Time and reading – they go together like chocolate and salted caramel (what I’d give to for just one more bar of Tony Chocolonely but I or my stomach must not digress) and with an abundance of time on our hands for the next couple of months I thought I’d share not what I’ve read but instead what books I’m planning on reading over the coming weeks.
Top of the pile is What Would The Spice Girls Do by Lauren Bravo – I’ve read the first chapter and it’s me in a book; I’m generation Spice Girls and everything I’ve read so far I’ve nodded or snorted to which is promising for the rest.
Next on the read-list is She Speaks: The Power of Women’s Voices by Yvette Cooper; it’s an anthology of female speeches collated by the Labour MP, known herself for oratorical prominence at the dispatches box. Whilst I’d prefer that women instead of being grouped by their gender, were recognised as human beings I understand the need for women-only publications, events etc such as this and I’m looking forward to discovering some amazing speeches.
Having survived my first self-isolation period with limited chocolate and zero personal space Period by Emma Barnett couldn’t come at a better time; I’m fairly clued up on the science (although I’m always happy to learn more) but after twenty-two years of periods – yes that means I started my period when I was 10 – I think I’m afforded some humour. This is where Emma comes in, not just about making us laugh it’s about breaking down this invisible yet powerful wall of silence and often taboo when it comes to periods, I’m really looking forward to reading this. P.s. Who knew some people referred to their period as ‘red traffic light’?
Boo’s continuing with her daily reading but I thought it would be nice if I chose a book to read to her. We began Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl a couple of days ago and already it’s become such a protected time within what is essentially a fluid existence. Can you say you’re enjoying Anne Frank? Yes, I think you can, Boo laughed at Anne’s timeless descriptions of her friends. Boo already knows how Anne’s diary ends (to begin reading it not knowing, would be too much for any child or young adult) but yet she’s still excited to share her joyous moments. I feel Boo’s emotionally mature enough (as much as you can ever be for the realities of war told through a girl’s perspective). Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl was a formative book for me and I’m privileged to share this with Boo in unprecedented times.
This is the first book I’ve every downloaded – now is the appropriate time for the dinosaurs jokes it just seems like such an obvious and responsible choice at the moment, who knows if I’ll abandon old fashion books for good.
Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig is not a new read to me – It’s had a permanent place on my bookshelf since 2018 and it couldn’t be more relevant now. A page, a paragraph or sometimes even a line can be enough to bring perspective in a way that Matt has a real way of doing without diminishing what you’re feeling. Matt’s writing style makes him accessible for the entire family – multigenerational emotional wellbeing and stillness – something we could all benefit from right now.
My final planned read is again a bit of a cheat as I read this last year on holiday however, I’ve found myself returning to it periodically – such as the complexity of each geopolitical area. Tim Marshall’s Prisoners of Geography is my wholly unscientific plan for when I need to escape cabin fever for five minutes back to a time when the news wasn’t mono-topical. It’s about finding escapism and learning how the War of the Pacific in 1879 between Chile and Bolivia is still the fruit of bitter relations is mine.
I’ve noticed a theme emerge of entirely non-fiction and I’m not sure why. Perhaps my appetite for suspension of disbelief (remember that bad boy from high school) is limited currently to passive engagement via boxsets, who knows. How long will it take me to get through these books I’m planning on reading? Well – I could be a speed-reader and be done in a week or I could take to counting the roof tiles of the local neighbourhood vista. Only time (and lots of it) will tell.
