Not Quite Yuletide

But close enough

Hello All,

It’s not quite end-of-year but it feels like it. I would normally publish prose in November but I’ve decided to take a break from Substack earlier than usual due to Life Admin - I’m using capitals because LA has secured its status among the proper nouns in my personal lexicon.

When people talk about ‘life getting in the way’, I know what they mean. For me, routine is difficult. Navigating simple chores daily can be challenging. Forever bogged in dreary detail seems to be my centre these days. Perhaps ageing magnifies it closer than I’d like but I’m not going there …

Anyway, as 2025 winds down I want to thank you for supporting Suburban Notebook on Substack and Instagram. A special shout-out to those who picked up the zine version through The Sticky Institute, Good Earth Bookshop and various zine fairs – your support is greatly appreciated as always.

This year, I continued posting original prose monthly and published a selection in #2 of the Suburban Notebook zine. I also managed to birth a special issue of Astrobabble, my astrology-pop culture zine of the 2010s, an issue dedicated to Melbourne composer Ollie Olsen and all things Piscean. If you would like copies of any of my work, please get in touch and I’ll send them to you.

That aside, I continue to discover great reads on Substack. Two standouts for me this year are:

The Ambient City: A Notebook of London Wanderings by Caroline Howard

Caroline explores London with a unique eye, a poetic sensibility and a comfy pair of trainers. She uncovers the city’s charm through the prism of farmers markets, forgotten districts, historic landmarks, industrial wastelands, green belts and Monet-inspired gardens. Her writing is laced with nuance and sensitivity, capturing overlooked details with a delicate tone. Evocative prose is beautifully paired with original photographs. A must-read for anyone who appreciates the connection between person and place.

Loose Connections by Lo Carmen

If you’re a pop culture junkie like me, then you’ll enjoy Loose Connections. Singer-songwriter-performer Lo Carmen dives into music, memory and cultural musings with wit and warmth. Her personable essays cover everything from songwriting, rehearsals and touring to Dolly, Elvis and Bob (Dylan, that is). Even Death gets a mention. Loose Connections is a vibrant and entertaining looksie into Lo’s world. She hosts the podcast Death Is Not The End and penned the ‘femmoir’ Lovers Dreamers Fighters in 2022 – another cool read.

That’s it from me - is it too early to croon Merry Christmas? Wishing everyone the best of everything in the coming year. I’ll be back in early 2026 with more poetry and prose from Suburban Notebook.

Thanks again for your support,
M.