Last week's joys (June 16-22, 2025)
Beauty is whatever gives joy. - Edna St. Vincent Millay
I want to start by sharing a post from George Jreije. This is about making art while in darkness, but I think it illustrates what I set out to do in today’s post-to share joy (and see joy) even when I feel like the world around me is depressing.
I hope you read about what brought me joy, but more importantly, I would love to hear what has brought you joy? What lights up your world?
Joys of the Week
I’ve linked the books and other things too for reference.
Writing Joys
Bookjabbers is the name of my writing critique group and we met on Monday. It was nice just catching up on life, but also setting writing goals for ourselves. I have really gotten out of my habit of writing and I hope to use this summer to find myself again. These two ladies are the heart of that hope.
Read to Write Podcast: I interviewed Brandon Hoàng about writing his YA book, GLORIA BUENROSTRO IS NOT MY GIRLFRIEND and we had the BEST talk. He was easy to talk with, funny, and inspired me to get to writing. The podcast will be up in about a week!
Reading Joys
VE Schwab is an author I love so much and I was BEYOND ecstatic when my book club agreed to read her newest BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL for our July pick! I may have sold it with the tag line “toxic lesbian vampires” (thanks to Schwab herself). I dove into it this week and it is STUNNING. It’s a lengthy book, but her writing is engrossing and just, well, stunning. Tor Books also made a playlist for the book and that has become my new obsession-book playlists.
Kindle reading has taken priority. Rotting on the couch, cat in my lap, blankets wrapped around me… best way to read.
I picked up 3 other books and they all were FANTASTIC reads. I will get some reviews up soon, but until then, here are the highlights:
CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins: Rereading a favorite is always fun. My daughter and I just binged the movies too.
MY ROOMMATE IS A VAMPIRE by Jenna Levine: This was just simply FUN. I was entertained the whole time. If you need a fun romance, this is it. I could have probably read it in a day.
THE LEAVING ROOM by Amber McBride: Another author I love. She writes poetry and her books always have a wonderful twist. This book is hard to explain and honestly I just read it to see where it would go and by the end, I was in awe. She is an inspiration.
Coffee and book study with my mother-in-law: we are reading THE LET THEM THEORY by Mel Robbins and talking about how we can apply it to our life. I really think this will help me set boundaries, particularly as a teacher.
Family Joys
My family kayaked and it was peaceful. We are debating on getting our own kayaks now…
Gardening is going…this might be the first year I have been consistently watering (thanks to my daughter-we water every night together and inspect and learn all the things).
Gaming Joys
Disney Dreamlight Valley is my new video game obsession…I have one goal: dress and collect all things villains related.
Among Us: My 12 year old daughter has me playing Among Us with her daily…we sit on a discord call in separate rooms and play together. It’s a lot of fun, especially when one of us is the “imposter” and gets the other…
Crocheting Joys
Tapestry pillow of my cat Reese’s is finished and was so much fun making. It’s a new style of art that I am really enjoying. I use Stitchfiddle to help me make the pattern and single crochets.
Granny Squares: I made a goal of 100 granny squares this summer, mostly from a book I have from Kindle Unlimited (but I paused my subscription so I may be buying it). I didn’t know there were this many different squares!
Creative Joys
Podcasts I’ve enjoyed:
Reading Glasses - book people are the best people
Paper People (on YouTube) - getting back to journaling!
Cooking and baking is happening a lot lately and I am loving it. I have really mastered my Stromboli with homemade pizza crust!
And those are the things that brought me joy last week!
Please share your joys and make sure to look for the brightness around you this week.