love notes 13: i've found my love of reading again
small chats about reading, what i read this week, normal people and other weekly recommendations
This week I’ve been obsessed with: reading in the morning, black coffee, normal people, hearty winter foods, moody playlists, chocolate cake, overcast days, peanut butter cookies, family adventures, hot showers and cafe dates.
Firstly, I hope you’ve had an extraordinary first six months of the year. It’s my last day of holidays before life returns to normal and hectic bliss, so you bet I’m soaking up every final moment of it.
And secondly, today’s Love Notes is only short because I’m feeling utterly speechless right now. We’re only six months into 2024 and I’ve already met and surpassed my yearly reading goal.
Like I said: speechless.
I have to be honest with you, even though I really want to celebrate this achievement, I’m not saying it to brag. I actually didn’t take setting my reading goal too seriously this year. Goodreads asked me how many books I wanted to read at the start of the year and I thought I was maybe capable of reading up to 30 books. I didn’t think for a moment that I’d surpass that in just six months. I’m not as fast of reader as others. But I feel a lot of pride for reading 31 books regardless.
Now I’m not feeling this way just because I hit some arbitrary goal — oh, no, no, no. I’m feeling super proud of myself because of what this personal achievement represents to me as a reader, a human being, a lover of stories: I’ve found my love of reading again.
Not to sound like some tired cliche, but I came out of the womb a reader.
I spent my childhood being embraced by stories, and my teenage years with a book always within reach. Even into adulthood I devoured books hungrily, greedily. My bedside table is piled with books, my book cart overflowing with them, my current read always on my coffee table. But I lost that intense, overwhelming compulsion to read after having kids. I barely read one book a year, to be honest. I think other mothers will understand that those early years of motherhood often felt like I was merely surviving and not really living. I was so wrapped up in changing nappies and playgroups and my kids hitting milestones that everything I enjoyed was consequently forgotten about.
And this was something I only realised when I looked in the mirror one day wondering who I even was anymore outside of motherhood. So in 2023 I went back to the basics. Eating breakfast, moving my body, spending more time with loved ones, picking up my neglected books again.
I managed to read 27 books in total last year. And perhaps this is being overdramatic but it was a little thrilling to read that much after basically reading nothing for years. I hadn’t felt this sense of achievement in such a long, long, long time. I started with The Secret History by Donna Tartt and my story obsession was just reborn — and I haven’t stopped reading every single day since January 2023. So I wanted to keep this momentum going and not overwhelm myself as we headed into 2024. Reading, after all, is supposed to be enjoyed, savoured. So, to me, 30 books seemed like the most achievable goal.
In six months and after 31 finished books, I’ve laughed and cried over lots of literary fiction and romance. I’ve reread some breathtaking young adult fantasy books. I’ve challenged myself with more classics. I’ve delved into pieces of feminist work. I’ve fallen in love with Sally Rooney, Coco Mellors, Emily Henry, Stephanie Garber and Fredrik Backman. And I’ve discovered a new favourite book in The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab.
My husband was telling me that I seem more like myself now that I’m back to reading again. I guess I’m just not myself without a book in my hands or having a story to hyper-fixate on. In fact I don’t think I have my feet firmly planted on the ground unless I’m engrossed in a book. So even though it’s exciting to have read more books and to have already met my yearly goal, it’s more than that for me.
It’s about finding my love of reading again and rediscovering who I am as I devour more and more books. They’re paving the way for the rediscovery of myself and that’s really exciting.
part i: what i read this week
I finished reading Normal People by Sally Rooney, and I loved it. I was so worried about the lack of quotation marks, but after a couple of chapters I forgot about that and instead fell in love with the detailed exploration of Marianne and Connell’s relationship. I wouldn’t call this book a love story though, their relationship feels way more complicated than that. I’m currently working on my review and I can’t wait to share all of my thoughts.
I also started and finished my reread of The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black. This is the final book in The Folk of Air trilogy and I’m so happy I decided to reread these books. Jude and Cardan are my favourite enemies-to-lovers romance, and I’ll always recommend these books if you’re looking for something easy and magical to read.
I also want to mix things up this week and recommend some incredible pieces I read on Substack recently:
To All The Friends I’ve Loved Before by
Oh So You’re A Thought Daughter Now? Should I Call Joan Didion? by
Slow Reading My Way Through Life by
The Media Literacy Crisis Continues by
Books Are The Most Common Denominator by
What Does It Mean For A Romance Heroine to Be Powerful? by
Why Can’t You Meet Your Own Gaze? by
part ii: what i wrote this week
Surprisingly I didn’t have many writing sessions this week, but I’ve utilised each one super well. I finished rewriting chapter two of my contemporary fantasy and have almost finished rewriting chapter three.
I feel like I’ve finally rediscovered my flow now that I’ve started writing the inciting incident. There’s still so much work to do — the rest of the book and then revisions and more rewrites. But I’m choosing to not overwhelm myself and focus only on the next step. This has made rewriting this book after losing it a less demanding and more enjoyable process.
part iii: what i watched this week
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And the fact it’s the last week of my holiday also means lots of television series watching. I haven’t really felt like watching movies lately so I keep jumping between television shows at nighttime.
My husband and I watched the latest episodes of House of the Dragon season two and The Boys season four. We also continued watching Invincible season two and hope to have it all finished next week. And we’ve also been rewatching Superstore as the kids nap in the afternoons as we clean up — an episode a day is just that extra dose of laughter we need. Kind of sad our television watching will slow down when he goes back to work tomorrow!
After I finished reading Normal People this week, I began watching the miniseries adaption. It’s been beautiful seeing Marianne and Connell come to life, they are exactly how I pictured them. The actors capture each character’s essence so well. And I also started The Bear season one, because I have no chill. I’m jumping between Normal People and The Bear after my husband goes to bed, but I think I might be enjoying The Bear just that little bit more. The cast is phenomenal and I’m loving the story so far.
Have you watched any of these shows? I need people to obsess with them over.
And that was this week!
I consumed a lot of media this week, but it has been nice to slow down and have a relaxing week. I’m planning on being way more productive next week since our holidays are over and get back into our normal routine at home. Fingers crossed I can get more writing done!
Let me know how you’re going with your yearly reading challenge in the comments below!
Until next time,
- Madeline
Congrats, Madeline! Getting back to reading is such a great feeling and I’m so glad it’s providing so much joy for you!
Congrats!! So happy for you 🤍