Monday Musings...

Good morning! I've just finished working on my mini art journal for The 100 Day Project. It started yesterday and so far so good. LOL! I'm hoping to stick with it for the project's entirety. I'll be working on a 'scrap a day' journal - gathering 1x1 inch scraps of pretty paper and gluing them in to a tiny notebook, one scrap for each day of the project. Sounds easy, peasy, which is just what I wanted this year. I'll also be posting more frequently on my Substack. Wish me luck!

As for life in general, I'm finally going through all of my books and getting rid of so many. I've realized that there just too many for me to move with me when I move later this year. Also, why do I want so many books that I read, but didn't love. Nope. I've decided to only keep my favorites on my bookshelves and donate the rest. Wish me luck for this, too.

I've also been rethinking the way I journal. I think I got caught up in all the hype of making my journal pages pretty and using all of the things (stickers, wash tape, stamps), that I wasn't really enjoying journaling. I was forcing myself to write in my journal every day, even when I didn't want to. It just wasn't fun anymore. Plus, I was going through my old journals when I realized that I barely have notebooks from high school, college and grad school. All of my journaling seems to have happened more as I've grown older. Of course, it also shows me that when I am too depressed I don't journal at all. And yet, when I am super anxious, I journal all the time. So, yeah, I want to get back to enjoying journaling and not letting it consume me like it has been recently.

I'm currently reading a new book that just came out and it has been keeping me on the edge of my seat, which I love. 

Alright, I've got to get back to tackling my to-do list on this chilly Monday morning. Wishing you all a lovely week! Happy reading!

The Grand Cosmic Story: An Illustrated Timeline 13.8 Billion Years And Beyond by Ethan Siegel, Mark A. Garlick, Jon Lumberg, and William Lidwell

(Thank you to publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

Wow! What a beautiful and fascinating read! I'm a huge fan of the National Geographic books, so I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of their awesome book, The Grand Cosmic Story: An Illustrated Timeline 13.8 Billion Years And Beyond by Ethan Siegel, Mark. A Garlick, Jon Lumberg, and William Lidwell. This dynamic group of scientists and artists created a history timeline of our cosmos and it is a fantastic read. I absolutely LOVED it! Flipping through the pages and looking at all the art and illustrations made for such a delightful treat. Plus, learning about the history of our universe was magical.  I truly enjoyed spending time with this book and looked forward to reading it bit by bit every day. Oh, what fun!

It's a large book, so it makes for the perfect coffee table book. Anyone interested in astronomy and cosmology will enjoy turning the pages in this hefty tome. However, you don't have to be interested in astrophysics to like this book - I'm serious. This book is for everyone. It's written in such an accessible manner, provides loads of historical information, and is chock full of creative artwork. Whether you just want to look at lovely illustrations, or learn about the Big Bang, this book is for you. 

I would happily recommend The Grand Cosmic Story to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read. Make sure to grab a copy and check it out - you are going to LOVE it to bits!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Monday Musings...

Another chilly morning which makes coffee a pleasure. I'm about to start reading a new book by Lucy Clarke: (it's a re-release)

I'm also jotting down all the things I need to do so I can be ready for the 100 Day Project. It'll be fun to focus on something creative and simple for a few months. I'm really looking forward to it. 

I think a cake is in order this week for a Valentine's treat. Plus, I won't be able to have any sweet treats starting next week - Ash Wednesday/Lent. 

I also think I need to plan a vacation. My body is aching and crying out for rest. I haven't had a break in ages - taking care of my dad these past years took a toll on me that I hadn't even realized until now. So, yeah, a real vacation is in order this year. 

Until then, I am going to get a head start on tackling to-dos. Wishing everyone a wonderful week. Happy reading!!

My Friday Five...

1. Books. Still re-reading All My Puny Sorrows. I'm taking my time with it, because this time round the book is hitting differently in a good way. I did finish Tokyo Express and WHOA! That book had me hooked from the start and trying to figure out whodunit. I had my suspicions and was only half right. Such a great read! Up next is...

It's the sixth book in the Before The Coffee Gets Cold series and I'm excited to read it. It's also the third book I'm reading for the JLC19. I'm hoping to get two more books in before the end of the month - fingers crossed!

2. Psych. I'm on season four now and still laughing out loud. The show just cracks me up and I am really enjoying it. Not sure what I'll watch next, but I'll be looking for something fun.

3. Planner. I bought a new one - I know, I need to stop. This one starts in April. I just haven't really enjoyed using the ones I bought, so I'm going to try this one and figured Spring would be a great time to start over in a planner. Plus, I liked this cover - it looks like Spring to me. 

4. Chatted with an old friend for two hours the other day and it reminded me of how often we'd have such long chats when we were in college and grad school. It seemed like time stood still then. 

5. Sugar. I'm giving it up for Lent and so I'm trying to eat sweet treats until then, which is ridiculous. I should be eating less sweets in order to be ready for no sweets at all, right? 

And now, I'm off to Crumbl or Dunkin' for a treat. Wishing you all the loveliest weekend. Happy reading!

A Compass On The Navigable Sea: 100 Years of World Literature, An Anthology Edited by Daniel Simon

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A global chorus from the archives of World Literature Today, this landmark collection of fiction, essays, and poetry commemorates a century of exploration through pen and ink.

The Night Closes, the Sky Opens is a bold, global anthology of stories that cross borders and essays that reshape worlds, reimagining what international writing can be. From Nobel laureates to dissident poets, iconic novelists to fresh contemporary voices, this collection brings together powerful essays, visionary lectures, and urgent reflections that speak to the heart of literature’s role in a rapidly changing world.

Spanning four dynamic sections—from foundational manifestos to groundbreaking critical takes, from national literatures to transnational identities—this anthology offers readers a vibrant map of how stories cross borders, bridge histories, and shape futures. Alongside works by Octavio Paz, Elie Wiesel, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Toni Morrison, Dubravka Ugrešić, and many others. Ultimately, this collection bridges genre, time, and location, and asks What can literature do in a time of crisis?

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved this beautiful book! A Compass On the Navigable Sea is an anthology by Daniel Simon, and it encompasses 100 Years of World Literature. How awesome is that? Voices from all over brought together to share their love, consideration, and urgent concerns regarding this vast and ever-changing world we all call home. We get history and contemporary ideas all together, which makes for such a refreshing view on the ways in which the world has changed, or barely moved forward. It's fascinating, powerful, and thought-provoking. I would happily recommend this book to everyone - it's a definitely must-read that will provide plenty of food for thought. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! You won't want to miss out on such a wonderful collection. 

Thank you to Restless Books for providing me with a copy of this book!