Every Friday, I arrive in your Inbox with a bit of literate love to share what I’ve been reading, writing, learning and loving all week in hopes it sparks attention to your own reading and writing life, too. This week, I’ve got two books to share, some life advice I took to my notebook, the best thing I didn’t make and lots of links to love, too. 

What I'm Reading:

I read two books this week: First, I read an adult fiction text that had me completely hooked throughout the story… until the unexpected ending. And I ended the week with a brand new middle grade book set very close to my hometown, a nice surprise I wasn’t expecting. Keep reading for all the details!

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

This debut novel follows Alix Chamberlain, a new mother trying to balance family and career, and her younger babysitter Emira, a black woman trying to find her way into adulthood. When a racially motivated incident threatens Emira’s character and safety, Alex attempts to set things right in her own way. Weaving from past to present, character to character, we learn about each woman’s thoughts, fears and hopes for the future. But when Alix and Emira realize they share more than child-rearing responsibilities, everything becomes unraveled. I was hooked from the first page of this book, but honestly, the ending felt a bit abrupt for me. I’m still left wondering about what happened to both women over time and what was learned in the process, especially for Alix. I need a sequel. 

The Year Without a Summer by Arlene Mark

This story follows two eighth grade students (very close to my own hometown!) who seemingly are complete opposites, but have much more in common than they think. Clara and Jamie end up being paired together to debate a particular natural disaster: the Tambora volcano eruption. Through their journey, we learn about Clara’s father stranded in Puerto Rico after a recent hurricane and Jamie’s brother recently home from active duty in Afghanistan, the secret struggles that bind them together. And while the debate was the main event in this story, I found myself more fascinated by the family dynamics at play and the connections to the other side characters. Overall, I learned a lot about this particular natural disaster, the ways we can all get involved and just how complicated families can be.

What I'm Writing:

This week, I’ve been pretty introspective in my notebook. It’s actually my favorite kind of writing. I write about my day, the things that are bothering me, what my goals are and more. It’s therapy. 

Lately, I’ve been struggling with the number of projects and ideas I have up in the air. There are so many things I want to do and try, from work-related ideas to new hobbies and experiences. And I cannot quite figure out how to do it all without stressing myself out. 

Mari Andrew reminded me I did not have to. 

In her recent newsletter, she offers multi-passionate people a bit of advice: Don’t stay in your lane. 

She wrote about her own journey to where she is today and that the other reason she loves the life she has right now is because she followed her interests wherever they took her and didn’t expect to do them all at once.

This was the exact advice that I was looking for. Just because we are interested in one thing doesn’t mean we are abandoning the rest of them. We should feel free to explore what makes us happy, even if it means leaving another thing behind for a while….or completely. 

What ideas have been rolling around in your mind that you could bring to the page? How do your new interests take space in your life alongside the old ones? And are you giving yourself permission to grow and change over time?

Head to your notebook with me.

What I'm Learning:

So, I’ve known this fact about myself for a long time: I love miniature things. I love miniature notebooks, cupcakes, dollhouses, novelty toys and more. I love looking at them, arranging them and daydreaming with them. 

But here’s what I learned I do NOT like: Making them. 

Nope. Not at all. 

I splurged around the holidays and bought myself this adorable miniature bookstore to place in-between the books on my bookshelf. I could not wait to put it all together and place the miniature furniture and books in their respective places. 

Until I opened the box and realized I had to put each and every miniature piece together: build the furniture, install the lights and even bind the miniature books!

So, what did I do? I called my Dad and asked him to build it for me. And he did. =)

Here is the amazing little bookstore on my bookshelf. It’s literally the best thing I’ve ever purchased and makes me smile every time I take a peek at it. 

I just want to shrink myself and live out all of my bookish dreams there. 

What I'm Loving:

Workshop Week is BACK! Sign up for a FREE week of exceptional workshops to explore your creative side. 

The Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide is here and is FULL of books I cannot wait to get my hands on!

I love these landscape notebooks! I think I might need to get my left-handed daughter one of these. 

I found a new notebook and planner site focused on ethical and sustainable planning. The planners look beautiful and I can literally see how luxurious the pages would feel. =)

Hubman & Chubgirl have the CUTEST notebook and planner stickers! You cannot help but smile broadly when you enter this site. 

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?