It’s time for this month’s review of the best reading, writing, listening, and watching! The full version of this post is an extra end-of-the-month perk for paid subscribers.
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I’ve been seeing midlife transition novels all over the place at the moment.
I’ve read some great reviews of Miranda July’s All Fours, and have found the book difficult to get hold of- a sure sign that it must be popular. The book I have just finished reading, Sandwich by Catherine Newman, also touches on the themes of mothering older children and the anticipatory grief of letting go of the people we love.
I’ve touched on the midlife transition in women’s narratives before (both on-screen and in written form) and there seems to have been an explosion of these stories - both fact and fiction - surfacing over the past couple of years.
As someone who researches women’s narratives, I find it a rich vein of inquiry: how different transitive stages affect the female trajectory throughout our lives is fascinating to me - both from the perspective of women’s creativity within these liminal states, and my own experience of them.
These are ideas I have been focusing on lately within my own writing practice.
The early morning writing sessions I mentioned last month have been going well, and I have written most days after my necessary morning coffee but before getting started with my day. I am finding that although I often experience an initial resistance to getting started, once I do so, the words often flow surprisingly easily. Maybe there is something to the idea that we are most receptive to creative thought just after waking, before the day has impacted on our thoughts and ideas, not to mention the siren call of mobile devices and work and family demands.
As the school holidays descend and the days become a little more chaotic, routines tend to get pushed to the wayside. I am keen to continue to keep to this short writing ritual at the start of the day and am finding that, though initially resistant to a morning writing schedule, writing before any other demands actually ensures that, even if I do no other writing all day, I still feel like I have accomplished something.
I also took last week off from my other work and have spent a lovely time doing my favourite holiday things: long walks in the woods and local green spaces whilst stopping off for overpriced coffees and croissants, visits to two new art exhibitions, eating M&S lunches in the sun whilst people watching, and of course: lots and lots of reading!
I had two new books delivered this week and picked up more from the library. Just sitting in patch of sunlight by the open window and reading for hours has been total bliss 😀
I’d love for you to share any ideas for inspiring adventures away from the page! I think it’s so important to allow for these creative breaks to feed back into the writing process.
With that in mind, I’ve also been getting inspired by some great Substack newsletters, watching a gripping drama, and listening to an illuminating podcast this month, so here’s what I’d like to share with you, in case they inspire you too…
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