On a personal note #02: The plague

Battling the plague and contemplating my autumn reads

“But what does it mean, the plague? It's life, that's all.”
― Albert Camus

I love autumn. 
The change in temperature. The colours changing. Nature giving us a reminder that all things end, but that a new season is here with its own joys: wool jumpers in all colours and sizes, cozy vibes and hot cocoa, the different light, the smell of wet grass and a cold nose tip. 

The one thing I always forget is the fact that this is also the plague season. Usually I am spared as I tend to get sick mid winter instead. This year however, I was not spared. Instead I have been sick for almost a month with a nasty bug that just never seems to want to let me be. I am still not completely well, but I’m getting there - sloooooooowly. This is the one aspect of slow living I am not happy with at all. It honestly feels like I have coughed up more than one lung over the past few weeks and yet, it continues.

Hence, I have not done anything of my to do list for September. I have barely read, barely moved, barely done anything else than DNF’ing one book and binging all the seasons of Criminal Minds (again), while feeling very sorry for myself. Being sick as an adult is no fun. 

On a positive note: I am finally feeling just a little better, so my reading mood (and mood in general) has been improved quite a bit. I had so many plans for what I wanted to read in September, mainly nonfiction books and some fantasy — but I have not really done any of that. I did pick up Minor Detail by Adania Shibli, a book that was highly recommended to me, but that honestly just was not a good fit. So into the DNF shelf it went. I have continued following the life of Thomas Cromwell and enjoying the little history rabbit holes I tend to lose myself in when I start googling something related to the book.

Autumn reads 

September is usually the month were I take a closer look on my TBR pile and my unread list, and decide what I want to read for the coming weeks as we approach winter. I tend to want to read books that fit the season I’m in and it often does include some rereads of old favourites. Last year I joined the read through of The Lord of the Rings hosted by

Breanne Rodgers

— and I found myself reconnecting and falling in love all over again with Tolkien and his universe. She is hosting one for this year and I would highly recommend it if you are looking to dive more into Tolkiens universe.

LOTR Read-Through 2024

I have been debating if that is something I wanted to do again this year, and find myself a bit undecided. For now, my compromise has been to pick up The Hobbit and what better way to spend Hobbit Day (22^nd of September), honouring the birthdays of Frodo and Bilbo by reading the first chapters with a nice cup of tea?

I have a wonderful pocket edition with some amazing illustrations and it will be my companion for the next couple of days. Just like last year I have decided to do a double take on Tolkien, by reading the book and also having the audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis when I’m out and about. Tolkien really is my comfort reads this year, just like last.

For the coming weeks, I have set myself up with two main goals: finishing The Mirror and the Light - the final book in the Cromwell trilogy and Tigana by Kay, which is also on my fantasy project. For the next reads I have a few that I have decided to pull up on my next to read / finish list:

• SPQR by Mary Beard - a book I started on in Rome and aim to finish by December. I am so utterly fascinated by this book! I adore the history of Rome and how it brings me back to a city that I enjoy so much and that brings forth my love for the field itself.

• The Ember Blade - a book that I have been reading and enjoying for quite a while but took a break from since I jumped over to other fantasy books. It has been claimed to be our times Lord of the Rings - that remains to be seen.

• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin. I have been in such a Westeros / Middle Earth Mood these weeks when I’ve been under the weather so I am hyped about reading another book set in Westeros. 

• The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper - a book from the fantasy list, and a way for me to get back into that project that has been a bit dormant this year.

• The Wisdom of Crowds by Joe Abercrombie - time to finish another of his series! I am in awe of this grim dark universe and I do need more of it.

Autumn is looking great from my point of view and as soon as I beat this bug I am aiming to get back on track with some projects. In the meantime, I hope you’re having some great reading adventures! 

Until next time,
happy reading ✨