Books of September/October

Somehow, over the last two months, I’ve managed to read quite a few books, eleven, to be exact! This post is a little deep dive into a few of my favourites. As always, if you have any recommendations or reflections, please feel free to comment or message me I’d love to hear them.

Len Pennie – Poyums Annaw

One of my firm favourites, not just from this season but possibly this entire year is a short collection of poems by Len Pennie. I was given this book for my birthday and ended up reading it in one sitting, taking care to pause between poems to really take in their meaning.

The poems switch between Scots and English, and I absolutely loved that. It’s not often you see the Scots language used in contemporary poetry, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easily I could follow along despite it being a “new” language for me.

What I appreciated most was how casual and accessible the writing felt. The book tackles heavy topics such as sexual violence and feminism, but does so in a way that’s both relatable and empowering, what Pennie herself calls “rants” in poetic form. A big recommendation from me for anyone wanting to get into poetry.

Tom Daley – Coming Up for Air

Another book that took me by surprise was Tom Daley’s biography. My dad actually bought it for me, I suspect because of Tom’s recent appearance on the UK celebrity version of The Traitors!

I finished the book in just over a day. Each chapter focuses on a specific word that encapsulates a period of Tom’s professional and personal journey. For example, the chapter discussing his decision to come out is titled Courage. I really liked this structure and particularly enjoyed the chapter on Kindness, which reminded me how almost everything we do is better when done with kindness, a message that feels especially important in today’s world.

Although the book, written in 2021, is now slightly out of date, it’s still a lovely and inspiring read that left me reflecting on some valuable life lessons.

Aoko Matsuda – The Woman Dies

Most of the books I’ve read recently were birthday gifts, and The Woman Dies by Aoko Matsuda is another one. This short story collection explores sexuality and feminism in Japan — subjects I thought I was familiar with, but Matsuda approaches them from a completely different cultural lens.

The stories are often humorous and highly imaginative, prompting you to think deeply about what lies beneath their surface. I really enjoyed engaging with each story and reflecting on its meaning. It was unlike anything I’ve read before fresh, thought-provoking, and truly enjoyable.

Emily Brontë – Wuthering Heights

Yes, I finally did it, a classic! I have quite a few sitting on my bookshelf (many of which I’ve been avoiding…), but I managed to get through Wuthering Heights.

It took me a little while to get into this deliberately complex novel, but once I did, I found real value in it. The depiction of the English countryside in autumn felt perfectly timed with the season, and although the story of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw’s obsessive, destructive love can be confusing, the emotional depth and atmosphere are unforgettable.

It reminded me that classics don’t have to be fully understood to be appreciated. Here’s to tackling the other four or five waiting on my shelf!

So those are a few of the books I’ve read over the past couple of months and in doing so, I’ve officially hit my Goodreads goal of 52 books in 2025! I’m absolutely chuffed, as I’ve been trying to reach this goal throughout my four years at university, and finally achieving it in the year I graduated feels full-circle.

That said, hitting my goal doesn’t mean I’m done reading. I’ve still got a few birthday books left, and my TBR shelf isn’t going anywhere. So keep an eye out for more reviews in the coming months!

Thank you for reading,
Rosie x

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