let september find me reading and resting

my autumn desktop

In an effort to consciously eliminate all pressure and stress from my life, I don't give myself lists of books I have to read, nor force myself to participate in any readathons/groups that don't really call to my soul. 

With that in mind, the end of the year is approaching. I don't ever have any set number of books to read for the year, or book goals, or anything like that. Reading is truly a wellness activity for me. It's less about what and how much I read, and more about making the time to read and how I feel when I read, reflect, and write about what I read.

Autumn is the second January.

A time that feels like a fresh start and a new beginning.

Personal curriculums are all the rage right now, and I am a huge fan of them. I do love formal education and spaces to share ideas with others and be strengthened and challenged, but making sure to stay focuse don what you most want to focus on is critical

In our idea consumption culture it's easy find yourself doing things without any reflection time on whether you actually want to do it or not. Do you really want to read the entire Booker Longlist, or does it seem popular and like what literary readers do? Do you really like following Fall readathons, or have you always wanted to read Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre in the Fall?

My nudge is only for you to slow down, reflect, and decide what would make you the most satisfied come the end of the year.

i love this cover

For me, it's finding time to re-read Sense and Sensibility seeing as the new screen adaptation is coming out October 16... adding a 1/2 re-reading of Jane Eyre, a re-reading of something by Hardy (yet to decide) poetry by Hardy, reading more of the Letters of Gustave Flaubert, of course Anita Brookner, and so much more.

• Sense and Sensiblity
• Jane Eyre
• A Hardy novel
• Letters of Gustave Flaubert
• Proust

vegan gluten free sweet potato brownies

Of course for me Autumn means even more baking. New recipes that I create or mix-n-match that I find online. The scent of cinnamon in the air signifies extra cups of coffee and lots of slow living.

As I walk through towards the end of the first week of September, I'm taking with me a few things: my continued anti-AI stance, even if means I'm "left behind", a love of re-reading, a desire to work through a few of the unread books on my shelves, a new semester, and a true belief that reading, writing, and learning is the secret magic of a good life.

I hope you'll join me on a slow and easy September. Happy reading ☕️ 

documentary: mary oliver: saved by the beauty of the world (pbs-free)

 

pbs documentary 

Watch the documentary for free at PBS's website by clicking here

It's no secret that I adore Mary Oliver's poetry. I've featured her in multiple poetry pause posts. And, Mary does just that with her poetry- asks us to pause and look at what most of us take for granted- the magic that can be found in the natural world. 

I'm writing this post before watching the documentary, but I will surely write another post giving my review of it. 

I am always so fascinated about the life behind writers, poets, and artists, and I feel I can count on PBS to do a thorough and affecting job.

Here's The Poetry Foundation's page on Mary Oliver. It's lovely.

@The Poetry Foundation website

I truly believe that poetry is "the possibility of language". We can all benefit from slowing down- and then slowing down some more. Poetry demands that of us. 

It calls to the soul to feel into what the poet has used language to convey and to find yourself within the stanzas.

I'm off to watch this on a slow Sunday. Today I'll be staying in my pajamas later than normal, having a second up of organic single origin pour over with oatmilk (living on the edge with the oatmilk- I normally drink it black), and sinking down into Mary's life. 

Wishing you a peace-filled, slow, and easy Sunday. Happy reading ☕️