I don’t have a very large pile of books to show for my January reading. I have been reading quite slowly, and I am continuing to really struggle with blogging – though I know I don’t want to give it up. I find it hard to read, no matter how much I want to when I am very tired, and the one thing I can always guarantee to be is tired – no matter what time of day or night it is. I have decided to embrace the slowness of my reading, to enjoy spending more time than I once would have with a set of characters, and to appreciate the reading time I do manage.
I began the month and the New Year, reading a book on my kindle – The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante (2019) translated from Italian by Anne Goldstein. It was the book my book group had chosen for January, and having enjoyed some other books by Ferrante I had looked forward to it. The first half of the book I did enjoy, only it then became rather a drag. Too much introspective teenage angst, too many toxic, uncomfortable relationships. I ended up quite disappointed.
Next I read the first of two green vmcs for the Librarything monthly themed read. For January it was nuns, teachers, and governesses. I Will not Serve by Eveline Mahyère (1958) translated from French by Antonia White. It’s the story of Sylvie; a seventeen year old schoolgirl due to take her Baccalaureate at the convent school of Sainte-Thérèse. Three months before her crucial exams she is expelled from the school, for Sylvie has fallen passionately in love with her teacher, Julienne. Refusing to forget Julienne she writes her imploring letters while exploring the bohemian world of jazz clubs and bars in 1950s Paris.
Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo (2021) was one of the books I bought with Christmas book vouchers, and wanted to read straight away. I really enjoyed it. It is a novel about a woman’s search for her identity, at a time when her life is in transition following separation from her husband and the death of her mother. Finding her father’s diaries from when he stayed with her mother and her family in London, she travels to a small country in West Africa to find him. He is a complex man, once a political activist he became the country’s first president – some would say dictator – a position he held for almost thirty years.
Spinster by Sylvia Ashton-Warner (1958) was the second of those vmcs I read for the Librarything themed read. Based loosely on the author’s own experiences, it is the story of a teacher of mainly Māori children in a small New Zealand town, and the psychological approach she developed in the teaching of reading.
The New Magdalen by Wilkie Collins (1873) is that satisfying thing, a fairly fat Persephone book that makes you want to turn the pages. It is also that rare thing a Persephone novel written by a man. Testament perhaps to Collins’s treatment of women that Persephone decided to reissue it. I had read it before, many years ago, I read a lot of Wilkie Collins once upon a time. There’s nothing quite like settling down with a Victorian sensation novel, and this one has many of those ingredients. Thoroughly enjoyable. I shall be reviewing it soon.
Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou (2013) was the final book in the seven set of autobiographies that I have been reading with Liz and our friend Meg. In this volume the story of Maya’s life is left where it finished in book six. This volume is about Maya’s mother Vivian Baxter and the relationship Maya had with her, after having grown up in Stamps, Arkansas for several years. It is a fascinating and affectionate portrait of an extraordinary woman.
Anna and her Daughters by D E Stevenson (1958) was absolutely the right book at the right time, this is a fully satisfying DES novel – that spans quite a number of years, and sees characters travelling the globe. It was a real joy to spend time with, the ending was just right I thought. I bought this nice old 1950s edition some years ago and had almost forgotten I had it. Thankfully, for the rest of you Dean Street Press have just reissued it.
I don’t have any big plans for February yet – but Karen and Lizzie are hosting #ReadIndies and I hope to join in with that. The Librarything Virago group’s themed read is North American authors – lots to pick from there, so I hope to join in with that too. My book group will be reading The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, which I am looking forward to. What I actually end up reading will depend largely on my mood though – watch this space.
As ever I would love to know what you’ve been reading, and what you plan to read in February.
Happy reading.
heavenali 
Sorry to hear that you are feeling constantly tired, Ali. Hope it’s just that winter hibernation mode and that you recover your energy as the days get longer and warmer. I know January has felt interminable to me too.
I don’t suppose the dark winter days help. I am definitely watching the evening light increase slightly with some anticipation for spring. January is definitely my least favourite month.
So frustrating, when a lack of physical energy prevents you from doing what you want. I hope you feel better soon. Is it any consolation to know that your “slow” month puts mine to shame? I was disappointed to see that Ferrante’s Lying Life didn’t live up to your expectations, as that one’s on my own list. Sankofa sounds really interesting; I’ve seen it around but haven’t paid it much mind. That may change.
For January, I’ve been “doing Scandinavia” for #NordicFinds & the European Reading Challenge. For February I’d like to read at least a little for #ReadIndies and Dolce Bellezza’s Japanese Literature Challenge; hopefully combining a selection or two.
You might like the Ferrante more than I did, lots of readers did. Sankofa was really good. I wish I had got round to joining in with Nordic finds.
So sorry about the fatigue, Ali. Enjoying reading slowly sounds like a good decision to me. I hope you’ll recover some energy soon but in the meantime, take care of yourself.
Thank you, I think I need to not put myself under pressure, which I can be guilty of. Reading should be a pleasure after all.
Your own pace is a fine pace indeed. And you are finding all sorts of good bookish company while you regain your strength. I’m fascinated by the idea that Persephone has reissued a Wilkie Collins novel!
I know, I think it’s because Wilkie Collins writes women and had sympathy with how the world and society treated them.
Some great reads, Ali, despite the tiredness and I think you’re definitely right to pace yourself – that way, you’ll enjoy what you need and it isn’t all about numbers. I’ve found it hard to read at night too and have carved myself out a little space of 20-25 minutes over breakfast by re-adjusting my timings. I find I’m taking a lot more in that way!
And look forward very much to seeing what indies you read! 😀
That idea for carving out extra reading time is great. Small slices of reading time can be so precious that they become more special.
I think you’re viewing your current reading rate in just the right way. Better to appreciate and enjoy the reading time you can manage rather than dwelling on any frustrations…
The D E sounds especially lovely – very much looking forward to hearing more on that, as and when you’re ready to share it!
Thank you, I am going to try and enjoy my reading time.
I loved that DES, I know she can be variable, but I do think that was an excellent one.
Slow reading can be an absolute gift and it’s no bad thing to snuggle in and sink into a really wonderful book. The Stevenson looks perfect for that.
Yes, the Stevenson is perfect for just that.
I’ve carved out a bit of time for reading by not usually leaping out of bed and to my desk before breakfast unless I have something in from Finland to work on (with their pesky being two hours ahead of us). I know that is a specific thing that will only work for me, however. I really enjoyed the Angelou, it filled in some more details and then took us forward in her life and was a lovely affectionate and respectful portrait. Poems next! Eeps!
It’s great that you have that flexibility. So glad you enjoyed the Maya. I will get to the poems when I can. Perhaps dip in and out.
I kinda know how you feel. Been there and still struggling with that; but you are right! We just have to accept this new life and develop a comfort around it. Some good books there; I have been planning to read this particular Wilkie Collins for a while and I will now get to it sooner! I will also give DE Stevenson a try! Wishing you a great bookish February!
I think that’s right, things seem to have changed for so many people. I recommend the Wilkie Collins as a good Victorian page turner.
Since getting Covid I have also been constantly tired and it’s a very frustrating situation to be in. I do hope you keep with the blogging as you are one of my favs, but I understand the need to slow down. Do stay well and I hope you feel better soon x
Oh dear yes, it is so frustrating and something lots of people have had to deal with. For now, I am slowing down, and some weeks my posts may be erratic but I’m not ready to give it up yet.
My blogging is still absolutely terrible, so I think you’re doing amazingly especially feeling so fatigued. I’m going to follow your example and try and embrace the slowness of reading, enjoying it for what it is. I hope you feel less exhausted soon Ali.
Thank you. I hope you’re able to embrace your reading too. Blogging is very time consuming and as much as I love it, I mustn’t let it dictate to me. I look forward to your next post whenever you’re ready to post again – your blogging friends will still be here. 😁
You must be so frustrated Ali. Considering the constant tiredness you’ve done remarkably well to have read this much.
There is a lot to be said for “slow reading” – I’ve been pushing myself this last week to slow down with my current book and am really enjoying the experience
Yes, I do get frustrated. However, I am learning that there is some satisfaction to be had from spending a little more time with a book.
Yes, I’m Ferrante’d out now. Too many toxic people make me run back to my Anne Tyler novels! Hope your fatigue eases soon.
Thank you.
Ferrante’d out, yes I am probably that too now.
I’ve read hardly any books this year also, I’ve just had too much going on and can’t seem to settle on any books. Last year about this time I did read The New Magdalen and really enjoyed it, I do love a Victorian sensation novel!
I sympathise with you over your reading, sometimes it just seems harder to settle down properly and read. Sensation novels are great, really made me turn the pages.