July’s Monthly Stories and Poems

We are continuing to take inspiration from The Reader Bookshelf for 2024-25 with the theme for July’s Monthly Stories and Poems. The theme allows us space to think about what it might be like to be on the other side of Wonder, in times and situations where it might feel difficult to be able to wonder or to embrace the open spirit that wondering provides.

This month, texts featured are The Fat Lady Sings by Jacqueline Roy and A Book of Luminous Things: An International Anthology, edited by Czeslaw Milosz from the Adult’s Bookshelf, and The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow from the Children’s Bookshelf.

The characters we meet in July’s selection of stories and extracts face different levels of adversity, with some closer to the edge of desperation than others. We might wonder if there is any possibility of change in these circumstances, and where these might come from – an inner perspective, perhaps, or in reaching out to others. Sometimes, the world can offer the chance to turn things around, but are these chances always seen by those who need them? Even when situations seem without hope, these pieces give us something to wonder at.

July’s stories and extracts are:

There is no happy sound on Ward C (extract from The Fat Lady Sings) by Jacqueline Roy

Tea with the Birds by Joanne Harris

Past hope, past cure, past help (extract from Romeo and Juliet) by William Shakespeare

Anything Helps by Jess Walter

Moonfish (from Tales from the Inner City) by Shaun Tan

A single poem can open up many different perspectives, and so this month’s poetry choices offer a balance between places that are less hopeful and glimmers of optimism, moments that provide a lift out of situations that lack wonder. We all have a need to find wonder in our lives, but where do we look when for it when it feels out of reach? Nature feels like perhaps the most obvious place, particularly when it comes as a change from the usual surroundings. We’re also reminded of the persevering spirit that resides within humans and animals alike, and how this can be a big part of what keeps us holding onto hopes and ideas that are bigger than doubts and fears.

Ascent of Snowdon (extract from The Prelude) by William Wordsworth

We leave the city behind (extract from The Final Year) by Matt Goodfellow

Dream and Thing by Edwin Muir

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

A Dark Thing inside the Day – Linda Gregg – from A Book of Luminous Things: An International Anthology

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