Monthly Rewind: September 2024

L I F E

I mentioned in the last rewind post that I was waiting for some good news, and now I can finally share that I have extended my job contract at Penguin Random House! Initially, my contract was expected to end this December, but I was offered a year-long extension on my role as a Bibliographic Metadata Assistant. I was really anxious when I applied for this job in February, partly because I was deeply burned out from a long period of unemployment. I ALMOST didn’t apply for the role because I wasn’t sure if I would even understand the role. This role has really taught me so much about publishing. It is such an exciting position from within the company as I often interact with people who work in Editorial, Marketing and Production – three areas where I initially focused my attention when applying to publishing jobs.

I’m also slowly trying to return to the world of book blogging and bookish social media. I recently revamped my old art account into an art/bookstagram type account where I can post about streaming and books, which are two things that basically take up my life these days.

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A R T

One day, I swear I will finish an art piece I start….

My current WIP is a new PNG model for streaming based on Blaidd from Elden Ring as part of a viewer’s Channel Point redemption.

B O O K S

For transparency, books marked with an asterisk (*) signify books I received through work at PRH.

• Inside Out & Back Again*

At the office, there was a major move where most departments were shuffled around, and that meant loads of books had to be cleared from the office. I picked this one up randomly when finding books for my niece. (The best perk of the job is slowly giving my niece the childhood bookshelf I dreamed of having). This was a beautiful coming-of-age (told in verse) about a young girl who flees Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and immigrates to Alabama. Based on Lai’s personal experience, it captures a unique perspective of a child refugee’s struggle to regain her confidence. Hà’s story is beautiful and poignant as she comes to terms with her situation, going from her hometown to struggling to fit in her new environment where her brothers have seemingly adapted.

• That Peckham Boy*

Penguin Random House has a Quarterly Reading program for its staff. Through this program, we can get a few copies of recently published books for free, which are available to pick up from any of the offices. This was one of them. Kenny Imafidon’s memoir about his life growing up in Peckham and his time imprisonment for a crime he didn’t commit. I enjoyed his authenticity and vulnerability and found it very moving. It was accessible to read, as well as Imafidon lays out the stats for the way Black men are heavily profiled by the criminal justice system.

• Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

I found this through TikTok, which is usually the last place I look for recommendations. However, the original poster was actually someone who worked on the book’s marketing, and the way they talked about the book really spoke to me. This book is, without a doubt, a lovely read. Takoko moves into the small room above her uncle’s bookstore, and as the days slowly go back, she discovers she has much more in common with her estranged uncle than she thought.

• A Really Short History of Words*

Another book that popped into my inbox one day, which I read between responding to emails, is an illustrated version of Bill Bryson’s Mother Tongue, a story about how the English language came to be. The illustrations in this are perfect. It reminded me of those illustrated science books I read growing up.

• Snow and Ink, Vol 1

A mysterious heiress buys a criminal to join her in exile to the far north. A manga request from Netgalley, I was enticed by the cover but was sorely disappointed by the plot. I’m not a fan of mangas that shove everything into the first volume and don’t let the characters grow into their own. It was a shame because I did like the art and the general direction of the plot.

• Normal People

I’m slowly making my way through Rooney’s books. I wanted to catch up before Intermezzo, but I’m too slow! I quite liked this one. I’m not sure if I’ve caught the Rooney bug that everyone else seems to have, but I did enjoy Marianna and Connell’s story. I’m currently watching the show, and it feels like a great adaptation so far.

• Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

Burned-out office worker Yeongju ditches her past life and opens a bookstore in Hyunamdong, a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul. I LOVED THIS. Honestly, it was such a nice slice-of-life story about Yeongju and the different customers who come through her bookstore. It was so heartwarming and healing, and if I wasn’t already working in publishing, I, too, felt like I wanted to ditch everything and open my own bookstore.

• Hunchback*

This interesting novella follows Shaka, who was born with a congenital muscle disorder and lives her days in a care home outside Tokyo. While her life is within her four walls, her mind is limitless. She takes online courses, publishes explicit stories, and troll tweets to see if anyone is paying attention. When her tweeting to the void receives an offer, she certainly doesn’t expect what happens next. An interesting commentary on disability, sexuality and privilege in Japan.

M U S I C

That’s it for this month! Tell me what went on in YOUR life this month! What sort of things was important for you this month? New obsessions? New TV shows? Or book? Any new song recs (I’m always open to new music!)? Best books you read this month?