This month I made my way to the end of not one but two doorstoppers of books. I’m a little proud of that. Work has been busy so there’s little else going on in my life!

I’m really loving the onset of autumn this year. The drifts of dead leaves, the cold clear days, the cosy woollen clothes. I feel like I should be taking more photos.

Books read

Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson
This novel follows the extended Moomin family over the course of one summer in which they have adventures largely centred around a magic hat. It’s occasionally a little scary and more often strange, but in a really lovely, attractive and accepting way.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
An un-named black man navigates life from the southern USA to college to New York, where he gets involved in civil rights. This modern classic is sad and brutal but also lyrical and rousing.

Seed by Joanna Walsh
This digital book in app form uses artwork and interactive controls to enhance a simple, intimate story. An 18-year-old girl living in the English countryside is contemplating her last summer at home before leaving for university.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
This book overwhelmed me. It is disturbing and upsetting but I fell in love with the characters and ached to get back to their world. It follows four college friends making their lives in New York – intelligent, talented men who must face life’s trials. And what trials they are. It’s going to take some time for me to articulate my thoughts on this.

Short stories read

“In the middle of the fields” by Mary Lavin (New Yorker)

“Dogs go wolf” by Lauren Groff (New Yorker)

“The expectation of anywhere” by Alissa Nutting (Lenny)

“The man in the sky” by Otessa Moshvegh (Lenny)

“Very nice” by Marcy Dermansky (Lenny)

“Glimmer” by Danya Kufafka (Lenny)