Hey besties, it’s me back with the ol’ monthly book chit chat.
First of all, thank you to everyone who has said proper nice things about this piece that I wrote earlier this week. I’m currently working out what I want this newsletter to look like because I really enjoy doing it, but I don’t want to put to much pressure on making it A Thing™️ because then I’ll shit my pants and never do anything with it at all, so bear with and I’ll keep you posted.
February was a slow reading month for me. I’ve found that without a reading “goal” to strive towards, I’m not as good as picking up another book when I’ve finished whatever I’m reading and then I start overthinking it to the point where I end up choosing nothing and getting annoyed with myself.
I ended up in a bit of a reading slump until my pre-ordered copy of Fern Brady’s ‘Strong Female Character’ showed up at the door, which I consumed within about 12 hours and promptly ending my reading lull.
What have you been reading this month? As always, let me know your recommendations, what you’re into atm, or if you have thoughts on any of the below.
What I read this month
Let Me Tell You What I Mean - Joan Didion
I’ve been meaning to start reading Joan Didion’s work for ages, but was never sure where to start. When I saw this one on the shelf in Foyles, twelve pieces that had never before been collected, I thought it was as good a place as any. Didion’s writing is smart and funny and observant and the first lines (written in 1968) had me laughing aloud on the train.
“The only American newspapers that do not leave me in the grip of a profound physical conviction that the oxygen has been cut off from my brain tissue, very probably by an Associated Press wire, are The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Free Press, the Los Angeles Open City, and the East Village Other.”
Five Tuesdays in Winter - Lily King
Lily King’s Writers and Lovers was one of my favourite books of last year, and I’ve been patiently waiting for her latest collection of short stories to come out in paperback. I think there’s such a skill to writing good short stories, the ability to create a story that has you invested from the outset that you forget it’s only about 15 pages is pretty impressive.
Sankofa was one of the four books I picked from Rare Birds Books’ 2022 advent calendar. A woman in London discovers that the father she never new went on to become the president of a fictional West African nation and so begins her journey to explore more about herself and her identity.
The Cat in the City - Nick Bradley
Stories and characters in Tokyo that are linked together by a cat, The Cat in the City is the second book of short stories that I read this month. I enjoyed this book more as it went on, particularly the presence of a graphic novel style story towards the end.
A graphic novel about two beetle pals who go on a whole host of adventures with their other bug pals. What more do we need?
Strong Female Character - Fern Brady
What an absolute belter. It’s darkly funny and gives some stunning insight into the healthcare system in the UK. Definitely worth a read.
What I wrote this month
*Tyres screech* hold up, what?! That’s right my dudes, she’s been writing. Finally. After YEARS of saying I want to write but ~ nOt KnOwInG hOw ~ (which is actually code for waiting for someone else to give me permission), I have thrown myself into the deep end and actually given MYSELF permission to write. I know. You probably didn’t recognise me without the crippling veil of terrible self-esteem.
Admittedly, two thirds of these articles aren’t going to be that interesting if you’re not into netball, but I’m so committed to this self-promotion that I’m including them anyway.
Excitement in the air at Strathclyde Sirens
Thank you, as always, for reading and subscribing, it’s massively appreciated. I didn’t know how much I would enjoy writing this newsletter when I started and it allows me to pursue one of my all time favourite hobbies: finding the perfect reaction gif.
See you next month, if not before xx