2020 Is Here But It Sure As Hell Was Not How I (or we) Imagined It To Be

The last time I checked in with everyone was February 2019. Also, ironically, it was to discuss what I had discovered around Melbourne and actually enjoying what our city has to offer. 

Lo and behold, a year later, we are all being confined to our homes in the wake of this unexpected pandemic. 

Honestly, it’s kind of hard to remember what I did get up to in the last year with our lives now being consumed by this virus and the uncertainty that it brings. In saying that, I definitely don’t want to focus on how chaotic life has become for everyone. I don’t want to add to the anxiety and stress many are experiencing now with a lot of the media reports being quite negative. 

So what did my life look like pre-COVID-19?

I went through a pretty tumultuous time during the first half of 2019, with something happening that really changed my life. I probably won’t touch on it much now but will address it sometime soon. 

Ever since then, I’ve focused a lot more on myself. It’s been a great self-discovery journey (I know, super cliché and slightly cringe) and if anything I find I am more in tune with my emotions, responses and perception of life. I’m constantly learning how to be kind to myself and find ways to heal. 

I started a new job! I swear I feel like every time I do end up writing a Talking Personal I always announce that I’ve changed jobs again. This time I joined the AFL industry, which I am a huge fan of but never thought I’d be involved in. If anything, it was a bit surreal because I actually also graduated with my Master of Criminology by June of last year, but wasn’t utilising it in this new job. It didn’t bother me that much. I think now I’ve come to realise that I wasn’t mentally ready to dive into the Criminology field, and as such, didn’t feel it fair to subject any organisations and its clients to my personal struggles. Whilst I didn’t see myself working in this industry, I have enjoyed every moment of it. The culture, the role itself and the goals we were achieving as a team all made the job exciting to go to every day. 

I spent a lot of time reconnecting with friends and family, which really lifted my spirits. In challenging times, a strong network of people are most needed, and I appreciated every person who made time for me and just made my day that bit better by building memories with me and making me laugh. I definitely did let loose a little too much over the holiday period, which meant I went into January committed to and successfully completing ‘Dry January’. My body was super thankful for that. 

About a month ago, my family and I took a trip to Vietnam to visit relatives. We really did get our family holiday in at the right time because we got back during mid-february and since then flights have been banned in and out of the country. It’s been 4 years since my last trip so it was great to see my relatives again and just appreciate the beauty of the motherland. The highlight of the trip was spending a weekend in Phu Quoc, an island just off Vietnam. We stayed at the JW Marriot Resort and it was breathtaking. 

Currently, work has been called off and I am just sitting at home these days trying to do my part in this social-distancing/lockdown phase. I’m not going to say it’s been fun, but we have the privilege of staying at home and feeling bored whilst many others are at the forefront of combatting this pandemic. I don’t think we can thank our healthcare workers who do go to work so that we can stay at home enough. I hope that everyone is taking care of themselves, staying healthy and happy. We will get through this together. 

I would love to know what you everyone is up to during this time. Please feel free to send through comments, find me on Twitter and slide into my DMs, or even send me an email at printedwords0861@gmail.com. 

Self-isolation can be lonely if we are not staying connected with people so I am all ears for anyone who wants to chat!

Take care and stay healthy!

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My Attempt At Explaining How Impressed I Was With Joe Cinque's Consolation by Helen Garner

Title: Joe Cinque's Consolation: A True Story of Death, Grief and the Law 
Author: Helen Garner
Publication Date: 1st January, 2004
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In October 1997, a clever young law student at ANU made a bizarre plan to murder her devoted boyfriend after a dinner party at their house. Some of the dinner guests - most of them university students - had heard rumours of the plan. Nobody warned Joe Cinque. He died one Sunday, in his own bed, of a massive dose of Rohypnol and heroin. His girlfriend and her best friend were charged with murder.

Helen Garner followed the trials in the ACT Supreme Court. Compassionate but unflinching, this is a book about how and why Joe Cinque died. It probes the gap between ethics and the law; examines the helplessness of the courts in the face of what we think of as "evil"; and explores conscience, culpability, and the battered ideal of duty of care.

Review

I thought it would’ve been easier to review and rate a Helen Garner novel considering I’ve already read some of her works. I was wrong.

I’m struggling to really put into words, and have been for say the past year now, how I really felt or thought about Joe Cinque’s Consolation. That’s not to say this was a bad read, far from it actually. It is just difficult, at least for me, to review/rate a book that is a blend of facts and personal recounts because I never want to tread on someone else’s personal perspective in a negative manner.

In saying that, Garner has presented a bizarre and horrifying case in her own way, opening not only the case itself but also her writing to invitation for thought, judgement and debate. Garner's strong point is her ability to weave personal anecdotes, relatable to the everyday reader, into the crime narrative. It allows people to better understand the case. It does require patience though, as Garner's writing pace is slow and methodic. It feels as though every sentence that Garner writes has been thought over for many hours, each point intentional. I really like that from Garner, the fact that, as she is mulling over her own thoughts and decisions, she is also bringing us along on that journey. Carefully, peeling back the covers to reveal to us an image we would not have seen beyond just what is being reported about the trial, the victim and the perpetrator. However, there is no forcefulness. She is just nudging us, not in a direction that she deems correct per se, but more so so that we start thinking. At least, for me, I was thinking, and thinking hard. I was thinking about the context of the crime, the participants to and of the crime and the consequences of it all.

It is easy to categorise things as black and white - the law does that. Yet, Garner makes us see the various shades between the black and white. She does this by not just recounting the facts of the case, but by drawing on family and friends personal stories and experiences with Anu and Joe. She conducts research on their background, their personalities and overall paints a story for us to better understand them as people - not just perpetrator and victim. What I really liked about Joe Cinque's Consolation is that in her journey to find out who Joe and Anu was, Garner discovers and builds a bond with those involved - especially Joe's family. She doesn't let that become a bias in her narrative, but rather, Garner explores the idea that in any crime it is not just the perpetrator and victim involved. It is not only the victim that is affected and the perpetrator held responsible for their actions. There are people who suffer pain and loss as a consequence, whilst other are indirectly blamed and held accountable despite not committing the crime.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Joe Cinque's Consolation. Whether it's because, as any other person, I am drawn towards stories of crime - the more bizarre and terrifying, the more fascinated we (or maybe just I) am. Or the fact that Garner covered the case in a thorough and engrossing manner, Joe Cinque's Consolation remains a memorable and thought-provoking read.

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My 2020 Reading List! (Finally)

I am well aware it’s the end of February and only now have I really decided on what books I want to read for 2020. 

Two months down and I haven’t read any on this list but hey, a girl can dream right?

I’ve tried to select a broad range of novels, from ones that have sat on my shelf forever to non-fiction books that I wouldn’t normally ever read. 

1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery

2. East West Street: On the Origins of “Genocide” and “Crimes Against Humanity” by Philippe Sands

I've always wanted to read this but bought it 3 years ago and then keep putting it off because I was worried my intellectual capacity would not be enough to fully understand it. Well self-doubt is no longer a thing and I am so excited to read this.

3. A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James

4. The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard #1) by Scott Lynch 

5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I tried to start this last year but never got around to finishing it, but really want to so I can watch the movie. 

6. The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

7. Lethal White (Cormoran Strike #4) by Robert Galbraith

In 2018 I was obsessed with this series and was so happy to hear the fourth instalment was released. Hopefully it sucks me in as much as its predecessors. 

8. The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton 

Kate Morton is one of my favourite authors so I will read anything, ANYTHING, she releases.

9. The Barefoot Investor: The Only Money Guide You’ll Ever Need by Scott Pape

Your girl is trying to change her financial life in 2020 and you bet I jumped onto this craze. Here's to being in control and secure of my finances.

10. The Way Through the Woods by Jocelyn Koehler

This is a story about mushrooms. I'm being serious. And I am super excited for it.

11. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

12. Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall by Anna Funder

13. Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

This was more of a recent purchase but I want to support Australian authors and have heard so much about how amazing this is. 

All of these books I currently own, and I chose these deliberately, because I find that I forget about ones I’ve purchased awhile ago and they just sit and collect dust. For instance, I’ve had Anne of Green Gables for at least 6 to 7 years now and haven’t opened it once. 

I’m currently almost half-way through The Clockmaker’s Daughter but have been sidetracked by another book (that is not on this list oops) and I think The Barefoot Investor is going to be a year-long project, but I’m okay with that. 

I’m actually super excited to tackle this list for 2020! I only chose 13 because I didn’t want to be overambitious and also wanted to make sure I was reading some quality books. 

You can find my 2020 Reading List Shelf on Goodreads here.

Good luck to me! 

What Are You Reading This Year?

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Favourite Books of the Decade

I'm not going to lie, I ended the decade terribly when it came to my blog. The posts really fizzled out and the reading became non-existent. In saying that, it is 2020 and that means that despite it being a new year, it's also an entirely NEW decade!

Instead of fixating on how slack I became towards the end of the decade, I wanted to celebrate how much I really did and am learning to love reading again, by sharing with you all my favourite books of the decade. In no particular order, these are the books that have stayed with me throughout the years. 

Favourite Books of the Decade

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan 

Honestly, this is one of my favourite books to read in general - I would say top five! It was one of the first LGBTQIA novels I've read that not only explores ideas of sexuality but also identity, loyalty and friendship during high school life. I absolutely adore this story. 

Review here.

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I didn't think I would love this as much as I did when I read it.  A super fun and creative read, and the hype around it is well earned. 

Review here.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A middle grade novel that explores family bonds, loss and grief. A touching and memorable read.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor

This was my favourite YA fantasy series in the decade and I am definitely planning a re-read soon!

Review here.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland #1) by Catherynne M. Valente

I fell back in love with Middle Grade after reading this. Also Catherynne M. Valente has magical writing skills.

The House at Riverton/The Shifting Fog by Kate Morton

It probably is a really big claim to say this was my favourite book of the decade but in all honesty, I still cannot get over this story. Do not come @ me about this.

Review here.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I feel like this is really self-explanatory.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

If anyone asks me for a recommendation on what to read, this will be one of them, because of how beautiful the story is. It's one of the rare books I've read that focuses on a platonic friendship and how strong the bond is between two best friends. 

Review here.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

This might be one of those cliche favourite reads, but Ian McEwan writes in such a poetic manner and the story has stayed with me despite reading it just ONCE. 

Or maybe twice ...

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Need a recommendation for thriller/crime novels? THIS. IS. IT. It is so creepy and enthralling at the same time.

Review here.

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

This might not be the read for everyone, but the fact that I zoomed through a 900 and something page book and implore people to give it a go says something.

Review here.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

A classic that I think everyone should read, at least once, in their life. 

Review here.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman 

Neil Gaiman is a creative genius and if you were to read any of his masterpieces, this short story is well-worth your time.

Review here.

The Troupe by Robert Jackson Bennett

I truly did not expect 1. for this plot to go in the direction it did and 2. to love it so much because I was shocked by it. A story of family and finding love that explodes into one about belief and creation. 

Review here.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

I really don't know what to say about this that gives it justice. Safran Foer delivers a powerful story set post 9/11.

Review here.

This is definitely a long list, but I couldn't narrow it down anymore than I already have. Hopefully, if you haven't gotten around to reading any of these, at least one will get added onto your 2020 reading list!

What was your favourite read for the decade?

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Ride It Like A Girl Is The Movie You Didn't Think You Needed To See But Must Go Now!

Title: Ride it Like a Girl

Actors: Teresa Palmer, Sam Neil, Sullivan Stapleton, Magda Szubanski, Mick Molly

Release Date: 18th September, 2019

IMDB

Review

I had never planned to watch this film, nor even heard about it, until the day I went to see it and I am actually really glad I did see it. 

Ride Like A Girl has left an impression on me for two reasons. 

One, it showcases what I would think is one of the most controversial sports/sporting events in Melbourne - the Melbourne Cup. For readers who don’t know, the Melbourne Cup is a well celebrated horse racing event, so much that there’s a public holiday for the day. It’s “the race that stops the nation” as the saying goes. What makes it so controversial is the recent surge of protests from animal rights advocates that are fighting to stop the Melbourne Cup from happening due to a number of falls that have resulted in putting down some horses. Yet, here we have a movie that conveys the excitement of horse racing, the passion jockeys and punters alike have and how glamorous the Melbourne Cup is. It really puzzled me when I left the cinema, as I couldn’t tell how well Ride it Like a Girl would be received.

Two, it takes this controversial event to highlight sexism within the sporting industry and how a female jockey came to win the Melbourne Cup for the first time ever. I absolutely love the story of Michelle Payne and how she leaped over every obstacle she faced to achieve her dreams. Ride Like a Girl portrays the struggles Michelle faces, both at a personal and professional level, and how her determination and perseverance not only meant she was able to win but more importantly that she was recognised as an elite athlete amongst a male-dominant sport. It was plainly obvious how the horse racing industry looked down on women, despite letting them compete. No one would give her a chance, but once she worked hard to get there, she proved everyone wrong. 

The second point was personally why I have eventually decided that I really loved Ride It Like A Girl. Honestly, I had no clue that Michelle Payne was the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup or that she even existed - I guess because I’m not very interested in horse racing to begin with. Yet, I find her story inspiring. So much that I would urge young girls to watch the film. Michelle’s life story is retold in a concise manner, with great Australian actors but my favourite thing about the cast is that they included Michelle Payne’s real brother, Stevie Payne in the film to play himself. I love, love, love Stevie, and how his role not only tugs at your heart but speaks lengths regarding any person who has Down syndrome and what they can achieve if they are given the right opportunity. Furthermore, the film uses real life footage in some parts, which I appreciated because it really made me believe that Ride it Like a Girl is based on a true story. 

Be ready to laugh, cry and feel proud of a piece of Australian history that has unfolded in such a beautiful film. 

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