Two days’ worth of Guardian books

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Two days’ worth of Guardian novels to report here, because of last night’s distractions. Thanks again to for supplying the lists. They are two particularly odd selections.

I have read only 24 out of 145 of the Guardian’s the “Family and Self” selection, with another four started but not finished. It is interesting that they have chosen a number of comics in this section – my pick of the lot is Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home. The selection also includes Proust as a single unit.

I did far worse on the “State of the Nation” selection – presumably these are meant to be the more political novels, and I actually work in politics, but nonetheless scored a mere 17 out of 133. My picks are boringly conventional, Middlemarch, Les Miserables and Vanity Fair.


One thought on “Two days’ worth of Guardian books”

  1. The German constitutional position is that parliament can’t ratify permanent transfers to other states without a domestic referendum.

    In the meantime the EZ will have to rely on the ECB buying sovereign bonds in the secondary market to bring down yields for the PIIGS. But is that permitted under Lisbon Art 123? The ECJ has review jurisdiction, although I doubt anyone will submit a petition!

    My guess is the ECB will continue bond purchases, and the Germans will be persuaded to vote Yes once they’re convinced of a level playing field with debtor states – including Ireland’s corporate tax rate. It’s not fair, because Germany benefited from the debt.

    The only thing that will be sorted on Dec 9 is assurances about continued bond buying.

    For 2012 I expect France & Germany will nationalise their banks. This will confirm the sickly expression Cameron has been wearing all year in his talks with european partners – the UK is up the creek without a paddle because liabilities in the Square Mile are state-crushers.

    Long term I expect the Germans to stick with a much reduced EZ, which will draw in the UK.

    Overall I wish Ireland would default toot sweet: twenty years of poverty is too high a price.

    ps. my anti-spam code was eorucul. Nice.

    pps. I know you enjoy Tudor history – blog post on another european sovereign bond crisis:
    http://tudorblog.com/2011/12/03/bad-money-drives-out-good/

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