I am sitting up in bed, drinking tea from an Untamed inspired mug (Who cares for the crowded, broad avenue?/I’ll stick to my single-log bridge till it’s dark!) and watching The Diplomat on Netflix. (Keri Russell is seriously good, and the rest of the case are fabulous too: Rufus Sewell and David Gyasi, oh my!.) It’s really good. I’m a little emotional. I’m also on my fifth episode this evening, it’s ticked past midnight and I might be jet-lagged.
(Sometimes, I watch movies on airplanes and they make me cry, even when they’re not sad, even when they’re not that good. This is 40 make me mist up on a flight, once, never mind An Cailín Ciúin, this year, when I was flying to San Francisco.)
Anyway it’s nearly May (wait, technically it is May, it’s ticked past midnight) and it’s my first blog post of 2023. I haven’t reviewed a single book but I have actually been reading. Mostly Curtis Sittenfeld’s back catalogue (and also her most recent book, Romantic Comedy) and various space opera novels. I’m a big fan of Everina Maxwell’s Winter’s Orbit and Ocean’s Echo; two books that are full of heart and smarts.
I am making an effort to do more this year. I guess it’s because we can. After a few years of various restrictions, it still feels a bit special to get on a plane. Last week, I flew to the States to see friends and to go to a concert. Did I ever think I’d be someone who’d cross the Atlantic to see a Korean pop star (/rapper/music producer) in concert? I really did not. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Suga (of BTS)/Agust D was absolutely phenomenal and it was a real delight to see him perform on the first night of his first solo tour. I also got to catch up with two of my dearest friends which is always going to elevate an excellent experience.
So, hopefully it won’t be another 5 months before I manage to update here. Maybe I’ll even manage to review a book or two.
whelmed.blog 