Here in New York, it has rained 16 out of 17 days. Whew! I tried to sneak outside for walks with the dog when I could, but spent more time stuck indoors then I would have liked. Thankfully, I had a great book to keep me busy and some fun links that I’m sharing with you today!

What I’m Reading:

This week, I read Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. I think the best way to describe this book is to describe it as a journey. Zauner so beautifully describes her complicated relationship with her mother as she returns home to care for her in her final days of battling cancer. What I appreciated most was her raw honesty: the good, the bad and yes, the ugly. So often, memoirs and memories focus on the good we want to remember, as they should, but reading about Zauner’s struggles with her family, her cultural identity and even herself was refreshing and relatable. And since Zauner is creative, musical and well-traveled, all things that I am not, I felt like I was getting a glimpse into another way of living, but still felt so connected to the honest emotions she was portraying. This was a beautiful read. 

What I’m Writing:

My writing this week was all about capturing memories and doing some BIG thinking. Two nights ago, I was driving down the road and saw the most beautiful pink sunset. It was breathtaking. I looked quickly and then contemplated pulling over so I could admire it and snap a picture. I decided not to, but then quickly changed my mind. But by the time I pulled over and looked up, the fleeting pink sunset was gone. I missed it in my hesitation. My husband has this frustrating saying: he who hesitates…loses. And this was the perfect example of that. It made me think: How many times have I hesitated to do something and then missed my opportunity? So I headed to my notebook and created a list (unfortunately, a fairly long one) of things I missed because I didn’t reach for them in the moment. And then, I made another list: of things I did not want to miss out on in the future so I could seize the moment when the time came. It’s my new favorite page and a reminder to trust in the moment. 

What I’m Learning:

If you can believe it, I explored anime this week, hand-drawn and computer animations originating from Japan. My son has devoured anime over the past few weeks and since I’ve been exploring more middle grade graphic novels, I thought I’d learn more and even watch an episode. I’ve decided it’s not for me, but loved learning about the connection between graphic novels and anime, something I can tuck in my pocket and share with fellow readers. 

What I’m Loving:

These scratch off labels just might be the most fun I’ve had in a while. They turn any piece of paper into a potential scratch-off ticket! I’ve been creating some fun coupons in Canva for them and even have a reading scratch-off game in the works…so stay tuned!

You know I love bookmarks and this week, I stumbled upon these unique corner bookmarks on Etsy. I can’t wait to try them in my books AND as tabs in my new Vera Bradley notebook (it’s SO pretty!). 

I am a big fan of creating TBR stacks: physical stacks of books just waiting to be read in our daily line of vision. A friend shared this post advocating for book baskets instead and since I love a good excuse to buy another basket, container or tote, I was all in! How will you display your TBR stack? Here’s mine! I hope to read Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle, Welcome to Rosie Hopkins’s Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan, Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley and The Little Book of Mindfulness edited by Tiddy Rowan. 

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?