My bedside table is heaving, as always. I read a couple of books over the December holidays - The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje - an enchanting story of a boy on an ocean liner and the ramifications of the people he meets on his life. The Sense of an Ending - one of the most beautifully written books, with a frustrating, intriguing ending. A Visit From The Goon Squad - wonderful, intricate, writing, like a ride on a rollercoaster, moving from character to character. The Fear Index by Robert Harris - intelligent thriller. And so many others to come ...

I've just started Before Night Falls, a memoir by Reinaldo Arenas.  I've just begun planning a trip to Cuba and for some reason as I wrestle with writing and understanding everything I need to grasp to write the 2nd draft of memoir, I have this innate knowledge that it all comes to an end in Cuba, that somehow she, an island with such beauty and a tumultuous history is kindred with me and my own.  I am also looking for inspiration after taking a break from such a emotionally draining project.  So far, his writing is direct, simple and matter of fact. I look forward to getting deeper into his narrative. 

I don't usually do a trilogy but I am finishing up the series by Larsson (The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest). I have on my other e-reader The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I am half way. My nephew keeps talking about the Illuminata so I thought I would read this book and find out what it means... A good movie book so far. I've downloaded Lisa Gardner's latest and John Patterson's.