Five Things to Tell You vol. 9
February book releases, more medical books, leaving the house, and more!
Hello readers! Yet again, I am sharing five things I simply had to tell you, and would love if you would respond either in the comments or via email with something you simply have to tell me in return ♡
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In case you missed my official statement
Diversity Equity and Inclusion - by Katy O.
I'm drowning too
A few weeks ago I published a deepish dive on my love for books about the medical profession, and I mentioned that I had two related books on my near-TBR. Unsurprisingly, I dove into them right away and am so grateful that I did.
I started When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (memoir, 2016) and God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer by Joseph Earl Thomas (novel, 2024) on the same day, and I read them slowly over the course of more than a week, interweaving the reading experiences. This made for such a unique view of the texts ~ two incredibly different views of hospitals and healthcare ~ and gave me necessary reprieve from the incredibly heavy focus on death from Kalanithi and the breathtaking1 stream of consciousness prose from Thomas. Neither of these were bedtime books and required lighter novels woven in at that time of day to allow me to sleep at night.
Both of these texts blew me away, and I spent a lot of time after finishing them re-reading passages I had marked and processing my feelings and understandings. You can read my full reviews on Goodreads, and dig in deeper with these interviews and reviews that I really appreciated as I processed my reading experiences.
my brief review of When Breath Becomes Air
video interview with Lucy Kalanathi at Stanford Medicine (2017)
interview with Lucy Kalanathi in Stanford Medicine Magazine (2020)
God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer
my less brief review of God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer
New York Times Review (gift link)
video interview with Joseph Earl Thomas and Reggie Bailey at Politics and Prose
Kirkus Reviews interview with Joseph Earl Thomas
There are SO MANY amazing books releasing in February! I yet again created a collection of my most anticipated February titles on Bookshop.org for you ~ the 30+ titles (of the many, many more releasing this month) that I hope to maybe read someday. Please do head on over and take a look!
And if you’re more interested in books that are already out on shelves, please do take a look at my collections from previous months ~ these are a great way to fill up your library holds list.
is always writing smart things, but this commentary on my commentary on ‘s piece (did you follow that?) from a few weeks ago won’t get out of my head.
If only we could all keep this in mind when we consume discourse on any book, from any reader. I remind myself of this every single time I read a sniping review of my favorite books that touched my very core, or wonder at how someone else could love a book I thought was less than amazing
January is typically one of my lowest months, as it is for many people, especially in colder climates. I *know* this about myself and even prepared for it this year. But let’s be real ~ this was an exceptionally difficult January in America and my tendency to nest and burrow intensified to a somewhat alarming degree. But I also read the article in The Atlantic (gift link) that everyone has been talking about and , that lovely soul, reminded me that enough is enough.
I’m all for introvert couch time, but gathering with friends and family is what life is all about. ~ from A Seasonal Living Starter Kit for an Intentional Life
Last Friday evening I started searching for things to do in my community, and found a FREE art session for adults on Saturday scheduled for 3:30 - 5:00, which is my prime leave-the-house window in the winter2. I invited people to join me, and my wonderful yes-friend L was able to join me, even with the last minute invite3.
We communed with people we had never met, I did printmaking for the first time and collaged just like I did as a kid, and caught up with a friend I don’t see f2f nearly enough. It was exactly what my soul needed, and I am excited to return for future sessions.
Based in the theory of process art, we focus on the importance of the creative journey over the end-product. Each session opens with a guided meditation followed by open exploration of art materials which may include: collage, painting, print-making, beading, and sensory play.
Remember how I told you about my Emma experience last week? Well, part of this experience is seeking out commentary and analyses to deepen the reading experience4. Many of you enlightened me about the AMAZING resource that is and I have started reading my way through everything related to Emma in the archives there. Same with and their Emma Challenge last summer.
In addition, I found this hilarious podcast episode from a new-to-me show that treats Emma just as irreverently as I do at times.
And, in a delightful twist of fate, I grabbed this young adult graphic novel from a shipment of new books in my library and it turns out, it is very much based on Emma! BUT QUEER!!! Please everyone ~ go add I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner to your TBR. I have only read one other historical romance in graphic novel format and it did not work for me at all ~ this one very much did.
This book and reading experience was such a treat, and part of why I am embarking upon this deep dive journey this year. So much modern writing draws on the canon, and filling in my classic literature holes is going to make my future reading experiences even more enjoyable.
Somewhat related: I love this piece from about what books should be added to the canon. I have read four of the titles on her list and look forward to reading more!
What February release are you most excited about? Did you leave the house to socialize in January? How do you react to book opinions that are different than your own? Got a book rec for me??? Please do share!
That’s all for this week ~ thanks for reading!
I love to hear from readers, so please do reach out to me with questions or feedback at mindfullibrarian@substack.com . If we aren’t already connected on Goodreads, I would love to see you there as well!
Literally breathtaking. If you tried reading this aloud waiting for punctuation to be able to breathe, you’d be on the floor passed out
Warmest temps, and still leaves time for an early afternoon nap and there’s a glimmer of daylight left when you head home
Another best friend wasn’t able to join me, but DID convince me to sign up with her for a Sexy Chair Dance class at this same place in a few weeks. I really can’t think of anything more surprising for me to have signed up for, but I guarantee I will learn something and have a story to share after.
This is one of the reasons I am focusing on Classics™ for this experience, since they have so much more content created about them. I had thought about using more modern texts, but it’s a bit harder to find the other content.
Thanks for stopping by!
