January’s Stories and Poems

We are starting a new year of Monthly Stories and Poems by looking to the skies, and imagining the wonder of what it would feel like to take to them, as January’s selections are based around the theme of flight.

Chosen this month from The Reader Bookshelf, with its theme of ‘Wonder’, are the story Uncle Einar by Ray Bradbury from the adult bookshelf, along with an extract from Skellig by David Almond and a poem by Nina Cassian, taken from Wonder: The National History Museum Poetry Book, edited by Ana Sampson, both from the children’s bookshelf. We also include selections from other books of two authors that are featured on the ‘Wonder’ Bookshelf – Kathleen Jamie and Shaun Tan.

The fascination with flight can take many forms – for some of us, it represents adventure, exploration and opportunities to discover the unknown. The sense of discovery runs through the stories and extracts in this month’s pack, of birds, butterflies and more unusual creatures with wings. In some cases, flight no longer seems possible, or otherwise it provides escape from desperate situations. From dreams to learning about the natural world, to being reminded to ‘simply be present for a time and let go of our need to explain’, these choices will take us to many different places.

January’s stories and poems are:

Uncle Einar by Ray Bradbury

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (translated by Gregory Rabassa)

First flight (extract from Skellig) by David Almond

The Storm Petrel by Kathleen Jamie

The butterflies came at lunchtime by Shaun Tan

This month’s poetry selections give us lots of opportunities to wonder, as we consider who or what angels might be, and – an even bigger question – what it means to be alive. Winter can often feel like a dark place to be in the midst of, yet there is still hope to be found, and some of these poems speak to how we can find ‘breathing space’ in tough times. Listen out later this month for a new episode of The Reader Podcast, which tells the story of The Reader’s partnership with Prospect Park psychiatric hospital in Berkshire, and how Shared Reading has had a profound effect on the patients there.

Temptation by Nina Cassian (translated by Brenda Walker and Andrea Deletant)

Angels by Jan Dean

Adlestrop by Edward Thomas

Mist by Rob Cowen

My Own Heart by Gerard Manley Hopkins

If you're a Reader Leader head to the Online Community Hub to download this month's selection.