I am glad you are here. Thanks. And a giant thank you for including my piece, too, I really appreciate that. I always love what you share, and how you do it; to me you are one of those bedrocks of Substack, spreading joy and interest and seeding care and compassion where'er you go. Always a delight.
That, my friend, is a most heartwarming thing to read; everything I aspire to show in the way we engage with this space. A thousand thanks. That’s made my day.
Well, my reading goal was to start reading consistently again, to reinstate it at the beginning of every day. When life gets busier, I think we need that reading time more than ever. It always rewards, even if half the battle is quietening the anxious half of my mind that believes it needs to be getting on with other stuff. Fabulous files, as ever.
Ah, I was just thinking about you yesterday evening, Matt, as I added Bradford-on-Avon to my cycling route … it would be lovely to catch up over a coffee - I’ll DM. Thank you so much for including our gather-em-ups in your reading pile, and for the kind words.
Thank you for this wonderful list of reads....and to finish on wild garlic, I didn't realise it was in full flower already. There's nothing like a walk through a wood carpeted with it - I have one nearby so must make that trip soon :-)
Thank you for the kind words, Lin. We’re in mid France and this wee ‘secret spot’ is a little ahead of last year’s timings. So much there, plenty for everyone though we seem to be the only folk foraging. Good luck with your search.
A labour of love, for sure. I gather things up as I go, Sharron, and love spending time catching up on the reading. It really encourages me to know that my ‘pebble in the pond’ is rippling out and lapping up against the shores of others’ curiosity!
My 2025 book reading goal is to stop buying anything for my Kindle -- that was my only Amazon purchase and I want to stop Amazon, so there you have it. Then, to go back to buying all paper books from local or independent bookshops. I've already been buying my French titles there but it's also possible to order English volumes, you just have to be willing to wait a bit.
We use Blackwell’s who include delivery to France in the price. For secondhand, I’ve been using Awesome Books. Postage to pay but I have sourced most of the 1965s from there. I had a lucky find in the local charity shop. Good luck with your mission!!
Thank you for the tips! Part of my moving to a Kindle was also about “not accumulating more stuff,” but with everything I’m reading about bookshops struggling in France, I may just put that idea on hold — and read only in French for a while.
This is such a great list of new things to explore. I also love your birthday list of books, I think I may try it this year too, maybe five or so books first published in 1988. I'm curious to see what sort of books I come up with, lol
Oh, thank you! This is an excellent list. Looks like I was reading a lot of books from my birth year already. I love that Elizabeth Peters is on here, she is one of my favorites of all time.
I am glad you are here. Thanks. And a giant thank you for including my piece, too, I really appreciate that. I always love what you share, and how you do it; to me you are one of those bedrocks of Substack, spreading joy and interest and seeding care and compassion where'er you go. Always a delight.
Thanks again!
That, my friend, is a most heartwarming thing to read; everything I aspire to show in the way we engage with this space. A thousand thanks. That’s made my day.
Well, my reading goal was to start reading consistently again, to reinstate it at the beginning of every day. When life gets busier, I think we need that reading time more than ever. It always rewards, even if half the battle is quietening the anxious half of my mind that believes it needs to be getting on with other stuff. Fabulous files, as ever.
Ah, I was just thinking about you yesterday evening, Matt, as I added Bradford-on-Avon to my cycling route … it would be lovely to catch up over a coffee - I’ll DM. Thank you so much for including our gather-em-ups in your reading pile, and for the kind words.
A pit stop in BoA sounds lovely. x
The best...
That means SO much, Pamela. Thank you, thank you.
You are bright stars here!
🌟 🙏
"Nuance, let’s hold tight to it. Just saying." Hear, hear!
It feels really important 🙌
Nuance is a wonderful word. There is nothing that I love that is not full of nuance. Another beautifully encouraging file, filled with nuance 💛✨
Thank you so much 😊
Thank you for this wonderful list of reads....and to finish on wild garlic, I didn't realise it was in full flower already. There's nothing like a walk through a wood carpeted with it - I have one nearby so must make that trip soon :-)
Thank you for the kind words, Lin. We’re in mid France and this wee ‘secret spot’ is a little ahead of last year’s timings. So much there, plenty for everyone though we seem to be the only folk foraging. Good luck with your search.
Thank you... of course you're further south...I think it'll be another week where I am.
I arrived a little later than expected but it was worth the wait ! Lots of lovely new ripples here Barrie... 🙏🏼
Any time is the best time. Thanks for the support, Susie.
Some of these definitely worth the visit!! Thanks.
Great to hear! Thank you for peeking in!
Thanks for the great morning read, Barrie! You sure do a lot of work!
A labour of love, for sure. I gather things up as I go, Sharron, and love spending time catching up on the reading. It really encourages me to know that my ‘pebble in the pond’ is rippling out and lapping up against the shores of others’ curiosity!
Yes. You can be confident of that, and take heart!
Thank you 💛
Thanks Barrie and JoJo, for your work, and for including The Possible City! I'm also now thrilled to know about Feasts and Fables🎉!!!
Our pleasure … and thank you for the encouraging enthusiasm, Patrick!
A little touch works magic... and this magic is growing. Thank you
What a lovely encouraging things to say, thank you!
Thanks for the many links to thoughtful, creative folks.
Such a pleasure, Ruth … a little pebble in the pond … glad the ripples found you.
Wow! This is such a wonderful honor to be recognized and included amongst so many amazing creatives. Thank you so much!
Such a pleasure - I can see how your image was such an inspiration for the words. Beautiful.
My 2025 book reading goal is to stop buying anything for my Kindle -- that was my only Amazon purchase and I want to stop Amazon, so there you have it. Then, to go back to buying all paper books from local or independent bookshops. I've already been buying my French titles there but it's also possible to order English volumes, you just have to be willing to wait a bit.
We use Blackwell’s who include delivery to France in the price. For secondhand, I’ve been using Awesome Books. Postage to pay but I have sourced most of the 1965s from there. I had a lucky find in the local charity shop. Good luck with your mission!!
Thank you for the tips! Part of my moving to a Kindle was also about “not accumulating more stuff,” but with everything I’m reading about bookshops struggling in France, I may just put that idea on hold — and read only in French for a while.
Ah, I’m a long way from being able to read in French. I do need to improve.
Don't be too hard on yourself -- it's a heck of a long process and might not be the best use of your time at this point in your life.
You’re right … improving my spoken French is the priority!
This is such a great list of new things to explore. I also love your birthday list of books, I think I may try it this year too, maybe five or so books first published in 1988. I'm curious to see what sort of books I come up with, lol
The youngest of my two ‘youngsters’ is a 1987, darn it … anyhoo, 1988, some cracking titles:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/popular_by_date/1988
Oh, thank you! This is an excellent list. Looks like I was reading a lot of books from my birth year already. I love that Elizabeth Peters is on here, she is one of my favorites of all time.
Happy reading 📚
What an honor to be included alongside such wonderful creatives. 💛✨. Thank you!
Very powerful words, Autumn. Such a joy to ripple them on.