Over the course of my life, I've faced a few different challenges with my mental health. By far the most persistent, however, has been my battle with anxiety and panic attacks. I've suffered from crippling anxiety for as long as I can remember and have lived with panic attacks since childhood. All of us have … Continue reading Bibliotherapy For Anxiety and Panic: Fiction Recommendations For Tough Times
In last week's Monday Musing, I wrote about the ways in which I process and account for my dislike of particular novels. Inspired by my troubled impression of Haruki Murakami's Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World (although my continued love for his work is reflected in today's choice of quote), I found myself contemplating the meaning … Continue reading Monday Musing: How Literature Offers An Intoxicating Salvation From Life’s Challenges
Still steeped in the dregs of winter's last remaining weeks, it is the opportune moment to revisit the most interesting and exciting literary happenings for the month of February. Whether this has been a month of sweet anticipation for the oncoming spring, romantic indulgence, or a continuing demonstration of hibernation habits, this edition of The Monthly … Continue reading The Monthly Reader: February 2019
It's relatively rare that I come across a book I dislike. I'm generally a kind reader, largely because I have an intense amount of respect for the arduous process of writing a novel and seeing it through to publication. It's an incredibly courageous choice - to put what is, for many writers, a culmination of … Continue reading Monday Musing: How To Hate A Novel
" 'Not even I know all the rules', says the old officer under his breath. 'There are things that cannot and should not be explained. But there is no cause for concern. The Town is fair in its own way. The things you need, the things you need to know, one by one the Town … Continue reading Review: Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami
While on the hunt for some replacement books this week, I had the amazing fortune of coming across a 1946 French edition of Le Petit Prince for just $8. Not only does this prove the eternal wisdom of shopping for books second-hand, it also reacquainted me with one of my all-time favourite books. I first came across The Little … Continue reading The Mysterious Magic Of ‘The Little Prince’
As I've mentioned (read complained about) a few times before, one of the low points of the past couple of years was parting with most of my book collection. Between the ages of 16 and 24, I moved country every couple of years (not evading the law, I promise) and, as a result, it was … Continue reading Monday Musing: Rebuilding A Lost Book Collection
"The child is dead. There is nothing left to know. I hear there is a queen in the south who kills men who bring her bad news. So when I give word of the boy's death, do I write my own death with it? Truth eats lies just as the crocodile eats the moon, and … Continue reading Review: Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
Whether you face Feb 14th with feelings of horror, boredom, or excitement, Valentine's Day is one of those events that cannot be avoided. As soon as the Christmas lights are taken down, we're confronted with visions of stocky cherubs and uncomfortably artificial advertisements at almost every turn of the head. Since meeting my husband, I've … Continue reading 10 Unconventional Reads To Enjoy This Valentine’s Day (Whatever Your Relationship Status)
I'm no stranger to challenging weeks (or, let's face it, months). Since moving to the US, my life has undergone an overhaul that I certainly couldn't have anticipated when living as a fresh-faced and hopeful PhD student in the UK. While I figured that, by 30, I'd have a solid career, life plan, and the … Continue reading Monday Musing: How Bad Weeks Can Be A Book Worm’s Best Friend
The Book Habit 