Reading List

I was really looking forward to this. It deals with some really interesting ideas - most notably the battle between rationality and missing out on the magic of life. However, it also deals with a bunch of modern real issues (such as the refugee crisis, and the turmoil in parts of the middle east) without a huge amount of sensitivity. It also ends in quite an unsatisfactory manner.

The second "Book of Dust", this one set after the events of "His Dark Materials". I'm very excited to read this.

I enjoyed this even more than I remembered enjoying it. I got a lot more out of it than the first time through, and I still find the wheeled people just so fantastic.

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman 

This book ended up being even better than I remember it! I could hardly put it down. There's a lot more subtly than I can remember (unsurprisingly). I am very glad I chose to re-read this before diving into the Book of Dust. I will definitely be reading the Amber Spyglass next. It also served as welcome escape from Covid, that is currently infecting everything (as well as everyone) in our lifes.

The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman. Re-reading this, in preparation for reading the second Book of Dust

I really enjoyed this. It was particularly enjoyable being able to recognise places from around Oxford. It made me want to reread Northern Lights now I live in Oxford. Found some of the fantasy stuff a bit jarring and surprising, but it was hard to put down from beginning to end.

The Book of Dust Volume 1: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman