I’m going to be honest and admit that not much reading has happened this month. Not even on holidays – a prime opportunity, whether beachside or idling away hours on a plane. I had a lot on my mind and couldn’t concentrate. Things improved a little (although at the cost of my health!) when I spent that week in bed recovering from whatever-the-hell-swine-flu-thing I’d managed to contract. The pile of library books I managed to procure and had next to me were of great comfort and consolation.
Of these, Adult Fantasy by Briohny Doyle is the one I picked up first and immediately after reading the opening pages was the book I wish had been published nine years ago. Those of you who’ve been reading this blog for that long might recall how much I dreaded turning thirty. (And no – ‘dread’ isn’t an exaggeration. I wrote about the topic here, but can’t find the post to link to. I’m probably sparing you a dose of cringe-worthy angst. You’re welcome.)
Though I’m not dismissing the very real unease it caused. I know a lot of people who’ve had trouble with that particular birthday and I’m looking forward to discovering more of Doyle’s writing and her take on the subject in the book.
I’ve borrowed I Love Dick by Chris Kraus twice now from the library. It’s been praised to the skies since its publication two decades ago, hailed a contemporary feminist text. To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about it yet (which is why it went back to the library unread the first time). But its epistolary form is in its favour – I’m usually able to read those fast.
Finally on my pile, untouched as a treat I want to give myself once my intense writing fervour is over (deadlines! deadlines!) is Ache by Eliza Henry-Jones. Her essay was one of my favourites in Rebellious Daughters – for more about that book you can listen to my podcast interview with co-editor Lee Kofman – and I look forward to this, her latest release.
What are you reading this month?
Some Trust the Process news: you can pre-order through Booktopia and, now, Readings. Something to think about if you’re doing some online shopping!
