T.M. Hanson

June was full of beautiful weather – bountiful rain, the smell of wet grass, and the aroma of flowers. It has also been, on the odd occasion, hot and sticky. I’ve found it rejuvenating. I’ve had some wonderful times this month, as well as good news, and I’ve felt myself again. My energy has returned after a period of feeling ill and it felt great to fill my time with cooking, baking, longer walks, and discussions late at night with my partner. Currently, I’m in Spain! I’m hoping a new environment will fix me.

Reading wise, this month began slowly – weeks of ill-health and insomnia had left me a little run down. However, I started to pick up pace as my health improved. I’d only read one book by the halfway mark but, once I was feeling better, I read with a vengeance. Coming to the halfway mark of this year, I’ve read fifty books so far! That must be a personal record. Having time off work has its obvious perks!

One of the main themes to come out of June was heat. There were a lot of books about passion and war, but also a handful of books set in tropical or torrid settings – Egypt, Rome, India, and Mars. This seems pretty on-brand, considering it’s officially summer, and I’ve enjoyed reading books that have felt as heated as the weather. What’s more, I’ve been continuing the queer theme, although this month was a little more tragic. There were some queer books on the list but these were sombre in comparison to what I read in May.

I’ve managed to wedge in some films and television too, which was nice! My partner and I have been watching Gentleman Jack. We started on season two and we’re finishing on season one, as we wanted to end on a high. The second season isn’t much to end on in all honesty. On my own, I’ve continued with Downton Abbey. I started rewatching it at the beginning of the year but took a long break. I’m back at it now with less than two seasons left. Because there’s a new film out in September, I’m determined to finish it all before then, including the films. So, June ended up being a busy month, fiction wise. I’ve really enjoyed it!

What I’ve Been Reading

Arcana: An Anthology by Brum LGBTQ+ Writers

This was a delightful collection. I’m so proud to be a part of this project and to promote queer writing in the local area. There were a couple of stories that weren’t to my personal taste, due to the style of writing. It left the collection, as a whole, at an okay level. Even so, there are a handful of pieces that I’ll return to time and time again. I thought this was a great anthology from the group, despite its variation in quality, covering a range of topics from queer pride to abusive relationships to community care. A few of the pieces were beautifully written; there are clearly writers within the group who are masters of their craft or are, at the very least, excellent at what they do. I felt honoured to be placed alongside them, even if mine weren’t at the same level. This is definitely a collection that I will return to, turning over the words and pondering them in greater detail and with greater relish.

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

There were parts of this novel that were stereotypical for the time but it became irrelevant, the further I read. I was absorbed by the action, the worldbuilding, and the humanity of John Carter. The world of Mars felt genuinely alien, hostile, and terrifying, whilst also remaining fantastical. Burroughs clearly thought about what creatures living on Mars might be like, scientifically and symbolically, and it felt as if he’d done his research into the planet itself. This made it feel as realistic as it was alien. Some of the race building for Mars felt slightly racist, as often happens in sci-fi and fantasy, but it wasn’t egregious. In fact, a lot of the creatures from Mars were treated with respect by John Carter. You ended up rooting for so many of them. Carter’s ability to befriend so many people was almost funny – he was such a likable guy! Parts of it were a little of the time, such as the damsel in distress and childlike attributes of the princess, but, overall, this so much more of a romp than I was expecting. I would definitely read this again in the future.

Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley

This book was precisely what I needed for my birthday. The weather didn’t quite match the experience (I was hoping for more sun) but I enjoyed reading further into the life of one of my favourite authors. She’s just like me, for real. Even though there wasn’t a lot of information about Jane, it didn’t feel like it. Worsley filled this book with information from family biographies and historical context. Resultantly, the text was informative, as well as insightful, and helped to visualise how this would have been for Jane from what we know of her. It certainly made me view her in a different light. She seemed more real, more accessible, more human than other accounts of Jane Austen, who try too hard to elevate her, due to her status within literature. I may have cried at least twice at the end of the book. Jane Austen at Home was lovingly crafted and was, as a result, lovingly read.

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

This novel began on a sweet and sorrowful note but it soon became as stifling as Giovanni’s room. The novel explores the realities of queer life during the time of its publication, how it became an almost parasitical relationship at times. It reveals the vulnerable position that these young men were in, as well as the realities of being raised in a homophobic society – how some can accept their nature more than others and how some hate themselves for who they are. Homosexual love is freedom and confinement, beautiful and disgusting in equal measure. This is the first time I’ve read Baldwin in full. I’ve read various excerpts from his novels and essays but nothing more, so this was truly an experience. I was glad not to be disappointed and I’m glad I took the time to read this. Altogether, Giovanni’s Room is an excellent piece of writing.

Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie

This is a wonderful book. The humour and intellect with which Rushdie narrates this novel is exceptional. Packed into four-hundred pages is six decades worth of history in India and Pakistan, exploring the parallels of war and peace, democracy and individualism, as well as love and hatred. It reveals the dreams, achievements, mistakes, and prejudices of the generation born under Independence and the way this shaped the next generation, who were born to a country that would become modern India. It reveals the hopes of unity and multi-culturalism that fell way to fragments, disillusionment, and oppression – messianic hopes falling into a cautiousness and reticence. I’m still learning about Indian history and I’m still new(ish) to Indian literature, but Midnight’s Children has given me a lot to contemplate. I would certainly read it again in the future!

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (reread)

This was a quick reread to follow on from The Magician’s Nephew. As a child, this was a beloved favourite and, returning to it as an adult, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe continues to be a world of wonder and magic. In this period of the chronicles, Narnia is almost pagan in its inspiration, and the descriptions of the world and landscape are lush. This book is quintessentially English even down to its depiction of the Narnian countryside. Jadis wasn’t as imposing as the first book and I’m glad the prequel gave her some additional context; it makes her more interesting. I still find the ending disappointing in that they didn’t get to live the remainder of their lives in Narnia, although I understand why this couldn’t happen. Overall, this instalment is always so magical and funny. There is so much packed into this tiny novel if you choose to look. This will forever be a favourite of mine.

Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare

I went into this play completely blind – I didn’t know much about it other than it covered Antony and Cleopatra’s relationship, and their tragic death. In all honesty, I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would! This prelude to Imperial Rome – its politics and wars – was interesting to read. The interpersonal aspect of Antony’s love for Cleopatra, his marriage to Octavia, and his friendship to Enobarbus was equally as interesting. What I wasn’t expecting, most of all, was to read a description of Antony’s dick but there we are – typical Shakespeare! I thought I would struggle through this but I was pretty enrapt and entertained from the start. This could easily become a favourite of mine over time. As usual, I feel compelled to watch a production of this so that I can see the play with my own eyes.

The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling

I was a little hesitant to read this, due to Kipling’s imperialist beliefs, but I ended up liking it more than I thought I would. The relationship between the Empire and India is present throughout, both in its outlook towards India as a people and its animal inhabitants. It is impossible to escape Kipling’s love of the Empire, although he contradicts this love, at times, with his love for natural habitats and animals of all kinds. Despite his views, there is a fondness for Indian folklore, as well as for the Indian countryside. The stories themselves are well-written, lush in description, and often humorous. The early tales of Mowgli were my favourite, alongside Toomai of the Elephants, The Undertakers, Purun Bhagat, and Quiquern. Later on, the tales of Mowgli as a young man were not to my taste; they take more of a domineering and violent tone that echoes Kipling’s beliefs more profoundly. Overall, there were tales I would re-read and tales I wouldn’t. Kipling, as a writer, is better at his craft than I expected. Kipling, as a man, I have no interest in.

Simple Pleasures by Clare Chambers

This was a disappointment. The premise was intriguing, although, about halfway through, it lost me altogether. It felt like the main plotline was sidelined for no other reason than that the main character forgot and was no longer interested; it became an afterthought to the main relationship. As for the romance, it didn’t have enough of a build-up or even a genuine connection for me to feel invested (although Howard is a sweetie) and there was something about the queerness in this book that tried to feel comfortable with queerness but ended on a judgemental or, at least, undecided tone. There were parts of this book that I liked, such as the exploration of spinsterhood in the 1950s, how these women were subsequently viewed, and the stifled nature of this lifestyle. However, the book as a whole ended on an ‘okay’ note for me. It didn’t particularly go anywhere that was surprising or different, or even interesting, and there was too much involved in the book for it to feel cohesive or fully explored.

What I’ve Been Watching

Chef

Chef was a charming watch. The exploration of a father-son relationship was lovely and I felt this was more intriguing than a romantic storyline. Every shot that contained food made me hungry; it all looked insanely delicious. I appreciate the exploration of online demonisation and how this can ruin someone’s career or self-esteem; the realities of working in a creative field; and how to reignite a creative passion in middle age. It’s not the most complex film but it was nice, and that was enough.

Pride and Prejudice (rewatch)

I allowed myself a little rewatch as a birthday treat. Pride and Prejudice never fails to make me laugh and I actually find it funnier and more emotional the more I watch it. There is so much that makes this film what it is – the intricacies of Darcy’s attempt at courtship, the continual misunderstandings, the different representations of marriage in Georgian society, and commentaries spanning across a variety of classes is what makes the film, as much as the book, a classic in my opinion. The visuals are gorgeous, the soundtrack distinct, and the romance, sublime. Ten out of ten; I would watch this film anytime, anywhere.

Bad Boys

I was not expecting to like this film as much as I did. It was so funny and the plot was darker in parts than I expected. Mike and Marcus were a likable duo and, despite the bickering, were believable friends. The scene of Will Smith running topless in slow motion must have been for the ladies but I respect that. In addition, the compulsory female sidekick, Julie, was more capable than I thought she’d be and was treated with more respect too, which is always a bonus. Overall, I thought it was a good watch. I’d definitely be tempted to watch the next instalment.

Shakespeare in Love

I’ve never felt particularly drawn to this film but I had a good time in the end. To put it simply, they Shakespeare’d Shakespeare. Maybe if I was straight, I’d like this more. As it is, I thought it was delightful and yet, the romance didn’t quite draw me in. It was light and funny, perfect for the current season, with more sex and nudity than I was expecting (I thought this film was appropriate for kids!). Anyhow, the premise was ridiculous but well paralleled to the play, the cast was excellent, and there were some genuinely beautiful moments in the film.

Other Media

Television

Miss Austen

The younger actors were quite weak in my opinion, whilst the older actors carried the scenes beautifully. Keeley Hawes was simply divine! If you watch this show as it is, it’s a love story of two sisters, who choose each other over romantic love. I think some people were expecting twists and turns, and the show seemed to promise that, which may contribute to the disappointed reception of the show but when focused on the theme of sisterhood, it was lovely to watch. The actual romance could have been dumped for all I care; the sisterly love between Jane and Cassandra was all this show needed.

Experiences

Cowboy Carter Tour

This was an amazing experience! I may or may not have paid all of that money just to see Ya Ya live and my god, it was worth it. Beyonce insisted on performing the whole album, as well as some classics, which made the set incredibly long. As a whole, the concert would have definitely benefited from being cut shorter. I appreciate she wanted to give people their money’s worth but it felt long. She also sang the national anthem, which was awkward, because nearly everyone there was European. Even so, it was truly an experience to see some of these songs live and she put her whole into it. The tickets were pricier than they needed to be but at the end of the day, I chose to go because I wanted to see this particular tour. Seeing my favourites live was unbelievable; the artistry was incredible. Although it had some downsides, I felt the good outweighed the bad (for me).

My Favourites

My favourites this month were:

• Arcana: An Anthology, Brum LGBTQ+ Writers.
• Jane Austen at Home, Lucy Worsley.
• Antony and Cleopatra, William Shakespeare.

• Chef.
• Bad Boys.
• Shakespeare in Love.

This was a hard pick! I wanted to do a top five with Midnight’s Children and A Princess of Mars because I enjoyed them so much. All of the books I read were excellent or enjoyable in their own way, so it was difficult to choose. I had to pick the Arcana, not as a plug, but because I’m so proud of its creation and publication. I can’t think of it without feeling happy, so it had to be in the top three for me.

I didn’t watch loads of films, so this was an easier choice. I started Basic Instinct but didn’t get to finish it, as I’m now on holiday. I’m hoping to finish it soon. Next month, I have Gentleman Prefer Blondes and The Three Musketeers to read, with Out of Africa to watch. It seems like a solid month and I’m excited to see what I think of them. In June, I liked both of the books and I’m yet to decide on the film, since I haven’t seen it in its entirety, but I also liked Shakespeare in Love more than I expected.

Currently, I’ve started The Decameron and I’ve moved on to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes whilst away. I’d like to get back to reading A Suitable Boy, which I started earlier this year. The weather feels perfect for the book. In the meantime, I’ve brought several books away with me, so we’ll see how many I get through as I also brought my switch. Moominvalley, here I come!