Hello, happy Monday and happy Auckland Writers Festival week. It's a good week for literary greatness. To kick off the week I'm back with a third installment of my bookish series that I share around these parts. As per usual we have an update on Oprah Sophie's Book Club, a digital recommendation, some things I've read and not discussed elsewhere and, for once, a very slim wishlist...

Book Club: Now for May and June I've selected two books to read and write up on. First we have The Cows* by Dawn O'Porter. Harper Collins very kindly sent me a copy (or two, more on that another time) but I was alway going to read and devour this regardless. I've set this one aside for May and haven't had much of a chance to read it yet. It is addicting and hilarious so far though. Next up we have Too Much and Not the Mood by Durga Chew-Bose which comes at the recommendation of Lena Dunham and Tavi Gevinson, among others. Side note: Tavi interviewed Durga for her ROOKIE podcast and it's worth a listen. I grabbed this when I was in Wellington last month and according to the blurb, Chew-Bose captures 'the inner restlessness that keeps her always on the brink of creative expression'. 

What Olivia Did: Some of you will probably know of Liv as a fashion and beauty extraordinaire but she also dabbles in the odd spot of book themed content. Today I am alerting you all to her channel because she does share the occasional book video and often a recommendation in her monthly favourites. Her Spring Reading List was particularly brilliant and had me jotting down names of the few books I had not read. We have similar taste apparently. You should also all subscribe to Liv because she is lovely and her videos are fantastic. She deserves so much more subscriber love.

Recently Read: / The Clothing of Books by Jhumpa Lahiri. I will be honest, this was on my to-read list but I also could not resist this cover. Look at it! This is a short but idea-laden translation of a speech Lahiri gave in 2015, initially in Italian. It explores the nuances of book covers and how for a writer, they mark the tangibility of ideas and the finality of work. It also talks about the disconnect between cover designer and writer, especially because a lot of the time that side of things isn't a collaborative process.  / The End by Lemony Snicket. So I finally finished my re-read of A Series of Unfortunate Events. It's only taken a few years. Anyway, I did not remember this book or how the series 'ended' as such at all. The Baudelaires and Olaf wash up on an island, where everything ends up eventually. It's home to a tribe of sorts and an almost cornucopia-like array of objects. It also contains many a reference to The Tempest by William Shakespeare. Namely the characters being named after those from the play but also other subtler anecdotes. I really enjoyed it and I'll be curious to see how it is adapted for Netflix eventually.  / Archival issues of Lula magazine. See visual aid. When a follower of mine on Twitter got in touch with me to say she had some Lulas to rehome, I had to grab the issues she had from the Leith Clark era. They have not disappointed either, although I am only reading the Sweet Sixteen issue right now. I want to make their magic last. Also read this for more Lula greatness.

/ Tavi photographed for The Coveteur, see the full story here

The Wishlist of Re-Reads: Instead of making a wishlist of books this month, I want to give mentions to books I hope to revisit soon. / An Extraordinary Theory of Objects by Stephanie Lacava. Objects and their associations+significance has always been something that fascinates me. I pore over what my friends and family display in their homes for this reason. With my eyes people, I'm not a world class sleuth. Lacava's writing explores much of that and the anxieties and feelings of relocating to Paris after a childhood spent in the United States. It's been a while since I read this, maybe three or four years back and it was only after stumbling upon an interview in one of the Lulas I was sent that I remembered I own it.  / The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Secret societies, universities that conjure images of the halls of the school in Dead Poets Society, flawed young men and women. Perfection in other words. I bought this on a whim and was mesmerised by it like everyone who read it before me. It's about time for a reread.  / The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This book is one of my all time favourites so I tend to read it annually. At least once or twice actually. The way it is written as letters and the way it gets into the psyche of teenaged outsiderness without the romanticism is something I really relate to. As somebody who never felt like they fit in during high school and adolescence in general, this book is so comforting. 

Another year, another new feature. Don't be alarmed by the title, beauty isn't going anywhere. I've just made it my mission to inject a bit more lifestyle goodness into NW this year. Variety is the spice of life after all. My Reading Challenge for the year is to read 50 books, so each month I thought I'd share with you some of the ones I'm reading or have read already. At the end of the month I'll let you know which was my favourite in my favourites posts. So here's what I'm looking at in January..

Funny Girl by Nick Hornby-One of my cousins actually got me on to Nick Hornby and after having a look through her selection at Christmas, I left knowing I needed to get onto it. This novel is Hornby's latest and while I'm not finished it at the time of writing this post, I'm very close to it. It's set in the sixties and tells the story of a young woman from Blackpool with her sights set on becoming the next Lucille Ball. She moves to London, captures the hearts of a creative writing team and lands her dream role as the lead in a new TV series. Not everything comes up roses though, for Sophie and many of the characters throughout the novel. I am really enjoying this and kinda hoping we see a movie of it sometime soon. 

Yes Please by Amy Poehler-Before I start this, if you prefer listening to books download the Audio Book of this. Apparently it is brilliant. The book itself did not disappoint either. It's a memoir of sorts but it's so hilariously done and well-written. I was never bored reading this and it was one of those books that really brightened the day if it hadn't been such a good one. Her tribute to BFF Tina Fey was perfect as were the tributes to all her Parks and Rec co-stars. I highly recommend you read this one and also Tina Fey's book, Bossypants. 

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket-Now these are a re-read for me, but given I read them ten or so years ago I can't really remember much that happens beyond the third book. These books were written for children but they'd appeal to adults as well. The fact that they don't have unrealistic, happy endings and a lifetime of fortune makes them all the more exciting, in a cynical sort of way. I've read 1&2 this month, and have the next two waiting to be read.

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay-This collection of essays by Roxane Gay was brilliant. The fact she constantly referenced pop culture in her essays made them all the more relatable and easier to follow. Gone Girl was referenced, The Hunger Games, Sweet Valley High, there was a lot of references really. There were some ideas that I didn't entirely agree with but everyone's entitled to their own opinions. It was still really interesting and got me thinking. It also emphasised just how far we have to come with women and their representation in the media especially. 

-Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them?

*I hope your week's have all been great! Mine's actually been quite busy and a bit exciting with some things happening later in the month to look forward to. I saw Into The Woods on Tuesday and it was awesome. My goodness. Emily Blunt & Meryl Streep were amazing in it but to be honest the whole cast were top notch. I've been listening to the cast recording on repeat ever since. What else...oh I picked up a few more Project Life things for my new hobby. Let me know if you want to see a haul post! x