the great 20th century writers of India.” In her post, The English teacher (1945), by R K Narayan, she describes this classic 1945 novel (published on “the cusp of independence”) as “a deeply personal story derived from events in [the author’s] life” in which “the lives of Indian parents and grandparents” are revealed to the younger generation. Reading it, she says, is a “pleasure”. (2) “You probably know Stevie Smith’s ‘Not Waving but Drowning’ even if you haven’t read a single other thing by her”, says Peter Wild in his October 2024 critique for Bookmunch of an assorted “30 poems [drawn] from the 11 poetry collections that were published in her lifetime”, with the title, as you might guess, of Not Waving but Drowning and other poems by Stevie Smith. Describing the mid-20^th century English poet and novelist as “a curious sort [who was] out of step with her time,” he tells us he often found himself “smiling [while reading] or laughing the way you would in the company of a good comedian.” Find out why in his full review, “Alive with newness” – Not Waving but Drowning by Stevie Smith. 

* Lit Crit Blogflash * 

This is where I share my favourite pieces of writing from around the blogosphere. There are a great many talented people producing high-quality book features and reviews, which makes it mighty difficult to pick only one – in this case, posted in the last week or so:

The Shortest Day by Colm Tóibín – Janet of LoveBooksReadBooks says this “marvellous work” by Irish writer Colm Tóibín, which “takes place [in Ireland] on the Winter Solstice”, is “a fascinating piece on an actual phenomenon”. Archaeologist, Professor O’Kelly, believes his job is to make known only what can be proved, but his quest for knowledge threatens the delicate balance between the living and the dead. Undeterred by ghost stories, he “decides that he will carry on with his work at [an ancient burial site] in the days running up to Christmas even though he will be there alone.” He has promised to be home in time to celebrate with his family but is drawn to this mysterious place to continue his work “studying the markings on the walls in a corridor that leads to the main chamber”. Local people get wind of his intentions and are deeply concerned he may “stumble upon the secret of [this place] and then let it become common knowledge.” This cannot be allowed to happen. The Shortest Day, says Janet, is a story of how “otherworldly life and real life both want to keep [a] secret”, with a “sprinkling of delicious humour, charm and wonderful storytelling.”

* Irresistible Items *

Umpteen fascinating articles appeared on my bookdar last week. I generally make a point of tweeting/x-ing (not to mention tooting and bsky-ing) a few favourite finds (or adding them to my Facebook group page), but in case you missed anything, here are a selection of interesting snippets: 

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RTÉ: Book Of The Week: Attention, Writing on Life, Art and the World by Anne Enright – According to Cristín Leach, in this newly published essay collection, Attention: Writing on Life, Art and the World, the Irish author Anne Enright “lays the whole story out like a richly complicated, endlessly layered landscape [then] takes you on a tour of the territory examined, [before dropping] you at the border again, stunned, one eye still looking over your shoulder at what you’ve just been shown.” 

University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives: Sequel to a Reminiscence – “The archive of enigmatic 19th-century writer Amy Levy has a new home at Cambridge University Library”, reveals Ed Woodhouse. You may also like to read my 2018 post about her short but fruitful life, Remembering Amy Levy, written after re-reading her second novel, Reuben Sachs.

The Atlantic: A Generational Portrait That Actually Says Something New – Flat Earth, “Anika Jade Levy’s debut novel captures what it feels like to try to become an artist right now”, says Bekah Waalkes.

Publishers Weekly: Julian Barnes’s Mortal Dilemma – “Julian Barnes is turning 80 and publishing his final book [Departure]—about love, death, and a comically flawed marriage”, reveals Elaine Szewczyk.

The Seaboard Review of Books: Buddhist Bricolage: The Silence of Falling Snow by Kristjana Gunnars – The Silence of Falling Snow is the Icelandic-Canadian writer and artist, Kristjana Gunnars’ meditation on grief, care, Buddhism and artmaking in which she connects with the likes of Ingmar Bergman, Jacques Derrida, Henry David Thoreau and Ursula K. Le Guin in a poetic hybrid text. As she comes to terms with the death of her husband, “Gunnars’ grieving”, says Michael Greenstein, “is a post-traumatic pilgrimage that takes its own time.”

The Conversation: Arthur Conan Doyle explored men’s mental health through his Sherlock Holmes stories – “Many of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories examine male characters facing emotional catastrophe, betrayal and moral dilemmas”, says Emma Linford.

Readings: A beginner’s guide to Helen Garner – Garner’s “work crosses genres, from fiction, to reportage, to memoir”, says Mark Rubbo, and reading “all three forms will deliver great rewards.” Here he shares a few suggestions on “where to start reading the wonderful books” of Australia’s most celebrated author.

ExtraCurricular: Sula is everything and everything is Sula – “It’s an undeniable truth that Sula is everything and everything is Sula.” Tembe Denton-Hurst “on Toni Morrison’s second novel.”

Korea JoongAng Daily: Nobel laureate Han Kang’s nonfiction book, ‘Light and Thread,’ to be released in English in March – It has been reported that Light and Thread by the South Korean author and Nobel laureate Han Kang is to be released in in the spring. It will be her first book of non-fiction in English.

Two in one for Janeites:
A Narrative Of Their Own: Writing Rituals of Jane Austen – “Surely anyone with even a passing interest in literature will be aware that this year sees the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen”, says Kate Jones in her latest exploration of women’s writing lives, which is this week posted in honour of Janet Lewis Saidi’s new book, Pocket Portraits: Jane Austen: The Original Romance Novelist.
Fine Books & Collections: Jane Austen 250th Anniversary Marked at the Grolier Club – “A new exhibition opening next month [from 4^th December to Valentine’s Day] at The Grolier Club [in New York] will mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen.” 

The Print: Who influenced Rumi? Very few know about Sufi poet Attar – In an excerpt from The Invisible Sun, the first comprehensive English collection from one of the world’s most influential mystics, “translator Sholeh Wolpé offers an introduction to the poetry of Attar, 12th century Sufi poet who inspired Rumi.”

The Brussels Review: Annelies Verbeke: A Literary Journey – “Annelies Verbeke is a prominent Belgian author known for her distinctive narrative style and exploration of human experiences.” In this conversation with Dritan Kiçi, she “shares insights into her creative process, her thoughts on the role of literature in society, and the challenges facing European writers today.”

Deadline: J.K. Rowling Makes First Visit To ‘Harry Potter’ Set As Filming Continues On HBO Series – “J.K. Rowling has […] made her first visit to the set of HBO’s Harry Potter series”, reports Jake Kanter. Sources apparently revealed “that the author inspected progress on the adaptation of her beloved fantasy franchise, which has been filming at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and on location in the UK.”

Hindustan Times: Ottilie Mulzet: “None of Krasznahorkai’s works is easy to translate” – The Toronto-born literary translator of Hungarian poetry and prose, Ottilie Mulzet, talks to Chintan Girish Modi about “rendering Nobel Laureate László Krasznahorkai’s books into English and on curating Seagull’s Hungarian list”.

The Stories Behind the Story: London Nights: on pleasure bent – Anna Sayburn Lane discovers “Stephen Graham’s 1925 book of essays, London Nights,” is just what she needs to conduct research for her murder mysteries set in the 1920s.

Moomin: Moomin nostalgia is a state of mind: Here’s why 🎩👜 – “If you still feel weirdly emotional when Snufkin leaves each winter, you’re not alone. Moomin nostalgia isn’t just a trend; it’s a state of mind. A feeling of togetherness, of being seen. If you find yourself craving that quiet joy, join us here on a journey through timeless Moomin magic: a place where little things matter most.” A marvellously information-packed article on Moominstalgia!

The Hedgehog Review: Jessica Mitford: No Proper Lady – Andrew Holter looks back at the novelist, social historian, crusader and ‘political person’.

The Observer: What to read to understand winter🎄– “From Narnia to the Shetlands, three books that capture the season of fire and ice”, from Val McDermid, whose new work of creative non-fiction, Winter: The Story of a Season, takes us on a journey through the chilly season!

The Marginalian: What It’s Like to Meet an Orca – “Few encounters with the wildness and wonder of this world can be more powerful than that with an orca, and no one has painted a more moving word-portrait of that encounter than Danish biologist and whale researcher Hanne Strager” says Maria Popova of The Killer Whale Journals: Our Love and Fear of Orcas, a “riveting record of how [a young biology student] escaped the cage of theory” and embarked on an expedition to Norway’s Lofoten Islands.

Two in one for Tolkienites:
Open Culture: J.R.R. Tolkien Expressed a “Heartfelt Loathing” for Walt Disney and Refused to Let Disney Studios Adapt His Work – “Tolkien mostly hated Disney’s creations, and he made these feelings very clear”, says Josh Jones. He went with C.S. Lewis to see Snow White in 1937 and “neither [of them] liked it very much.”
Yahoo! News: ‘Treasure trove’ of Tolkien literature and belongings to auction for thousands – Madeleine Evans reports on” a ‘treasure trove’ of personal items belonging to the fantasy author that is expected to fetch a combined hundreds of thousands of pounds” at an auction in Bath on the 8^th of December.

The Asahi Shimbun: Century-old Tokyo bookstore draws fans with wall of rare finds – “Yaguchi Shoten, a used bookstore in Tokyo’s Kanda-Jinbocho district, draws bibliophiles and tourists with its iconic bookshelves that line the building’s exterior.”

TLS: Twenty-first-century genie – Former literary editor of the Independent, Suzi Feay, on Jeanette Winterson’s latest memoir/feminist reimagining, One Aladdin Two Lamps – “A riff on One Thousand and One Nights”.

Feasts and Festivals: From Jane Austen to Downton Abbey – too many daughters. – Liz Gwedhan looks at “how women’s disinheritance drives plot lines”.

Neos Kosmos: Trio of Cypriot Australian authors shortlisted for international literary honours – “Three authors — Luke Icarus Simon, Koraly Dimitriadis and Helena Kidd — are shortlisted across major categories in an international contest featuring submissions from 33 countries”, reports Michael Georgiou.

The New York Times: 100 Notable Books of 2025 – “Here is the standout fiction and nonfiction of the year, selected by the staff of The New York Times Book Review.”

Foreword: Looking After Your Books – “Collecting does not have to be expensive or time-consuming,” writes Francesca Galligan in Looking After Your Books, “though it could be both if that suits you.” Reviewer, Carolyn Wilson-Scott, describes this new book-about-books as “a delightful reference volume for book lovers.”

Quillette: A Journalism of Deception – Graham Majin was a TV journalist and producer for more than 20 years, 14 of which were spent at the BBC (he is now Senior Lecturer in Documentary Journalism at Bournemouth University in the UK). In an essay adapted from his book, Truthphobia: How the Boomers Broke Journalism, he says that in his opinion “the corporation discarded impartial journalism” and goes on to explain “why [he believes] we need a news revolution.”

Ancillary Review of Books: Rivers of Time: Review of Whitney French’s Syncopation – Syncopation is the love story of O and Z, two young women searching for purpose in the aftermath of a Memory War. Within this speculative fiction novel in verse by Canadian author Whitney French, reviewer Misha Grifka Wander tells us: “the literal events of the story […] operate in the realm of imagery and association that poetry normally inhabits.”

Letterature: The Intersection Between Science and Literature – Brittany asks the question: “What happens when science and storytelling collide?”

History Extra: Best history books 2025: BBC History Magazine’s Books of the Year🎄– “In the roster of laudable history books published in 2025, authors tackled topics as diverse as Gaza, Indian partition, extinction, medieval and Stuart monarchs – even historians themselves. Here, a panel of experts recommend the titles they most enjoyed”.

Vox Femina Books: She Spoke Her Mind. They Put Her in an Asylum. – “Brittany Lloyd on the Gothic reality behind ‘the madwoman in the attic’ archetype.”

Aotearoa New Zealand Review of Books: The Way to Spell Love by Nina Nola – Stephanie Johnson examines a “memoir of a Dalmatian family and the patriarch at its centre” by New Zealand author, Nina Nola.

3 Quarks Daily: “A Christmas Carol” – A Story for Buddhists, Atheists and Everyone Else🎄 – “The full title of Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic” is A Christmas Carol in Prose: Being a Ghost Story for Christmas, says Ken MacVey. “Some take the story as a mere entertainment or a simple allegory to inspire Christmas cheer” but Dickens “also provides a societal critique that unfortunately still rings true today.”

Counter Craft: Literary Philosophy and Philosophical Literature – Lincoln Michel on “philosophers who wrote novels and novelists inspired by philosophy”.

The Daily Star: When old patriarchies wear new faces – “To understand the deep-seated relevance of this modern debate, we must embark on a journey into the heart of [Bengali novelist] Sarat Chandra’s literature, where these battles first found voice.” Nazmun Afrad Sheetol on the ways in which “Chandra’s heroines mirror Bangladesh’s modern struggles”.

Finding Lost Voices: Finding Lost Voices: A New Biography about Saint Perpetua (Vibia Perpetua 182 – 203 CE), Perpetua: The Woman, the Martyr (Yale University Press, 2025) – In her “weekly email [bringing] back the voices of those who have been forgotten or misremembered”, Iris Jamahl Dunkle talks to Sarah Ruden about writing Perpetua, her recently published portrait of a third-century woman author who was idealised as a Christian martyr.

Lydia Blundell: Winter reading guide 🎄– “Make your excuses, it’s time to cancel the third set of work drinks this week and curl up with a favourite read instead.” Lydia shares her “rituals and recommendations” for the chilly months ahead.

Bookanista: Giannis Paschos: Not necessarily in the right order – Born in Ioannina, Greece, in 1954, Giannis Paschos was a late flowering academic, having struggled with dyslexia since childhood. He speaks here to Alexandra Samothraki about his days as a student, his new collection of short stories and his autobiographical novella, Chronicles of a Dyslexic Author. At only 86-pages, this may just make an ideal last-minute read for Novellas in November.

Secret Squirrel: How to Read Alice Munro – In this fascinating piece on where to start with the books of Canadian short story writer Alice Munro, James Tussing tackles head-on the “grim history of abuse” within the writer’s family, his distaste at the alleged inspiration behind her later fiction and her likely long-term legacy in view the revelations following her death in 2024. Coincidentally, The Classics Club blog also ran a piece on her this week that you may wish to read: Classic Author Focus: Alice Munro.

The Critic: How Dostoyevsky dissected activistic hypocrites – “Dostoyevsky’s outrageous grotesque now runs riot in our institutions”. English playwright and director, James Martin Charlton re-reads The Village of Stepanchikovo, looking closely at its absurd but “compellingly awful [protagonist,] Foma Fomich Opiskin”.

What to Read Now: What to Read New – “Look Closer by Oxford professor of English Literature and award-winning biographer, Robert Douglas-Fairhurst is an excellent addition to [your books-about-books] shelf”, says Caroline Sanderson. “Blending personal anecdote with considered insight, it provides an illuminating masterclass in the art of reading attentively.”

Works in Progress: The logical triumph of English – “English prose has become much easier to read. But shorter sentences had little to do with it”, writes Henry Oliver in this long piece about the history of English prose.

Mother Jones: AI Is Coming for Your Toddler’s Bedtime Story – “Artificial intelligence poses an increasingly real threat to children’s literature—and children’s learning”, warns Lily Meyer.

Mental Floss: 7 Authors Who Owned Strange Pets – Lorna Wallace finds “many famous authors called unexpected animals their pets.”

The New York Times: How to Fix a Typewriter and Your Life – “This is the story of how a man traded steady, grinding corporate security for a dying craft and, in the process, found his soul.”

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FINALLY >>

If there is something you would particularly like to see in Winding Up the Week or if you have any suggestions, questions or comments for Book Jotter in general, please drop me a line or comment below. I would be delighted to hear from you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I wish you a week bountiful in books and rich in reading.

NB In this feature, ‘winding up’ refers to the act of concluding something and should not be confused with the British expression: ‘wind-up’ – an age-old pastime of ‘winding-up’ friends and family by teasing or playing pranks on them. If you would like to know more about this expression, there is an excellent description on Urban Dictionary.

>> See my monthly digest at the Book Jotter Journal on Substack. >>

Categories: Winding Up the Week

Tags: #ReadingNonFiction2026, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Anne Enright, Colm Tóibín, Hanne Strager, Jane Austen, Janet Lewis Saidi, Noor-Eesti, Oscar Wilde, R.K. Narayan, Reading Non-Fiction 2026, Stevie Smith, Whitney French, Winter Reading