Natsuo Kirino and Stephen Fry

I've just finished reading Natsuo Kirino's Grotesque, and while I did think it was good, it is not a patch on Out which is truly fantastic and I'll probably read it again. 

I discovered her books while I was in Japan, so I don't know how difficult they will be to get hold of over here, but if you can read just one then Out is the one to choose.  I couldn't put it down.  It describes the life of women working in a bento (packed lunch) factory - the type of life that most foreigners will never know much of - so that is part of the fascination.  This is not the hightech, sleek, Japan.  This is the Japan of backbreaking, boring low paid work.  It is the story of 4 very different women; how they came to work in the factory, and what happens to them.  I'm not giving any more away.  Get the book, read it and pass it on.  It's a murder/mystery, so it will appeal to men too.

Last night I finished Stephen Fry's Hippopotamus.  Hilarious as always.  I'll have to get hold of his other books. 

But I'm thinking of rereading all the Harry Potters.  I've just seen the last film.  Of course, good as the films are, they are not a patch on the books.  But I want to reread my Dickens too - it's ages since I read one of his books.  There are just not enough hours in the day, and I've all the pics of bumblebees to sort through and add to the pages, not to mention the other beasties I've photographed.  And the pile of books I've bought and not had time to read yet.  What a life I have, I am so lucky, all I want is more time.