Hello again and welcome to my second newsletter! Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments about the first-hope you enjoy this just as much. 💙
Today is World Book Day! So, as tribute to a very important day, here’s a few words about the joy of sitting down with a good book. Hopefully it will inspire you to go pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read for a while, or maybe try out this week’s recommendation.
Time to grab a cuppa and take 5 mins to focus on the little things! ☕
For the love of reading
I brush my fingers over the spines, making my selection. This line of books, held between 2 bookends of blue agate are just the To-Read pile of the To-Read pile. Mostly gifts, and books I can't wait to dive into, a couple that I brought back from home over Christmas, part of the never ending wonderful book exchange between my parents and I.
I make my selection and sit down. I cosy up amongst the blankets, tea beside me, wooden bookmark on my lap, ready. I hold the book for a while, run my finger over the embossed letters on the cover. I've been waiting to read this for a while and now the moment is here; the anticipation is wonderful. Opening the book, I flick over the initial pages, noting the dedication, before turning to Chapter One. I immerse myself, nestle amongst the pages, travel into somewhere new. I am dancing within my own imagination.
The real world is left behind, my heart rate slows, and I am absorbed.
What I’ve Been Reading
Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
Salt Slow is a magical, haunting and mesmerising collection of short stories that gripped me from the first page.
Focussing on themes of the body, obsession and isolation, I adored this from start to finish. Every single sentence is beautifully written, and each story transports you into a completely different world and narrative. From a city that cannot sleep (literally), to cult-like girl bands and bodies turning to stone, there is a weird little story for everyone.
There is also a brief mention of Keele in one of the stories, which made my Keele University heart very happy.
I can’t wait to get round to reading her debut novel Our Wives Under the Sea very soon.
And finally….a weird animal fact!
It’s a bit early for dragonfly season as yet, but they are incredible!
Did you know dragonflies see in all directions at once? A full 360 degrees of vision, with 80% of a dragonfly’s body being dedicated to sight.
Because of this, and their two sets of wings making them incredibly agile in the air, dragonflies are also the basis behind many forms of technology, such as drones and robotics.
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it-feel free to let me know what you think, and what you’d like to see in future editions. If you know someone else who would like it, please share.
Can’t wait to hear from you, and have a great day!