Whilst writing this I’m sat in the garden, with an iced coffee. The lawn is no longer green but the colour of straw. I feel like winter was so long ago and yet still have weeks worth of summer yet. There are so many things I have to look forward to over the next coming months and despite parking fines trying to dampen my mood I won’t let them!
I’ve had a little rejig of the format on my monthly catch ups. Focusing more on books, audio books and then “everything else”. I’ve also planned for the next few months “themed” posts where I talk about books surrounding a similar topic/genre or vibe. I stepped away from this before but I’ve found myself gravitating towards this when I’m exploring book recommendations so hopefully you enjoy them!
This month I really found my feet with reading, my long commute helps me spend the time reading and listening to books and having a scheduled time has enabled me to flow from one book to another. I’m like a small child who thrives on routine, despite rebelling against it for so long.
Earlier this year I spent a little time feeling frustrated with the books that I had picked up, I think a series of bland or trivial books made me really want to explore reading more intentionally. I had a wander around the brilliant inspiring huge daunt books in Marylebone and realised that although I’ve stepped away from instagram hugely and don’t engage so much with buzzy big books I find myself still reading from a small circle of contemporary fiction.
I would love to have the luxury of wondering around a book shop for an hour each time it comes to reading a new book but that is not my reality. But I think it has highlighted to me how much more there is out there past my library app and my phone. It seems so glaringly obvious. But sometimes it takes a nudge for me to really take notice.
Anyway, this month I really tried to choose books that I had easy access to, ones that made me think about the cultural impact the book or author might had had. Well read is a term that I don’t love because it makes me feel that you’re judging or putting worth on what someone enjoys. I just know that I enjoy reading much more when I feel challenged.
As always this exceeds the email length limit so please read via the app or online for the whole newsletter <3
I’m such a seasonal reader and since the weather has really warmed up in the UK I’ve been loving anything set in the sunshine whilst still avoiding the traditional beach read.
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim - A psychological horror from a Korean-American perspective.
Ji-Won is just about to start her first year of college, not at the college she wanted to get into with her best friends. We see the burden of responsibility fall on her after her Appa leaves her Umma for another woman.
When Ji-Won’s mother meets a new man George, Ji-won and her sister see through his facade. Instead Ji-won sees his fetishism, his sexism and his lies. Ji-won becomes obsessed with his, and other peoples blue eyes.
I previously mentioned that I had started this book following a recommendation and I loved it! It is so eerie and paced incredibly well. I’ve had a string of books that although I’ve found them enjoyable they’ve been a bit “meh” so this in its delicate vulgarity was perfect! I feel that the ending I would have possibly preferred the sequence of events to happen differently but over all great book. I would really recommend if you’re finding yourself in a reading slump.
Tell me Everything by Elizabeth Strout - I had heard many great things about the 5th part of the Amgash series, it was even Short listed for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. So after waiting weeks and weeks for my hold to be ready at the library I brewed a tea got all snug and comfy to be totally derailed. Unfortunately I was truly and utterly shocked how bland I found the novel. It was so extremely boring and all the characters were equally dull as they were insufferable. I’ve read all of the other books leading up to this one, and whilst I’ve never felt that any of them have been amazing they’ve been good enough to read the next. This fell seriously flat and I’m finding myself confused when others are gushing about it.
Good Girl by Aria Aber - Another Short list for the Women’s Prize I read this over a weekend and every time I had to put it down I just felt insanely sad for Nila the protagonist. As an Afghan living in Germany during 2001 we are privy to the complexities of racism and cultural judgement. We follow Nila during her year of drugs, nightclubs and discovery whilst she processes her mother’s death and her family/societies expectations. Abers writing really makes you feel every emotion Nila is feeling, together you can share frustrations and feel so extremely pissed at the protagonist because she is worth so much more.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel - I wanted to throw myself into something so wildly different to what I would usually read that’s how I stumbled on reading. Wolf Hall, it’s been one of those books that I’ve kind of been interested in but never felt that I would ever get round to reading it. The first half of this book I was scrambling to keep up and to understand what was going on. I’m not sure whether my lack of historical knowledge of this period impacted it. The dialogue was dense and I did find myself having to reread, but Mantel’s story telling was amazing. The last 3rd of the book I found much more enjoyable and managed to absorb much easier. I couldn’t help but think how utterly shocked all the male characters in this book would be if they knew that a Woman would write such a powerhouse trilogy, when they kept describing woman as feeble delicate creatures. I really enjoyed reading out of my comfort zone but I’m not sure I plan to read the other two in the trilogy.
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
Following on from my ozempic noise post I chose Piglet as a book that myself and any subscribers could read along to. Last paragraph has spoilers!
Piglet follows Pippa, Known as Piglet to family as she counts down the last few days before her wedding. When her fiancé Kit confesses to a betrayal (that we actually never find out what it is) it derails her and the “perfect” life she has been building.
Whilst I can truly sympathise with the heartbreak of being let down by someone I found Piglet really hard to connect and sympathise with. She was incredibly self centred and self absorbed person. I knew from the moment she was hosting her friends and the food she chose to serve (all sounding mouthwateringly delicious) it all had an air of pretentiousness. The constant need she had to compare and point out how each choice was the superior one. This for me set the tone of the protagonist. Someone who overthinks and over analyses choices and how that reflects her own self worth and indicators of class and wealth.
The constant need that Piglet had to feel superior than her family through her more enlightened food choices was exhausting. Piglets connection with food, whilst dieting for the big day (and secretly binge eating) her diets contrasted with her love of cooking and her job as a food editor brings us to constant descriptions of delicious meals, which as a reader I enjoyed the conflict. I know I joke about preferring middle class carrots over working class ones, the former chopped in batons and roasted in honey, the later sliced and boiled. But what I found with Piglet’s food choices felt like a very young woman over thinking everything when in reality it doesn’t have to be that deep. (we all know the meme)
Maybe that’s just a privilege assumption of mine? The foods I ate at home compared to the food I enjoy now with my partner are quite different. But this isn’t always to do with class and education. It is to do with the development of different tastes, not a complex palette but just the fact my parents and I gravitate towards different vegetables, different meats. My love of oysters doesn't set me apart from my parents love of cottage pie. This doesn't need over analysing.
I’m tired with the troupe of a northern person being frugal, poor and lacking worldliness. If you were to believe the characters then you also are meant to believe that if you are north of Birmingham then you’ll probably never have seen tahini, zumac and never ever eaten sushi. It’s a bit tedious, and I’m saying this as someone who lives very close to Piglet and Kits house on the doorstep of Summertown. but I’m also very aware that up north people come from all backgrounds and interests.
The constant reminder of the financial divide became monotonous. The night before the wedding when Piglet confesses to her dad “the betrayal” and his first reaction was to tell her essentially to suck it up because he had bought her a dress that cost more than his car… I found to be the most offensive and sickening reaction ever. He tells her something along the lines of “not to throw away the life she has built.” This isn’t someone just focusing on money spent and not wanting to cause a fuss, this is just a bad person. Imagine your own parent focussing on the cost of a wedding, the minor embarrassment of calling off a wedding, over trusting your instincts and building a long and happy future in a loving environment.
I did fully feel the friction between her and her best friend Margot. I’ve been in the position before with family and friends settling down, getting married, starting a family and feeling so unbelievably far away from that life. Being so happy for them but also incredibly sad that our pre-baby life has come to an end. Knowing that it is a life I would like one day, but at that moment in time in no rush for it.
What I struggled to sympathise and comprehend was how she did not spend the time to actually connect, care or create a genuine connection with anyone yet still wanted everyone to fuss over her and her wedding. I also found it jarring that she seemed to be all consumed with being the bride but also constantly mocked what traditionally being a bride/wife means.
Spoiler Alert!
She chose to go ahead with the wedding and marry Kit. Yet still opted to sulk and actively derail her own wedding day. I got a huge feeling that the price tag that Kit and his family came with was a large factor for her decision. But I don’t think it is acceptable to agree to continue a relationship/marriage and feel that it is ok to punish the other person. I think that it was a huge reflection that Piglet was just a bit self centred and had some growing up to do. I do sympathise with her, that she needed more time to process Kit’s betrayal and that ultimately because of this they break up BUT both of their actions as a couple made for that disastrous day.
I enjoyed the book, as you can see it gave me a lot to talk about. I just felt it was a little predictable.
Is it just me or is Netflix starting to decline so much in its offering? I’ve not been excited or inspired about any of there recent content to the extent I might pause my subscription? This month I’ve barely watched anything on TV other than these…
Too much - Netflix
Ok, there were so many elements that made me laugh out loud and cringe. But ultimately I think it wasn’t my vibe. I enjoyed reading this Post on it. There has been a lot of chat around it. I’ve actually never watched girls and I really like Lena Dunham, so I feel that I will watch that soon. I thought that these two articles were really interesting in relation…
Castaway - Netflix - everyone knows the premise, surely? Anyway my husband and I felt very old as we pointed out the following things. “look how young Tom Hanks is” “they don’t make movies like this anymore” “hang on, he was presumed dead for HOW LONG??? before she married and had a kid” “funny how people are way more upset about him loosing Wilson than loosing her”
As someone who has worked in the Fashion Industry for what feels like forever I really enjoyed this post. Consistency is one of the most important elements of style I think. Now I will be the first one to admit that I cannot justify high end purchases and most of my wardrobe is highstreet and second hand. I do not dress elaborately but I dress in a consistent manner that makes me feel considered. The way I choose to dress is not a reflection of how I design and I know when people discover I’m a designer they have expectations around how I must shop and dress myself. Which is interesting and a different post in itself.
This is another fashion post that TOTALLY clicked for me and I really feel that I’m going to be using and objectively scoring to really feel confident in dressing.
I really enjoyed both pt 1 and 2 of the overrated places to go in London keeping an eye out for a West London post. I know my favourite spots, but it’s actually been a while since I’ve lived in the city so I’m keen to know what’s new and what’s good!
For my mother in law’s birthday we usually go to the Royal Academy to the Summer Exhibit. An exhibition that we all love. This year, to be honest wasn’t my favourite selection of art. The first 2/3 years we went there were so many artworks that I really loved and wished we had the funds (lots are very affordable) to buy. As the years have gone on the art has become very conceptual and much more fringe for my taste.
This year was a little stressful with a 3 year old who I had to follow around not to touch anything, whilst trying to keep up enthusiasm for art and museums and a toddler who had a dickie tummy the night before.
Well when stress levels were at its highest my toddler projectile vomited ALL over me. So not only the exhibition cut short and we had to scarper on our lunch plans (Smith and Wollensky) we travelled home catching sick in kitchen towels with all our sick covered clothes tied up in a plastic bag. A humbling and disappointing experience!
I actually contacted the R&A explaining the situation and they’ve really kindly let me revisit on another occasion. Which I will be going to childless. I might (hopefully) discover a print I hadn’t noticed before.
How was your July? What did you read/get up to?
Thanks for the link 🔗 to my “Too Much” post! I’m with you on not finding too many things of interest to watch on Netflix. Also, I was laughing at your commentary on Castaway. I could live with Tom Hanks not finding a way of the island so quickly but Helen Hunt moving on was a rung too far!!
I didn’t love “Piglet” and I think you e encapsulated why. The protagonist isn’t so likeable and really, all the characters felt a bit flat to me.
I’m currently reading “A 100 year old man climbed out the window and disappeared” which by title alone intrigued me. I’m about 1/2 though and enjoying it. It’s all shades of Candide in the outrageous things that happen over and over.
Enjoyed your newsletter. Thanks for sharing!