YES! Books are like fine wine. This is a brilliant way of justifying all my books, and it’s totally true. Thanks so much for sharing this quote and your thoughts. I haven’t read Wintering yet, but I loved May’s Enchantment and I think you would enjoy it too.
Hehe! It is definitely a way to justify having and keeping books! I’m so glad this resonated with you too. Oooo I have been thinking about getting Enchantment. Thanks for the reminder! 🫶🏻
I love the idea of seasonal savoring and slow reading. It’s so good to have a conversation with the author by writing my own notes and questions in the margins. Paper books are delicious. You’ve inspired me to explore my own bookshelves!
Many an otherwise dull book which I had to read have I enjoyed in this way, with a fine-nibbed pen in my hand: one is making something all the time and a book so read acquires the charm of a toy without losing that of a book."
I am so into slow reading this year! I love the idea that you're having a conversation with the author. I read plenty of library books but it's always hard for me because I prefer to mark up the pages in my books! And yes, paper books are so delicious.
It feels like such a freeing and doable way to read to me - and I so need that! Wintering was good, however it was a concept that’s not so new to me. The idea of seasons of winter, of tough times, in life. But, I loved the author’s personal stories and thoughts about her own wintering experiences. So, all in all, a great read for wintertime. ☺️
To be surrounded by physical books is underestimated as a source of inherent concrete inspiration. They hold magic within their pages, a hidden world that can only be entered one page at the time ❣️
What an absolutely beautiful way to express our love and need for physical books. They are most certainly magical worlds to behold and enter and live in.
Yes, I also saw this quote recently and had a lightbulb moment too! Such a great way of thinking about books. Takes all the pressure off! Your idea of one book per season is perfect too. Enjoy! 📚 💫
Dear Liz, this is very similar to what I started doing recently! With the difference is that my unread books stack is not very large, so I have my wishlist on Amazon of books I would like to read and I put a note for each to remind myself why I would like to read it and when during the year and then I periodically check them to see if something goes on sale (it happens mostly with Kindle editions obv). If you love seasonal reading, I would recommend you Miranda Mills on YouTube, her videos and recommendations are great in my opinion!
Oh, you are already planning seasonal reading too! I love that! Thank you so very much for the recommendation - I will absolutely check Miranda out! Happy planning and reading!
Oooo Catcher in the Rye is so good. And to read it around Christmas sounds just perfect! It's been very long time since I read it, so it's going on my winter list! Thanks for the tips, Mahesh. I am so grateful!
👏👏🥸😎Don't please wait for december 2024; it's too far away.
Pick up with Holden & Phoebe, now, and just imagine that we're just approaching Christmas (it's only been one month) and cold enough to fool yourself. Grab a mince pie or two for ambience...I wouldn't let "Tempus Fugit..." 🤓👍🌞🌝
Well, you know I am a big reader and I agree with you about reading goals. The first year I set my goal was more just to see how many I read a year which I use Goodreads to keep track. I have no problem adjusting my reading goal if I am not meeting it because like you said I don’t want to set myself up to feel bad. Reading should be about enjoyment more than anything else. So my reading ‘goal’ is more about keeping track than meeting the goal. I usually have a month or two a year when I can’t read anything.
I think it’s important to just do what feels comfortable for you, and it sounds like you may have already found what you suits you. I know there is one bookstagrammar whose account name is “slow reading with...” I love that idea that she acknowledges she wants to read slowly or maybe that’s all she can do. At any rate I like the idea of it.
As for recommendations, I am not sure about that. I did notice that you have Hagitude on your graphic. I loved that book!
Tracy! How are you my friend? I hope all is well. Thank you so much for sharing how you read, I sure do know how much of a reader you are and you have always inspired me in that! Slow reading is exactly what I am looking for. You nailed it! I can't wait to read Hagitude in September - I turn 50, so it feels like perfect timing!
I understand you so well about age. I turn 50 on August 29 and it doesn't seem real. I think that's because I don't feel how I thought I would feel at this time in my life. I feel better!
I love the idea of seasonal reading! I too read Wintering last January and it set my year off so well. I’ve never been a lover of winter, but it made appreciate it in more ways than one.
I’m definitely a slow reader, it often takes me a couple of weeks to finish a book, but that’s what is enjoyable to me.
Oh yes, Jenna! Slow reading is what I'm aiming for too. It's all about finding the right pace for yourself, I believe. Wintering really is a great book to help with new perspectives on a difficult season of the year. It feels like the perfect way to start the year. Thanks for commenting, friend!
I love everything about this. Now I want to go and look at all my books and choose the best ones for this season. And get serious about organizing them and finding a proper home for them all. Wouldn't leave wine bottles in a stack on the floor (if, you know, you could stack them), would we? This recommendation is a bit old, but a few years back I stumbled on The Snow Child (Eowyn Ivey) one winter, which was the start of my own thinking about matching books to seasons. It's a perfect winter read.
Thanks so much for your comment, Rita! I’m so glad you’ve been inspired to go through your books and curate your own way of seasonal reading. It really feels like such an important task to me. Something I’ll be prioritizing from now on.
And thanks ever so much for the tip! It sounds like something I would love to read in winter. Adding it to my wishlist! 🫶🏻
I came across that same quote recently too and immediately fell in love with it! And also felt inspired to write more about it, haha. I will never stop buying books, and adding to my book cellar 😍
Love this so much. About to post my reading list for this year and I loosely picked books for the season, but I will definitely lean into that next year ❤️❤️ I also loved wintering so much. Can’t wait to dip into my book cellar soon!
I had a feeling we were kindred spirits. Thank you so much for your comment, Luisa!
YES! Books are like fine wine. This is a brilliant way of justifying all my books, and it’s totally true. Thanks so much for sharing this quote and your thoughts. I haven’t read Wintering yet, but I loved May’s Enchantment and I think you would enjoy it too.
Hehe! It is definitely a way to justify having and keeping books! I’m so glad this resonated with you too. Oooo I have been thinking about getting Enchantment. Thanks for the reminder! 🫶🏻
My dream is to have an at home library. Something about the books!
I love the idea of seasonal savoring and slow reading. It’s so good to have a conversation with the author by writing my own notes and questions in the margins. Paper books are delicious. You’ve inspired me to explore my own bookshelves!
Oh I am a margin girl, too! I have notes and thoughts all through every book I savor. Good luck and enjoy exploring!! ❤️
You mean, write stuff on the actual book pages 😳😱!?
Yikes!!!!
Noooo wayyyy 😲😥
https://austinkleon.com/2023/02/22/books-as-toys/
Many an otherwise dull book which I had to read have I enjoyed in this way, with a fine-nibbed pen in my hand: one is making something all the time and a book so read acquires the charm of a toy without losing that of a book."
--C.S. Lewis
I am so into slow reading this year! I love the idea that you're having a conversation with the author. I read plenty of library books but it's always hard for me because I prefer to mark up the pages in my books! And yes, paper books are so delicious.
I love this idea! How was the first book you read?
It feels like such a freeing and doable way to read to me - and I so need that! Wintering was good, however it was a concept that’s not so new to me. The idea of seasons of winter, of tough times, in life. But, I loved the author’s personal stories and thoughts about her own wintering experiences. So, all in all, a great read for wintertime. ☺️
Lovely article and shift of perspective.
To be surrounded by physical books is underestimated as a source of inherent concrete inspiration. They hold magic within their pages, a hidden world that can only be entered one page at the time ❣️
What an absolutely beautiful way to express our love and need for physical books. They are most certainly magical worlds to behold and enter and live in.
I love the book-cellar perspective. And oh, boy am I building my cellar! :)
Yes yes yes! Let's build away!
Yes, I also saw this quote recently and had a lightbulb moment too! Such a great way of thinking about books. Takes all the pressure off! Your idea of one book per season is perfect too. Enjoy! 📚 💫
Thank you, Vicky! I really have felt such a release of pressure and a connection to how I want to approach reading now. :)
Dear Liz, this is very similar to what I started doing recently! With the difference is that my unread books stack is not very large, so I have my wishlist on Amazon of books I would like to read and I put a note for each to remind myself why I would like to read it and when during the year and then I periodically check them to see if something goes on sale (it happens mostly with Kindle editions obv). If you love seasonal reading, I would recommend you Miranda Mills on YouTube, her videos and recommendations are great in my opinion!
Oh, you are already planning seasonal reading too! I love that! Thank you so very much for the recommendation - I will absolutely check Miranda out! Happy planning and reading!
Me, too!
For example, I've read the catcher in the rye, multiple times, few days around Christmas period. Very apt, more relatable and vivid. I prefer that.
Wodehouse is sunnier - so, middle of year.
Marx Bros - Perennials 🥸🤓
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💙🧘🏻♀️🌌
Oooo Catcher in the Rye is so good. And to read it around Christmas sounds just perfect! It's been very long time since I read it, so it's going on my winter list! Thanks for the tips, Mahesh. I am so grateful!
👏👏🥸😎Don't please wait for december 2024; it's too far away.
Pick up with Holden & Phoebe, now, and just imagine that we're just approaching Christmas (it's only been one month) and cold enough to fool yourself. Grab a mince pie or two for ambience...I wouldn't let "Tempus Fugit..." 🤓👍🌞🌝
(i could send you my copy)🌌🧘🏻♀️
Well, you know I am a big reader and I agree with you about reading goals. The first year I set my goal was more just to see how many I read a year which I use Goodreads to keep track. I have no problem adjusting my reading goal if I am not meeting it because like you said I don’t want to set myself up to feel bad. Reading should be about enjoyment more than anything else. So my reading ‘goal’ is more about keeping track than meeting the goal. I usually have a month or two a year when I can’t read anything.
I think it’s important to just do what feels comfortable for you, and it sounds like you may have already found what you suits you. I know there is one bookstagrammar whose account name is “slow reading with...” I love that idea that she acknowledges she wants to read slowly or maybe that’s all she can do. At any rate I like the idea of it.
As for recommendations, I am not sure about that. I did notice that you have Hagitude on your graphic. I loved that book!
Tracy! How are you my friend? I hope all is well. Thank you so much for sharing how you read, I sure do know how much of a reader you are and you have always inspired me in that! Slow reading is exactly what I am looking for. You nailed it! I can't wait to read Hagitude in September - I turn 50, so it feels like perfect timing!
I understand you so well about age. I turn 50 on August 29 and it doesn't seem real. I think that's because I don't feel how I thought I would feel at this time in my life. I feel better!
What day in September is your birthday?
Yes! I agree! 50 feels super doable, fine, great even! My birthday is the 24th.
I love the idea of seasonal reading! I too read Wintering last January and it set my year off so well. I’ve never been a lover of winter, but it made appreciate it in more ways than one.
I’m definitely a slow reader, it often takes me a couple of weeks to finish a book, but that’s what is enjoyable to me.
Oh yes, Jenna! Slow reading is what I'm aiming for too. It's all about finding the right pace for yourself, I believe. Wintering really is a great book to help with new perspectives on a difficult season of the year. It feels like the perfect way to start the year. Thanks for commenting, friend!
It really is! I see people in book groups saying they’ve read over 100 books in a year and it truly baffles me!
I love everything about this. Now I want to go and look at all my books and choose the best ones for this season. And get serious about organizing them and finding a proper home for them all. Wouldn't leave wine bottles in a stack on the floor (if, you know, you could stack them), would we? This recommendation is a bit old, but a few years back I stumbled on The Snow Child (Eowyn Ivey) one winter, which was the start of my own thinking about matching books to seasons. It's a perfect winter read.
Thanks so much for your comment, Rita! I’m so glad you’ve been inspired to go through your books and curate your own way of seasonal reading. It really feels like such an important task to me. Something I’ll be prioritizing from now on.
And thanks ever so much for the tip! It sounds like something I would love to read in winter. Adding it to my wishlist! 🫶🏻
Have you added Karl Ove Knausgaard’s 4-book seasons collection to your list?
I have now! Thanks for the tip!
I came across that same quote recently too and immediately fell in love with it! And also felt inspired to write more about it, haha. I will never stop buying books, and adding to my book cellar 😍
Great minds think alike! Oh, no. I'll never stop either!
Love this so much. About to post my reading list for this year and I loosely picked books for the season, but I will definitely lean into that next year ❤️❤️ I also loved wintering so much. Can’t wait to dip into my book cellar soon!
Oh, I can't wait to see what you have on your reading list! Enjoy your book cellar as the seasons unfold!
I predict you're going to smash your goal and then some.
The more books you read, the easier and more enjoyable it is to read books.
I think you may be right!! I’ve already read two. Unheard of! 😉 Thanks for the motivation, Claudine!