This week was a BUSY week at the University leaving little time and brain power for my own reading and writing. But, I still have one book to share, a nudge for your 5-year journal, an update on my obsession with sprinkles and links to share, too.

What I'm Reading:

When I finish a book, I usually dive right into the next one. Immediately. But not this week. This week, I read one adult fiction book that still has me reeling and I still cannot pick another up yet. It was that powerful. And book hangovers are real. =) Do you have a book to recommend that will get me out of this book-induced haze?

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

I have never read a book that impacted me on such a visceral level before. Close, but not this hard. Moriarty brings us into the lives of the Delaney family: Stan, Joy and their 4 tall, athletic and very different children. When Joy suddenly goes missing, the family tries to put the pieces together of what happened. Weaving back and forth between then and now, family member to family member, we learn of the intricacies of Joy and Stan’s marriage, the unique personalities of all four children and the childhood events that shaped them and how much someone can take of their own lives before they fight back. Oh, this book. I saw myself in so many ways, ways that forced me to really think about the relationships I have and how I choose to grow them. I was thrown for a loop every other chapter and was beside myself when I closed the last page. I still haven’t picked up another book. 

What I'm Writing:

Honestly, I did not write much in my notebook this week. My week was filled with work writing and it left very little energy for anything else except for my daily entries in my 5-year journal. I’m pretty confident that I’ve made this daily writing a habit and I look forward to it every morning. If the idea of a 5-year journal is new to you, be sure to check out my post on why it’s not too late for you to get one, too. 

What I'm Learning:

I’ve posted about my love of sprinkles on the blog before, but a chance encounter with a random article online renewed my zest to learn more. Did you know there’s actually a book on just sprinkles? It’s now in my cart. I even found a recipe for homemade sprinkles from Molly Yeh, one of my favorite Food Network celebrities. 

And guess what? I just so happened to be in Boston in the middle of the week and ended up grabbing fluffy cupcakes stacked with towers of sweet frosting and you guessed it, sprinkles. My dream of owning a combination bookstore/bakery is back, front and center. =)

What I'm Loving:

Eating to combat brain fog? Yes, please! I bet sprinkles are NOT on this list!

Have you ever made a creative contract with yourself? Here’s why you should and how you can make one. 

I found this deck of cards from Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones, and they look fantastic with 60 writing prompts to inspire a daily writing practice. 

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?