Hi!!!!!!!!!!
How are you?!?!?! I too am surprised that I haven’t abandoned this hobby completely, but in an attempt to be nicer to myself I am actively choosing *not* to beat myself up for not having a regular writing schedule. I know. I’m as shocked as you are.
I have mainly been settling in to life in the Lakes for the past eight months, and also working A LOT because that self-employed life is all about constantly being in a minor state of panic that all your work might just disappear and you’ll have to move into a Dickensian workhouse.
ANYWAY I hope you’re really for some serious prattling on because I have all this stuff I want to share with you stuffed in my brain and I am finally letting it out. I was going to make this about books and things I have been enjoying, but it’s getting pretty lengthy so I’m going to stick to books and hopefully cover other things I have been enjoying at some point within the next 6-12 months.
Please, as always, let me know what you’ve been reading and enjoying. I love nothing more than chatting about books, it is a pleasure and a joy.
Books
I know we’re nearly at the end of October, but I haven’t done a post about what I’ve read this month yet, so here’s what I read in September to kick us off. Peep that sweet sunflower print by my gal Sophie, you should absolutely go and check out her incredible prints please and thank you.
September is an exciting month because it’s my birthday, so I operate on a ‘treat yourself’ book policy (which I also implement on the other 364 days of the year), AND it’s when all the big hitters start making their way on to the shelves in the battle for Christmas bestsellers.
Last month, a couple of my pre-orders came through (p.s. who signed off the price of hardbacks?! IN THIS ECONOMY?!?!?!?) so I was delighted to welcome the new Sally Rooney and Jacqueline Wilson’s first adult novel onto my shelves. I also ran out and bought Richard Osman’s new book because I love him.
Some other books I have enjoyed so far this year:
You’re The Only One I’ve Told - Dr Meera Shah. Abortion stories, a must read to remind you about why access to healthcare is so important.
The Seven Sisters Series -Lucinda Riley. Another fantastic series suggested to me by Saskia from Edinburgh Letters. Excellent escapism.
Toxic - Sarah Ditum. If there’s a topic I loveeeee to read about, it’s 90s/00s media culture. And cults.
Bird by Bird - Ann Lamott. One for the writers.
Big Swiss - Jen Beagin. Just discovered this is being turned into an HBO series with Jodie Comer? Colour me interested.
The Island of Sea Women - Lisa See. A story set over several decades about female friendship and how decisions shape lives, these are a few of my favourite things.
The Creative Act - Rick Rubin. One for fans of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic.
House of Hidden Meanings - RuPaul. Would read RuPaul’s shopping list (best it’s boujie as fuck).
Memphis - Tara Stringfellow. A generational family story? You know I’m going to love it.
Farenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury. I honestly cannot believe this was published in 1953. You think Orwell’s 1984 was a prediction of today’s society? Get your eyeballs around this.
Accordion Crimes - Annie Proulx. Annie Proulx is an ARTIST, her storytelling is absolutely phenomenal.
Death Valley - Melissa Broder. I don’t know how to describe this, so going to refer to Bookshop.org which says “a darkly funny novel about grief that becomes a desert survival story.” Honestly so good, and it made me read Milk Fed immediately afterwards. Wondering when I will be brave enough for The Pisces.
Oranges are not the Only Fruit - Jeanette Winterson. I wish I read this which I bought it (over a year ago). So good, I want to read it again immediately.
All Fours - Miranda July. I’ve never read anyone else that writes like Miranda July. Hard recommend.
The Third Gilmore Girl - Kelly Bishop. God I LOVED this book so much. If you like Gilmore Girls / Hollywood / Musical Theatre / a combination of the above, you will also love this book.
Bookshops
Since moving to the Lakes I have been able to tick a whole bunch of bookshops off my to-visit list and it has been an absolute DELIGHT. Special shout out to Sam Read in Grasmere whose staff have to deal with my giddy pre-ordering excitement.
Thank you
That’s all I’ve got for you today, but thank you so much for being here and reading - it is honestly such a joy for me just to write about what I’ve been reading and enjoying, so the fact that a few people read it AND also like to chat books is incredible.
I’m hoping to get back into the swing of posting regularly, so stay tuned for other bits and bobs (probably talking mainly about the Disney+ adaption of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals tbqhwy).
Catch you later punks, love ya xx