TRACEY BENDINGER | Culture | Contact

Isolation started with high hopes and dreams of self-development and productivity, but as one Betoota Sounds woman is today realising, isolation is proving to just be more time to be the exact same unproductive person you were on the outside world.

Two weeks ago, Carissa Smith reached out to her Instagram followers for book recommendations. Now those books lay stacked on her bedside table, half-read and gathering dust.

“I really thought I would use this time to read more, or take up a new hobby, or at least do something that’s not scrolling through Instagram or eating”

“Ah well, I guess a tiger can’t change its stripes”

It’s believed Carissa started reading ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ by Trent Dalton the number 3 ranked book in Dymocks top 101. It’s the best-selling novel that has taken Australia, and the world, by storm.

It’s a story of brotherhood, true love and the most unlikely of friendships, it’s said to be the most heartbreaking, joyous and exhilarating novel you will read all year. Unless you’re Carissa.

“Nah it was pretty good! I just can’t be bothered.”

With another 90 days of lockdown confirmed, Carissa once again made the promise to read more books – we will check in with her in a month to see if she has finished the book or if a family of dust mites has moved in.