Half way through the year you say? It’s basically Christmas. It’s practically 2019! The passage of time is always creeping up on you innit. So here are my June reads.

Reading Life

I read 7 books in June. Well, sort of – a couple did cross over into the first few days of July but the bulk of them were read in June. That means my yearly total for 2018 is now technically 37, but given 5 of these were re-reads by a caucasian male writer this hasn’t done wonders for my diversity stats. The other two were by caucasian women. 6 were fiction books, 1 a mixture of poetry and personal essays. List at the bottom, I’ll try and read more widely for you in July…

Writing Life

In June I wrote a whopping one blog post, and completely forgot to apply for two writing opportunities – the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Awards and one where you pitch a picture book for smol one and the prize was a writing retreat at Moniack Mhor. OH WELL. There’s been a lot going on, and the warm weather really takes it out of you. If you applied for either of these things, may I take this opportunity to wish you the very best of luck.

Writer Life

Life-wise I did a whole bunch of things in June which I will now list in no particular order.

Went for a long weekend with friends in Dumfries and Galloway and climbed up a viewing tower for marvellous views of a wind turbine and some trees. Went on a women’s march with some people in full suffragette gear and loads of folk in white, purple and green. Unexpectedly got to catch up with pals who stay down south at the same time which was rad.

Got and weather-proofed a new garden shed and fence, very grown up. Took a day trip to the medieval island of Inchcolm with the family. Attended a rooftop barbecue and met some nice new people. Saw Wicked at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Visited a small baby. Attended two gigs (Flight of the Conchords and Idlewild). Watched a bit o’ football. Managed to swim a couple of times a week and take 339,800 steps (culminating in just over 149 miles, alleges Fitbit). And some other stuff I might tell you about later if you’re good.

Books I listened to on Audible

Girls Made of Snow and Glass – Melissa Bashardoust

Books I read with my eyes

Mr Gum and the Biscuit Billionaire – Andy Stanton (re-read)

Mr Gum and the Goblins – Andy Stanton (re-read)

Mr Gum and the Power Crystals – Andy Stanton (re-read)

Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear – Andy Stanton (re-read)

What’s For Dinner, Mr Gum? – Andy Stanton (re-read)

Nobody Told Me – Hollie McNish