September has come and gone faster than I thought possible, especially considering how much has happened in the past month. It’s hard to believe that we’re already five weeks into the semester! Here’s what I’ve been up to:
In September I read a total of 8 books:
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
- Butterfly Burning by Yvonne Vera
- Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth
- Without a Name by Yvonne Vera
- Under the Tongue by Yvonne Vera
- The Stone Virgins by Yvonne Vera
- Narrative Form by Suzanne Keen
- The Ghost Writer by Philip Roth
As you can tell, I’ve read a lot of Yvonne Vera’s writing in the past month. I’m currently in the process of researching for my honors thesis, which involves reading a majority of what Vera has written and learning more about Zimbabwean literary traditions and narrative form. (Let me know if this is something you would be interested hearing more about!)
It’s difficult to choose a favorite book this month because I genuinely loved everything I read by Vera, although much of it was painfully sad and unsettling. However, I’m going to have to go with Butterfly Burning as my favorite book of September. Not only is it the first book by Vera that I ever read (making this a reread for me), but it is also provides one of the most striking, moving, thought-provoking reading experiences. Would absolutely recommend!
+ MOVIE: Moving back to Wheaton means hopping aboard the Film Club train again! One of my best friends is the president of our Film Club this year, which makes attending meetings even more fun. A few weeks ago we watched Loving Vincent (2017), the first fully painted feature film ever created. This film is breathtaking. The painting technique is absolutely incredible and the story is heart-wrenching. If you ever get the opportunity to see this film, please do.
+ MUSIC: Dodie recently released a new song called “Human” from her upcoming album and it is so lovely. The music video literally made my jaw drop–it makes you think about the song in an entirely different way!
+ FOOD: Chex mix has been sustaining me these past few weeks–always a go-to snack!
+ PLACE: I fell in love with my suite this month. I absolutely love living with three of my closest friends and I can’t imagine spending senior year any other way.
September was a month of many transitory ups and downs. Adjusting back to Wheaton has been difficult after a year away, both in terms of academics and missing Oxford dearly. Fortunately, I have a group of amazing friends and people who are always willing to listen and help when I need some cheering up. It also helps that senior year is filled with plenty of exciting events (amidst the mountains of work, of course). I’m grateful that I’ve found time to make fun, hilarious memories in between classes, working on my honors thesis, and apply to law schools.

Earlier this month I was lucky enough to see Chris Fleming perform life at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston, which was amazing. I’ve been a fan of his Gayle videos for years, so seeing him in person was surreal. If you’ve never seen his comedy before, then you should definitely check it out!
Here are some notable posts from my blog this past month:
- Feminist Fridays: Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- On Writing: Interview with Nadette Rae Rodgers
- A Classic Couple: The Catcher in the Rye and The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Happy Hobbit Day!
How was your month of September? What was the best book you read? Did you do anything really fun or exciting? Let me know in the comments section below!
Yours,
HOLLY
What’s your thesis on, Holly?
Definitely want to watch Loving Vincent someday soon as I want to watch it with my sisters! Your corner of the suite is so lovely and colorful! I love that you have so many polaroids hanging up ❤
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Thanks so much! ❤ My thesis is on how Zimbabwean women writers have used narrative form to express experiences of women's bodies before and after the war for independence.
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Looks like a pretty good month! That’s so cool that you got to see Chris Fleming!! 😱 I hope your school year is going well so far!
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Thanks so much, Margaret! ❤
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I’m happy to hear you’ve been having a great month and that despite the Oxford blues, you have amazing people to surround yourself with! ❤ ❤ I wish you all the best for October, Holly! xxx
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Thank you, Marie! ❤ I hope you have a lovely October as well!
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OMG OMG OMG OMG you also love chris fleming??? I’M FREAKING, he is so underrated! i actually wanted to go to his show at the Wilbur but i couldn’t make it 😮 crazy crazy crazy.
glad to hear your semester is off to a good if wild start! hope your october is off to a good start too 🙂
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OMG YES ANOTHER FLEMING FAN ❤ Do you live in the Boston area?
Hope you have a lovely October! x
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i do!!! i actually go to school right down the street from the Wilbur (though i don’t live that near it)
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ahh that’s so cool! we should try to meet up sometime–I go to school outside of Boston but sometimes take the train in to go to the MFA/etc.
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oooh that’d be amazing!!!
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Looove the wall decor in your room, it’s so cozy! And I really loved Loving Vincent when I first watched it last year as well, it’s such a beautiful piece of art.
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Thanks so much! ❤ Glad to hear that you also enjoyed Loving Vincent.
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I saw a Loving Vincent in theater right when it came out. It was sponsored by the University of Notre Dame’s film department, and once I heard what the film was about, I knew I had to go. For some reason people are really delving into Vincent van Gogh as of late. I’m not sure what about his death has suddenly interested people, but there are plays, movies, and books out right now all about him. If you didn’t watch the trailer of Loving Vincent, which tells you how the film was made, you should do so.
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That’s so true! My film club had a really in depth discussion about how the film was made, which was so interesting. Definitely a brilliant film!
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