And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
He’s been up since before five, it’s now seven and he’s already put a proper shift in. The furnaces were fuelled and warming-up for the day ahead, whilst we mere mortals restlessly tossed and turned in the pursuit of the last vestiges of a cooler and deeper sleep. The clouds may sometimes hide his labours, but his business is energy, and it’s a business which never stops. His co-workers, those of the feathered form, are in good voice and full of cheer, the swifts and swallows and house martins, so fleet of flight they’re difficult to tell apart, theirs is an effortless effort – oh to have such energy so early in the day without a coffee-stoked furnace.
The energy of the 18th century canal builders popped up in Book Club yesterday evening with our guest author, historian and poet Jo Bell. These constructors of their brave new world literally changed the landscape around them in pursuit of dreams of progress and efficiency (and possibly a bit of extra wealth too!). That great canal building boom lasted only 60 or so years before being usurped by the railways – progress was quick in those days, your technology may have been significant, but it could also have been short-lived. What has been lovely about the canals of this country is that they found a second life: long after their industrial origins they have become arteries of beauty, places of calm, a home not only to nature, but also one of nurture for a population who seek an equally gentle way of life.
Whilst writing the above I was curious as to why we associate the Sun with the masculine form and so I used AI to seek an answer – here’s what I got:
“The sun and moon are often associated with masculine and feminine energy, respectively, due to symbolic and cultural interpretations, not inherent biological differences. The sun, with its powerful, radiant energy, is often seen as active and assertive, qualities traditionally associated with masculinity. The moon, with its reflective light and cyclical nature, is often viewed as receptive, nurturing, and associated with emotions and intuition, qualities traditionally associated with femininity.”
I wonder what will have become of the present technological booms in 60 years’ time? It’s hard to imagine the current internet barons as the creators of a future calm: who’d want to go and live in social media or make do with an artificial intelligence?
‘Late Fragment’ by Raymond Carver (contained within ‘Boater’ by Jo Bell)
And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.
This week brings a bounty of new books. Daniel O’Malley’s award winning series, Checquy Files, has been reprinted with beautiful new covers. This Fantasy series is unlike anything you’ve read before, he writes from the mystifying to the bizarre; this is definitely going to leave you wanting more. Rachel Blackmore’s Costanza is out in paperback – which is one I can personally recommend! This true story paints Costanza as a historical hero and feminist icon in a time when history pitted itself against powerful and resilient women.
Abook I’ve seen everywhere this week is Michael Gove’s ex-wife, Sarah Vine, with her memoir How Not to Be a Political Wife. This book promises to be an all-truthful account of her time in close proximity to Downing Street; from high hopes and dirty tricks, broken friendships and divided loyalties, laughter and glamour.
And if those don’t tickle-your-pickle, there’s plenty more to chose from below!
As always, if there’s anything you need, just pop by or reply to this email!
From Amber
Feeling curious? Click on the book covers below to explore the book.
The full newsletter with links to books – including this week’s Signed Editions – can be found HERE
