Devotion 🗞️ Slow News Day #23

Hey,

The signature on the opening page stretches from edge to edge, covering its entire breadth. A thoughtful scrawl, seemingly forgetting that it’s supposed to be bordered by white space. It stretches beyond its expected confines and captures the eye immediately.

It’s also just Hannah Kent’s signature in the signed hardback of Devotion, given to me by Bex as a birthday present.

A historic queer love bildungsroman that takes in pain and faith, gain and love, and the unavoidable and ever-present magic of trees.

Books do a thing that no other media has ever done to me. They make me forget my own life. I drop into them entirely and feel as if the story was my own. I wrench myself out and emerge bleary-eyed into the cold light and familiar rise and fall of my breath. Strangers, reunited.

Devotion is one of the best books I’ve read in… my life, I think. I’m not sure I can put into words how and why it is so special, I just hope you’ll take my word for it and get a copy to read over Christmas. You won’t regret a page of it.

Slow down guide

Need a little help moving slower?

Ease your way out of Friday afternoon with this newsletter, a nice cup of something, and a little background music. Steal my setup if you aren't sure where to start.

After I press send, I’ll be near the end of my train journey to Bristol Temple Meads. I’m here for the weekend to attend a Radical Honesty workshop. I’ll let you know how it’s gone this time next week, okay?

Anyway, that puts me squarely in the sights of Bristol’s finest, Full Court Press. I’m going to get off the train and head straight there for whatever magic they’re brewing on filter. I’ll probably walk away with a bag, too. Best to be honest — it’s only in keeping with my weekend.

Take it easy,