March Review

A turn towards more nonfiction & spring cleaning my habits

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I seem to have had a bit of a nonfiction reading vibe going on lately, for some reason. Last month I had two nonfiction titles, and this month I have another two.

I think that during March, as the seasons begin to change and thoughts of spring emerge, I am perhaps drawn towards finding new rhythms; the old ‘spring cleaning’ finds me wanting to brush away the winter cobwebs and upgrade my habits and routines.

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Some of the nonfiction books have also been due to my ongoing research into the lives of women and the ideas I am developing for a possible future book project. I attended a publishing event this month in my local writer’s workshop, and it was daunting to hear about the process of approaching book agents and publishers. However, it also filled me with determination to continue to work on hard things.

In an effort to fight the distraction demons attached to the Internet, I have been experimenting with going analog this month. This has essentially meant taking a physical notebook and pen to a cafe or library to write my drafts, as well as to take research notes. I am surprised (though I shouldn’t be) to realise how freeing this has made my writing! I am feeling more creative as a result and loving the time away from screens 🙂

Perhaps due to the spring equinox, as well as considering new rhythms and routines this month, I am thinking of having a changeup of these monthly reviews. Although I have loved sending out an extra end-of-the-month roundup for the past couple of years, for several reasons, I am thinking of incorporating my recommended reads and ad hoc updates into my long form essay newsletters instead.

This is for several reasons. I offer the full review as a thank you to paid subscribers, with a preview free for all. However, I have recently realised that Substack don’t allow comments from non-paying subscribers on these posts, meaning I miss out on the lovely conversations I have enjoyed in the past with you, my readers. The whole point of sharing my writing here, including my book recommendations, is to connect with readers and share great books in the comments.

For this reason, I am going to experiment with offering my paid subscriptions on a more patron model, as I know other writers do. I have kept the price at the minimum tier allowed by Substack, and intend to put on special offers regularly, to enable those who feel compelled to support my writing to sign up.

I feel that this will also allow me to get back to focusing all my energies on researching and crafting the best essays I can, delving into great books and interesting, relevant themes, championing the work of some phenomenal women.

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I also sometimes feel that I haven’t read “enough”, depending on what else has been going on in my life in a particular month. This is ridiculous, I know, but I think as the platform has grown, and many more readers share their monthly updates, it is easy to feel you are lacking in some way. I also think that if I want to wax lyrical about a book I’ve found value in, I can still do that within my main Sunday essays, or as shorter, ad hoc posts that I randomly feel like sharing.

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Now, what have I been reading, watching, and listening to in this month of March…?

Books

To Throw Away Unopened by Viv Albertine

I read Viv Albertine’s first memoir, Clothes, Clothes, Clothes, Music, Music, Music, Boys, Boys, Boys, several years ago and was blown away by her account of forming punk band the Slits. She writes with a frankness that I don’t think I’ve found in anyone else’s writing.

In this second memoir, Albertine turns to the relationship of her parents and her own reaction to the recent death of her mother. Now a single parent raising her teenage daughter, Albertine also responds to society’s treatment of women young and old and the luxury of becoming invisible, no longer open to unwanted attention from the male gaze.

When she discovers old papers of her mother’s stating “To throw away unopened”, she discovers more about her mother’s early life and the relationship of her parents. Another really thought provoking memoir.

I Didn’t Do The Thing Today by Madeleine Dore

This was a book I came across during a browse in my local indie bookshop. As I say, I have been in a bit of a reflective, nonfiction mood this month, and this book literally called to me from the shelf as soon as I spotted it.

The subtitle of this book declares itself as On Letting Go Of Productivity Guilt, and for this reason, I warmed to Dore’s friendly, conversational tone of voice immediately. An Australian journalist, Dore wished to discover more about the ‘ideal’ habits of working creatively, taking it upon herself to interview many creatives in a quest to find the ‘secrets’ to finding a fulfilling, balanced life.

What she found of course was that there was no such thing as a ‘perfect’ routine, going on to create ideas and suggestions on how we can incorporate a more creative way of living in which we are focusing on what matters to us, without burning out or expecting to be productive every single day.

I particularly loved her ideas around the comparison of others and dealing with decision fatigue. My copy of the book is covered in pencil underlines, asterisks, ‘Yes!!!’ and ‘Aha!!!’ notes. I am now attempting to incorporate some of her ideas into my weekly reading and writing practice.

I wrote a full essay on this book as I was so inspired by it! You can find it here.

Letters Home by Sylvia Plath (edited by Aurelia Plath)

This was a research book I borrowed from the library, and although I have dipped in and out of it rather than reading it from cover to cover, it has been an enlightening look at the relationship between Sylvia and her mother.

DNF

I also had a couple of books I couldn’t finish reading this month: Open Throat by Henry Hoke (found it too disturbing/surreal) and In The Unlikely Event by Judy Blume (well written, but just too many characters for me).

I am currently reading The Details by IA Genberg, which I’m enjoying so far, and may have finished by the time this review reaches you! It is translated from Swedish by Kira Josefsson, and features a woman who recalls four important relationships in her life whilst she is in bed suffering from a fever. Fast paced and reflective on the ways we are affected by the relationships we encounter throughout our life, it’s a really interesting concept!

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Articles

This amusing piece by Katie Burgess on Electric Literature exploring ‘Rejection Letters from an Editor Who Is Going Through Some Stuff’

A review on Raw Content, a novel by Naomi Booth, about a new mother’s psychological descent following the arrival of her newborn.

I also wanted to share a link to my daughter’s brand new e-book, all about the art of balance, particularly for freelancers, but also applicable I think to the many of us who spend at least some of our lives working from home. And yes, it is nepotism, but if the bro’s can do it, why can’t I…😂

Substacks

This piece ‘You Are Your Cultural Diet’ on the newsletter Empty Calories (a new obsession!!).

Kelsey Worth Solomons

’ writing always engages me, and I loved this piece she wrote about ‘Working On: a tactical retreat’ this month. It echoed many of my own thoughts on distraction and the ‘noise’ of social media platforms.

In a similar vein, this essay by

Rosalynn Tyo

on All By Our Shelves really caused me to pause. Rosalynn (who has long been one of my favourite writers on Substack) talks about her need to step away from the platform. I will miss her writing, but I hope she finds a more soothing way to share her work in the future.

Watching

Valeria I was surprised to see that this brilliant Spanish Netflix series had returned for a fourth season. I was concerned it might not live up to the first three series, which I reviewed in an earlier newsletter, but I’m pleased to say that it did!

Valeria is based on the bestselling books by Elisabet Benavent, and features four female friends living and working in Madrid, negotiating careers, relationships and friendship. I was originally drawn to the series as the ‘Valeria’ of the title is a writer attempting to write and publish her first novel. A lovely, escapist, fun series which features the beautiful backdrop of Madrid (and some absolutely kick-ass outfits!!). The finale of the series had me in happy tears, I have to admit. I wrote more about female friendships through this lens here.

The Dropout This series on BBC iPlayer is based on the true story of a young female biotech CEO who dropped out of Stanford and set up and ran a billion-dollar company based on technology that didn’t quite exist. A really interesting look at the early noughties tech-based culture and the billionaires that thrived in it. A fascinating watch.

Listening

My daughter drew my attention to this song, Tolerate It, by Taylor Swift, taken from her 2020 Evermore album. Apparently, she wrote it after reading Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, which was enough of an enticement for me as it’s one of my favourite books of all time!

I’ve also been enjoying the Not Too Busy To Write podcast with

Penny Wincer

, in particular this episode with Alice Vincent on finding home in the garden, and this one with literary agent and novelist Abigail Bergstrom.

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Well, that’s it for another month’s round up. Feel free to leave your own recommendations in the comments, so that we can all share the book love! As well as any thoughts on my turn towards a more “ad hoc” sharing of recommended reads going forwards : )

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