Gentle Book Club reading list
plus things I've learned from (yet another) Substack creative fire
"There is something beautiful about a blank canvas, the nothingness of the beginning that is so simple and breathtakingly pure. It’s the paint that changes its meaning and the hand that creates the story. Every piece begins the same, but in the end they are all uniquely different." - Piper Payne
Hello.
I’m so glad you’re still here. Truly. How well is life holding you, right now? I know, everything feels…big. Okay, take a deep breath. Hold my hand. We’re going back in…
My Substack creative fire. Yes, again.
Back in May I published a piece (re-posted now, here) about a creative sabbatical. I made no promises; to myself or to you as my dear reader. Charred fingers too often from eager past pledges to nod more sagely, this time, to the gods of creativity. In the post I wrote about how I would usually “…list *all the things* I am doing to replace this time with something of at least equal worth. However, in the spirit of doing life differently this time, I’ll leave that to your own wild imaginations. Think of me, perhaps, toes in the ocean picking at the craggy shoreline, or penning my novel in a field rich with buttercups, or drifting like a dandelion clock over gorse-peppered moors, in conversation with magpies and snails, moss and sparrows.” Well, turns out I’m still knee-deep in this creative pause, wading through boggy territory, mud spewing over the tops of my wellington boots, dirt-strewn tears carving a salt-clear path down each cheek, with effort, with determination, with fight to find out who on earth I am. But isn’t that always what we are doing?
I do know that part of this battle is about letting go. Another portion is definitely about showing up. This polar opposite see-saw I straddle, eternally, my neurosparkly brain craving the zest and vibrancy of life one minute, the ultimate hermitage the next. The decision to ignite yet another Substack fire this summer, deleting thousands of comments, likes, Notes, restacks, recommendations, posts and salvaging only a thimbleful of words from two years of work, came not from a fit of rage or despair but from a place of genuine neutrality. It was thought-out. Considered. There’s growth, my friend. There’s growth.
However there is still a gaping crevice in my planning. In the ‘what comes next’. And until I have a vague idea of what the point of all this is, where my words are heading, what ultimate goal I am chasing, I may stay…rather quiet. Rethinking this space now, this blank canvas, this nothingness, deciding what I want to pack with care and carry in my worn knapsack, is the next piece of the puzzle. This summer I’ve completed a huge course in instructing exercise for cardiac patients. I’ve, with regret but necessity, closed my tiny yoga studio and private teaching business. And I’ve been playing on Instagram again (I know, how very 2016!)
Things I have learned from this (latest) Substack fire
I am writing, now, for me. To become a better writer. To practice showing up. The rest of my busy and beautiful life is in service of others. Here I can be greedily selfish. This space needs to be mine.
I will schedule an annual summer creative sabbatical. In May 2022 I first started writing on Substack and immediately froze and ran away until September. The same happened last year, and now again this. Let’s just know a pause is coming and jolly well look forward to it.
I may post on Notes but not respond to your replies. Please know that I read each one and they always make me smile.
Restacks are a dream.
Recommendations are queen. This autumn I will work on re-establishing those publications I have fondly recommended before (over 100 titles) and hope to find some of my own again. If you would like to recommend my words I would be delighted.
A short post is better than no post. In fact, it’s often better than a long post.
I may keep ‘comments’ off on some posts. This, however, is not one of them. Fill your boots.
This space needs to be mine. Expect lyrical language, probably with too many adjectives and italics and possibly some politely British swearing. Expect poems and spells and recipes for living life. Expect romance and seduction with prose, evocative atmospheres and sensual drips of wit. There will be technical writing errors having never ‘studied writing’ - and that’s okay.
Gentle Book Club
And, as promised, here is a reminder of our reading list for Gentle Book Club. We are just about halfway through. My energy levels and intentions for this space mean that running a community online may no longer make it into my my knapsack for 2025 and beyond; however we can still very much enjoy the books we already have on our carefully curated list.
Criteria for our book choices:
written by female authors who also write on Substack (particularly newer authors, those not yet with huge platforms, those from under-represented backgrounds, or independently published/smaller publishers)
fiction, memoir, poetry, short stories and nonfiction - let’s enjoy them all
slowly, gently, seasonally paced
all eight choices mapped out in advance
exquisitely written books, inspiring for our own creative practice, food for our own creativity and writing
each choice to be read independently by us throughout each six week season. No Zooms, no chats, nowhere to be, read when and where you like
book one - ‘Weathering’ by Ruth Allen - 28th March to 30th April 2024 (narrative nonfiction)
Our first choice, setting the tone beautifully, though expectation high, ‘Weathering’ is released on 28th March 2024 - the start date of our year-long journey together. Ruth joined us generously via Zoom to chat at length about her new book. Memories made. An absolute gem of a read which has been a real companion to me this year.
book two - ‘Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come’ by Jess Pan - 1st May to 19th June 2024 (memoir)
Now, I’ve cheated here slightly because I’ve already read this book. Of course I have. It’s marvellous. (Actually, I listened, it’s fantastic on audiobook). And like Jess’ favourite pastry, the humble croissant, it’s too good not to share. Both hilarious and highly useful, ‘Sorry I’m Late’ will accompany our gentle book club through the whole of May and first half of June.
book three - ‘'Wound Is The Origin Of Wonder'’ by Maya C Popa - 20th June to 31st July 2024 (poetry)
Maya received several nominations as a potential gentle book club read and I couldn’t be more pleased. Our first of two poetry collections chosen for this year of the gentle book club to enjoy, slowly and deliciously, together, ‘Wound’ will be a good friend to us through the end of June and whole of July.
book four - ‘Things We Do Not Tell The People We Love’ by Huma Qureshi - 1st August to 21st September (short stories)
This has been on my TBR list for way too long. Let’s sort that out by firmly adding it to our gentle book club, and also ensuring we have a collection of short stories, quite rightly, in our hands over the coming year. ‘Things We Do Not Tell The People We Love’ slots nicely into place as our gentle book club read for August to mid-September.
book five - 'Kokoro' by Beth Kempton - 22nd September to 30th October 2024 (narrative nonfiction)
Beth has been of such support to me since I first discovered her words in 2019. Her work/family ethic is admirable, her writing is beautiful yet uncomplicated, emotional yet practical, and her courses are life-changing. Although Beth is no newbie to writing books (Kokoro makes six in six years) I believe in cheerleading those who have made a true difference to others. This new book is a diamond and will take us through from mid-September to the end of October.
book six - ‘'bone'’ by Yrsa Daley-Ward - 31st October to 20th December 2024 (poetry)
Moving into the shadowy end of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, this sixth gentle book club choice, penned by poet, model and actor Yrsa, will accompany us with words of darkness, depth, beauty and grace. Our second poetry pick of our year of eight books and one to take with all tenderness granted.
book seven - ‘Rest and Calm’ by Paula Hines - 21st December 2024 to 31st January 2025 (nonfiction)
As a passionate advocate for calm myself, and a yoga teacher, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this book with you. Whether you yoga or not, it won’t matter. Soak up the peaceful, earthy vibes Paula offers and find some downtime over the festive period as we move through December and into January.
book eight -‘Insatiable’ by Daisy Buchanan - 1st February to 18th March 2025 (fiction)
Rounding out this reading year together of the gentle book club, February into March 2025, is one of my favourite podcasters and creative confidence coaches, Daisy Buchanan. I’ve never read her novels, so let’s go in with a bang (so to speak). ‘Insatiable’ is going to be as juicy as the front cover and title, I’m sure, so make sure you’ve a cold shower nearby.
With love,
Luisa
P.S
I have rescued a thimbleful of deleted posts from the ashes of this summer Substack fire. While I rediscover my writing mojo you may like to revisit A recipe for midlife, Running in the dark, A list of words I want my novel to be, or try my brand new poem, I am Witch. x
I was all in when you first posted about the Gentle Book Club. And then life happened and I haven’t read a single book on the list. There’s still time for the current book, though.
I also started a Substack and posted the story of how I named it. I was hopeful that writing there would support me through my father’s post-stroke recovery. I did not write again. My father didn’t recover and I’m still traveling every other to help take care of my mother. I will eventually start writing.
You absolutely must write for *you*! If the words please you, regardless of technical errors, and they communicate what you want to say, that’s all that matters. I look forward to reading whatever you want to share with us.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom. 🙏🏻❤️
I’m no stranger to the creative flame-thrower so I absolutely *see* you and humbly bow. I don’t think a day goes by that my trigger finger doesn’t itch 😆...here’s to wisdom gained and the-pause-to-breathe...good to see you back again, for however long and in whatever way 🥰