Back with a vengeance!

Book Haven Customer of the Week

Lani Buchanan is making up for lost time.
'I didn’t read for years!’ she exclaims, adding another volume to her stack of fiction. 'This might be a slight compulsion now…’

The 30-year-old Newtown resident was travelling the world when the book bug took hold.
'Reading hadn’t been a part of my life for a very long time, I just didn’t feel I had the mental space, but then I rediscovered it and everything changed.’
She now averages five books per week.
'It’s become such an important part of my time and self-care too, I just enjoy it so much!’

Was there one book which sparked the resurgence?
'Yes. Such a good novel I don’t know how to describe it. It just made me stop and think... okay, this is incredible, this is what a book can do. 'Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead' by Olga Tokarczuk.'
'She sparked me, insanely! Then in 10 weeks I read 38 books.’

But if this sounds like a compulsion, is it a healthy one?
'Absolutely. Reading is an expansive thing to do. It’s enjoyment, interest, and it’s an avenue not to be in your own world but someone else’s. It illuminates your life. It’s an avenue for empathy. For me it’s my self-care activity but I’m also spreading the joy because I’ve become a walking library too. I’ve leant about 15 books to friends, which I'd better get back!'
At least they are second-hand and affordable. 'That way I don’t mind much if they come back in less than perfect condition.’

Is that why you love Book Haven?
‘It has an amazing fiction section and lots of others too. It’s big and there’s such variety, so I’ll pick up something I’ve never heard of and find it interesting. Plus, great recommendations from the staff.’
Not too hit-and-miss?
‘Well, it’s good to be challenged!’

So... what is your all-time favourite book?
‘This year... How to Be Both, by Ali Smith and 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak. Favourite of all time... Autumn, by Ali Smith.’

Is she your favourite author?
'I’ve just asked Book Haven to order me the one novel of hers I can't find!'

2020 has been a strange year for many people, but Lani said it’s been a good time to rediscover such enthusiasm.
'Especially not being able to travel, reading allows you to travel in a different way. Many things influence my choices. I mostly read fiction and so when I hear about new books or read reviews, I now have quite a good sense of whether it’s something I am going to respond to.’

Surely the next step is becoming a writer too?
‘I’ve been thinking about that.’
So keep an eye out for Lani Buchanan, who may soon become Book Haven’s featured writer of the week too…