March reading wrap up 📚✨

Hi, this is my March 2023 reading wrap up.

This month I read books written by women, semi accidentally but also aware that March was Women's History Month here in the UK (I think I accidentally called the whole month International Women's Month when in fact, it is just a day (March 8th) rather than an entire month)

The first book was A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Chinese-British author Xiaolu Guo, a smart witty look at life in England as a Chinese woman learning English.

The second was Rest and Be Thankful by Welsh author Emma Glass, a fascinating dreamlike and emotionally raw look at a Paediatric nurse's struggle to balance her personal life with the unrelenting demands of the underfunded yet essential work she does in the NHS.

The third is Passing by Nella Larsen, a 1929 classic of the Harlem Renaissance that follows two women with Black ancestry who can "pass" as White women in a society that is inherently racist and the dangers of this.

I also continued reading Grettir's Saga, which is a Medieval Icelandic Saga that follows a bellicose outlaw called Grettir Ásmundarson and his antics, one of which inspired a scene in Robert Egger's Viking epic The Northman! - Join the Saga Book Club to delve into Sagas and Norse History and Mythology with me!

So I failed my book buying ban

So I failed my book-buying ban. Oops.

In this video I have 6 books to share with you: a popular cosy fantasy and a Norwegian novel by Karl Ove Knausgard that I've wanted to read for ages.

Also, there are some history books and, finally, a book with the most stunning front cover ever; it's by Emma Glass, a welsh author, ready for me to read this month as part of the Dewithon 2023 as recommended by @KDbooks in his Celebrating Welsh literature 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 video -    • 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Celebrati...  

February Wrap-Up: Han Kang's new book, too many Nordic dramas, The Whale + more

Hi, welcome to my longest video for the shortest month of the year! Because that makes sense somehow.

I read some fantastic books in February, including a mysterious horror, a hilarious Medieval Icelandic Saga where everyone is called Thor and Han Kang's latest book to be translated, just to name a few.

I watched quite a few movies, and it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions from the heartbreaking The Whale and a devastating Holocaust drama to Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Cédric Klapisch's latest film En Corps (Rise) and Netflix's Troll!

TV shows were pretty much all Nordic dramas because I recently subscribed to Viaplay - so I watched Exit, which is about 4 bankers in Norway who are despicable, Furia a drama about Fascist extremism in Europe, Jordskott a Nordic Noir meets dark Brother's Grimmesque, fairytale and Valkyrien a medical drama with a dark twist.

Essay: Sworn Sisterhood? On the (Near-) Absence of Female Friendship from the Íslendingasǫgur: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/...

5 reasons you must read Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

Our Wives Under the Sea is an exquisite and haunting debut novel by Julia Armfield.

Read on for 5 reasons why you must read it!

1. The Structure

This mysterious story unfolds in the alternating POV of two different characters, Miri and Leah. This adds so much tension and anticipation because as soon as you think you are about to hit a revelation, the story shifts to the other character, which is wonderfully frustrating and you just have to take the bait and be compelled to read on.

2. The prose

The descriptions, metaphors and similes used are beautiful, and there is a fluidity to the writing that shows Armfield to be a talent to watch as this is surprising her debut novel despite it reading like a author at the top of their game. I can’t wait to see what Julia Armfield does next!

3. The Characters

Miri and Leah are fascinating characters, and their romance before juxtaposed with their struggles after is heartbreaking to read. I really felt a sort of affinity with Miri because of the way she thinks about things and the language she uses, which made for an even more interesting read.

4. The Horror

Subtly horrifying, the story unravels slowly but masterfully, and it gradually gets under your skin in the best way possible. It feels very much like a sapphic Cronenbergian body horror flick and I absolutely love that vibe. In fact could we get a movie? Pretty please?

5. The Themes

The book explores themes of death, longing, religion, curiosity for the unknown and the torture of waiting.

Book Review: The Gravity of Existence by Christina Sng

The Gravity of Existence is a poetry collection by three-time Bram Stoker Award®-winning author Christina Sng.

The Gravity of Existence by Christina Sng with cover art by Ukrainian artist Anna Surgan

For the most part, I only really read poetry when required to do so for studying. This is not to say I don't like the literary form, just that I don't choose to read it for some reason. And then my favour seems to side with the romantics like Shelley, Baudelaire or Tennyson.

But this collection intrigued me with its strange mix of sci-fi, fairytales and horror. I was pleasantly surprised by these snapshot poems that feel humorous, honest, anxiety-inducing and beguiling all at the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press for providing me with a copy for an honest review!