Anna Woods

When I was a kid the gothic vibes spooked me, but it’s only as I’ve gotten older that I’ve realised the true horror of this book – after finally breaking free and making an independent life for herself, Jane gives up everything to marry Mr Rochester. Scariest book ever!

Happy Halloween #booksky. Wanna know what my spookiest read is?

Jane Eyre.

Hear me out…

Yep. 70!

Deep in copyedits for my novel. Who wants to guess how many times I’ve used the word ‘hair’? Anyone?

#litfic #booksky

Oh dear, is this what I have to look forward to, ha!

Hand holding up the new issue of landfall journal, with a painting of a tui on the front cover

Check out the 250th issue of Landfall, packed full of essays, poetry, fiction and reviews. And a new story by me.

Currently obsessed with Diary of A Provincial Lady, by E M Delafield. Deadpan English humour. Loved it

Just started I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith and already I’m hooked. Love the self deprecating, funny voice. Any Dodie Smith fans out there?

#booksky #litfic

I liked Stoner!

Excited to share my new story in takahē and read the other contributions. Weekend reading sorted!

#booksky #litfic #pukapuka

Great novel. I particularly enjoyed the mini ice age.

Turns out No Good, by Sophie van Waardenberg, was very good indeed, revealing an attention to craft lacking from many contemporary poems.

#booksky #poetrysky #pukapuka

Excited to share my new story with you all, in the new issue of takahē, coming soon!

Definitely recommend!

Happy Poetry Day Aotearoa. I’m celebrating by reading the just released No Good, by the wonderful Sophie van Waardenberg. How about you?

#booksky #pukapuka #nzpoetry

Love this book

Thoughts on the posthumous Letters to John? I haven’t read, but seems cynical on the part of her publishers

Yep. The Year of Magical Thinking for me. Love her essays, but is the most personal of her books.

Right? Took me a minute to figure out what was happening when the first one appeared. Such a fun book

Late to the party, which is very on brand for me, but just finished Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter, by Mario Vargas Llosa. Loved the increasingly unhinged radio serials and the backdrop of 1950s of Lima.

#booksky #litfic

Started Air, the final book in the elements series, by John Boyne. I’ve really enjoyed the way these novels interconnect, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he brings it all together

#booksky #litfic

Gave a school talk to an auditorium full of Y13s today. Was great to see them excited and engaged in the craft exercises.

#writersky

I’m really enjoying Walk Through Walls, Marina Abromović’s memoir of her life and career as a performance artist. Her stories are wild.

#booksky

Devastating! Will definitely read more of his stuff too.

Finished Juno Loves Legs. Great recommendation, thank you. What a beautiful, heartbreaking book.

I read it during lockdown. The later volumes are a bit more difficult to get through, but everyone should at least give Swann’s Way a try

I haven’t no, will check it out. I agree on serendipity, but sometimes the universe needs a nudge.

In a bit of a reading slump. DNF on a book everyone raved about and not sure what to read next?

Enjoy. I’m only halfway through, but it’s great so far

Really enjoying the food descriptions in Butter. Reminds me of MFK Fisher’s sensuous food writing; an area of life too often overlooked in contemporary fiction.

#booksky #litfic