Probably needs no further explanation but a big chunk of our 2025 seasonal celebrations are being administered by a tag team of our writers, Ogglypoogly and DJ Fuzzyfelt
Rebecca Lucy Taylor
A Complicated Woman
There's something wonderful about a book over the Christmas ~ New Year period. Nobody knows what day it is anymore, sustenance is coming from cold cuts, toast, and if you're not digestively challenged -cheese in exactly the right quantity (half your body weight). This is, in short the best time to indulge yourself, curl up with a book and lose all sense of time
Rather than something warm, light-hearted and cosy, I'm here to advocate the merits of Rebecca Lucy Taylor's recently published 'A Complicated Woman’ Which yes, confusingly has the same title as the Album she released back in spring under her moniker Self Esteem.
I don't know what I was expecting A Complicated Woman to be. It was purely intrigue that made me order a copy, devoid of pre-conceptions, this choice founded in the very genuine curiosity
"What kind of book would Rebecca Lucy Taylor write?"
The short answer is. "It's Unique"
The reality is, this is like no other book I've read (and I've read a lot) It's as compelling as it is at times utterly baffling.
Part narrative
Part diary
Part noted down lyrics
Part poetry
Flowing with all the logical rhythm of a mind over flowing with ideas prone to asides that don't immediately seem relevant, but ultimately are, sometimes hopping. back and forth through time.
As I said, it's like nothing I've read before and whilst yes, that can make it a shade confusing - to my mind, this is its charm.
Throughout, it's written in the warmth of Rebecca Lucy Taylor's South Yorkshire drawl. That comfortable, concise way of speaking, without the pretense of airs or graces. All the whilst exploring the same themes as her music career, those of the female experience, of self worth, self awareness and resilience. All with that same humour and sharp, honest vulnerability as her lyrics.
If you've a history of people pleasing it can, at times, be cuttingly relatable. And whilst yes - there's an argument that the book might be more immediate or accessible to girls,gays and theys, that shouldn't preclude anyone else from reading it. Because there is value in stepping into the experiences of others to gain insight and perspective. And honestly it's just such a refreshing approach to writing, that needs more eyes on it. Plus it's remarkably hard to put down once you've turned a couple of pages and entered into that world.
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Ogglypoogly and DJ Fuzzyfelt's entire December 2025 Countdown to Christmas, is here
1st: Red Rum Club →
2nd: Chwaer Fawr →
3rd: Divine Comedy →
4th: DJ Harram →
5th: Mobley →
6th: Kling Klang →
7th: The Last Dinner Party →
8th: Sessa →
9th: Moonchild Sanelly →
10th: Maruja →
11th: Shelley Byron →
12th: Agathe Max →
13th: Eighty Eight Miles →
14th: Sprints →
15th: Seb Lowe →
16th: The Cords →
17th: Jack Weston →
18th: Model/Actriz →
19th: Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan →
20th: Annahstasia →
21st: The Flashbulb →
22nd: Nas and DJ Premier →
23rd: CMAT →
24th: KeiyaA →
25th: Ogglypoogly - Rebecca Lucy Taylor biography →
25th: Dj Fuzzyfelt - Some things I'd like to add... →
