What are you reading now?

[compline]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orwell-Huxley-The-Fallacies-Futurity/dp/1291951555



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orwell-Huxle...der_1291951555

 I am reading a new book called , Orwell, Huxley and the Fallacies of Futurity.
 By Robert Neville.

 For part of the book he imagines a conversation between these two great writers just after 1984 came out, and therefore just before Orwell's own untimely death.
 The other bits look at the themes in the book and some of the main ideas.
 What I liked about it was that it does not buy into the standard line we seem to get nowadays, that their two great novels are prophetic. Instead, Neville perceptively sees both men agreeing that they are more warnings than anything else. Obviously I can see the writer has done a lot of research, but its engaging and though provoking to read with many, many ideas in it. I bought it on Amazon.

[starlady]

'Seveneves' by Neal Stephenson.  It's Science Fiction and starts with the attention-grabbing line:

 "The Moon blew up without warning, and for no apparent reason".

Also Tovey's "The Forms of Music", which has somewhat less action but a lot of snark.  --s.

[themeandvariation]

Charles Rosen : "Freedom and the Arts"….  (Very engaging… I've always been impressed with his depth, and scope… )
Alfred Brendel :  "Me of all people"…  spicy, and opinionated… Lot's of fun.

Elliot Carter:  Collected Essays and Lectures  1937 -1995 …  talks about 20th century composers/composition… and his life and work…   A must have book for composers….and musicians interested in the 20th century music.  (a difficult and bumpy road, through not without it's  treasures).
Also, although i read it some time ago, thought i would mention my favorite book (i have many) on Bach:  "The true life of JS Bach" by Klaus Eidam.