How was your literate life this week? As always, I’m here to celebrate our literate lives with a sneak peek into my own. Here’s what I’ve been reading, writing, learning and loving this week. I’ve got three books to share, the perfect bookish writing prompt and a whole bunch of links that you need to see. I promise. 

What I'm Reading:

I added three books to my 2022 bookish spreadsheet this week: one adult, one middle grade and one picture book. It’s the perfect trio!

We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride & Jo Piazza

Normally, when I finish a book, I head right into the next one. But not with this book. I needed to sit with this book for a while. It was powerful, touching, emotional and raw. Pride and Piazza introduce us to Jen and Riley, lifelong friends whose bonds are tested when Jen’s husband, a Philadelphia police officer, shoots an unarmed Black teenager. Riley, hopeful to take her place as the first female Black news anchor, is torn between her friendship, her work and her identity. Jen, expecting her first child, is questioning her husband, her friend, her assumptions and her future. Told in alternating chapters, the authors so beautifully capture both sides of the story and help the reader question his/her beliefs in the process. This is a book we all need to read. 

Before The Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

I adore Jacquline Woodson’s writing and was eager to lose myself in her beautiful prose. It didn’t take long. Woodson introduces us to ZJ, a 12-year old boy adjusting to his father’s mysterious illness after playing professional football and suffering multiple concussions. Her beautiful language and lyrical prose invites us into ZJ’s experiences of boyhood joy, changing family dynamics and feelings of uncertainty about what’s to come. But no matter how uncertain things get, one thing’s for sure: his family is there before AND after. 

Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl

Oh, this is a beautiful book both on the page and on the heart. This picture book tells the story of the friendship between Apple and Magnolia, two trees in Britta’s yard that she’s sure are best friends, much to the dismay of her father and sister. But Nana knows better. And when Magnolia’s branches start to droop and leaves start to fall, Nana’s faith in unlikely friendships is what fuels Britta to facilitate that friendship with unlikely results. The delicate, colorful illustrations bring the story to life and the artfully crafted message will keep the reader thinking long after the final page is closed. This is one of my new favorite picture books.

What I'm Writing:

Earlier in the week, this made me smile: a blog post about how non-librarians think librarians spend their day. And, even if it was a fun glimpse at the fantasy life of a bookish career, I could only think of one thing: I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THAT DAY. I really would. =)

It reminded me of this short Productivity Paradox podcast episode on choosing how we spend our days. The Universe must have been watching because soon after, this image came across my social media feed from Positively Present: 

Ah, this spoke right to my heart. Some days, I can say yes. Other days, I must say no. But this reminded me that I actually have the power to write the story of my life and should make sure it’s one that I’ll actually enjoy living. 

I love everything about this. 

What I'm Learning:

I can’t even write this without tears in my eyes. Please watch this 4 minute short film called Sorry. It won an Oscar and it has my heart. Honestly, I watched. I cried. And I did it again. And I spent a lot of time just thinking about all the assumptions I make, the things I don’t know about those around me and the situations we are all going through that we just don’t know about. Be kind. 

What I'm Loving:

An 8-year old boy slips his handmade book onto the library shelf….and now it has a year-long waiting list. Your reading heart needs this. 

I think I need to work my way through this entire recipe book, cake by cake, with a few gluten-free modifications: Snacking Cakes. 

Yay Day Paper has a fun new collection out: Love Your Selfie

I just found Roni Loren (Thanks, Lisa!) and have been enjoying her writing. But what have I loved the most? Her book playlists! I am definitely going to create one or two of my own. 

Do you appreciate trigger warnings before cracking open a book or pressing play on a movie? If so, then take a look at this site: Does the Dog Die? They offer crowdsourced emotional spoilers for movies, tv, books and more!

There you have it! I hope this inspires you to make space for more reading and writing in your own life. What are the highlights from your literate life this week?