What I got up to: May Catch Up...
Recent things I’ve been up to
My favourite thing about May is that it is a Bank Holiday sandwich. The first and last Monday are a prolonged weekend. This usually means we plan some kind of getaway or something to make the most of it!
My least favourite thing about this May is I’m officially back at work. Which has so many big feelings that I’m processing over here. I feel like I’ve been thinking and talking about this return for so long. I genuinely feel so lucky to have had 14 months off with my baby, not every moment was enjoyable it was bloody hard at points. I know the UK needs to do better with Maternity pay and Paternity leave (I read this great article here where parents articulate their experiences) but the fact I spent 14 months without the stress of my commute and juggling the logistics around childcare or sickness bugs. It has meant that now I’ve returned to work I have the headspace to be creative AND be a mother.
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It was a really quiet month on the reading front and what is extremely unlike me but I opted for 2 non fiction books.
Ultra Processed People - This started off really strong for me as well as being heavily recommended. UPF (ultra processed food) has been something I’ve been extremely conscious of, especially when being time poor trying to feed a fussy toddler with a dairy allergy I noticed that UPF was so easily accessible. That it takes brain power, time and money to make different choices. I got about halfway through before it really started to become really repetitive. Like most non fiction books I’m wanting to know more about the subject not necessarily the 500 words of backstory and waffle that leads to each point. Some really interesting and shocking facts but I DNF before it delved any deeper. UPF is bad and the government isn’t doing enough to protect or educate the public.
Cultish - I found this book extremely interesting and I learnt so much. I’m not quite finished it yet but I’m really enjoying not only the way that the author is documenting, interviewing and how she tells the back stories of Cults. I’m halfway through and hoping it keeps up the momentum.
Each month a library audio book lands in my inbox. I try and place a handful of holds, some arrive quicker than anticipated and some feel like I’ve waited for months (usually because I have). I genuinely think that there is a joy of waiting and I think that you read/listen to these books slightly different to if you had a constant abundance of choice available to you at all times.
I picked up Caledonian Road for a few reasons, one being just seeing it so many times (from peoples recommendations to on the book table at my local bookstore) and wanting to read something a little different to what I’ve picked up as of late.
Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan
This novel was VAST and especially intense over audio which I can only applaud the narrator Michael Abubakar for the insane amount characters that this novel has, the expanse of accents and voices that they managed to quite successfully narrate made it quiet an enjoyable listen. I feel that there is some kind of reflection in there based on the Russian characters and how Russian literature famously has a huge amount characters with multiple variations of their names.
It did make it harder to get stuck into, not only do the characters jump around but the POV changes too. For me this took away some of the enjoyment or ability for it to flow. It was around halfway through that I finally started to feel that I knew who was who, and not have to pause and recap on a character. Rather than just absorbing the story I finally got to a point that I was able to think about where the story might be going or motive from each characters.
Overall I don’t think I loved it. But it’s one of those books that isn’t love or hate in my experience of talking to others who have also read it. The quality of writing is good, the flow in the dialogue felt
I felt that the protagonist Prof. Campbell was one of those men who really think that more enlightened than he was. By the end he showed his true colours. He was extremely intelligent and all he wanted to do was push his intelligence onto others. I don’t feel that he actually cared about some of the causes and politics he spoke about, but he wanted to actively push against what his peers cared against. He lacked being able to listen to others and to me, just gave entitled vibes.
Whilst I understood that this was the whole point of his character and a main cog in how the plot developed but it felt that the author was using it as a flex rather than feeling extremely genuine. The format felt very much conservative white people= bad people and poor people were left leaning and therefore = good. Personally I felt the characters felt a little stereotypical and leant into tropes. The lack of nuance made them feel like caricatures, this in turn made me constantly question the authenticity of other characters and maybe picked them apart or thought about them too much.
I thought that the book could have finished about 3 hours before it actually did, so when it eventually wrapped up it just felt a bit meh. The jumping around constantly broke any flow any connection that I hoped to have. I don’t know, maybe the whole “state of the nation” vibes just isn’t what fills my cup.
A Complete Unknown - Disney
I really wanted to see this at the cinema but missed it and to be honest I found it a little boring. I thought the music and costume would be really inspiring especially seeing that it was nominated for so many awards. Maybe for those who are huge Bob Dylan fans would enjoy it more? I’m possibly not the right audience, it’s watchable but not a favourite from me.
The Last of Us - Sky
I know, I am so horribly behind on TV shows but I’m really enjoying not rushing to consume everything the moment it is released. The last of us was so hyped I worried that my expectations would be too high. I started watching slowly and have finally finished the first season. I love how it had me on edge in each episode whilst also not pandering to typical jump/scare tactics. I’m excited to start season two in the next couple of weeks.
Four Seasons - Netflix
I really really enjoyed this limited series, the humour was fantastic and so well timed as well as having substance and nuance throughout. The cast was fantastic and I thought that each character held their own beautifully. I did not expect the last episode at all, and, throughout it sparked so much conversation on behaviour, relationships and friendships between my husband and I. Highly recommend.
Linked to one of the books I read this month I read both this guardian article and then was sent this article from the BBC. What is becoming so clear is that the government needs to do more in protecting, educating and making healthy food much more accessible. What I did not enjoy was going onto the comments and see the likes of Susan saying she managed to work as well as feed her children non processed food 40 years ago so people need to suck it up and get on with it. We can understand in so many ways that the world has changed so much in 40 years, the affordability, the accessibility and pressures put on parents (for example both parents working one or more jobs each). I did find that there was multiple articles suddenly released and all written in a bit of a scare tactic. This opinion piece articulates it extremely well.
It’s official I started work mid month. I managed to squeeze in an epic amount of last minute joys including a weekend away to the Lake District AND to Paris. Because you know Paris is always a good idea, even with two kids under 3!
The Lake District is somewhere that has my heart. It is such a beautiful part of England and really is geared up with something for everybody. Since meeting my partner we’ve gone yearly and it really has become such a lovely time away. The scenery, food and activities are honestly perfect and as our needs have changed there has always been plenty to do. This time we met friends who had moved to Scotland and we’d not seen in nearly 2 years! It was the perfect weekend. We went to Chesters by the River and filled our stomachs with amazing food, we walked the Gruffalo trail at Grizdale forest and ate and drank in the sunshine amidst the chaos of 4 young kids!
We also spent a weekend in Paris. Because, you know, why not! The weather was so insanely beautiful. Usually we would potter around focusing our time on food, cafes and cocktails. But this time with two kids with us it was quite different. We went to Disneyland, which I never thought I would rave about it as much as I am going to. My daughter was stunned into silence because she was so happy! The parade went past and she saw her favourite princess (Rapunzel) who blew her a kiss and caught hers in return. Being able to see magic first hand was such an incredible experience as a parent. Be warned the princess costumes are extortionately priced! We kept it pretty chilled not stressing to go on too many rides as well as being super conscious not to overwhelm. The following day we went to Jardin De Luxembourg and sailed boats, went on the swings (which you have to pay for entry into the park) as well as to the Louvre to see the Couture exhibition. Which I wish we had just focused the whole day at the Louvre and gone to the Jardins if we had time before.
These last few weeks I’ve been glued to my laptop and creating photobooks. I’ve got so many pictures on my phone, including ones from our wedding, honeymoon as well as the last 3 years since having kids. It took me weeks, which I probably could have been more efficient but the ai tool 100% hindered the process and not helped. After creating 4 books I do think I’m a pro now. I got all of these books with 50% off and used top cash back for a further 5% cashback.
I also bought a walk pad, my work schedule sandwich between nursery drop off and bedtime routines doesn’t really leave a lot of room for gym classes. But I thought that I could get steps in the evening. I didn't realise how I was starting to feel a bit anxious about being at a desk all day when my maternity leave has been so centred around walking. I’ve used it a handful of times and it still feels very novelty. I hate how noisy it is to change settings but for the price point I am pleased with it so far.
I’ve desperately tried to buy from M&S online, I have a basket full and am patiently waiting for the online orders to open.
What’s the Weather? is now officially live, you might have noticed that I have moved it into a subsection to my substack.
I think this is going to work better for me, if this isn’t something that you are interested in you can opt out of these emails. But I’m hoping there is genuinely something for everyone.
Love Four Seasons and you’re right it’s incredibly nuanced. I recognize myself in some of the character’s behavior. I am on the penultimate episode right now.
I might give Cultish a read one of these days. I recently finished Amanda Montell's most recent book, The Age of Magical Overthinking, which was very good.