Linda Stoll: What's Your Bookish Life Looking Like?

Good morning!

I was ready to throw a load of laundry in, polish up my grocery list, and head out before the crowds hit the stores. And then Anne Bogel's post How's your reading year going? popped into my inbox and I quickly tossed my domestic agenda out the window.

Her question intrigued me and her observations had me shaking my head ... yes, yes, yes. So I decided to go there instead heading off to Stop and Shop.

Anne muses, 'When I set my intentions for my reading life back in December, I wanted to read for connection, surprises, and delight. And while those things are still true, I’ve found that, more and more, I want to prioritize reading for replenishment and energy as well.

I'm in a different place than I was seven months ago - the whole world is in a different place - and it's no surprise my reading intentions have subtly shifted.'

Read her entire post here.

Eleven days ago I wrote, 'For many {but not all}, the pandemic has gradually been receding from the forefront of our minds and we're beginning to wonder what's next. Maybe not consciously. But there's no way we can live in the midst of upheaval, uncertainty, and unsettledness for an extended period of time without it leaving its mark on our souls and impacting who we see ourselves to be.'

Read the entire post here.

So in light of what we discussed a week and a half ago, let's throw our reading life into the mix. Because it's a vital component of who we are ... and who we hope to be.

Compared to last year -

📚 Are you reading more or less?

📚 Are you leaning into more fiction or non?

📚 Are you reading for enjoyment, camaraderie, information, or soul care?

I scan my little reading journal, the one I started way back in 1992, and find -

📚 I'm reading about the same number of books as last year.

📚 I'm quicker to close the cover and send the book packing if it doesn't speak my name in the first 50 pages.

📚 I seem to be gravitating to books that speak into the building of a stronger faith. And the calming of my mind and soul, home and schedule.

Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home
Barbara Brown Taylor

Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More
Courtney Carver

Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep
Tish Warren

Cozy White Cottage: 100 Ways to Love the Feeling of Being Home
Liz Marie Galvan

Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode - and into a Life of Connection and Joy
Aundi Kolber

Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers
Dane Ortlund

The One Year Book of Psalms: 365 Days of Inspirational Readings From One of the Best-Loved Books of the Bible
William & Randy Petersen

My reviews for six of these picks are right here.

What direction is your bookish life going? Are you observing some noteworthy changes? A fresh, subtle direction? Or no big shifts?

Let's talk ...
Linda

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