June Newsletter #04
May feels like it past in a grey haze, not only did the weather fall a little flat I have been battling back to back colds, coughs and headaches that I’m glad that I’m finally starting to feel better. I’ve had to listen to my body and slow down so we didn't do as many fun things that we had originally planned. But It has meant though that I’ve caught up with a lot of TV and grabbed a few early nights with a book in bed!
I’ve tried to keep my reading list a little bit more focused this month and refused to look at the kindle book deals until literally yesterday, even then I only purchased one 99p offer “How not to drown in a glass of water” other than that I have really been drawn to books about self discovery sustainability and nature. I found sticking to one theme in the last handful of books has really inspired me to read more as well as reflect too.
I particularly enjoyed The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, which has fuelled the idea that I would love to complete (part) of the salt path myself. It was a really honest and genuine tale, I loved the mixture of memoir along with facts along the 635 mile route they walked. Winn speaks about the devastating loss of their home and livelihood, the stresses of living off of benefits as well as other peoples reaction to their homelessness. She writes about her husbands diagnosis with a degenerative disease. With each mile they walk and grow closer and closer to the end of the trail, what will they do when it ends is a constant question that both the writer and reader asks. I’ve seen that she has written two other books and I’m genuinely so happy for them.
I also read “nowhere very long” which was quite a contrasting book. I initially bought it as it was a book on self discovery, a rejection to the capitalistic path she was on and ultimately her seeking happiness. For me, despite all of the internet drama that comes with the influencer it felt really inauthentic. The cabalistic path she set out to reject she now seems to embrace by selling dog accessories online and the happiness she seeks seems to be unfound with how deeply unhappy she comes across. The bullying she endures online is disgusting and I felt just sad and deflated after reading her book rather than inspired.
Despite feeling a little meh over the last book I feel that it’s made me think again about capitalism and consumerism. Although every few months I declare a big break up with fast fashion I really want to keep exploring ways in which I can slowly achieve this. I always go through stages where I feel overwhelmed with “stuff” how much we are meant to consume and how normalised it is. Reading about how others choose a different way of life, or actively choose to give up this life gives me the itch.
During these fashion detoxes I have read so many books around fast fashion and the effects that they have on the planet, although some can feel repetitive going over the same horror stories and doom and gloom facts of what consumerism is doing to the planet. Last year I read Worn by Sofi Thanhauser. Although I thought it was going to be more about history of clothing it really went into the nitty gritty of cloth and manufacture which was interesting but not what I was expecting. Looking on my bookshelf I’ve got To Die For, which I’ve not yet read so will add to the pile of books I would like to read next!
3 Must Read Female Memoir
Although I don’t read a lot of non fiction I have read lots of amazing Memoirs. Of lots of different people, at the end I always come to the same conclusion women are just amazing! Their resilience, their power, their kindness and ability to get shit done. Here are some of my favourite.
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
You can read the synopsis here
289 pages
I actually didn’t realise that this was an autobiography until I physically started reading it. I knew it was an American classic and picked it up without reading the blurb. I’m not really a traditional classic reader, but I knew that this was powerful and always spoken about on a lot of podcasts I listen to. Not only is it her autobiography it is one of 7 in the series, when I discovered this I thought the first book would only cover a small part of her life but it starts at her early years (age 3) all the way until she is 17. The detail in which she remembers from being incredibly young is incredible. Like most books I read I didn’t know much about it when I started, I’m considering picking up one each year and slowly make my way through her work. I’ve not really heard of the others, but those who have read the whole collection rave about it.
I’m Glad my Mom Died
You can read the synopsis here
336 Pages
I’m glad my Mom died I listened to on audible shortly after its release. I’d not really heard much of Jennette McCurdy, her show on Nickelodeon aired when I was a bit older so wasn't really on my radar. I know that child actors are an interesting breed (I could write a whole post themed solely around this) and usually I feel that those who have parents who push them into acting have complex relationships. McCurdy talks about her extremely abusive mother and the effect that it has had on her life with alcoholism, eating disorders as well as how this has impacted relationships. It’s extremely interesting whilst also being harrowingly sad. I hope that McCurdy is getting the love and support that she deserves.
Lowborn
You can read the synopsis here
241 Pages
I read this book years ago, but since the cost of living crisis has been the constant topic of conversation I can’t help but think of this book and what I learnt. It’s so hard to say that you love a book when it focuses on such a difficult childhood. Hudson does a great job of exploring and sharing her past whilst also highlighting the difficulties of breaking out of the vicious poverty cycle. It’s a book that even though its harrowing and devastating you can’t put it down. It’s so easy to read, I’ve since seen that she has a book out in Feburary which I’m already adding to my Wishlist.
**June Bookclub Read**
This is now going to be announced in the bookclub posts! We will be discussing Small Joy’s next week….