Hello, friends! Apologies for not posting on Monday. I have been working on building a new web site and it’s taking up a lot of my headspace right now. The good news is the new site is going to be so cool, and just like the Shake-N-Bake girl “I did it myself.” More on that soon, though.
Like all of you I have been spending most of my days inside. I take the dogs on walks and have gone to the grocery once a week, but otherwise, I’m spending a lot of time reading, working, and hanging with the family. Except for the whole global pandemic killing lots of people thing, it’s been sort of nice. I understand that comfort comes from extreme privilege, but I’m trying to make good use of this time.
Anyway, here are some things that I’ve enjoyed/am excited about/want to recommend.
Woo Books
I’ve wanted a Little Free Library for years. It’s one of those things I’ve googled a million times, but never got around to. Then a couple of years ago, my son made me one as a gift. Well, he made the cabinet part. I needed to decorate it. Which I put off for various reasons. But with all this new time, I decided to get ‘er done.
For the door, I created a mosaic with some pieces left over from an old project. My husband kept saying, “You already had all this stuff?” Yep. Apparently, my hobby is collecting craft supplies. And good thing, because I can make stuff like this.
Here’s the coolest part about this library: It’s helped me connect with my neighbors. I’ve lived in this house for fifteen years, but I’ve met more neighbors in the last week than in most of that time. People have even added some of their own books to the library. Books bring people together even when we’re forced to distance ourselves.
Woo Reading
I usually have multiple books going at the same time. Here’s a list of what I’ve been reading lately. Note: Links go to Bookshop.org, which supports indie shops.
The Vineyards of Champagne by Juliet Blackwell: I’ve been sipping from this one over the last couple of weeks. It’s part women’s fiction about a widow recovering from the loss of her husband while on a wine-buying trip to France, and part historical fiction about a woman who is trying to survive in the tunnels under a vineyard in WWI.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado: This is a memoir of the author’s relationship with an abusive partner. It’s not uplifting, but it’s a very moving story and written so beautifully. Plus, it delves into the issue of same-sex partner abuse, which doesn’t get enough attention. Machado is one of my favorite writers right now.
The Easiest Way to Learn the Tarot by Dusty White: This is a primer on learning to read intuitively. I tried to listen to one of White’s lectures, but found his delivery too rambling and disjointed. The book is organized better and it’s helping me deepen my knowledge of the cards.
The Woman’s Retreat Book by Jennifer Louden: This was recommended to me by Rachael Herron. It’s giving me ideas for hosting eventual retreats once we can all be in a room together again.
What are you reading right now?
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Just finished Graveminder by Melissa Marr. Great one for other worldly, zombie-esk lovers. I'm diving into The River of Doubt by Candice Millard. My father recommended it and when your dad says read this, you read that. It's the true story of Theodore Roosevelt's harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth.
Love the idea of a neighborhood library. It would be interesting to see what other people are reading by what they leave behind. Stay safe everyone!
LOVE the Little Library!! Let's see...I'm listening to The Bromance Bookclub by Lyssa Kay Adams, I'm reading on my Kindle Heart On Fire, the third book in The Kingmaker Chronicles by Amanda Bouchet.