July Reading

 I finished Under the Banner of Heaven (rereading to watch the series, which so far seems to have deviated substantially from the book). Under the Banner of heaven seems more even-handed than Prophet's Prey - where the author seems to have got more personally involved and determined to save the children (he has gone on to produce Keep Sweet and Obey on Netflix. Having read Prophet's Prey, I'm not sure I could watch it. Too much child sex abuse and abuse).

I am finishing Disgrace, which is even more magnificent than I remember, but disturbing and uncomfortable. But for avid readers, with no history of sexual assault, I can't recommend it enough.

(They were all in last month's round-up so you can click back if you want to read more)

I have forgotten what I read that recommended this book, but I'm midway through Playground - A childhood lost inside the playboy mansion. It's a junk beach read but entertaining for all the wrong reasons (in that incomprehensible, gossipy reasons).

For book club I have to read After Darkness by Christine Piper, which is okay. I feel for the subject matter it should be more interesting and engaging than it is. There's nothing particularly wrong with it, but it's big issues in history and could be more meaty but I feel I'm sort of meandering through it (but still only halfway so that may change). Very interesting idea though.

I'm trying to track down this book by Gregory Dick because it came up in the Jon Ronson Podcast 'Things fell apart' and it sounds so interesting. A very well-read American friend said he read it at school and was amazed by it (but he added that was 47 years ago and his standards were lower then, so we shall see). I will admit I'm uncomfortable with the thought or reading that book in public, and I may have to find it a dust jacket (which given why I know why he used that word, it's not the right thing to do...but...)

I did finish How to Lose Friends and Influence White People by Antoinette Lattouf, who I saw at the Writers Festival. I found this interesting and I learned a bit but I'd already read Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race* and it covered similar ground but with an Australian bent. Note neither of these books are bashing white people, but we say things without thinking due to what we've heard all our lives. It's good to get that pointed out so you are aware and think a little more about things. I really enjoyed her Writers Festival Session so am keen to see her at Antidote if I can make it. The book is entertaining and amusing, though at times quite eye openning.

I did mention I got a friend the Big Life Journal for adults - they also have one for teens and 7-10 year olds.  I did have a quick read before sending it off and I think it's quite a good way to start challenging negative thoughts. I'm in no way connected, I just liked it. Their description reads: 

A NEW guided journal to help you manage your self-sabotaging inner voice and start living fully and joyfully. This motivational, gender-neutral journal is packed with short, practical lessons and easy, thoughtful writing prompts that will help you transform your mindset.

This journal is for you, if you…

• feel trapped in constant cycles of negative thoughts
• self-sabotage your efforts and ask yourself 'who am I to do this?'
• put yourself down and don't follow through with your goals 

(And it continues on here)

As you can see, my time off has slowed my reading as well as my writing. Hopefully, I'm back into things next month.

*Interestingly I read it in 2019 so it must have made quite an impression on me as it seemed to have stuck with me since then.

Linking with #WhatsonMyBookshelfChallenge #WeekendCoffeeShare #FriendshipFriday

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