A little about me

[poorlydrawn]

Hi everyone,

I have just signed up and it seems like a great, supportive community here - well done to all of you for making it that way!

I am in my 30s and have had some level of anxiety most of my life. Most of the time I can manage with it, or work around it, but there are definitely times when it gets too much. I also have a dear friend who is experiencing some really bad times, which was my impetus to sign up here, but I will discuss that in more detail elsewhere.

As for me, what do I do/like? I am a big fan of history and literature, and do love to read and learn. In recent times I have started to get into poetry, so I am enjoying that at the moment. I also love animals and am a vegan, but also a big sports fan.

Hope to have some good chats with you all!

[uncut_gems]

Hi poorlydrawn,

Fellow newbie here– I joined for largely the same reasons; this seemed like such a great and supportive community. After only a week I am happy to report that it is! Would love to hear more about which historical periods and genres of literature you enjoy. Welcome aboard!

Warmly,

Gems

[poorlydrawn]

Hi Gems,

Good to hear from you - glad you have found the community a good one!

Hmm, I'm pretty non discriminatory about history - I studied Australian history, but have an interest in it in most places. I guess my area of interest, or the area where I have read most, is 19th/20th century history - loved learning about the civil rights movement in the US.

Literature wise, my favourite book of all time is David Copperfield - it's wonderful. Another favourite is Don Quixote. I like the classics very much! I also have a strong interest in children's literature - there are some spectacular children's books out there. The Mouse And His Child by Russell Hoban would be at top of my children's literature favourites.

How about you? Do you have any particular history or literature interests?

Cheers,

p.d

[Hanna3]

Hi poorlydrawn, welcome to BB! I'm a keen reader as well and I enjoy history (of almost anywhere).

I love a children's book called The Sea-Thing Child by Russell Hoban! Have you read it, it's a georgeous children's book but I love it as an adult!

Do you enjoy music at all? I like all sorts from Classical to Rock to Jazz.

Anyway good to have you on BB. The Café can be a good place to chat sometimes. Might see you there sometime.

[uncut_gems]

I'm slightly embarrassed to say I've read neither David Copperfield nor Don Quixote, though I would love to one day. At the moment I'm reading a lot of nonfiction for my doctoral studies which means not much time for fiction, but I'm trying to catch up on some classic literature that I missed, so I have been picking my way through Moby Dick recently. I can't believe how incredibly beautiful the prose is. I think my favorite book might be 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami; do you know it/him? I don't personally read too much children's literature, however during uni I worked at a children's picture book art museum and got reacquainted with the genre– it really seems like we are living in a golden age of kid's lit.

As for history I am trying to learn more about the history of Australia since moving here– I have a real fondness for 20th century history and Cold War history in particular, especially the US and the Soviet Union from the 40s to the 90s. Hope to see you around the forums!

Best,

Gems

[Guest_4643]

Hi poorlydrawn.

I'm new here also, so welcome. Good on you for coming here, I hope you find some support. I'm Tayla and I'm 20. Here on these BB Forums seem like a safe, friendly and supportive place.

I'm sorry that you're dealing with a lot, and that your friend is too. It's nice of you to look out for not only yourself but your friend, and I hope she looks out for you too.

That's nice that you know your interests. Poetry is nice, you could try and do some writing yourself? Otherwise there's plenty of poetry books on websites like Bookdepository, Booktopia and more. I'd like to try and read some myself sometime but I'm not a huge reader, I have to be in the mood, like watching movies and whatnot. But sometimes I'll write myself, poetry mostly aswell, rhyming stuff usually.

Once again I hope you find some support here, and you can get some help from professionals if that's what you're looking for also, and your friend also. I hope things get better for you and your friend. Good on you for coming here, and welcome once again.

Tayla x

[poorlydrawn]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the slow reply - things have been a bit crazy. But thanks to all of you for writing 🙂

Hanna - hi! I don't know that Russell Hoban book, but will keep my eyes open for it. Sounds great!! And yes, I love children's books as an adult too - there are whole other layers you can appreciate and it's great fun. I do like music, yes - have been listening to a lot of classical recently, but also love jazz, it was great to go to New Orleans a few years ago to experience the vibe there. Thanks for the tip about BB cafe, I will try and stop in.

Gems - no need to be embarrassed about David Copperfield or Don Quixote! They are pretty big books, and each to their own, but I do recommend them if you ever have the chance. I have not read Moby Dick, but have heard that about the prose. And I have heard of Murakami but not read anything - I have lots of catching up to do!

I enjoy Cold War history as well - I read a brilliant book about the Berlin Wall by Frederick Taylor a few years ago, and it was absolutely fascinating.

Wow, doctoral studies, good luck! What are you studying, if I may ask?

Tayla - thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you are finding the forums a good place for you, and I appreciate the warm welcome. I think it's cool that you write your own poetry - good for you! I have written the odd poem here or there but not a lot. I have bought myself a notebook to do some writing, I just have to do it now!!

Cheers,

b.d

[Guest_4643]

Hi poorlydrawn and others.

I'm so sorry that I'm replying now, I haven't been on the forums much, I feel bad.

I just wanted to check in also, I hope you're alright.

Love and hugs, take care.

Tayla x

[poorlydrawn]

Thanks Tayla!

I'm a bit stressed and tired but I am better than I have been for a little bit which is good - I hope it can keep going that way!!

p.d

[Guest_4643]

Hey poorlydrawn.

I'm sorry to hear that, I hope you feel better and things improve. I'm here if you need me.

Love and hugs,

Tayla