Bird by Bird, Writing Down the Bones, and The Artist’s Way (Yes, I’m writing Morning Pages!😁) are all part of my must-have books. Still reading The Gods of the Woods, but I think I’ll take a break to read Merry Ever After.😉
I really enjoyed VARIATION....sometimes I had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to see who's voice it was, so I get what you're saying.
Giggling at the thought of you on a plane reading something "spicy"
I read a fair amount:
THE LIES THAT BIND by Emily Giffin. I believe this is my 2nd book by this author. It was slow to start but it picked up.
THROWBACK by Maureen Goo. It's kind of Back to the Future vibe. Cute concept and good book.
YELLOWFACE by RF Kuang. I thought this book started with a bang, then I got a little bored, then I liked the ending...
IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM by Sophie Cousins. I've read several of her books and I enjoy them. She's British, so I have to remind myself that jumper is sweater, crisps are chips, etc...
We had a quiet New Year. Went out to eat with friends and we were home by 8:30. We stayed up and watched the ball drop in Puerto Rico at 10 pm our time and went to bed.
I'm going to steal someone else's word for 2025....HEALTH. Wishing everyone a healthy 2025!
Great list - I haven't read Sophie Cousins yet. Adding her to the list. I do so love a British story. It's the accents...
We now have the big guitar drop in Nashville. Used to follow the NY but I do love staying up to midnight. We were with friends this year and it was wonderfully quiet.
You can be like Huntington (see Huntington Library and Gardens) and house them in a special room along with the original folio of John James Audubon bird prints and the Gutenberg bible. How sweet.
I hope to read more this year! I only got 65 books in, in 2024. That’s the least I’ve read in 20 years. ☹️ I’m starting out with a favorite author in Rachel Howzell Hall. I’m a couple chapters in to The Last One.
Rachel is an unbelievably talented writer. So impressive and such a cool voice!
I didn't read as much, either, and that's definitely something I'm fixing this year. With luck we'll all get a little more reading time this year. Happy New Year!
Time here has been confusing for me too. I don't think I'd do well if I were stranded on an island as I'd think I'd been there longer or shorter than reality. I also received some very thoughtful gifts this year from my family, and I'm relishing them. As for books, I'm reading, super slowly, which is a struggle for a fast reader like me, ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear. I'm not quite sure it's my jam but there are nuggets that have spoken to me.
Oh, and I loved thinking of you sitting next to someone reading religious material while you were reading some super steamy romance. It made me smile and blush for you. Talk about possible conflict.
LOL I was *dying* inside. But I didn't close the book... it was...ahem...gripping.
I haven't read Atomic Habits, but I did do the Blinkist version. I don't know that I have it in me to read the whole thing. Report back, yes? I follow him, love his newsletter, but every time I look at that book, I just... don't.
Glad I’m not the only one dazed and confused with the days of the week. Can you believe no one gifted me books?! Wait! My daughter did give me a French cookbook. I like to sit down with cookbooks to break up the books I’m reading in the evenings. Kinda cleans the palate, you know?
I, too, am looking to give my writing more daily structure, so I put Bird by Bird in my Amazon cart after you being the second author to mention it.
The Last Castle was very informative (it’s required reading for Biltmore staff-yay me for being so well prepared) and Biltmore at Christmas was a dream!
Oooh, Biltmore at Christmas - that would be a dream. There's a whole series of YA novels set at the Biltmore, too. Very cool.
You will love Bird by Bird. It's a lovely inspirational book. And I hear you about the cookbooks. I love a good story, and the best tell a superb one. I might be using that as inspiration for a new book, actually.
I think Bird by Bird has a beige or cream spine if that helps. I love that and Writing Down the Bones. Julia Cameron has a new book coming out, The Artist's Way Toolkit:
Thank you - I thought so too, but another friend just said it's red. Either way, it's in vain... as we talked about it, I realized I gave it to a writer I was mentoring YEARS ago. So I have to get myself a new one. LOL.
How funny that I would be channeling Julia and lo, she has a new book coming. Serendipity!
Red spine for BIRD BY BIRD. 😘
Bird by Bird, Writing Down the Bones, and The Artist’s Way (Yes, I’m writing Morning Pages!😁) are all part of my must-have books. Still reading The Gods of the Woods, but I think I’ll take a break to read Merry Ever After.😉
I really enjoyed VARIATION....sometimes I had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to see who's voice it was, so I get what you're saying.
Giggling at the thought of you on a plane reading something "spicy"
I read a fair amount:
THE LIES THAT BIND by Emily Giffin. I believe this is my 2nd book by this author. It was slow to start but it picked up.
THROWBACK by Maureen Goo. It's kind of Back to the Future vibe. Cute concept and good book.
YELLOWFACE by RF Kuang. I thought this book started with a bang, then I got a little bored, then I liked the ending...
IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM by Sophie Cousins. I've read several of her books and I enjoy them. She's British, so I have to remind myself that jumper is sweater, crisps are chips, etc...
We had a quiet New Year. Went out to eat with friends and we were home by 8:30. We stayed up and watched the ball drop in Puerto Rico at 10 pm our time and went to bed.
I'm going to steal someone else's word for 2025....HEALTH. Wishing everyone a healthy 2025!
Hi Amy - Happy New Year!
It. Was. Mortifying. (And hysterical.)
Great list - I haven't read Sophie Cousins yet. Adding her to the list. I do so love a British story. It's the accents...
We now have the big guitar drop in Nashville. Used to follow the NY but I do love staying up to midnight. We were with friends this year and it was wonderfully quiet.
You can be like Huntington (see Huntington Library and Gardens) and house them in a special room along with the original folio of John James Audubon bird prints and the Gutenberg bible. How sweet.
I hope to read more this year! I only got 65 books in, in 2024. That’s the least I’ve read in 20 years. ☹️ I’m starting out with a favorite author in Rachel Howzell Hall. I’m a couple chapters in to The Last One.
Rachel is an unbelievably talented writer. So impressive and such a cool voice!
I didn't read as much, either, and that's definitely something I'm fixing this year. With luck we'll all get a little more reading time this year. Happy New Year!
Time here has been confusing for me too. I don't think I'd do well if I were stranded on an island as I'd think I'd been there longer or shorter than reality. I also received some very thoughtful gifts this year from my family, and I'm relishing them. As for books, I'm reading, super slowly, which is a struggle for a fast reader like me, ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear. I'm not quite sure it's my jam but there are nuggets that have spoken to me.
Oh, and I loved thinking of you sitting next to someone reading religious material while you were reading some super steamy romance. It made me smile and blush for you. Talk about possible conflict.
LOL I was *dying* inside. But I didn't close the book... it was...ahem...gripping.
I haven't read Atomic Habits, but I did do the Blinkist version. I don't know that I have it in me to read the whole thing. Report back, yes? I follow him, love his newsletter, but every time I look at that book, I just... don't.
Happy New Year!
I’ll let you know!
Glad I’m not the only one dazed and confused with the days of the week. Can you believe no one gifted me books?! Wait! My daughter did give me a French cookbook. I like to sit down with cookbooks to break up the books I’m reading in the evenings. Kinda cleans the palate, you know?
I, too, am looking to give my writing more daily structure, so I put Bird by Bird in my Amazon cart after you being the second author to mention it.
The Last Castle was very informative (it’s required reading for Biltmore staff-yay me for being so well prepared) and Biltmore at Christmas was a dream!
Oooh, Biltmore at Christmas - that would be a dream. There's a whole series of YA novels set at the Biltmore, too. Very cool.
You will love Bird by Bird. It's a lovely inspirational book. And I hear you about the cookbooks. I love a good story, and the best tell a superb one. I might be using that as inspiration for a new book, actually.
Happy New Year!
Ooooh! Exciting!
And I’ll have to check those YA books out. Thanks and Happy New Year to you!
My word is health. I am going to be more selfish this year among other things.
I applaud this - you had a rough 2024, and you deserve some calm and quiet. Happy New Year!
Thanks! Happy New Year!
I think Bird by Bird has a beige or cream spine if that helps. I love that and Writing Down the Bones. Julia Cameron has a new book coming out, The Artist's Way Toolkit:
How to Use the Creative Practices. It publishes January 14th. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250344977/theartistswaytoolkit/
Hope your new year is healthy and productive!
My weekly list:
Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville
Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney
The Drowning by J. P. Smith
So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce
The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth
Thank you - I thought so too, but another friend just said it's red. Either way, it's in vain... as we talked about it, I realized I gave it to a writer I was mentoring YEARS ago. So I have to get myself a new one. LOL.
How funny that I would be channeling Julia and lo, she has a new book coming. Serendipity!
Great list as always!