Happy New Year and happy first Smatterings of 2019! I come to you today from Desk Central - people, I tell you, a good desk makes ALL the difference. I love it. I love having a single spot where all my work is happening (the office itself.) I love being able to slap down my notebook and write daily pages. I love the sense that this is my place, that when I enter the room, my creativity starts now. I’ve even been writing on the manuscript at the desk on the big computer instead of my laptop, which isn’t my usual MO. Change is good.

Speaking of change… I finished and posted the 2018 Annual Review Wednesday! It was a bear to get started, mostly because I was worried about revisiting some of the lows from the year, but in the end, I was able to chart some major positive changes from my year.

2019 is my Year of Joy, and I’ll tell you, I’m feeling very joyful right now. Be it this new desk, a fresh slate on the year, a new notebook, a haircut, being home with my kittens and a rainy Saturday of reading ahead, I don’t know, but I’ll take every ounce of happiness and joy I can get.

You’ve heard the phrase we make our own luck? I think we make our own joy, too.

What’s the one thing that will make you joyful today? Find it. See if it makes a difference in your week.

Oh, by the way, I’ll be on the ITW Thriller Roundtable this week discussing goal setting, should you want to follow along.

Now, on to the latest links!

Here's what happened on the Internets this week: 

Ideas for Making and Reaching Your New Year’s Reading Resolutions. Great tips! I’m not much for resolutions, because I always break them, but more in tune with the overarching sense of making a difference long-term.

Why you should surround yourself with more books than you’ll ever have time to read. “Your overstuffed library isn’t a sign of failure or ignorance, it’s a badge of honor.” Amen. I’m prepared for the zombie apocalypse. Just in case.

This Is The Best Time Of Day To Clean. Listen to the monk! One of the best bits of advice I’ve ever heard - wash your bowl. When you’re done eating, wash your bowl. When you’re done with something, put it back in its place. This keeps the house tidy, and makes your day start off right.

Join Analog Social Media. An excellent resolution! In person interaction with people you want to engage with helps up the joy factor ten-fold.

Book Clubs Are Thriving In The Internet Era. I was just thinking about this today - every morning I receive so many emails from different sources talking about books. There is no shortage of material to discuss. Also, see analog social media, above.

5 Slightly Ridiculous Unsolved Mysteries of the Harry Potter Series. What fun! Though I will posit an answer to #2 - Dumbledore’s London Underground scar — he and Harry do end up in a version of King’s Cross Station…

The Big Thrill has a great interview about A THOUSAND DOORS. I’m so grateful to have the book featured in The Big Thrill! Have you read A THOUSAND DOORS yet?

Shiffrin Extends Winning Streak and Clinches 50th World Cup Victory. TEAR ME APART’s Mindy in action, ladies and gents! Mindy was based on Lindsey Vonn and Michaela is mentioned in the book!

Everyone Should Have a Winter Cooking Goal. What dish do you want to tackle? I want to master Coq au Vin!

What I’m Reading:

DAISY JONES AND THE SIX
by Taylor Jenkins Reid

If you like music, you will LOVE this book about a tempestuous young singer and the band who launched her to stardom. The structure and multiple POVs give it the feel of a Rolling Stone interview. Very unique, very well written, and so good I immediately went to the store and grabbed THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO. Taylor Jenkins Reid is that good. (Available March 5, 2019.)

That’s it for now. Pick your joy, make it happen, and find some time to see a friend in person this week. You’ll feel better for it! I’ll see you next Sunday.

peace and hugs,
J.T.