March didn’t have a great start to it, reading-wise. I started reading a couple of books that, while interesting enough, honestly didn’t really grab me, so I haven’t finished them. I also took out a whole bunch of library books that I then felt pressure to read, even though I wanted to focus more on books I already own (as per my reading goal for the year). While I did end up reading a few of the graphic novels I took out, I otherwise sent all the library books back, unread. From there I picked out a book from my shelf to read, got a chapter in, then just stopped. But then in the middle of the month, I was talking to my brother, who recommended Karen Connelly’s book of poetry, which I happened to have from when she was here for the International Festival of Authors five years ago (here’s the link to the interview I did with her at that time, if you’re interested). I ended up reading that in a night, and hope to go back and reread it another time. 🙂
Nonfiction books:
Fiction books:
- Creepy Cat by Cotton Valent (graphic novel)
- Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 1 by Roye Okupe (graphic novel)
- Come Cold River by Karen Connelly (poetry)
I really enjoyed Come Cold River. Connelly’s writing is really visceral and hits you in the gut. I feel like this is a collection that will give you even more if you reread it (hence why I’m hoping to give it another read one day)!
Iyanu was also a really interesting read. It is inspired by Yoruba culture and myths, which I’m not at all familiar with. I really liked the little extras included in the book, like the explanations of how the council worked and what the corrupted were, which were included between most chapters. There was also a timeline of world events in the end pages, which was also really interesting. I admit that it took me a little bit to get into the book, but by the end I was sad it was over already; I can’t wait for volume 2, which is due out this fall!
I also actually finished a Maclean’s magazine (January 2021 🤦)! With how many of them I have to get through, and with a provincial election coming in a few months, I’m thinking I might start reading the newest ones I have and work my way backwards, at least for now. We’ll see how that goes!
So what have you read over the last month? What was your favourite book?
An Acquaintance with Letters 