I don't know whether it's an age thing or the times we're living in but my recall these days isn't great! And I don't think I'm that unusual.
There have been various articles on the subject, speculating that the fact our routines and social occasions have been disrupted means that we have fewer significant moments by which to anchor our memories.
Surely the extraordinary nature of our experiences would cement them in our minds, you'd think, but even the early unprecedented days of lockdown seem distant and unfamiliar. Yet there was so much that we all wanted to take from that time, we said.
It's just as well that some people do keep a record of their thoughts and activities, then.
Last week a book was published recalling the days of a junior doctor working on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic. It's written by the novelist Roopa Farooki who changed career in her 30s after having written eight books. Despite her challenging days, and coming home to four children, she wrote of her experiences after each shift. In an article in the Guardian she talks about how she came to write her memoir. It's a compelling and thought-provoking piece and I'm eager to read the book, but this week's recommended titles are a story as a journal, and how to write a memoir. Perhaps we'll all be inspired to record our experiences.
The end of the month is fast approaching, so it's time to think about book group. We'll be meeting at the hall in Woodbridge, so if you'd like to come along please reply to this email to let me know and I'll send you the details. We will still be monitoring numbers and taking precautions to keep everyone safe and comfortable, so I do need to hear from you before the night, please. And, if you'd like to put yourself forward for the 'Read me like a book' session we're introducing this year, let me know in your email!
Thank you for reading.