Getting My Mojo Back

I’m fresh off of a week’s holiday from work, so maybe that explains why I’ve had so much more brain space, but I’ve finally had a fire lit under me again when it comes to reading. I can’t afford to actually go anywhere at the moment (impending home ownership will do that to a single gal), but I had a lovely day trip to London with Clare and Sara, and spent a few days resting up with the cold I managed to pick up while I was there. But, I digress.

I’ve struggled with reading in 2025. I was travelling a lot for work, busy with finally putting in an offer on a house (my survey was last week and I’m waiting for the report. Pray for me!), and just didn’t have a lot of time to give to reading. I missed the last bookclub because Leo was recovering from being neutered and things have just been a little bit wild.

This week has seen a massive turn in my progress. I’ll let you wait until my April round up for the details, but I’ve managed to get through lots of books that I’ve been saving until I’m in the right headspace, and my mind finally feels better. I have the usual fear about returning to work tomorrow, but I’m hoping this better mindset will see me right to get things done for this week, especially as I’m only working three days before I go home for my gorgeous friend Edel’s wedding.

London was a fun jaunt, and we managed to see some wonderful bookshops. I visited the London Review of Books for the first time, which was wonderful, although the clientele felt a little elitist for some reason. We also went to Hatchard’s, Piccadilly Waterstone’s and Gay’s the Word. GTW was my personal highlight, as I ended up having a beautiful conversation with the manager Jim about why he left Ireland in the 80s (to be gay, makes sense!), and how amazing its been to see Ireland progress socially in our lifetimes, despite the issues that currently plague home. Clare, Sara and I also did a little book swap, and I ended up with a lovely Everyman edition of Wuthering Heights for my collection. Our friend Katie also happened to be in town for work, so the four of us shared the train home, which was lovely.

Speaking of random conversations in bookshops, I picked up some of the wonderful new Penguin Archive Classics in the Liverpool Waterstones. I’m not usually a fan of Waterstones in general. It always feels a little clinical compared to indie bookshops. While at the till, Sara and I ended up in a wonderful conversation about Lorca with one of the booksellers, who convinced me that I need to seek out a dialogue-free, flamenco performance of Blood Wedding. I told him about the amazing retelling by Marina Carr that I’d seen at the Young Vic a few years ago.

This entry feels like a bit of a ramble, but this week has been all about the power of people and connection for me. As well as everything I discussed, I had a visit from my dad, I got to show him the house I’m hoping to buy, and I got lots of chocolate from people I love. There’s lots to be grateful for, and maybe that’s why I’m able to lean more into reading at the moment.

I also can’t let this entry go without reflecting on the death of Pope Francis. To die on Easter Monday is a diva move, especially given that the film Conclave has done so well recently. I’m excited for the drama of the next few weeks. Nothing beats Catholicism for gay pageantry!