New Week. New Goals.
A look back on what I read last week, what my writing has looked like, and my hopes for this week!
Blog News
I am officially moving to Substack. As some of you know, I have a blog (mrsbookdragon.com) and I focus mainly on middle school books. I have decided that I am going to move everything here and broaden my scope on what I talk about! So, here I am…permanently!
I have moved my old blog posts to this Substack-and there was A LOT to move-but it’s not perfect. If you come across some old posts and notice images or videos missing, please don’t judge me! I am working to fix at least the last year’s posts, but not sure how quickly I will get around to that.
Why Substack?
I am really loving the social media/community feel of it. I love using notes to post like I would on Instagram or X, yet I can also take the time to type up my blog posts and send out easily in an email. It’s really the best of all the worlds.
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Time for one of my favorite things to do on Mondays-share what I have been reading and what I look forward to reading.
It’s also a great way to check in and see what others are reading. Make sure to visit the IMWAYR hosts Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts to find other blogs to follow that use this weekly wrap up.
I finished FOUR BOOKS last week. I am so proud of myself. This year has been one of my lowest reading years (or at least it feels like it) and I am so bummed at myself. The amount of time I do things like scroll on Instagram instead of read…it’s awful. And I am working to break this habit! Reading used to be the first thing I did when I picked up my phone, but now it is the last…and that will change!
So, here’s what I thought of the books I read last week: (click on the images for links to purchase)
The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton
I wrote about this book in a note:
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
This book came on my radar after watching a Booktube episode from Tori Between Pages.
I really loved this YA horror. It was full of mystery, friendship, family, grief, and gore. And feminism. It also has LGBTQIA+ representation. I flew through this book when I really sat down to read it (like I said, I’ve struggled with focusing). I would definitely read more by this author.
Warnings: gore, disturbing imagery, violence, supernatural
On All Other Nights : A Passover Celebration in 14 StoriesJoshua S. Levy, Naomi Milliner, Chris Baron
I started this book a couple of months ago for my Read to Write KidLit podcast and just slowly finished. Anthologies are honestly difficult for me to get into because it feels like as soon as I understand a character, they are ripped from me! It takes a minute to separate the stories in my mind too.
BUT…this book is amazing and everyone should read it. It was very informative on Passover. The layout was really unique and full of information, prompts to set your mind on what is coming, and the stories were very diverse. I really loved how intentional this book felt and how connected everything was.
Here’s our podcast where my friend Brittany and I talked with Chris and Naomi-two of the editors.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (narrated by Meryl Streep)
Days are endless. Weeks fly by.
I was initially intrigued by this book because the setting is during the pandemic. Now that we are a bit aways from that time, reading about it is interesting-especially when it is how people lived day to day.
Tom Lake is a story of a mother and her three grown daughters who have come home during the pandemic to live on the cherry farm. The mother tells stories from her past, most notably when she was an actress and had a romance with a famous celebrity. I really enjoyed hearing the mother tell her story and also some of the things she chose to leave out from her story. The ending was also really amazing and unexpected.
Ann Patchett writes great “life” stories and I am glad I read this one.
Hopefuls for the Week:
I hope to finish Crescent City 3 this week (I have been reading since FEBRUARY).
I also have some nonfiction books that I am excited to dive into-one about raising children that are emotionally strong and also a history of women by Philippa Gregory that I saw in the library. But, I haven’t started those yet, so that’s why I didn’t put them in the graphic above.
My main thing is that I want to choose to read more than scroll.
Writing
I recently found the substack Craft Talk and the challenge of the 1000 words of summer. I haven’t made it 1000 pages every day, but I got a strong start on a new idea and may even start sharing that story here in substack. (stay tuned!) It’s a fan fiction and is just for fun, with the goal of bringing me some joy and excitement in writing. That way, I can keep working on some of my other projects!
Other things I have been up to
Crocheting- I have been doing quite a bit of crocheting and have almost finished my 2022 reading blanket (yes, 2022…). I am also working with smaller thread and trying to crochet tiny things…I may be torturing myself with that though.
Walking-trying to do it daily, but I hurt my heel and my knee, so I have had to take it easy. Hopefully I can get out and move more this week.
Video Games-Stardew Valley is my fav and I am excited to have more time to play now that it is summer! I’ve also found an obsession with Nonograms…and they are a time sucker but so fun!
Do something for yourself today!
Make sure to take the time and do something for yourself today. I would love to hear what you choose to do. I know for me, I am going to take a nap out on my hammock. Right now…
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I haven't figured out substack yet and I'm not sure that i have the energy to do that--but I'll follow your journey and see what you do with it! Carol Baldwin