I am really pleased to say that I have managed to read two full books and am almost at the end of my third of the month!
I know that for many people, the new year signifies good intentions and resolutions to start positive new habits (or to kick not-so-positive ones).
What I have found this year is that just thinking about and setting challenges allows for a re-think of how you are spending your time and money.
This gave me cause to stop and think: do I want to be a reader who reads a lot of books, or do I want to be a reader who really engages with a book and devours it?
As a society, we waste so much, and as caring, compassionate people, we want to show the people we love that we are generous.
If you aren't a football fan, you might have been hiding away (like me) this week from all the hype over the World Cup and reading and writing instead : )
Something I heard about a couple of years ago, and which sits nicely with ideas around minimalism, simplifying life and sustainability, is 'Buy Nothing Day'.
Kit de Waal speaks of life being too short to finish books you aren't connecting with. I think this is true, to a certain extent, but it can also be complicated.
Anyone who has felt the loneliness of being a new mother, or felt an outsider in their own life will resonate with Itami's debut novel.
Writer in Residence 