Reading...

Novels, memoir, historical fiction, graphic novels, and of course, Substack!

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Every day my life is filled with words. I start my day by doing word games: crossword, Spelling Bee, Connections, and Wordle. I read all the Substack newsletters than fill my e-mail box. I read poetry. I write. This past week I mostly worked on my novel-in-progress, but also on a pitch I'll be making to the media about my upcoming staged reading of Extraordinary People.

I finished reading Principles of Uncertainty; Lady Tan's Circle of Women; Sorry I Was Late, I Didn't Want to Come; and I'm currently reading the graphic non-fiction book Radioactive about Marie and Pierre Curie by Lauren Redniss, as well as the historical novel Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell.

I loved Maira Kalman's Principles of Uncertainty so much I order three children's books of hers. I first saw her work when she illustrated The Elements of Style, one of my favorite reference books. I have put other books by her on my wishlist. If you don't know her work, I urge you to check it out.

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa Lee is historical fiction set in 15th century China and it's all about women and their lives during this time period. I sank into it immediately and hated to turn the last page.

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan, tells her tale of playing at being an extrovert for one year. As a shy introvert, she decides to try to create more friendships by pushing herself out into the world for a year. I found it inspiring. I am an introvert, though not shy. Post-Covid, I think maybe we all have to try a bit harder to make and maintain new friends.

Dreamers of the Day by the author of Doc is set in the period immediately after the Great Influenza pandemic. I'm not far into it, but Russell does great research and creates a world that feels real.

Some books from my own library.

I follow and read a lot of Substackers. Probably you do as well. I currently subscribe to eighty-five newsletters. This means I receive several every day. I always read Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance and Dan Rather for political news. I drop everything to read anything Lauren Hough has to say. I look forward to Elizabeth Marro's Spark; she is the person who introduced me to Substack. I have many other favorites, and I've recommended a few. I hope you are exploring Substack yourself, looking for your favorite authors/cartoonists/self-help gurus and more. Almost everyone offers free newsletters (at least occasionally). My own are always free to read, though I appreciate those who support me financially more than I can say.

What are you reading this week? Who are your favorite Substackers? Remember to leave a heart for the posts you like, mine included.

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