20/06/13: Nicholson Baker – The Fermata (1994)

Like Nabokov's Lolita, this book draws deliberately uneasy comedy from moral ambiguity. Arno Strine can pause time yet move freely while all around him is frozen. He uses this "gift" to peek beneath clothing and explore other obsessive thoughts about women. It's very rude in places.

Told with wit and great intelligence, the novel both charms and disturbs. Baker isn't afraid to offend, and doesn't try to "justify" the ethical minefield of Arno Strine's actions, although he does explore the issues they raise. He is smart enough to let readers make up their own minds and urges them to consider how they would behave if they had the same ability to stop time.

A hugely thought-provoking novel, but possibly an acquired taste.

11/06/13: Caroline Paul – Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology (2013)

Cat owner uses GPS and other methods to spy on her pet's wanderings. Much of the humour in this short non-fiction work comes from the author satirising her own obsessive/possessive behaviour, which will ring true with many cat lovers. The book asks how a small, furry feline can turn its carer into a somewhat deranged jealous monster. Endearing drawings by Wendy MacNaughton add to its heartwarming qualities.

Also recommended in this little-explored genre is Ian Phillips' Lost: Lost and Found Posters from Around the World (2002) – an anthology of lost-pet posters retrieved from various locations. It's a touching book – you realise just how much some people love their pets. It's also surprisingly funny, as many of the pet owners have been very witty in creating their signs – both in terms of the wording they use on the poster and also the doodles and modified photos used to illustrate them. There's very little commentary beyond an introduction and the occasional explanatory caption, but there's a useful guide to making an effective lost-pet poster of your own, should the worst happen...

09/06/13: Ali Smith – The Accidental (2005)

A brilliant novel. A family takes in – and are taken in by – an uninvited guest, who goes on to change all their lives in different, profound ways. Ali Smith realises the value of ambiguity and deliberately doesn't over-explain motives. She leaves enough mystery so that the unfolding story – told from all five characters' points of view – stays fascinating throughout. There are some beautifully written passages, too, so parts of the book have a very special, almost dream-like atmosphere.