Lifting Lines From Literature, Killing Unicorns & Making Things
Weekly Literate Love: August 23, 2024
Happy Friday!
This week, I reminded myself of the power of young adult literature. You can read more about the title that I read below, but it got me thinking:
Why don’t I read more YA novels?
After thinking a bit, I realized something: I read to grow into the future version of me. When I was young, I read books and novels about girls my age that were doing things, living life and figuring out who they were.
When I reached adolescence, I could not wait to get out that phase as fast as possible. I devoured Danielle Steele novels like candy and couldn’t wait to get into my ‘real’ life. I’m now realizing I missed an entire category of books.
Granted, there were not nearly as many appealing YA books as there are now, but still. It appears that YA literature is a sorely neglected area of my reading life….and I think I’m okay with that.
Young adult books are quite unique in their nature and I’m just not hankering to go back to that period in my life when I couldn’t wait to get through it in the first place.
And you know what? That is just fine.
We can have unique preferences as readers. It’s my party and I can cry if I want to and it’s my own reading life and I can skip what I want to, too.
What aspect of your life might be a bit neglected…and you are perfectly fine with that? Share your secrets in the comments!
Keep reading for your weekly dose of literate love!
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What I'm Reading:
The YA novel I mentioned earlier is this: Gita Desai is Not Here to Shut Up by Sonia Patel. Here’s my review:
This book was an emotional rollercoaster, one that I could not get off and still cannot shake from my mind. It's that raw, real, powerful, emotional and moving. Gita is starting her freshman year at Stanford with all intentions of focusing on her studies so she can heal others as a doctor. But when one night of drunken sex turns into another and another, Gita starts to unravel. Told both in the present and in the past, Gita starts to uncover memories that were pushed down and silenced from years ago as she unknowingly reenacts them in the present day. Honestly, this book was hard for me to read at times as it was filled with such emotion, such shame, such questioning and such abuse. But please don't let that stop you from reading it. The undercurrents of family, friendship and worth were so strong and the transformation that takes place is worth the emotional ride. No more chup re.
This was a POWERFUL book that many readers might truly need and it certainly gave me perspective about my own young adult experiences. Perhaps THAT is the gift of YA I’ve been missing? Hmmmm.
What I'm Writing:
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Mel Robbins shared a powerful framework for deciding what you want, why you want it and why it really matters.
First, write what you want. Then, ask why you want it. Then, ask why you want that answer. Then, ask why you want THAT answer and so on and so on.
Each response gets a little bit deeper until you uncover something pretty powerful about what you want: you can likely get the underlying idea of it NOW without waiting for the thing you listed.
For example, I want a beautiful vacation for my family in Hawaii. But when I went through this process, what I really wanted was more time with my kids as we enter this new phase of college life. And I can get that NOW without waiting for a big trip, as long as I ask and plan for it.
It’s pretty powerful and SO true.
Listen to her describe it here!
What I'm Learning:
Did you know that I used to kill a unicorn every time I completed a yoga class?!
There’s a joke in the yoga community (that I’m now privy to!) that a unicorn dies every time someone skips a savasana, those quiet last minutes of a yoga class spent laying on the mat.
Oh, I owe an apology to so many unicorns. =)
I’ve learned that those final quiet moments on the mat are absolutely essential to truly benefit from the class and soak up the nutrients of a yoga practice. And yes…I used to skip it. I always had a good excuse: I’m busy, the kids need me, the dishes are dirty and on and on, but there really was on essential reason: I didn’t think I deserved that quiet time doing nothing.
But I did. And I do. So do you.
It’s made me question how many other quiet moments and time to ourselves that we skip because we think we don’t deserve them. This week, stop yourself when you about to skip something good for you, but might not be productive in a traditional way, and do it anyway.
What I'm Loving:
Julie Falatko is a children’s literature author I had the pleasure of chatting with about her writing career and upcoming book. She shared this Substack post that I’ve read over and over and over again about the power of making things and NOT sharing them. Making just to make. Yes, please. I may have my one-word theme for September now.
I’ve always been obsessed with containers and bags and baskets…basically anything that can hold things. That’s why I loved this video Gretchen Rubin shared about a miniature apothecary. Tiny things make me happy.
I want someone to create this for me as the best Christmas present ever.
Keep scrolling for my latest podcast posts and updates!
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Get Lit(erate). Podcast: Lifting Lines From Literature
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, we’re talking about my favorite thing to do while reading: lift lines off of the page and into my heart (and notebook!).
We’ll explore why lifting our favorite lines from the books we read is so important, how you might choose to collect your own and what some of my favorites are. We’ll even explore how to mine your own collection of quotes to inspire a morning writing practice, too.
Grab your notebook and come listen!
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KidLit Love:
Shifting the Conversation: We Are Big Time with Hena Khan
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Hena Khan about her newest middle grade graphic novel: We Are Big Time.
Hena is the author of multiple books that center on Pakistani American and Muslim characters for over 2 decades. Books like Amina’s Voice, Amina’s Song, More to the Story and Behind My Doors have captivated readers’ hearts.
Today, we talk about the single encounter that set her on the path to writing children’s books, the power of both being seen and seeing through the books we read and telling our stories.
Suspense & History: The Sherlock Society with James Ponti
In this episode, I’m talking with New York Times best-selling author James Ponti.
James is the author of four incredibly popular middle grade book series: City Spies, Framed and his newest: The Sherlock Society.
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Here's what's been happening in my Patreon community this week. It's only $5 a month and we have the best bookish experiences together. =)
First Chapter Friday: The Wellness Project by Phoebe Lapine
Squeeze the Most Out of Your Life: The Start Today Journal
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Get Lit(erate). Private Community:
Want more? Join my community and get TWO bonus episodes each week! You'll get book calendars, First Chapter Friday for adults, book lists, notebook prompts, book clubs, live events and much more to boost your reading and writing life. Join now for just $5 a month!
Grow a Restorative Reading Practice:
Want more? Join my Patreon community and get TWO bonus episodes each week! You'll get book calendars, First Chapter Friday for adults, book lists, notebook prompts, book clubs, live events and much more to boost your reading and writing life. Join now for just $5 a month!
Personalized Bookology Coaching:
Let's chat 1:1 about what you want out of your reading and/or writing life. You'll leave with a concrete (and fun!) plan, actionable steps and a personalized book and notebook apothecary!
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