October 2024

I had put off writing again, much to the chagrin of my second biggest fan (after my dad) Sara. She’s been needling me to publish, so this one’s for you, my Yorkshire pudding.

As I type, it’s the day after the US election, and even though I knew, deep down, how it was going to go, I feel shellshocked, and oddly numb. I’m nervous about what this means for Palestine, for eastern Europe, and what will happen to women and queer people in the US. Everyone I’ve spoken to has a sense of unreality, and I’m doing my best to avoid the news and maintain a sense of calm for my own sake. I realise that it’s privileged to be able to do this, but needs must.

In October, I went to Edinburgh with Clare, where we did coffee with a bookseller in Topping’s (more to come on this) and a workshop on finding our inner witch. Both were wonderful, as was exploring a city I’d only ever visited once before in more detail. I don’t think there’s any city in the UK that’s as breathtaking as Edinburgh, and we managed to have a brilliant time despite battling a cold each, as well as the UK’s wretched train system.

Here’s what I read in October, along with my playlist. If you’re feeling fractured today, I hope that this will help to soothe you.

Eligible by Curtis SittenfeldShe’s done it again, this time with a contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice set between New York and Cincinnati. The Bennetts, particularly Mrs Bennett and Lydia, are brilliant retellings of the old favourites, as is the deliciously spiky Caroline Bingley. I also loved how she reworked Mr Collins and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. A must-read for any Austen fan.

Intermezzo by Sally RooneyEveryone’s favourite is back, and this time she’s got men at the centre of her story. Despite knowing nothing about chess, I inhaled this. It tells the story of two brothers with a ten-year age gap - Peter and Ivan - and how they navigate their lives and relationships following the death of their father. The chapters alternate between their viewpoints, and I’ve seen a lot of criticism online for the stream of consciousness style of Peter’s pieces, which I didn’t really understand. I often wonder if Irish readers find this style easier to read, as we speak so quickly and in run-on sentences. It reminded me of James Joyce, both in its style, and in its vivid recollation of Dublin. I finished it, closed it, and cried from pure homesickness, even though I have no desire to move home. This also marks an exciting chapter for UCD graduates such as myself, as the university finally features in a major way. I’m glad she’s finally expanding her horizons out of Trinity.

The Outrun by Amy LiptrotI got this one from the library, as I was on the fence about seeing the film. I’m always a bit reluctant to read recovery memoirs, as they tend to focus on the difficulty and trauma of getting sober, rather than the joy of living sober (Octavia Bright’s This Ragged Grace is my favourite), but this one sits in the middle. If anything, it’s a love letter to Orkney and the surrounding islands, where the author grew up and returns to after completing rehab in London. It’s a reminder of the healing power of nature, similar to The Salt Path, but it didn’t tempt me to go and see the film.

Diavola by Jennifer Marie ThorneIt feels like good timing to be writing this now, as it was my book club meeting last night, and this was our pick for the month. I read it in one day, between a cafe in Edinburgh, the train home, and my sofa. Our protagonist Anna has travelled from New York to Tuscany to spend time in an ancient villa with her insufferable family. Things begin to get creepy, and it’s clear they’re not alone in the house. This is a clever spin on a horror book, and went in directions I could have never predicted. I’d really recommend if you’re looking for something different.

Girls in Love, Girls Under Pressure, Girls Out Late and Girls in Tears by Jacqueline WilsonIf you’re of a certain vintage (millenial woman from the UK or Ireland), you’ll remember these books. I re-read them in preparation for reading the sequel, which was released in September. It was a fun nostalgia trip, but also a heartbreaking reminder of how much teenage girls hated themselves in the late 90s and early 00s.