Sunday Smatterings
/
Happy Sunday, friends!
It’s been a blessedly quiet week here on our little hill. We had a lovely snowstorm to start the week—the perfect kind that lasts all day but doesn’t accumulate on the roads or need shoveling away. Watching it snow (with a cup of cocoa, natch) is so soporific. It takes me right back to childhood, lying on the couch in the living room next to a roaring fire with a book in my hand. Idyllic.
We closed on the old house, as well. Talk about a bittersweet moment. We’d had a much earlier closing in October that fell through hours before we were meant to sign, and having to wait another 5 weeks was quite stressful. I don’t know how many times we said goodbye. I loved our little house so much, and I hated seeing her sit empty, with no books, no laughter, no creativity to fill her to the rafters. That is all over now, and she has a new family. What a relief!
The rest of the week has been taken up with the “write” stuff — lots of work on the new book, research in the form of movie, podcast, and books, notebooks being filled and word counts piling up. It’s too early to even hint at what this story is, but it feels good to be settled into a rhythm and working hard again. This story has been with me for many years, and my characters are shouting to get onto the page. It’s the best feeling, waking up with their words on the tip of my tongue.
We’ve done a few little decorations and I’m putting together my lighted birch trees this afternoon, something we’ve started doing in lieu of evergreens since the girls like to munch on them, but I’m still more focused on getting the house unpacked. Room by room, we’re getting closer and closer. Randy keeps pointing out that most people take 6 months to get fully unpacked. I’m hoping we don’t drag out that long, but who knows. Words are more important right now.
Have you decorated for the holidays yet? What’s your favorite part of December?
Onward!
LAST CHANCE: GOOD GIRLS LIE IS ON SALE:
This deal is almost over! Get GOOD GIRLS LIE for $2.99.
Get your copy:
THE LATEST ON THE INTERNET:
The Tennessee Solution To Disappearing Book Reviews. Wonderful write up on Chapter 16, one of the best review sites out there.
42 (More!) YA Books We're Desperately Looking Forward To In 2021. My TBR is never going to recover, is it?
The true and untold story behind the novel Surviving Savannah. I’m currently reading this brilliant book by Patti Callahan Henry and I’m blown away. Put this on your must buy list!
How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension as an Adult. It’s never too late to start!
To celebrate Small Business Saturday, here is a list of books recommended by your favorite authors! A wonderful way to build a holiday shopping list to take to your local indie. Bravo to Pamela Klinger-Horn for the idea.
Related: 10 Small Independent Bookstores In The Midwest To Support Right Now.
Holiday movie season is upon us! What are some of you favorites?
22 Books for Fans of The Queen's Gambit. This was such an incredible show and I want more in that vein. It was smart, well-adapted, evenly produced, and I can’t wait to read the book!
6 of the Best Snowy Thrillers to Chill Your Bones. Have you read any of these?
Q & A with Holly Black. I always love hearing about what she’s working on…
32 Books Becoming TV Shows in 2021 — Including the Gossip Girl Reboot. Will you be watching any of these?
6 Books to Check Out if You’re Fascinated by the Voynich Manuscript. This list was made for me!
Oh! Don’t forget: Goodreads is giving away 25 Advanced Reader Copies of HER DARK LIES.
That’s it from me. Decorate a bit, have a cup of cocoa ( I particularly love this one), adopt an angel from the Salvation Army, and I’ll see you next Sunday!
Peace and hugs,
J.T.
