Early mornings and Jane Eyre

So, more than a week into my new (very) early morning writing routine, and I’m pleased to say that it seems to be working. I’m getting more words per day, and they feel like better ones. (I mean, they may not be better ones, but they feel that way.)

Something is clicking in these early-morning sessions, writing before the day intrudes. I don’t even check the weather before I start writing. But I get my words in, and then it doesn’t matter so much how the rest of my day goes. Like last week, when the furnace decided to stop working.

I also decided to dive into the slow read of Jane Eyre. In fact, I was listening to my chapters yesterday instead of writing my check-in. And while the narrator is working well in the audio version, it’s really Caroline’s voice that is so soothing. I loved listening to the Possession debriefs, and I’m looking forward to the first Jane Eyre one today.

Booking Through Thursday: What are your comfort reads?

Welcome to Booking Through Thursday, a weekly bookish meme about books and reading for everyone who loves both. Booking Through Thursday was first hosted by Deb. With permission, I’ve restarted it in 2026.

This week’s prompt:

I think we could all use some comfort reads these days. So tell me:

What are your comfort reads? Is it s genre? An author? A certain book you go back to again and again?

How to play:

  • On your blog: Copy the question/image for your blog, answer it there, and post a quick comment here with a link or trackback to your post so we can read it.
  • On social media: Copy the image, answer the prompt, and post a quick comment here with a link.
  • Right here: Answer in the comments and start the discussion here. No need to have a blog to play.

Note: If it’s your first time here, your comment may end up in moderation. (My spam filter is aggressive.) I’ll be in after my writing sprints to set it free.

P.S. The prompt is always open, and you don’t have to play on Thursday. Comment whenever you like!

The respite of books and, oddly enough, Duolingo

Well, January was certainly the longest year.

It’s been a lot, I’m not going to lie. But I’ve managed to do some writing, and some reading, and I even made it to the first meeting of my book club.

We read If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin. We all agreed that, in its own way, the book was a timely read, even though it was published in 1974. The group was so welcoming to me, as a new member, and I’m excited for next month.

I’ve rearranged my schedule, so I write in the very early mornings, while it’s still dark out. Although, can it actually be morning if it’s still dark out?

When I can, I read. Another thing I’ve been doing? Duolingo. Really. Last year, I was using it to learn a little Italian before I left on my trip. Now, I’m revisiting German. Between the four years in high school and two in college, I figured that would be the easiest language to start with. Maybe it’s that familiarity, but it’s an oddly peaceful activity.

I’m also thinking of signing up for the slow read of Jane Eyre over at The Tattooed Governess (formerly Book (& Craft) Alchemy). At some point, I bought the audio version, and it’s oddly soothing in the moment, too.

Finally, if you’re looking to help Minnesota but don’t know where to donate, may I suggest ICA Food Shelf? They do tremendous work. Currently, they’re ramping up new support programs and would be grateful for any amount you can give.

Booking Through Thursday: Tackling your TBR pile in 2026?

Welcome to Booking Through Thursday, a weekly bookish meme about books and reading for everyone who loves both. Booking Through Thursday was first hosted by Deb. With permission, I’ve restarted it in 2026.

This week’s prompt:

Since we’re all readers here, I think it’s safe to say we all have a TBR pile of books we’d like to read. Do you have any plans this year for tackling that pile?

If so, feel free to share your strategy or tactic with those of us hoping to read some of the books we already own.

Do you have plans to tackle your TBR pile in 2026?

How to play:

  • On your blog: Copy the question/image for your blog, answer it there, and post a quick comment here with a link or trackback to your post so we can read it.
  • On social media: Copy the image, answer the prompt, and post a quick comment here with a link.
  • Right here: Answer in the comments and start the discussion here. No need to have a blog to play.

Note: If it’s your first time here, your comment may end up in moderation. (My spam filter is aggressive.) I’ll be in after my writing sprints to set it free.

P.S. The prompt is always open, and you don’t have to play on Thursday. Comment whenever you like!

Booking Through Thursday: What book surprised you?

Welcome to Booking Through Thursday, a weekly bookish meme about books and reading for everyone who loves both. Booking Through Thursday was first hosted by Deb. With permission, I’ve restarted it in 2026.

This week’s prompt:

Did you read anything in 2025 that surprised you? Maybe a bestseller that lived up to all the hype. Perhaps a classic that was surprisingly engaging.

Or maybe it was a book you grabbed from the shelf while you waited for your library requests to come in.

Whatever the case, let us know!

What book surprised you in 2025?

How to play:

  • On your blog: Copy the question/image for your blog, answer it there, and post a quick comment here with a link or trackback to your post so we can read it.
  • On social media: Copy the image, answer the prompt, and post a quick comment here with a link.
  • Right here: Answer in the comments and start the discussion here. No need to have a blog to play.

Note: If it’s your first time here, your comment may end up in moderation. (My spam filter is aggressive.) I’ll be in after my writing sprints to set it free.

P.S. The prompt is always open, and you don’t have to play on Thursday. Comment whenever you like!

In Minnesota

So, as I’m sure many (all?) of you know, it’s been a rough couple of weeks here in Minnesota. Except for some morning writing and work on The Marigold Miracle, I’ve been away from the computer.

I’ve been doing what I can to help my friends, my neighbors, and my community, and I’m going to keep doing that for as long as it takes.

I’m still hosting Booking Through Thursday. Fortunately, I scheduled several posts in advance, and I will respond and comment when I can.

Be well, everyone. Take care of each other. Keep creating and putting good things into this world.

Booking Through Thursday: Self-help books

Welcome to Booking Through Thursday, a weekly bookish meme about books and reading for everyone who loves both. Booking Through Thursday was first hosted by Deb. With permission, I’ve restarted it in 2026.

This week’s prompt:

On a sliding scale of they’re the elixir of life to no one tells ME what to do, how do you feel about self-help books? Do you read them? Only certain kinds or at certain times? As background noise while you clean ALL the things.

Let us know!

Self-help books: Yea or nay?

How to play:

  • On your blog: Copy the question/image for your blog, answer it there, and post a quick comment here with a link or trackback to your post so we can read it.
  • On social media: Copy the image, answer the prompt, and post a quick comment here with a link.
  • Right here: Answer in the comments and start the discussion here. No need to have a blog to play.

Note: If it’s your first time here, your comment may end up in moderation. (My spam filter is aggressive.) I’ll be in after my writing sprints to set it free.

P.S. The prompt is always open, and you don’t have to play on Thursday. Comment whenever you like!

Booking Through Thursday: Reading Challenges

Welcome to Booking Through Thursday, a weekly bookish meme about books and reading for everyone who loves both. Booking Through Thursday was first hosted by Deb. With permission, I’ve restarted it in 2026.

This week’s prompt:

Do you participate in any reading challenges throughout the year? If so, let us know (and feel free to share a link to the challenge).

Or maybe you have one of your own devising. Maybe it’s simply a goal to make a dent in your TBR pile.

Whatever the case, happy reading!

Are you participating in one (or several) reading challenges in 2026?

How to play:

  • On your blog: Copy the question/image for your blog, answer it there, and post a quick comment here with a link or trackback to your post so we can read it.
  • On social media: Copy the image, answer the prompt, and post a quick comment here with a link.
  • Right here: Answer in the comments and start the discussion here. No need to have a blog to play.

Note: If it’s your first time here, your comment may end up in moderation. (My spam filter is aggressive.) I’ll be in after my writing sprints to set it free.

P.S. The prompt is always open, and you don’t have to play on Thursday. Comment whenever you like!

Reading in 2026

So, I read 91 books in 2025. This is a good number, great even. Generally, I read between 85 and 100 books a year. (Although one year I logged 118.)

This might sound strange, but in 2026, I want to read more. Or perhaps differently. Most of my reading this year was recreational—which is awesome—but I need more variety if I’m going to write.

Odd thing: when I was commuting to the day job, I was getting that. The fastest I ever got to work (door to parking garage) was 45 minutes. Heading home? Oh. Don’t get me started on that, but easily an hour and a half. (Some days? In winter? A three-hour drive home.)

I was a captive audience; I had to listen to whatever I’d checked out from the library. Either that or drive-time radio and … no, thank you.

This, I realize, really fed my writing. The reading wasn’t necessarily research-related. It was more like fueling my brain for writing, filling the gas tank, if you will. (In CliftonStrengths terms, I’m a #2 Input; I need input.)

Despite how busy I was, I could get several hours of reading in each day.

What’s my problem now?

I’ve confined my reading to (mostly) the evenings. I’ve always read in the evenings, so this isn’t a surprise. What I need to do is add afternoon sessions.

This feels decadent. I feel like I should be doing something. (I blame the hustle/grind culture and toxic productivity for this.)

But isn’t reading doing something? I think it is. And it’s something I need to do if I’m going to write. So, one thing I want to do in 2026 is practice those afternoon reading sessions. And I have one planned for today.

Booking Through Thursday: Let’s Read in the New Year!

Welcome to Booking Through Thursday, a weekly bookish meme about books and reading for everyone who loves both. Booking Through Thursday was first hosted by Deb. With permission, I’ve restarted it in 2026.

This week’s prompt:

So, there’s a saying that how you spend New Year’s Day is how you’ll spend the year.

I think all of us here would like to spend at least some of the year reading. That being the case, the very first prompt of the year is:

What book are you reading (or hope to read) on this first day of 2026?

I know some people are working today, some are still cleaning up after the holidays, but I hope everyone can find five minutes for a bit of reading.

Happy New Year!

How to play:

  • On your blog: Copy the question/image for your blog, answer it there, and post a quick comment here with a link or trackback to your post so we can read it.
  • On social media: Copy the image, answer the prompt, and post a quick comment here with a link.
  • Right here: Answer in the comments and start the discussion here. No need to have a blog to play.

Note: If it’s your first time here, your comment may end up in moderation. (My spam filter is aggressive.) I’ll be in after my writing sprints to set it free.