May 2023

May/June has been a bit hectic, which is why this posting is a little late. I moved flat, a little closer to city centre, and into a fully managed building. The contrast between having repairs on hand 24/7 and begging my old landlord to address black mould, leaks and smells is jarring, but wonderful. I’ve definitely made the right decision. My boss recently told me that I seem incredibly happy, and the truth is that I am. It feels like a quiet, peaceful happiness, which seems revolutionary after being used to chaotic and loud displays of being ok.

I actually managed to read a lot in May, but my focus on unpacking will definitely be reflected in my numbers for June. As always, it’s a funny mix, but there’s lots of great stuff in there.

Things We Do Not Tell the People We Love by Huma QureshiFive stars

This was the book I got as part of my book club’s Christmas present swap. It’s a beautiful collection of short stories that I read very quickly, but the stories really stuck with me. Thank you Sara for such a brilliant pick!

4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITEFive stars

If Sheena Patel has one fan, it’s me. This is a gathering of work from the collective she’s part of. The writing is incisive, painful and familiar, and each of the short volumes has a completely singular voice. It felt like a treasure I had discovered that constantly gifted me more insight.

Queen Bee by Jane FallonThree stars

This one was really fun. The story of a low-income single parent who finds herself living in a fancy and closed off gated community, and how she begins to get frozen out by the queen bee mum when she inadvertently covers up a lie made by queen bee’s husband.

Glorious Rock Bottom by Bryony GordonFour stars

This is an essential read for anyone who loves an addict. It’s a refreshingly candid insight into the mind of addiction and the journey of recovery. It’s so easy to take everything that addicts do personally, but the truth is that it has nothing to do with you. Bryony Gordon’s writing is so open and painful, but I want to give it to every GP and health professional, as well as politician, in the UK and Ireland who aren’t doing enough to support addicts and their loved ones.

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody BeattieFour stars

A little self help gem that I’d recommend to anyone who’s struggling with boundaries, especially if you have a loved one who’s an addict.

Night Sky With Exit Wounds by Ocean VuongFour and a half stars

I picked up this volume of Ocean Vuong’s poetry after reading his novel. I loved it. His poetry is spare, beautiful and devastating. I’m already excited to read Time is a Mother.

Seven Steeples by Sara BaumeThree stars

I really wanted to like this one more than I did. I read it for the sister small press book club of my main book club. Nothing happens, the characters are annoying and it reeked of townies going to rural Ireland to find something, without really exploring the environment in which they’re living. The reason I rated it higher than I would for other similar books is that the writing is beautiful. Truly some of the best I’ve read in ages. It’s a testament to Sara Baume’s talent that I finished and was still interested despite having zero interest in the characters and their journey.

Being an Ally by Dana Alison Levy and Shakirah BourneFour stars

A freebie for World Book Day that I borrowed from my friend Lucy’s brother. A nice and accessible introduction to allyship that I think I’d recommend to lots of people at work and in my personal life who aren’t sure where to start.

Death of a Bookseller by Alice SlaterFour stars

I’ve never really read anything like this before. The story is gripping and the characters feel completely real and recognisable. When Roach is written about, I felt like I could see and smell her. Really compulsive and fun. It also made me reach out to former bookseller friends for confirmation that they do really have wanky chats about shelving and categorisation when they’re at the pub.

Worst Idea Ever by Jane FallonThree stars

You may have noticed I often like a nice, easy read to cleanse my palette, and this is another Jane Fallon classic. Her books are always readable with interesting characters, but I never re-read them. This one is about a children’s book writer who tries to support her friend who is struggling with her own career failings, but her plans go awry.

The Argonauts by Maggie NelsonFive stars

This blew me away. A mix of personal reflections on sex, gender and motherhood, combined with literary and critical theory. It made me reflect on a lot of things I’ve been feeling recently in relation to my own life, and was incredibly moving.

Something Borrowed by Emily GiffinThree stars

I don’t even remember how I decided to read this book. I might have seen the film adaptation and thought that I needed a rom-com to pass a train trip on a sunny Saturday. It’s forgettable, but fun. It’s about a woman who sleeps with her bestie’s fiancé, which seems black and white, but Emily Giffin is able to make you sympathise with her.

Something Blue by Emily GiffinThree stars

The sequel to Something Borrowed. The exact same vibe. Just a fun, easy read. It follows Darcey as she flees to London following Rachel having an affair with her fiancé Dex.