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Hi Toby. I couldn’t answer this month’s question but add my yes to the inclusion of memoir, especially the likes of The Things They Carried because everyone should read it. Excellent call.

Jerry Boyd’s Rope Burns collection wasn’t an easy read either but it filled my head for a long time and I’d not have picked it up in another form or without being pushed.

I come to these pages daily because they make me smile, question my thoughts, look back.

Otherwise I never read diaries, rarely pick up bland Christmas gift bios which I’m not qualified to judge. But I don’t let that stop me.

Now in a side step from the discussion, I ask what is the pay off in reading/reading about celebrated writers who were not necessarily good or kind human beings? Should darkened opinions or conscience apply to the literary quest? Dickens, Lovecraft, Hemingway et al. I’m less righteous these days but the twinge remains.

Footnote - I have a Bakelite turn handle pencil sharpener with a tiny shavings drawer, blunt but beautiful.

All best,

Chris.

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