MOLLY CLARK

I have read 1 (one) book in the last 3 weeks. I find this deeply distressing as a usually fervent reader, and regular preacher of 'there's always time to read'. Turns out, when your degree is reading-based, and those readings are heavy, the last thing you want to look at is a book. In the interest of keeping this blog personal, I'll say what every student thinks: university has me swamped. I've frequently described this first month back as feeling like having my head held under water. My average reading pace was 2 books a week, and now it takes me 3 weeks to read one? Dissatisfied. So while I'm coming to terms with officially being a slow fiction reader, I believe I am now an established fast academic reader. Reading the quantity I have this year has so vastly improved my skills, and I am whipping through texts. What your English teacher told you at school is true! (And what I tell my students now). Reading is a practice. A learned skill. So really, I h

I’ve been out of this for a while, and feel strange about returning. Writing is such a joy for me, and yet so hard to do. I’m guilty of putting too much pressure on myself-not just here but in every aspect of my life- to the point of not wanting to do it at all. I’m returning and hoping to ease this pressure everyday, by writing just for me. No expectations, no stress. I might have stopped writing but I haven’t stopped reading. After reading 42 books last year, my goal for this year was 50. I’ve read 61 this year so far. My devotion to reading widely and often is proof to myself that I’m capable of forming new habits, something I’m desperate to do as I start my 21 st year around the sun. It is only natural that I should read so much, as books are my most reliable source of pleasure. If anything, I’m committed to maximising moments of bliss. Getting through so many books is not mindless or easy, and I live a busy life, but I make it a priority. I read every morning with bre

2018 was a mad year filled with so much change for me. After only reading 11 books in 2017, I made it my goal to finish as many books as I could in 2018. I ended up dropping out of university and had a fair bit of time on my hands, so in total I completed 42 books (in 2019 I plan to read 50). I read some incredible books by authors I will follow forever, some bang average books and some I wouldn’t mind burning (looking at you, The Beautiful and Damned). Mainly for my own benefit, I’ve compiled a list of books I truly adored this year. JAMAICA INN I dragged reading this one out because I really didn’t want it to be over. I love anything Du Maurier, she is my queen, and I can’t wait to reread this once I’ve forgotten what happened. Gripping, dark, mysterious, romantic. It is everything I want in a book. THE WHITE ALBUM Her Majesty Joan Didion is my reason for wanting to write, I’m just sad I can’t do it in the 60s and write about Jim Morrison and the Black Panthers and ever