🌯 January wrap (aka the one where I got really into audiobooks)
Hello,
I’m not sure about you but I’m definitely feeling resonating with this post from Instachaaz, January felt about four months long.
One of my sort-of-reading-related aspirations for this year is to take more short breaks / reading weekends away. And so in late January, I *finally* stayed at the Flinders Nuthouse, after three reschedules last year. And what a treat it was! I love finding interesting and creative spots to spend time and read and imagine (bonus points when they’re near the coast), and this retro, mid-century inspired house was perfection. I’m planning another one for April so am on the look out for another funky spot to stay.
Last month I also collaborated with Business Chicks again for what’s becoming an annual tradition of sharing five top reads to kick off the year. 2022’s list is all about books for a reset, you can check it out here.
After the usual summer limbo that is January in Australia, I feel like the year is now properly starting. So, if you’re reemerging after a relaxed start to the year, let me know what you’ve been up to, what you’ve been reading, or if you’re planning to do some reading/thinking trips in 2022 (judging by the DM conversations I’ve had on Instagram this month, it seems to be something on several people’s lists).
You can easily comment, reply, or hit the heart button if there’s a part of the conversation you want to join in on.
In fresh starts,
Steph
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Last month’s bonus content included the three big ideas from the mammoth Beatles Get Back documentary, and an interview with the wonderful author Madeleine Dore about how she curates and collates quotes and ideas from the extensive reading she does.
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What I read in January (aka the month where I got really into audiobooks)
January was a big month of reading. Lazy weeks off spent in the summer sunshine tend to help me get through books. But the other difference is that I’ve “discovered” (ha) audiobooks. Having really struggled to get into them over the last few years, I’ve taken the (multiple) hints from friends to try autobiographies / memoirs, read by the person.
So I did. I enjoyed Dave Grohl telling his life story in Storyteller, but my surprise favourite audiobook of last month was How We Love by Clementine Ford. Possibly because I didn’t really know what to expect and wasn’t sure it would be my kind of thing, it was very well written (and read), and exceptionally relatable. A lovely listen, I’m glad I listened to it and didn’t read it.
In terms of my favourite booky book last month, I don’t think I could choose between them. They were all outstanding for different reasons. (I know, I know, what a cop out.). You’ll have to read them yourself and let me know which one you think is best 😉.
Here’s the full round up of January’s reads:
👀BOOKS I READ WITH MY EYES 👀
Stolen Focus by Johan Hari ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bloody great, loved that it pushes against the narrative of 'here's some hacks for your tech addiction' and puts forward the systemic issues that are stacked against us, and our attention.
I Didn't Do the Thing Today by Madeleine Dore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderfully written 'hug' of a book that tempts you away from overwhelming productivity guilt and provides some different ways to thinking about life, work, and time.
This Working Life by Lisa Leong & Monique Ross ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great all-round book that's not trying to put a certain methodology forward, but is packed with ways to experiment and re-think how we think about work.
👂🏻BOOKS I READ WITH MY EARS👂🏻
Storyteller by Dave Grohl ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I bloody love Dave Grohl (and loved that he reads this) and most of the stories were interesting, but I thought lots of them missed the juicy details that I really wanted to hear.
Lifespan by David Sinclair ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Very interesting thought experiment (especially the ethics of people living 'forever') and some fascinating science, but hard to discern how solid the science is from what he presents.
How We Love by Clementine Ford ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Painfully raw and relatable memoir about relationships and love in all of its forms, really enjoyed.