I’ve always been staunchly again the Kindle. I know it’s a silly hill to die upon but that’s just who I was until a few months ago. My justification was always that you can’t beat a real book – the smell of its pages (even more potent when secondhand obviously), the crack of the spine as you settle in for your newest adventure – I know, I know, there are bound to be people cringing about that last statement but I’m a spine cracker and proud.
But I’ve found myself in a Stephen King renaissance the last few years and I could no longer deal with the heft of his novels. My favourite place to read is in the tub and my delicate wrists (the only delicate thing about me, let’s face it) just couldn’t lift Insomnia anymore. Conversely, I once dropped a copy of IT in the water and it swelled to twice it’s size – quite impressive when it was already the thickness of two telephone books strapped together. My friend Matt displays his books proudly upon his shelves, while I drop mine in the bath, lend them out, leave them on buses and lose them forever.
I should probably be taken out and shot.
Anyway, I finally relented and treated myself to a Kindle small enough to slip in my bag and it’s honestly been a game changer. I can read anywhere I like without fear of spraining my bird-like wrists or weighing myself down. And it must have changed things really because I am already half way through my Goodreads challenge for the year. I’ve never completed it and I think I’ve got a real chance this year. Sure, quarantine might have played a part but I like to think this clever little device has been key.
When we move house (god willing), I’ll have at least an hour’s commute into town and that’s where I think this plan will really come into its own. I can’t wait to plug in and zone out with King or anyone I choose. It’s literally a brave new world just there for the taking. Here’s what I fancy next:
- The Southern Books Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
- Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
- The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold
- The Conviction of Cora Burns by Carolyn Kirby
- American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
- Pine by Francine Toon
- My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley
- See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt
Unpretty Thoughts Journal 
I’m so curious to know your thoughts on American Dirt! When it was published in the States, there was a HUGE library (and book people) controversy about the author sometimes identifying as white and sometimes playing up her Latinx heritage, as well as writing in questionable ways about POC. But I’ve also heard some folks really like the book (including Oprah!).
I’ve been terrible about reading on lockdown, but I finally got to How to Build a Girl (LOVED) and am finishing up The Winter Tide, a take on Lovecraft lore that he would absolutely hate; i.e. it intentionally calls out racism, homophobia, bigotry, etc. I suspect it’s not exactly your cup of tea–lol, because of the sci-fi/fantasy themes, not the social justice element. Still, it’s been excellent escapism. 🐙
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They’re making How to Build a Girl into a movie with Beanie Feldstein as Johanna, I’m so excited to see it, she’s so gorgeous. I liked the book too but I’ve fallen very much out of love with Caitlin Moran over the years. Still, I have high hopes with this. I will let you know what I think of American Dirt certainly. I vaguely recall there being controversy surrounding it so look forward to having an opinion on it!
As for The Winter Tide does this book have anything to do with the upcoming Lovecraft Country TV show? It sounds intriguing but you’re right, I’m not very good at reading the old fantasy/sci-fi – I prefer to watch it. Maybe that says something meaningful about my lack of imagination? Let me know how the book is though! Escapism is everything right now! Love you xoxo
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I love Beanie Feldstein’s work so much, and I really hope the film is as good as it looks! The only thing I’ve heard so far is people complaining about Beanie not being English, but I honestly cannot think of anyone else I’d rather play Johanna.
For real, though, it’s incredibly frustrating to be a fan of Caitlin Moran’s work when she seems to refuse to hold herself accountable or do better in supporting WOC.
The Winter Tide is unrelated to Lovecraft Country–however, that one is also on my TBR list! And omg, the show looks incredible! Winter Tide was very good, set in the late ’40s, so there was a bit of a pulp detective novel feel in some ways. Also
I’m not sure where all of these Lovecraft-inspired works have come from the past few years? Maybe people are just tired of the god worshiping of Lovecraft when he was actually a horrendously awful person. Whatever the reason, I’m not complaining.
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Not sure how I managed to post that comment mid-thought. One last thing I would mention about The Winter Tide–the cast of characters feels real and includes representation of different races and sexual orientations, though romance is refreshingly mentioned in passing rather than a major focus.
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