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A Mid-Summer Reading Update

reading

3 Aug
A photo representing my mid-summer reading update. On a wooden desk surface there are an opened journal with handwritten notes, two books (Piranesi and Goodbye to Budapest), various stationery items and a coffee mug.

As is usually the case, summer is flying by more quickly than I’d like. But that’s part of the reason I love to document my days and activities. It reminds me what I’ve done with the time that I’ve had. And so, here’s a bit of an update from my reading journal since I wrote my Summer Book Basket post.

I read Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez which I didn’t like as much as I hoped I would. There were too many, very specific references to Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican culture so that, while I learned a lot, I’m sure I missed out on a lot of nuance in the story. It was too distracting to keep googling everything. And the same with details of specific NYC neighbourhoods. I did really love the main characters though, how they, and their relationships, were developed .

I read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, a classic WWII love story. Four stars on Goodreads.

No on my original list, but I read Piranesi by Susanna Clarke which I loved. Five stars. Please read this book. The concept is unique and so well written. The metaphor is incredible. I’m sure I’ll read it again some day.

I’m slowly making my way through The Carbon Almanac. We have two copies in the house, and several of us are reading them, so I can’t always get me hands on one! I’m still so proud of what we created. It’s already sparked great conversations about climate, which is exactly the purpose of it.

When I’m not reading The Carbon Almanac I’m making my way through Keep Going by Austin Kleon. I’m reading with a pencil in hand, underlining and highlighting sections as I read. It’s the third of his books and I’ve read the first two. His second book Show Your Work is one of the reasons this blog exists.

I’m waiting for Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel from the library. In the meantime, I have Goodbye to Budapest by Margarita Morris lined up. The subtitle is “A Novel of the Hungarian Uprising”, a subject about which I know very little.

And finally, my pre-ordered copy of In Isolation: Dispatches from Occupied Donbas has arrived. It looks fascinating: a combination of articles, historical timeline and photographs. But also obviously a very heavy subject matter. I’m going to leave it until the fall.

Stationery in the Photo

  • reading journal
  • Tombow brush pens (026 and 076)
  • date stamp
  • skeleton clip

P.S. A good source for finding new reads. Read all the way through to the comments.

tags: reading
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Image Credits

All lovely images in these posts are created by Andrea Hunter, unless otherwise attributed, and may not be used without permission.

Hello lovely IGers. I’m here briefly to celebrat Hello lovely IGers. I’m here briefly to celebrate the launch of this incredible book which I’ve had the privilege of collaborating on as a writer and editor. I’ve written more about it in a blog post, link in my bio.
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Also I’m mortified that some of you may have had a pop up notification that I’ve posted something, since it’s been so long. I’m so sorry.
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#thecarbonalmanac #factsconnectionaction
A retrospective journal spread for 2020...these ar A retrospective journal spread for 2020...these are some blank pages in the back of my planner and I’m flipping back through the months and weeks to document the things I started, finished, loved or hated, was blessed with or overcame.  I’ve set up space for 20 things (because 2020) but if I feel like turning the page and writing more I will. There are no rules to journaling. Wishing you all a lovely few more days of this year. 🤍
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.#stationery #stationeryaddict #collage #paper #paperlove #journaling #journalpages #journalspread #analog #ephemera #wellbeing #selfcare #mindfulness #takecareofyourself #stayhomestaycreative #20goodthingsin2020
is saying “thank you to all of you lovelies for is saying “thank you to all of you lovelies for letting me share this letter-writing journey with you since March. I appreciate all of you so so much!”additionally, cosy = British English and cozy = American English... what’s a Canadian girl to do?
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.#handwriting #handwritinggoals #letterwriting #snailmail #happymail  #stationery #stationeryaddict #collage #paper #paperlove #journaling #journalpages #printablestationery #digitalpaper #analog #ephemera #wellbeing #selfcare #mindfulness #takecareofyourself #stayhomestaycreative
#afterthepen #asmr #afterthepen #asmr
is thinking the last month of this year will be an is thinking the last month of this year will be an incredibly bittersweet time, but prepared to fill this spread with lots of good memories 🌲
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Happy first day of December 2020 my friends ✨
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.#plannergirl #planneraddict #monthlyspread #decembermonthly #stationery #stationeryaddict #collage #paper #paperlove #journaling #analog #ephemera #wellbeing #selfcare #mindfulness #takecareofyourself #stayhomestaycreative
“Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolat “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of community.” - bell hooks
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Earlier this year I made a commissioned piece for a virtual healing circle.  I was honored to contribute to such a beautiful and necessary event.  It’s now many months later ... but in the midst of pandemic and holidays and lockdown, it’s still important that Black lives matter.
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.#collage #paper #paperlove #journaling #journalpages #printablestationery #digitalpaper #analog #ephemera #wellbeing #selfcare #mindfulness #takecareofyourself #stayhomestaycreative #guidedjournaling #healingcircle #showyourwork #commissionedart
Lest we forget. This beautiful poem was by Canadia Lest we forget. This beautiful poem was by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. Swipe right to see a copy of his original handwritten version. 🌺
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is writing about November, Netflix, and an Inuit w is writing about November, Netflix, and an Inuit word.  Wishing you all a lovely weekend ahead 🤍xx
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#handwriting #handwritinggoals #snailmail #happymail  #stationery #stationeryaddict #collage #paper #paperlove #journaling #journalpages #printablestationery #digitalpaper #analog #ephemera #wellbeing #selfcare #mindfulness #takecareofyourself #stayhomestaycreative
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