Every year, I make it a goal to keep this blog going, and every year, it falls to the wayside at some point. Usually because the blog is too specific to begin with. However, I’ve decided to drop the burden somewhat by doing at least a monthly update post. This way, I can write about what I’m currently working on, what I’ve read and/or I’m currently reading, and I can mention my personal interests, such as going to theatre shows, concerts, on my travels (abroad), or any other personal thoughts/feelings.
I’ll often wander into a Waterstones to see what new releases they’re advertising and see if anything jumps out of me. I have this affinity for stars, so naturally, I was drawn to the book and contemplated buying it. Weeks later, I finally took the plunge and bought it upon reading the prologue and finding myself itching to know what happens next.
Synopsis
Set during the post Depression era (1930s), Alice Wright marries Bennett Van Cleve, hoping to escape her stifling life in the UK for a vibrant, adventurous life in the USA. However, as she settles into the Van Cleve house in Kentucky, she soon realises she’s escaped one imprisoning life for another. Needless to say, when Mrs Brady calls for volunteers to help out in a travelling library, Alice leaps at the chance to do something with her miserable life.
She forms a quick and strong friendship with Miss Margery O’Hare, who has a less than stellar reputation, and finds herself going through a turbulent journey as she forms new friendships, has her relationship tested and comes out a different woman to the Alice who entered Kentucky.
First Impressions
The prologue sold me, and I was itching to discover how this all happened, only to be brought three months earlier to an entirely different character, which then spent a good chapter or two just setting everything up. Frustrating, to say the least! However, while it was slow moving, the writing style kept me captivated, and I did feel sympathetic towards Alice from the get go.
What I Like
Alice’s story arc, from being an obedient British woman to a self-assured, independent southern American – it was refreshing to see her be given the freedom to become the woman she always wanted to be
Margery O’Hare, who refused to give a damn what anyone thought of her, gave Van Cleve a piece of her mind, was vulnerable and afraid in the jail, and was tender and loving with Sven and Virginia – all of it contributed to a wonderful three-dimensional character who did what she needed to to survive, but allowed herself to be vulnerable and open her heart up
The librarians and the strong friendship they formed with each other and with the mountain people – after all, a community is built on strong relationships with one another, and it was wonderful to see how much reading changed their lives, as well as how far they’d go to help one another
I loved how everyone got a happy ending – while I do think the ending was a bit too convenient, I’m very happy Margery O’Hare got her happy ending because she definitely deserved it, as did Alice and Fred
What I Didn’t Like
How Bennett’s character was reduced to a plot device – considering how the plot centres around Alice being married to him, his character mattered so little to the overall plot that you could’ve removed his character and the story literally wouldn’t have changed
How Mr Van Cleve was reduced to a two-dimensional wicked man – Mr Van Cleve is the stereotypical, two-dimensional villain, which means he acts as a permanent obstacle rather than a character I feel anything towards
How convenient everything felt towards the end – I love a happy ending as much as the next person, but it seemed too convenient to have a law like that allow a marriage to be annulled, for a surprise witness to wrap everything up so neatly, and for Beth to just magically travel to India (where did that even come from?!)
How badly women and POC were treated back then – I always struggle to read historical fiction because it always angers me how mistreated people were back then, and even though things aren’t great even still, it’s a lot better than it was
Writing Element Thoughts
God, I love her writing style. It has a descriptiveness to it that captures my attention and helps me envision what she’s writing so wonderfully. I could honestly read her writing forever.
The story followed the traditional story narrative, starting from an inciting incident and following through to the resolution. I will say, the climax felt anti-climatic because it felt rushed and quite convenient, but I’m also a sucker for a happy ending. The plot kept consistently presenting challenges and obstacles for the characters to deal with, alongside doses of positivity to give the characters some hope and happiness. The obstacles never felt too challenging that they couldn’t overcome it, especially with help from each other, or unrealistic in what they had to overcome given the time period it’s set in.
The characterisation was mostly great. I loved the character growth with several of the characters, but especially Alice and Margery O’Hare, who seemed to reverse roles in a way. Alice, who kept herself subservient to her husband like a good lady should, became a self-assured woman, maturing through her trials and tribulations. Margery O’Hare, who kept herself cold-hearted and isolated for survival, became a tender, loving wife and mother and opened herself up to her newfound friends. Alice became less afraid and more open to the freedom she’d been granted, and Margery became more afraid and less closed off from those around her, especially Sven.
Moreover, watching Issy change from a grumpy, disabled woman to a confident, mature woman who defied her parents, Kathleen change from a devoted wife get over her grief to help out in a time of need, Sophia leave the safety of her house as a WOC to help a white library, and Beth… well, stay the same, it was lovely to see Alice and Margery surrounded by solid friends who did go above and beyond for them all the time. But it wasn’t just the women: Fred and Sven deserve equal amounts of praise for presenting how a good man behaves, even despite their flaws, and who stood by their partners regardless of the consequences. I only wish Van Cleve had dealt with more consequences for his actions, but in a way, it’s fitting that yet again, a powerful white man gets away with it (like nowadays).
Overall Thoughts
I’m now educated on the WPA Packhorse Library, in the same way they educated the mountain people who couldn’t easily access the necessary resources. Despite the slow start, I formed an attachment to the characters and I’m grateful they all got the happy ending they deserved (except Van Cleve, who really should’ve had more consequences for his actions). The overall narrative/plot and writing style created an engaging story that kept me hooked until the very end.
I’d definitely recommend reading it, to educate yourself about the WPA Packhorse Library, or to see what the power of a solid friendship can do when you’re feeling imprisoned by your life.
My new calendar is monthly motivational quotes, and this one seems good for now
A new decade has begun!
As with every new year, I look back over my blog and question whether to keep it going the way it is or do yet another fresh start. The biggest problem is trying to keep this blog only about writing hasn’t lasted long. A few months, at most. Additionally, trying to think of a weekly blog post is a struggle, especially when life becomes too overwhelming.
Usually, I have a direction to follow with my life, but if last year was an indication of anything, it’s that life rarely ever goes to plan. My general direction this year is to apply to do a publishing MA at my university, which I should get into with little trouble. But for the nine months in between? I haven’t a clue what I’m gonna do. Hopefully find a job 🤞🏻
Writing Year Goals:
Finish my WIP (and potentially post to Wattpad)
Write daily (or at least weekly)
Read a book monthly
Write a monthly blog post
These goals should be achievable, but should life get in the way, as it so often does, this blog and reading will fall to the wayside. Hopefully not for too long. I also wanna try and read a non fiction book monthly, but again, we’ll see what happens.
I don’t have any personal goals this year. I’ve been too focused on what vague direction I want this decade to go in that thinking only about this year has slipped my mind. Even now, as I sit here trying to think of yearlong goals, they feel too vague and with no discernible time limit. Goals such as learning how to drive or moving out and finding my own place. Those goals could happen any year, not necessarily this year.
Instead, I’ll put vague aspirations I have:
Travel
Learn how to drive/cook
Find my own place
Go out of my comfort zone – singing & dancing outside of my bedroom
As another decade draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting back and seeing how my life has changed in that time frame. I was in my mid teens, and now I’m in my mid 20s, both of which are known for being unstable and uncertain. However, with the instability and uncertainty comes a sense of freedom and excitement. I didn’t see that until much later.
(In the ‘read more’ is a summary of the past decade with pictures)
Thankfully, through this decade, I’ve mostly been able to keep my support system in tact and found some semblance of stability again. How long it’ll last, I don’t know, but I do know that I’ll enjoy it while it lasts. I learnt how unpredictable life can be, so I’m not taking anything for granted anymore.
Bad: shattered a life long dream twice; destroyed illusions I had about my life, especially regarding my family; hit rock bottom twice, which was in part thanks to my own unrealistic expectations on what my life should be like; took a blow to my mental health
Good: kept in contact with my friends & family; made new friends I treasure; joined my a cappella group and the UK a cappella community; gone to therapy to cope with traumatic events and my anxiety; tried different jobs and figured out what I don’t want; kept writing no matter what
I’m ready for a new decade. A decade where I can take whatever time I need to become a more mature adult, including learning how to cook, how to drive, how to do taxes and what mortgages are, finding my own place and figuring out how to balance work with leisure. A decade where I will continue to keep in contact with my friends and family, and continue to make new friends. A decade where I can pick up new hobbies, educate myself on new topics, and keep writing no matter what.
I’ve let fear win for far too long. I want to go outside my comfort zone in this next decade, and try things regardless of whether I’m terrified or not. I want to enjoy life and not let my expectations get the better of me. I want to live as who I want to be, not who everyone else wants me to be.
I started this blog a few years back with no real purpose other than I wanted to give it a go. However, when I started my creative writing course at university, I focused this blog on reading and writing. Because of this, I struggled to justify other posts on here. But as I struggled to keep my blog going, it fell into disarray and changed. I did a few fresh starts, but I couldn’t ever keep it going consistently again.
I have realised the pressure to post a weekly blog post is too much for me to handle, and going forward, I will aim for a monthly blog post. I have also realised the pressure to post purely reading and writing is tough, despite that being who I am, and perhaps who people have grown to know me online.
If I had named this a reading/writing specific URL, perhaps I would feel guilty for abandoning the one consistent part of who I am. However, since it is my name, I can post what I like, when I like. The pressure to post on a self-imposed schedule is dumb, especially when it sucks the fun out of blogging. I enjoy other things, and posting about them in more depth than social media allows is (perhaps) the way to go.
During this new decade, I’ll commit to a blog post per month, and I will blog what I like instead of constraining myself to one topic. But beyond that, I can’t guarantee anything with this blog. It could fall into disarray again, or worse, yet another fresh start (I’m sorry).
I hope you stick around for whatever this blog will become.
