My plans for Autumn are coming together quite organically.
I recently traveled to the City and had a wonderful time filled with coffee and journaling. I was busy of course, but the pockets of quiet I found really filled my soul with ease and peace.
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| early cafe mornings |
I've loved this year I've had with reading- all while being so immersed in caregiving, graduate school, baking, cooking, redecorating and so much more. I will save my deep reflections for an ever-long post about my yearly reading life and reflections, but for now let me say that the organic, natural, ebb and flow way that I'm approaching my reading life has been restorative and cathartic.
I have full intentions on starting a new Book channel in 2026 and it will reflect that very pace. Easy. Natural. Simple.
I moved all of my digital reading life away from Goodreads well over a year ago and I tried to use The Storygraph, but I felt pulled away from my reading experience for some reason.
There was no way not to see things like total books read, other people's opinions, and just all manner of things I wasn't interested in. It felt like a chore. One of those things that other people are doing.
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| iced soy milk triple shot |
Yes it was cold in the City and no I didn't care. I would rather a hot coffee, but if I can't be guaranteed the foam will be done well, I opt for iced. It's weird, but just the way I am.
I didn't make my way to a bookstore, but I did spend a night walking and feeling quite literary as the Christmas lights and cool air gave way to nostalgic feelings of lighter times and warm holiday memories.
There is nothing quite like walking in New York City at dusk during the Autumn season. I'll stake my stack of Penguin Black Spines on that.
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| organic light roast pour over (added soymilk) |
I've always been an early riser, but the dark of this autumn feels more like rising in the dead of night. It lends itself to writing and having coffee in liminal space. It's been extra cold. Extra quiet. Extra slow.
I've loved it. I have a new practice of reading one of the Letters of Gustave Flaubert. Not sure why I am working so slowly through this collection, because I absolutely love it, but I am not rushing any of my reading.
I am reading... rereading passages...highlighting...researching... taking notes... pulling quotations out- all of the things that make my reading life immersive and deep.
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| book stack on one side table |
So many stacks of books, so little time.
Right now I can feel the pull of Swann's Way, which is really the pull of quiet, intense solitude which is home to my nostalgic heart calling me to peace.
I read all of In Search of Lost Time in 2022. All 7 volumes. I wonder if just reading volume one would meet that need? I keep the physical copy there to ponder that very question. I gave away my entire Penguin set to someone as a gift. I feel like I deserve a spot in heaven for that.
I will be blogging a lot more as December comes and a few big projects have wrapped up. My life is really busy and I have more weight on my shoulders than any one woman should have, but reading brings so much solace- so much peace, I feel it will be beneficial to share it here. It will also be healing for me as well.
Off to relax on this Saturday night and wishing you a peaceful start to this holiday week.
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