Now I remember why moving house is something to be avoided at all costs!
Like so many of the BIG things in life, moving house is accompanied by an ever-changing feeling state, that on top of the physicality of packing up one house and unpacking the other, leads to a whole mind/body exhaustion. And this is a move we really want to do (not like the last two moves that were sprung upon us when our landlords decided to sell).
As you can see though, moving house, finishing up at work, catching up with friends for dinner before we leave and a ridiculous number of sleepless nights, all have had a major impact on how much I read during April. In the last week I switched to reading just one book – a narrative non-fiction (Deep Water by James Bradley) – as nothing else would stick. I’m about halfway through, and I already suspect that Deep Water will become one of my top reads of 2024.
Books, stories and essays finished during the month of April:
1.
Quite Early One Morning | Dylan Thomas
Genre: Audio
I read this because: of another hot, humid afternoon in Sydney. After a busy morning packing boxes, I had a little afternoon lie down and listened to the mellifluous tones of Dylan Thomas reading his own work.
Origin*: TBL
Where**: At home for the first listen, but I may have fallen asleep halfway through! So I listened a second time a few weeks later during a train trip.
Mood***: Stressed but trying to find relaxed.
2.
A Love Story | Emile Zola
Genre: Historical fiction
I read this because: Zoladdiction month
Origin*: TBR
Where**: Home in bed most nights
Mood***: Tired but enjoyed being taken off to Paris each night, where there were no packing boxes in sight!
3.
Real Estate | Deborah Levy
Genre: Non-fiction - living autobiography
I read this because: of my completionist need to finish the trilogy
Origin*: TBR
Where**: Work backpack read - mostly read in my favourite cafe before work.
Mood***: Reflective. Like Levy I was caught up in ideas and issues surrounding real estate and housing as I read her book.
4.
Water | John Boyne
Genre: Audio - Literary fiction
I listened to this because: I had too many thoughts in my head and couldn't concentrate on the book I had packed for the 2hr train trip. So I decided to listen to something instead as I watched the autumnal mountain view glide by the window.
Origin*: Libro.fm
Where**: Listened to on the train between our two homes in the final week of packing up one to move into the other.
Mood***: Sombre subject matter, deeply satisfied by Boyne's story telling ability.
*TBR indicates a book that has been in my possession for more than 3 months – ARC’s include pre-pub reading copies as well as pub-day new releases **The main space/place I read the book *** Predominant feeling I had as I read the book or immediately after.
- Number of books read: 2 books, 1 audio novella and 1 audio short story (twice).
- Story of the month: Given the much smaller number to chose from than usual, you would have thought picking one favourite would have been easy, but they were all wonderful reads in their own way. Zola gets a nod for his detailed descriptions of Paris and her changing weather, Levy for the serendipity of writing about the idea of home as I was packing up a house, Boyne for his luscious, moving writing (& Cusack for her sensitive narration) and Thomas for his mellifluous voice and whimsical way with words. Everyone’s a winner this month 🙂
| This post was written on the traditional land of the Wangal clan, one of the 29 clans of the Eora Nation within the Sydney basin. This Reading Life recognises the continuous connection to Country, community and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They are the traditional custodians of the lands, seas, and skies on which we live and they are this nations first storytellers. |
This Reading Life 
Hang in there!
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Thanks – we’re almost there!
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I feel for you. Eight years ago, I moved from a house that I’d been in more than 25 years. It was rough.
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We have been in decluttering mode ever since B23 moved out of home this time last year, in preparation for the move whenever it happened. But now that we have everything moved, there is still quite a lot of stuff that simply doesn’t belong here, doesn’t go with the new look/design of this house or has simply passed its use-by-date (we just didn’t know until we got it here!)
It’s a big job, but feels quite cathartic at the same time.
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The Levy is perfect reading for this time! Wishing you smooth sailing in your move Brona.
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Levy’s discussions about her dream home made me realise how fortunate we were in that we already had ours, we just had to decide it was the right time to move into it.
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Congrats on reading these despite all the work implied with moving. You can treat yourself with nice reading time after… when all the boxes are reopened!
My April was also lower than usual:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/04/30/2024-april-wrap-up/
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Thanks Emma. The past five days have been hectic to say the least, but it’s nice to finally open up my laptop again and reimmerse myself in the blogging world 🙂
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Moving is so stressful! Hope you are feeling more settled soon x
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Last time we moved (nine yrs ago) it was so stressful I promised myself we would pay someone to do EVERYTHING! But, of course, I don’t trust anyone enough to pack my books properly, or not to break the crockery or vases or glassware…so I ended up doing it myself again! At least this time we had a leisurely time period in which to move between the two homes, but still that last week is hectic no matter how well you think you have it planned out!
Hope you are feeling better too xo
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Sounds like a tiring, stressful month — but how lucky that the reading you were able to squeeze in was all very good. I’m looking forward to hearing more about Deep Water when you finish it! Hoping the big move wraps up soon and you get a chance to relax a bit.
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Deep Water has been an amazing read – such power and beautiful narrative non-fiction. Bradley has even made the chapter on container shipping interesting!
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I hope the move goes well, and your new home is everything you could hope for. Meanwhile, thanks for these snappy summaries.
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We’ve owned our ‘new’ home for over nine years, so we feel confident about loving it here. After apartment living in the inner west, to have a BIG view of nature, cosy and warm behind picture windows that are well-sealed with no draughts, is a true delight. And no cockroaches or mould in sight!
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No cockroaches or mould? Sigh!
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I know right!
But we did have a microbat invasion a couple of years ago that I mention in this post, that was almost a game- changer! Thankfully Mr Books loved all the planning and strategising and learning about microbat habits and habitats. We haven’t had one in the house or ceiling since.
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Oh wow! Give me the cockroaches any day, though microbats do sound cute
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I’d rather a microbat anyday Jonathan! They were cute, although being woken up at 3am by one flapping around the house was not fun. Now they have learnt to stay outside, we are all much happier.
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Congratulations on getting moved – my best friend has been moving her possessions into her new home from two sisters’ houses and storage this past week so there’s a lot of it about!
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