This has been a long time coming.
I needed to get to a moment where it felt I had the head-space capacity to launch myself into a new project. As with many of us, I am constantly spinning multiple plates (a stylist, an editor, a designer, a mother, to name a few) & the idea of having another ‘thing’ to update & pour myself into felt absolutely overwhelming. Creating content for & uploading to TikTok & Instagram are the main beasts without a doubt: the time spent creating & editing is immense: but then there’s the blog, meetings, admin, behind the scenes planning, LTK, ongoing chats with my ever lovely agent…& currently I work as a me-myself-&-I team 95% of the time.
Today I awoke after precisely 3 hours of feather-light sleep, to decide that today is the day: welcome to my Book Club, The Downward Spine (yes, it’s an NIN Downward Spiral reference, yes, I am utterly music obsessed, too)
I had not as of late had many thoughts about the Book Club situ (it was one on my mind last year) so it’s beyond me why it has happened today, but here we are – I’m leaning into it.
I love the idea of having somewhere to chat about books – reading is such a huge part of my life. To chat with others within a space that isn’t about how much I can ensure my engagement is fine, where I have to work out how to make the first few seconds exciting, that isn’t about brand deals or severely dominated by algorithms (well, partially true) is a delight to imagine. Truly, I have no idea if this concept is of much interest to anyone: and it’s exciting that – time being so valuable aside – it doesn’t really matter if 150 people are interested, or 2,000 are.
In recent years, my ‘spare time’ is primarily filled with work. Even if it’s seemingly minor (‘oh, I’m just going to sort the clothes I need for my styling video tomorrow’, ‘I just need to spend another hour replying to comments’ ‘I’ll make a couple of videos this Sunday so I can ensure the coming days in London for meetings don’t set me back too much’) it is absolutely r-e-l-e-n-t-l-e-s-s. Time off isn’t a thing. This is going to read negatively, but it isn’t about that: I love it. I wouldn’t change it. However, (and I will only make this statement, delving no deeper) the mental health implications are profound.
So, whilst I appreciate The Downward Spine is still going to be entirely connected to my job, it’s a space where I can share this deep love without it being about ‘Sammi Jefcoate’ – well, as I say – not entirely, anyway…A space about reading & books.
…and so, The Downward Spine Book Club: a little pre-club chat, if you will: I yearn for deep novels to connect with. I love complicated characters. I enjoy an incredibly well-written book that lingers after you close the final page. I have been particulary drawn to modern female authors in the last couple of years, whilst also being an avid fan of mid-century masculine novels (e.g. anything & everything by Richard Yates)
A few of my favourite books*:
- The Secret History: Donna Tartt
- Three Women: Lisa Taddeo
- The Catcher In The Rye: J.D Salinger
- Revolutionary Road: Richard Yates
- Dracula: Bram Stoker
- The Bell Jar: Slyvia Plath
- East of Eden: John Steinbeck
*at least, thus far in life
After typing out this blog post, it’s dawning on me as to why now is the time for TDS. Like clouds giving way to sun-rays…A little too personal to go into, but it’s clearly not just about ‘having a Book Club’.
First read in TDS is most likely to be: Wreck, Catherine Newman
Join The Downward Spine below:
can’t wait to get into it,
This is so exciting! Reading has been such a huge part of my life since childhood, my family always say no matter where I am you know there’s a book close by somewhere! I love anything from fantasy/romantasy- to historical/autobiography’s/horror! I’m always keen to read anything! My favourite books will always be the Lord of the Rings, the start of my love for fantasy! My goal one day is to have a whole home library for me to get all cosy! Congrats on the new book club Sammi, this is super exciting!!❤️
tysm as always Sky for your support – exciting to do something refreshing like this 🙂
I’m so excited to be a part of this. Reading has bought me so much joy since I was a child reading “The Enchanted Wood”, I loved getting lost in the pages and going on adventures with Moon face, that feeling of being lost in a book still brings me so much happiness and sometimes tears. Looking forward to getting started.
Honestly, I don’t read much, but i’ve been wanting to change that for a while! You always have amazing taste in everything Sammi, so I’m looking forward to it!! 🖤🖤🖤
Oh exciting!! Kick start the reading again 🙂
hi sammi, i met you briefly in TGF the other week and have been driving myself insane with how weird i acted and really hope it didn’t come across as rude! i’ve followed you for ages, was having a proper ‘gah i look and feel terrible today’ kind of day and when i saw you had a complete internal meltdown 😭😂. feel extra bad as you were so kind letting me try your rings on & kicking myself as i feel a million things we could have chatted about (including AFI!). hopefully i’ll bump into you some other time and… Read more »
Oh Sarah, hi! pls pls don’t feel this way, I didn’t think u were rude. I also totally get having one of those days where u just don’t feel right – hope the last week or so has been kinder. If you see me again for sure say hi, if u want to!! much love xx
Yay! I’ve lost my love for reading lately, mainly due to not being able to find stories that resonate with me. I appreciate the same qualities in a novel that you’ve described here so this feels like the perfect way to get back to books. I’m excited to be here!
Stoked to hear my little description resonated!! I’m starting ‘Wreck’ tonight!! xx
I’ve always wanted to join a bookclub but always felt a bit insecure about not reading the ‘right’ kind of book or having the ‘right’ kind of thoughts ans opinions but I am really looking forward to this!