A week late but nonetheless available for you to enjoy, here are my July Reads.

Reading Life

I read 5 books in July, bringing the yearly total up to 42. I didn’t do overly well on my June promise to read more widely. 2 were re-reads of books by a caucasian male writer, 2 were first time reads by caucasian female writers, and 1 was a first time read by a black female writer which I technically didn’t quite finish until August. 4 were children’s fiction, 1 adult fiction. 4 were novels, 1 was short stories.

Writing Life

I did very little writing in July. Well, there are quite a lot of half started ideas in the notes on my phone – but nary a blog post, submission or finished article to speak of. I blame the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having here in Scotland, and the fact my lovely laptop is on the way out. Because personal responsibility is for chumps.

Writer Life

I life-d about a little bit, although much of it was fairly standard domestic adulting. Some very amazing friends and family came round and helped clear rubbish out of our garden and steam wallpaper off the walls in the bedroom so we can decorate it.

I visited my folks a couple of times. I attended a poetry slam inspired by The Animals of Farthing Wood. I went on holiday to the North-West of Scotland which was misty and marvellous.

I walked 288,024 steps or around 126.5 miles, which is 22.5 miles less than in June so pretty slack. I had a bad experience with a government organisation, more on which in a future post. I upgraded my mobile phone. I went to see The Incredibles 2. I celebrated my 33rd birthday. And I witnessed some Absolute Lads filling the hot tub at my local swimming pool with bubble bath. There was foam everywhere. Archbishop of Banterbury.

Books I listened to on Audible

Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi

Books I read with my eyes

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

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

Fly By Night – Francis Hardinge

An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales – Theresa Breslin, illustrated by Kate Leiper