Books like a river

Open book with autumn stream and rocks.
Open book with autumn stream and rocks. @kevron2002/depositphotos

I’ve been re-reading Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. You know, as one does. This bit from day five jumped out at me:

The first is to treat your to-read pile like a river, not a bucket. That is to say: think of your backlog not as a container that gradually fills up, and that it’s your job to empty, but as a stream that flows past you, from which you get to pick a few choice items, here and there, without feeling guilty for letting all the others float by.

I have so, so many books. I feel guilty about having so, so many books, even when I give them away in my Little Free Library. And some books I may never re-read, but I keep them around because 1) I like them, and 2) you never know.

I don’t need to hustle and grind my way through my to-be-read pile. All I need to do is dip my hand into the stream and pluck out the next book. Obligation vs. fun and adventure? Well, I know which one I’d rather have.

P.S. Note on the image. It’s from 2012, so definitely human-created, not AI-generated.

The quiet contentment of writing longhand

I spent this last week quietly working through all the notes I have for not only The Marigold Miracle, but also The Rose Rebellion (book 3), The Dahlia Dilemma (possibly book 3.5), and a manuscript to be named later (but maybe The Florence Fiasco).

Yes, I love me some alliteration.

I refined the old notes (things change as I write) and made new ones. As you can see:

Stack of notebooks
Blurry view of notebook interior.

Actually, that’s not all the notes I’ve made while writing this series, just the most recent ones.

There are all sorts of studies about the hand-to-brain connection. I love writing longhand. The main problem I have is searching for the information I’ve written down. Clearly, my handwriting is nowhere near good enough to scan into a digital file (if only).

So, I’ve further refined my notetaking technique by adding plot points and characters in the margins. That way, I can page through and quickly find what I need.

The other thing I’m doing is double-checking my world-building. I really don’t want to end up needing to retcon (retroactive continuity) something.

I’ve really enjoyed this process, and I plan to keep at it for this coming week. Not interacting with any kind of digital technology for several hours in the morning has been unbelievably refreshing.

May’s Booking Through Thursday prompts

For those who like to plan ahead, here are the May 2026 Booking Through Thursday prompts:

  • May 7: In honor of Children’s Book Week, what were your favorite childhood books?
  • May 14: Favorite (or fun) first lines. These can be famous first lines or ones you’ve happened upon recently.
  • May 21: In a variation on a theme: Favorite lines from books that aren’t first lines.
  • May 28: Words and music. Do you like listening to music while reading, or does it distract you?

Want to suggest a prompt? Leave a comment or use the contact form to send it my way.

Booking Through Thursday: Little Free Libraries

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: Little Free Libraries

As a follow-up to last week’s post about libraries, have you ever visited a Little Free Library? Did you know that there are Little Free Libraries all over the world?

Also, if you’re new here (and even if you’re not), you might not know that I’m a Little Free Library steward. I started back in 2021 (an age ago, I know). You can read about how it started and how it’s going.

My little library could use some fresh paint this year, but it’s been going strong. It’s fun to be a steward. A hobby that’s about books and gets you outside? I’ll take it.

Have you ever visited a Little Free Library? Did you know that you can find them all over the world?

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!

Book-packing event

I was going to write a bit more about libraries, along with how I’m approaching this current revision. However, I attended a book-packing event yesterday at the Little Free Library headquarters in St. Paul.

It was so much fun. Between packing books for shipment across the country and taking some for our own libraries, I think we cleared out the two big bins of donated books. I was able to restock my own library, which has been looking a little thin lately. Someone has already snagged the really cool dinosaur book I brought back.  

But now? Well, now. I. Am. Tired.

So I’ll save my musings for next week, but leave you with these beautiful murals on the building’s exterior. I especially love the optical illusion with the butterflies.

Reader mural
Butterfly mural

Booking Through Thursday: your local library

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:

Happy National Library Week! And in honor of National Library Week, do you have a local library that you visit? If so, tell us about it.

If not, do you visit your library’s website and take advantage of what it offers virtually?

Do you have a local library that you visit? If so, tell us about it.

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!

Snow and Shakespeare

As I stepped outside this morning, the tiniest snowflakes were falling from the sky. It’s clear now, but cold. Not sure I’m going to make it into the garden today. It’s just a little too chilly for comfort at the moment, but we’ll see.

The cold reminded me that last year at this time, I was traipsing around Italy (and Florence in particular), so I scanned my photos and found this view of the Duomo from the Boboli Gardens:

Which is a great view for a Sunday.

When I did second-quarter planning, I thought I’d spend some time on the short stories I didn’t write during the first quarter of the year.

This is not happening. This is probably a surprise to no one but me.

My head is in King’s End completely, and I suspect it will remain there until the entire series is drafted. So be it. It’s not a bad place to be.

I’ve made it through my first Shakespeare lesson. This week, I’m looking forward to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, and the Hamnet watch party. Whew. It’s going to be a BIG Shakespeare week.

Booking Through Thursday: learning to read

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 remember learning to read? Or do you have an early memory of reading that stands out? Maybe it was a particular book or a series that you loved so much you couldn’t help but become a lifelong reader.

Do you remember learning to read? If not, what is your earliest memory of reading?

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!

Big bundle audio event

So, this was a surprise. Well, not completely. I did submit to be part of the big audio bundle event over on Chirp Books. Since the Coffee & Ghosts series is narrated by the incomparable Amy McFadden, I thought it was worth a shot.

Then I completely forgot about it. You know, as one does.

Chirp sale

So here it is, the sale of the year (at least for me for this set of audiobooks).

I’m still amazed at how Amy so expertly captured the entire series. Her narration is a near match for what’s in my head. She was also a dream to work with. I’m so grateful our paths crossed.

Shakespeare and Sunshine

Yesterday was cold, rainy, and blustery—the perfect day to watch King Lear. Which is exactly what I did, since I’m taking a Shakespeare course through the folkloric lens at The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic.

Because, of course, I am.

Today, though? Today, while still cloudy, is promising sunshine. Things are turning green. I really need to venture into the garden, start pruning, and generally prepare for the growing season.

It’s already 62 degrees. I’m going to assume the sun will make a grand appearance later in the day. So, I’m heading outside to stomp around in the mud for a while.

Happy Sunday, everyone!