Well hello there, happy Saturday!

Last weekend’s trip to Madison turned out to be a major win, despite strong thunderstorms delaying our departure on Friday and then temps plummeting overnight so that our family gathering on Saturday was INTENSELY chilly and windy. MEMORIES!

Remember that time we all almost froze to death and got windburn and then Kate made us go to Trader Joe’s to get Scandinavian Swimmers as one of our activities??

I stayed at a decent hotel-ish place I found on Airbnb, and it was right in the Willy Street neighborhood ~ meaning I got to start my Saturday with a (cold but wonderful) run/walk by the lake and then head to Lazy Jane’s Cafe for a delightful solo reading breakfast. My girls got up at 5:00 to sit outside a record store for Record Store Day events and I … did not do that.

I did NOT pack appropriately for the freezing weather given that Friday was 80 degrees ~ my brain simply can’t compute 80 one day and 45 with gale force winds the next, so I guess I just refused to believe it when packing? Ace Hardware right by my hotel came through for me with a hat though!

I’m so glad we managed to get twelve of us together and that we made the effort. After three hours (impressive given the weather!) meandering some lakeside trails, sitting in a protected (warmer) area by the water and chatting, and picnicking in the parking lot, we then went and explored Monroe Street a bit, mostly so I could visit a favorite indie bookstore ~ Mystery to Me!

I limited myself to buying just ONE book, but it’s a volume that will carry me through the whole year: A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year edited by Jane McMorland Hunter.

I also bought my youngest several titles and treated my cousin’s kids to a book each ~ perks of being related to a librarian!

Indie Bookstore Day

Today is, I’m sure you are aware, Independent Bookstore Day! But don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a lot of money or even leave your house ~ there are tons of ways to support even from home!

Libro.fm has an audiobook Indie Bookshop Appreciation Sale (through tomorrow!) that lets you buy DEEPLY discounted audiobooks AND support your local or favorite indie ~ what a win! And if you decide to start a membership plan, you can get two free audiobooks if you use the code BOOKSTOREDAY.

Want print books? You can shop online at Bookshop.org and support indies too! If you are a new customer, use this link to get 20% off ~ you’re welcome!

*I am an affiliate with both Libro.fm and Bookshop.org so I earn a tiny commission when you shop through my links. AND I also buy my books and audiobooks through these companies ~ I believe deeply in their mission to keep indie bookshops alive.

Two Fizzy Happy Reads

Last week I just gulped down two effervescent young adult stories that made me so very happy.

The Summer of Second Chances by K.L. Walther (out on May 5) is tightly connected to two of my absolute favorites that I read last summer ~ The Summer of Broken Rules and A First Time for Everything ~ so if you haven’t read those yet, definitely take advantage of their shorter wait lists at the library and read them first! I yet again ADORED the Martha’s Vineyard setting in this story and marvel at Walther’s ability to write nuanced and rich characters, situations and families while also maintaining a swoony, light tone. LOVED IT.

Meanwhile, By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang takes readers to Paris for a modern day debutante ball that was just the perfect decadent and drama-filled delight. Suspend disbelief, settle in for the ride, and just have a blast with this fashion-focused adventure.

Not a Hobby

Those of you who have been here since the beginning of this newsletter in 2023 and were with me on Instagram for years before that, know that this isn’t a hobby for me ~ I love to write, I read FOR you, and I consider my newsletter one of my jobs.

Due to the high priority I place on this work in my life, the amount of time I spend on it, and the cold hard cash it costs to host and produce, I want to send a million kisses and thanks to all of the people who financially support my work. If you haven’t done so yet, I would love to encourage you to upgrade to a premium subscription if you are able to.

This summer, I will be publishing less frequently due to the many adventures I have planned, but those who financially support this newsletter will get every single word I write ~ regular chatty updates, oodles of book recommendations, fiber arts adventures, travel notes, and of course, my fourth annual Backlist Summery Reads collection in May.

Free subscribers can expect occasional full newsletters and more newsletters with paywalls.

You can subscribe on a monthly ($5/month) or annual ($40/year) basis, and your support will help keep the newsletter lights on so you can keep reading and I can keep writing. WIN - WIN.

Before I sign off, I’d love to point you toward a delightful piece that Chelsey wrote this week about gardening ~ do head over for some insightful and calming words on growing what you love.