So, May has been a busy month of events. I almost felt like a professional, except I forgot to pack enough pants for The Book Taster Live and shared as much on stage. I also cried a lot because (in the words of Wayne and Garth of Wayne’s World), "I’m not worthy" was clanging in my head like a bell the whole time. (There are some more thoughts on self confidence in the piece linked below). I have met some truly amazing people this month. In fact, Helen from BestBookForward kindly invited me to her online book club and we were saying how readers are the best people in the world. Always so kind and excited about rectangles of paper with made up stuff in. Isn’t it just marvellous? |
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Books provided me with experiences I missed out on as a child. They were my adventures. I was not in a car outside a pub with my brothers giving me dead legs. I was on Treasure Island with Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog, finding ingots and eating sticky cake. I still dive into books to avoid reality. I’ve had an amazing month of escapism in books and my TBR pile is at risk of toppling over. In dog news, I gave Enzo a haircut and it is bad. Really bad. I should not be allowed scissors. There are wedges. Bald bits. It looks OK in the photo above. Believe me, it isn't. Wiener is refusing all but the most expensive of dog foods now, whereas Buddy ate a whole cucumber the other day. He even looked like he was enjoying it. We’ve been walking them in the evenings when the sun is golden. We go up to the Windmill where I set Dog Days and I always think of Dan and Atticus and Fitz. Sometimes I forget I made them up. It breaks my heart to see how Buddy’s back legs tremble after he’s chased his ball a couple of times. He is 11 in June. Yes, I’ll make him a cake; no, not from cucumbers. Yes, Wiener will think it is for her. Zero the cat is... a lot. Why didn’t anyone tell me how noisy and greedy they are? He stole some ham and when I tried to get it back, he full-on growled at me. I gave in. I met this woman at the Book Taster who told me how her Dachshund rings a bell when she wants to go outside. If I got a bell to do the same, Wiener would be the one to ring it and I’d be the one to go and wee in the garden.
Anyway, I've another event coming up with the fantastic Catherine Newman - see below. No pants stories on stage at that one, I promise. It's pure professionalism from here on out.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: How could you, Ericka? I think I'm suffering from PHGSD - Post Home Groom Stress Disorder. Sausages will help.]
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Added to my website just this morning, a new short story entitled Sorry is a Four Letter Word. I'm sure you have time for a quick break. Pour yourself a cuppa (in your favourite mug, of course) and have a read. | | |
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Ericka's Classics Challenge |
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That TBR pile I mentioned - I thought of a way to make it even bigger! At a friend's recommendation, I recently read The Outsiders by SE Hinton and absolutely loved it. And that got me thinking... I read a lot but there are still loads of the so-called 'classics' that have passed me by so far. I want to fill in some of those gaps. I want to compile a list of yet-to-be-read classics and work my way through it. Sure, there are loads of 'must read' lists out there, like this one compiled by Penguin Books readers, but I want to create my own - and with your help, please. |
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What classic books should I read? Send me your suggestions and if they pique my interest and I haven't already read them, they'll be added to the list. From big, solid Victorian sagas to sparky Beat Generation Americana; maybe even a bit of sci-fi and fastasy - I'm open to all your suggestions (although I'm not sure I'll be tackling any ancient Greek philosophy, at least not in the original.) I'll keep you updated in The Enzograph, on my website and on social media. I don't know how long the list will become; I'm keeping things 'loose' at the moment and seeing how we go. Similarly, I'm open to what counts as a 'classic' - the big, the beloved, the studied, the groundbreaking, from the highbrow to the high profile... If it feels like it should be a classic then it can get on the list. Send me a message on my website or a DM on the socials with your suggestions. I'm excited to see what you come up with. Thanks! [EDITOR'S NOTE: I trust you'll be adding Eric Knight's seminal work to this list, Ericka?] |
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As I said, my recent live event appearances prompted a lot of memories and feelings about self confidence. I decided to tackle those head-on with a piece of writing. You can read my thoughts On Confidence over on my website. | | |
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My book of the month for May has to be... Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo Claire has been described as "the literary love child of Jonathan Franzen and Anne Tyler" and I could not agree more. There is so much to admire about her writing, her characters and her skill at creating a saga you cannot pull yourself away from. She nailed an unlikeable mother in a way I’ve never read before. It’s not just her characters (funny, flawed, real) it is also the social commentary, the mind-blowing insights she just sprinkles about like salt. I am in awe. |
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[EDITOR'S NOTE: Your hair's looking gorgeous in that photo, Ericka. Hold on - that's Reese Witherspoon! Because she selected Claire's previous release, The Most Fun We Ever Had for her Book Club. Good job I'm here - I feel this is an important clarification.] |
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Top Tips for Public Speaking (from personal experience) |
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I definitely learnt a few things from my recent event appearances, talking about Goodbye Birdie Greenwing in front of a live audience. I thought I'd share some of that newfound wisdom with you... 1: Don’t get nervous and touch people. Or stroke their hair. It’s just weird. 2: Don’t say the first thing on your mind, like "I have run out of pants. My Dachshund steals my pants. My used ones. That is not why I don’t have any. I just forgot them." |
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3: Don’t cry onstage and make other people cry onstage as well. Keep it light. It is not a free therapy session. 4: Take a dog where possible. People love dogs. All you need to do is let them stroke your dog and they will think you are amazing. If everyone who liked Enzo ordered a copy of my book, I’d be a bestseller. 5: Don’t comment on how clean or dirty the chair/sofa/room is. You are not there to do an inspection; you are there to talk about books. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Wise words indeed, Ericka. Well, words at least.] |
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Looking forward to these... |
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As I mentioned, this coming Wednesday I'll be joining the awesome Catherine Newman for a bookish chat. If you're in or near Brighton, I'd love it if you could join us. Wednesday 5th June, 7.00pm An Evening With Catherine Newman & Ericka Waller at Waterstones Brighton. Both Sandwich by Catherine Newman and Goodbye Birdie Greenwing by Ericka Waller are witty, tender novels celebrating friendship, family and hope. Whilst one is set in Cape Cod and the other in Brighton, what unites these books is the memorable female characters, wry humour and deeply affecting observations, making Catherine and Ericka a perfect pairing. Tickets available HERE. Waterstones, 71-74 North Street, Brighton, BN1 1ZA Telephone: 01273 206017 |
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I'll also be at the Old Bicycle Shop in Cambridge on Saturday 21st July for the Words, Wine and Wit Big Bookish Brunch. This one's already SOLD OUT! Looking forward to meeting everyone who's coming along. |
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Bert's life-changing reads |
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I'm a big fan of Bert's Books in Swindon - they even have their own page on my website. Their subscription service is a regular source of much joy. So, what a thrill it is that Bert himself is this month's contributor to the 5 Books That Changed My Life feature. From heartache to success, you can read about Bert's fascinating choices over on my site. | | |
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Vampires, bad mothers, time travel... It's been another month of cracking books and much needed escapism. Read all my latest mini book reviews over on my website. | | |
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ICYMI - Hilarity with Hannah |
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I had far too much fun chatting (and laughing - a lot) with Hannah MacDonald on the wonderful A Pair of Bookends podcast. If you'd like to hear about the background to Goodbye Birdie Greenwing and loads more besides, have yourself a little listen. | | |
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I'll leave you with these amazing drawings by Lorriane (@travelsthroughbooksandbakes). I’ve always admired her artwork and it has been a secret goal of mine to be included in her journal. I never expected all the beautiful details under the advent calendar windows. Fish and chips and a gin and tonic for Birdie. Thank you so much, Lorraine! |
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Flaming June tomorrow already. Phew. I know I say it every time but - where does the time go!? I hope you all have some lovely plans for the summer. We'll be checking in with you again next month. Peace and paws out, people
Ericka (and Enzo) |
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