The Marginalia: January

It's friday, let's get lit(erary recommendations)

p.s. this post might get cut off in email, if it does just click the ‘read in app’ link to see the full version!

It’s been a while since I have written any literary thoughts, and after working my way through a substantial stack of books this winter (‘tis the season), I thought it apt to reintroduce a little reading segment into the mix.

As the week plods on, my attention span tends to wear away at the seams, so I’ve aimed to keep this concise: a handful of book reviews, a peek at my TBR pile, glimpses into my marginalia¹ and a few essays I’ve bookmarked. Now, to resist the urge to ramble—a challenge in itself.

— notes on reading this month

Like most of us, I have a complex relationship with January. For all its faults—the chill in the air, the incessant greyness, the days that are shorter yet somehow feel endlessly long—I’ve developed an enduring fondness for it. A kind of affection you might feel for a discounted plant you bought out of pity, that always looks on the verge of giving up, but you can’t help trying to nurture it.

Winter, for me, is prime reading season. I suspect people fall into one of two camps: those who read more in the colder months, hunkering down with a book, and those who reserve their literary pursuits for sunny holidays and garden mornings. I’m firmly in the first camp. While I read throughout the year, my pace doubles as soon as the calendar flips to September, and January is the pinnacle of this ritual.

This month, I’ve been slipping into books wherever I can—on waking, during questionable lunch breaks², and, without fail, before bed. I’m just starting my fourth book, which feels like a satisfying pace to start the year.

For years, I fell prey to the call of reading challenges, endlessly competing with myself. This year, I’m trying something different: no rushing, no guilt about setting aside books that don’t resonate, and embracing the long reads I’ve avoided in favour of ticking off numbers. Quality over quantity, always.

Last year, as I leaned into this slower approach, I noticed I’ve become better attuned to what I enjoy. I’m quicker to spot the structures and themes that excite me—and those that don’t.

All of this makes me feel oddly optimistic about another year of reading: returning to authors I discovered last year, exploring new voices, and perhaps even picking up my long-overdue library card. It’s finally made its way onto my to-do list—only took me how many years?

little scratch by Rebecca Watson —A creative account of a single day in the life of a woman, exploring trauma amidst the monotony of routine.

Thoughts: This was like nothing I’ve ever read. The fragmented prose mimics an endless inner monologue, as though someone printed every waking thought from a busy mind. The typesetting—artfully chaotic—dictates the speed at which you read, pulling you into the protagonist’s relentless racing thoughts. It’s a challenging but fascinating read, weaving themes of sexual assault into the narrative with a haunting subtlety.

Rootbound: Rewilding a Life by Alice Vincent — A memoir interwoven with botanical history, following the author’s personal uprooting and her rediscovery of peace through plants.

Thoughts: There’s something about Alice Vincent’s writing that feels immediately grounding. Within a few pages, I found myself settling into her rhythm. Written seasonally, the book beautifully captures the resilience of both plants and people, showing how even the smallest green spaces can provide structure during times of change.

Above Us the Sea by Ania Card —A layered exploration of love, trauma, loss, and belonging, set against the backdrop of Brexit-era turbulence.

Thoughts: I’ll admit, I bought this book purely for its cover—but I’m glad I did. Toni, the protagonist, navigates deep relationships while grappling with her identity and past traumas. The writing flows beautifully, balancing introspection with a broader social context. It’s ambitious for 400 pages but handled seamlessly.

Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin
Two couples, one apartment, fifty years apart.

Okay, I’m actually already 50 pages in and completely enamoured with the writing. My annotations are piling up.

Winter by Ali Smith
A seasonal moment, rooted in the depths of winter.

The second in the author’s seasonal quartet, this has been on my list for a while. After adoring Autumn, I’m excited to immerse myself in the wintry pages.

Transit by Rachel Cusk
Confronting the collapse of family life.

Another second book in a set—there’s a theme here. While Outline was slow-paced but beautifully written, Transit promises to pick up the narrative momentum.

I’m not the academic sort (sadly, I so wanted to be)—my last formal brush with English was GCSE—but I’ve developed a habit of jotting chaotic notes as I read. Some feel like a classic annotation; others are just a snapshot of my busy brain (they’re way more fun):

• I feel like a lit girl when I spot foreshadowing.

• Bold move, the one-paragraph chapter. I’m here for it.

• I need to read more poetry. Where to start?

• Do many authors dedicate books to their dogs? I would.

• Oh, the spacing of the typeset indicates how fast to read, that’s fun. I love it when design and words work together.

• Writers writing about writing: v meta, v good.

• “Eighty messages in the group chat, christ”—a mood.

• I love seeing people’s TBR lists; they feel like a window into someone’s soul. Ella’s list is looking particularly full of gems.

• Faversham Literary Festival is coming up, and I’ve booked tickets for Eliza Clark & Eimear McBride so far. This year, I’d like to spend more time at these kinds of gatherings, connecting with the community behind the words.

• This guest post from Ochuko Akpovbovbo on Books + Bits, all about reading less.

I’d love to know what you’re currently reading, or any books that have stuck with you recently. There’s always room on the TBR list, right?

Also, hopefully, you enjoyed this post, if you did I would be eternally grateful if you would share/restack so I can reach more people like you ♥️

Have a lovely day, Allie ☁︎

Also, you can find me on other parts of the internet: IG, TikTok.

P.s. you can get 20% off paid subscriptions to A Very Good Day (for life) with the annual option until 31st January.

1. Definition: Marginalia — notes in the margin of a book, manuscript, or letter. It's a perfectly fitting title for the series, right?

2. I’m desperately trying to reclaim my lunch breaks at the moment, but I just end up feeling a bit awkward sitting there in the middle of the day. Help.