Steinbeck's literary packing list makes me feel seen. Every trip, I find myself stuffing far too many notebooks, pens, books of writing prompts into my backpack, along with one or two extra novels--because I might get through the others. To be fair, I read a lot on vacation, especially if any flights are involved. Thank you for the recs, and letting me feel seen!
Will we ever learn? No! I'm celebrating our boundless capacity for self-delusion and the good company we keep. Happy holidays and happy reading Judith.
Tempted to buy all the books on your list immediately, but with the stacks and piles already tbr, including three from the library today, perhaps I should save your post for later! Yes, always, always read and I like the advice I heard/read (!) somewhere, that reading is writing. When I'm feeling too tired I remember that one!
Sorry! That is the downside of book recommendations - a teetering TBR. And you are so right, reading is writing and it is accessible and available to all.
I love Julia Bell's Substack and her new book is on my to-buy list...I have a birthday coming up so maybe I should ask for it! I've heard others talk about Dorothea Brande's book too so I might just have to check that out. Great list, thank you!
Thanks Harriet - I love all of these books. I had recently returned to The Artist's Way, but rather than recommend that (because everyone already knows it) decided to go high brow with the Weil. And Julia is the best!
I know what you mean about The Artists Way, my post this week was about notebooks and free writing. It was tempting to automatically quote her and I did in an early draft and removed it because it felt a little obvious. That said, what I’ve noticed is that when I do mention her there’s tends to be a ‘Oh yes, I did that maybe I should go back to it’ recognition. It’s almost like a shorthand to talk about free writing.
A lovely read! I just returned from a trip, two books unread and writing notebooks untouched because I chose to immerse myself in the scenery of the day, rather than losing myself in a book. I wrangled with my anxiety about taking time away from writing and also not reading as much. (I finished two books in a week's vacation as opposed to my book-a-day).
I love how books and the love of reading connects us all 💜
Thank you Christine! It sounds like you had the best trip and used your time exactly as you should. Sometimes rest is more important than writing - in fact it can be just the thing we need to be able to write.
Steinbeck's literary packing list makes me feel seen. Every trip, I find myself stuffing far too many notebooks, pens, books of writing prompts into my backpack, along with one or two extra novels--because I might get through the others. To be fair, I read a lot on vacation, especially if any flights are involved. Thank you for the recs, and letting me feel seen!
Will we ever learn? No! I'm celebrating our boundless capacity for self-delusion and the good company we keep. Happy holidays and happy reading Judith.
This is one lesson I hope I never learn! 😄
I love that your nieces have made a family book group - what a brilliant idea ahead of a family trip! Enjoy… xx
I love their selections - neither of which I’d read. If they had chosen favourite contemporary authors, it would be alongside Katherine Rundell!
Tempted to buy all the books on your list immediately, but with the stacks and piles already tbr, including three from the library today, perhaps I should save your post for later! Yes, always, always read and I like the advice I heard/read (!) somewhere, that reading is writing. When I'm feeling too tired I remember that one!
Sorry! That is the downside of book recommendations - a teetering TBR. And you are so right, reading is writing and it is accessible and available to all.
I love Julia Bell's Substack and her new book is on my to-buy list...I have a birthday coming up so maybe I should ask for it! I've heard others talk about Dorothea Brande's book too so I might just have to check that out. Great list, thank you!
Thanks Harriet - I love all of these books. I had recently returned to The Artist's Way, but rather than recommend that (because everyone already knows it) decided to go high brow with the Weil. And Julia is the best!
I know what you mean about The Artists Way, my post this week was about notebooks and free writing. It was tempting to automatically quote her and I did in an early draft and removed it because it felt a little obvious. That said, what I’ve noticed is that when I do mention her there’s tends to be a ‘Oh yes, I did that maybe I should go back to it’ recognition. It’s almost like a shorthand to talk about free writing.
A lovely read! I just returned from a trip, two books unread and writing notebooks untouched because I chose to immerse myself in the scenery of the day, rather than losing myself in a book. I wrangled with my anxiety about taking time away from writing and also not reading as much. (I finished two books in a week's vacation as opposed to my book-a-day).
I love how books and the love of reading connects us all 💜
Thank you Christine! It sounds like you had the best trip and used your time exactly as you should. Sometimes rest is more important than writing - in fact it can be just the thing we need to be able to write.
That’s how I reconciled my anxiety and guilt about not writing 💯