Holiday. Gorging on books. 

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart should be compulsory reading.

As should the anonymously written A Woman in Berlin.

Very different forms of having nothing and making do. 

But both peculiarly, beautifully underscored with a little sliver of hope. 

Heavens. So. I've been working a lot. 

But also -

Didn't like this very much. It lacked charisma.

This was joyful. 

And there was a bunch more stuff in August: 

FOW was outstanding. 

Within Sight was loads of food for thought and very well told.

I really loved Kevin Quantum. 

I saw quite a lot of three star shows. 

The EIF's Toast to the People series was excellent. Gorgeous venue. 

And Kokoroko deserved every single spike of the five stars.

I consider myself culturally gorged and replenished. Phew.