Friday Reads 10.26.24

The Trouble With Bookshelves

Happy Friday! Can we talk bookshelves for a moment?

I’ve taken receipt of my beloved encyclopedias, as well as a few more delights—a decade of Science Year, my huge old atlas, a bunch of excellent first editions of some classics, some children's books from the 1920s, beautifully bound. Memories. Several shelves of memories. They went into the living room, and I styled them as best I could—despite all my wishes to the contrary, I am not a designer—and they are lovely.

But then I looked at the shelves in my office, and all I see is chaos. There are books, lots of books, and you know they are done according to color, so the rainbow effect is super cool. But recently, the books and toys are spilling over. I have an unreal amount of research books that honestly are outdated, and the new information is easily accessed online. I packaged them up to go to the local used bookstore and created some margin. And now I need to take all the toys and talismans and photos out, and redo it all.

I’ve toyed with three options: Keep the rainbow and convert some of the non-fiction area to fiction so I’m not double stacked; go alphabetical and just get every book onto a shelf in the right area regardless of topic; or take off the jacket covers and go with the plain spines, color-coded. The latter would be less colorful, but I’m wondering if that would feel more soothing. More like an old-school library.

When my office starts getting jumbled, it doesn’t help my creativity. I should probably just do a massive cull, Marie Kondo the whole space, and I would be much happier.

Anyway, I’m curious about your thoughts. How do you store your books?

And OMG y’all, it’s time to start talking release! If you’re in Nashville next Friday, November 1, I will be launching the gloriously beautiful big pink book, A VERY BAD THING, at Parnassus Books! You can RSVP right here. I’ll be in conversation with the fabulous

Ariel Lawhon

, whose brilliant new book, THE FROZEN RIVER, is coming out in paperback on November 5! We will be chatting and signing, and we would love to see you!

If Kindle is more your speed, AVBT is in the First Reads program right now. You can get yours for free if you have Prime or $1.99 if you don’t.

Onward… As you read this, I’m sitting in a studio across town, talking books with some seriously interesting authors! A Word on Words is officially in its 10th season, and Jeremy and I have a full slate of authors to interview who are attending the Southern Festival of Books this weekend in Nashville. It’s a busy but enjoyable few days. Here are the books I read prepping this week:

Tías and Primas: On Knowing and Loving the Women Who Raise Us by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez — a fascinating look at the archetypes in the Latine culture. I was struck by how universal they are.

skin & bones by Renée Watson — the first adult book by this prolific author, it is touching, moving love story, dives deep into self acceptance and body love, and also has a fascinating look at the history of Black culture in Oregon.

Grief is For People by Sloane Crosley — this elegy for Sloane’s friend Russell is beautifully realized. Sharp writing married to the confusion of suicide is not light reading, but worth it.

The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger — I’ve already read this, but we’re doing an in-conversation about it on Saturday! A fabulous redo of Rosemary’s Baby, you’ll remember I was inspired to try reading Ira Levin’s book…and failed.

One of the best parts of my job is reading books that aren’t thrillers, getting outside my comfort zone, and experiencing new thoughts, new cultures, and new experiences. Love it!

I also grabbed a copy of HEIR by one of my favorite authors, Sabaa Tahir, which I am reading the second this weekend is over. I love this world she’s created with these books, and love that she’s returned to it. And there was a wonderful article with her this week, in which she says the magic words: “The writing comes first.”

It’s funny, during PR season, it’s hard to remember that, but it’s so, so true! I have a draft proposal for my next book done, and will be sending it for first looks shortly. Wish me luck!

Oh, almost forgot… Step Twelve is up. And Step Thirteen is coming Tuesday.

Step Twelve: The Editorial Letter

That’s it from me (I think that’s more than enough from me 😂). How about you? Reading anything fabulous this weekend? I’d love to hear your recommendations!

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