Something to read
Reading recommendations and two tips for keeping track of your favorite books
Rest and reading are synonymous for me. The two go hand in hand in my life and I’ve always spent summer breaks, long weekends, vacations and holidays with a book in hand. As I take this week and the next three off of writing this newsletter, I thought it’d be fitting to share my favorite books because I plan to spend lots of time reading this month.
I’m taking the month of August off to soak up the last days of summer and renew my creativity. This month, you’ll be receiving prewritten, shorter versions of Choosy or content from the archives. Thanks for supporting my newsletter, it means so much to me. I’ll be back September 3.
MY FAVORITE BOOKS
From classic literature to children’s books
“Far From the Madding Crowd” by Thomas Hardy
I read this book for the first time a few months ago and it made its way to the top of my favorite books list, surpassing Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises,” which ranked at number one for many years. Many of my favorite books fall under the category of Victorian-era literature because I’m a sucker for dramatic, sweeping romances and I love the imagery used throughout. “Far From the Madding Crowd” had me captivated from the beginning and rooting for the two main characters. It has twists and turns that keep you hooked but it’s the characters and their honesty — both with each other and the honest way that Hardy writes them — that stuck with me most. It was one of those books that made me consider naming a future child after the characters: Gabriel or Bathsheba. Good names, right?
“The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron
It’s been more than a year since I completed Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way.” Completed is a very important term here because the book is less of a story and more of a workbook — and it requires a bit of commitment. To borrow a trendy term, this book really “altered my brain chemistry.” I found its message healing and encouraging. Up until reading it, I never considered myself a creative person, just a writer who could articulate thoughts or a sometimes-artist who could copy things she saw in the world. Cameron’s work is full of very practical, tactical advice as well as plenty of wisdom about navigating the insecurities of maintaining a creative practice. I should mention one of the key messages: everyone is creative. Perhaps you don’t consider yourself creative, or creative enough, to read this book. I’d argue that it’s worth picking up either way. You might be surprised.
“Mandy” by Julie Andrews Edwards
Technically a children’s book, “Mandy” has stuck with me for years after reading it as a little girl. To be honest, I think many of my childhood dreams were inspired by this story of an orphan girl who stumbles upon an abandoned home and makes it her own. The story is sweet and simple. It would be wonderful to read with a child, or give to a child as a gift — but I don’t think there’s any age limit on a magical story like this. Oh, and it was written by Julie Andrews, who writes the most wonderful books and who, if I met her in person, would cause me to burst into awe-inspired, adoring tears. I also love her memoirs, “Home” and “Home Work.”
“Dog Songs” by Mary Oliver
I thought I didn’t like poetry until recently, when going through a time of grief, I realized what a balm poetry can be. I’ve often seen clips of Mary Oliver’s poetry or read her work referenced in articles but this was the first time I read one of her books. Naturally, as a dog lover and whose canine soulmate is always within a few feet, this one seemed fitting. I mostly wept through each poem, feeling totally seen and understood. It was magic.
TWO READING TIPS
Keeping track of the books you love
Do you ever put off finishing a book because you love it so much and don’t want it to end? I do this often. Whenever I finish reading a book, especially one that I enjoy, I always think it feels strange to shut the pages and be done with it. But I have recently come across two ways to keep favorite stories in your memories.
Tip 1: Keep a list of books you’ve read.
When I was a little girl, my grandmother gave me a notebook to write down all of the books I’d read and what I thought of them. On the cover was a picture of Florence Nightingale, an avid reader and a hero of my grandmother’s. For many years, I recorded the books I’d read in that notebook. I want to start doing this again, because I’ve gotten out of practice. Thankfully, my library log will help me remember which books I’ve read this year, but I think I’ll either start a note in my phone or try jotting them down in a real notebook.
Tip 2: Record your favorite quotes.
I reread Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” last week and sent my best friend updates each step of the way because I knew she loved the book. She quoted a few lines back to me — the agonizing “You loved me, then what right had you to leave me!” — and I remarked that it was impressive she remembered them so clearly. She told me she keeps a list of favorite quotes from all of the books she’s reading on her phone. I want to start doing that, too. It’s a good way to remember pieces of the stories that you loved, even though the entire story might become hazy in your memory after a few months or years.
SOMEWHERE TO READ
How beautiful is this perfect reading spot?
I’ll leave you with this lovely reading spot shared by the interior designer Remy Renzullo. The beautiful window, the tall shelves with the tiny, tiny stepping stool and the stacks of books on the table. Wouldn’t you love to spend a week here?
All the best,
Mary Grace