Hi friends,
Just this Friday, I received the proof pages for my new book, Bad Luck Penny. This moment is a held breath before a book comes out, the last few weeks when the story is mine and before it follows its own journey in the minds of readers. I wrote this story as a challenge to be true to myself, and to write something that felt as raw, darkly funny and surprising as real life is. For a long time, it didn’t feel like it would get published, but now here it is - a file almost ready for print.
At the same time I am editing my AI novel, which has been challenging, but really satisfying because I've been studying AI Ethics at the same time. It’s funny, even though the book is meant to ask Big Questions, most of my edits are around taking the self-consciousness out of my writing. As I edit, I can tell that I was writing for an imagined audience - be it agents, editors or future readers. The concept has been interesting to me, in writing and beyond. The imagined gaze of others strips away our authenticity. And usually, nobody is even watching anyway.
Anyway, here are some podcasts and books that have been bringing depth to my days:
BOOKS
I came to Department of Speculation by Jenny Offill via Meg Mason, who recommended it as one of her favourite novels that had a powerful impact on her psyche. It’s a short, devastating read about the path of a marriage. Like all great fiction, it lifts the veil and says, this is how it really is.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton conjures the feeling of watching a classic romcom in the best way. It reminds me a lot of reading High Fidelity by Nick Hornby (a book I based my entire personality on in high school). It’s the perfect escapist read and wonderfully written.
I’ve recently started a book club with some wonderful reading friends. As a result I came to Bluets by Maggie Nelson, a series of meditations on the colour blue that adds up to much more.
Another bookclub recommendation is Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan which is profoundly beautiful.
Books on my reading list
I who have never known men, Jacqueline Harpman
The Rachel Incident, Caroline O’Donohue
The Bitterness of Olives, Andre Brown
PODCASTS
With publishing, it is hard not to defer one’s happiness to a later date. In fact, I have a bottle of wine in the pantry that I refuse to open until I hit a specific goal in my mind. The whole thing is ridiculous - I barely drink and the bottle has been there for four years. I loved this take that encourages us all to stop looking for happiness at a future date and find joy in the present.
One of my greatest joys at the moment is going to our local park with our dog, Ocean. We’ve ended up making good friends, and have discovered the comfort of seeing the same people each day and hearing the small details about their lives. In this podcast, a Harvard economist talks about the importance of ‘third spaces’ like these, and what we lose when they disappear.
I’ve always said that reading feels like meditation, and this podcast proves me right.
The iridescent Yangze Choo recently spoke on The Writer’s Routine podcast. I adored her magical first novel The Night Tiger, so loved hearing a bit more about her writing process.
The last is a film recommendation from my AI course, about a group of ability diverse people who find new expression in the metaverse.
That’s it from me!
See you next month x
Amy