Paused reading: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas 📚
I was really struggling to get into this. Rather than push on I’ve decided it’s just not the right time and am pressing pause. Will try again later in the year.
Doing a distance challenge with work has got me out and about so much more this month. Hit 100km yesterday. I need to think about how to keep this motivation up after the challenge ends.
Cosy
“What you learn in the thick of life is the limits of rationality.”
Krista Tippett in conversation with Nick Cave
Finished reading: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel 📚
Sublime. What a way to start a new year in books. Really want to reread Station Eleven now too.
I’ll watch most sports with the notable exceptions of F1, horse racing and golf. Today may be the first time I’ve actively chosen to watch darts. Have to see if Luke Littler can continue his amazing run and take home the top prize 🎯
This is the first year in I can’t remember how long that I haven’t heaped pressure on myself to finish lots of things (and inevitably fail) before the new year ticks round. It feels refreshing.
Finished reading: A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo 📚
Last book of the year. Indulging my love of queer origin stories.
Booked my first overseas holiday for five years today. A short trip over the North Sea to explore the Netherlands and celebrate one of those big 0 birthdays ✈️
Finished reading: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich 📚
My first Erdrich book but definitely not my last. This was a slow burn for me until a little over half way through when I just had to find out what happened next. It’s a rich story based on the history of the author’s own family.
An offering left at the bus stop
Testing posting from Google Keep after seeing all the chat about posting from Apple Notes.
Every December I aim to hold out as long as I can on putting the decorations up. My one concession this year is the wreath I made at a work social this week which is now up on the front door.
My Spotify Wrapped has taught me one thing: I need to take more control over the music I listen to and not lazily listen to the daily mixes that the algorithm throws up 🎶
I remember a time when it seemed all the links shared in newsletters went to Medium. It’s the same now but for Substack 🙄
Finished reading: If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery 📚
Finished reading: The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers 📚
Sad to reach the end of the wayfarer series but excited to read more from Becky Chambers and the worlds she creates.
I’m a convert to reading microblog timelines via RSS, in Feedbin it’s such a smooth experience. But I find it reduces the amount I post and interact which makes me sad.
Finished reading: Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry 📚
Barry is one of my favourite authors and I’ve enjoyed losing myself in his writing before but this one proved a challenge.
The best thing about substack newsletters is that they have RSS feeds.
Finished reading: Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson 📚
Astonishing. I couldn’t put this down, just wanted to float in the words. There’s an art to writing fiction that feels like poetry. This story is tender and it also punches you in the gut.
Fixed some minor issues on my bike all by myself aided by tools borrowed from work and tutorials on youtube 💪
Finished reading: This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar 📚
This one grew on me. I enjoyed the letters but felt a little lost in the rest of the narrative. Also not sure I’ve ever read a co-authored fiction book before, and if I hadn’t have known I couldn’t have told you that was the case.
📸 September 2023 photo challenge. Day 30: Treasure
This tree stood for around 300 years on Hadrian’s Wall. This past week it was purposefully felled by vandals. I can’t comprehend it. We’ve lost a treasure and a symbol of our region.
📸 September 2023 photo challenge. Day 29: Contrast
I’m a sucker for a crane against a crisp blue sky.
