beach reads - grace grits and gardening

In the here and now I feel tired and drained of words because I’m a homebody who hasn’t been home much lately. Home is my recharge place. I need home the same way I crave quiet. And there’s no place I’d rather be right now than where I am at this moment—sitting on my back porch listening to the birds with nothing much to do for the next few days. I’m not complaining, just explaining why I haven’t blogged lately.

It takes words to blog.

And time.

Balancing all the things can be tricky.

Why is that?

Once upon a time, I was better at juggling.

I know with a little down time, a little garden time, a little sleep-in-my-own-bed time, my words will be replenished. In the meantime, for the next ten days, I’ll be a full blown stay-at-home hermit. I’ll be reading. Pulling weeds. Thinking. Watching brainless television. Catching up on emails. Getting ready for my next events. Doing a little Florida dreaming.

Did I mention I’m going to Florida?

Beach, please. I am.

Here’s what’s on my agenda after my hermit week…Continue Reading

This is NOT your typical Summer Reading List. This is a list of books I personally plan to read this summer. I expect that most summer reading lists include actual recommendations based upon personal reviews of the books. Not mine. I haven’t read any of these books. If you wish to read along with me, do so at your own risk, because I can’t vouch for a single title. I can tell you how I chose these particular books. Some are obvious (#NewYorkBestSellers). Some, not so much. But, don’t we believe fabulous “older” books are waiting to be read too?

The Girl on the Train (Paula Hawkins). There’s lots of buzz about this book which has been referred to as the next Gone Girl. Am I the only person who hasn’t read it? Probably. Sometimes I’m slow that way.
All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr). A friend recommended this book to me just last weekend. She had that oh-my-God-drop-everything-and-read-this-immediately look in her eye. I went right out and bought it.
Hold Still Sally Mann (a memoir by photographer Sally Mann). I bought this book specifically because of a BookPeople Instagram post. See? Social media really works.
Words Fail Me (Patricia T. O’Conner). I typically have a book on the ‘craft of writing’ beside my bedside table, and I read paragraphs here and there before I go to bed. Since I love to write, I find these sort of books motivating, and this is the next one I plan to read.
The Life and Times of an Arkansaw Doctor (David Rattlehead, edited by W. K. McNeil). I’ve had this book on my shelf for quite some time. This book, written in 1851 (reprinted in 1989), was “the first volume solely devoted to Arkansas folk humor” and “provides a generally correct account of folklife on the Arkansas frontier in the 1850s”. I love reading about Arkansas history and consider it research for future writing.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Robert Pirsig). This is one of those wildly popular, forward-thinking, cult-ish books I’ve never read. I’m gonna change that.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking (Susan Cain). Since I am an introvert, and I think people in general talk too much, this book grabbed my attention.
The Pleasure of my Company (Steve Martin). Well, who doesn’t love Steve Martin? I enjoyed his book Shopgirl, and this one sounded quick and easy and something that could be read on a plane ride, not that I’m going anywhere. His protagonist wins “Most Average American” award, which has already made me laugh.
The Deep Green Sea (Robert Olen Butler). I absolutely love Robert Olen Butler’s writing style, and this book, published in 1998, is one I missed. I can’t wait to read it.
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (Anne Tyler). This book dates back to the 1980s. I read somewhere that this book is possibly Anne Tyler’s best work and since I haven’t read it, I snapped it up at the Dickson Street Bookshop. Score.
Tales of the South Pacific (James A. Michener). This classic, published in 1947, inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical South Pacific. This is also that book that (according to my Daddy) inspired my odd first name. For years, I’ve planned to read this book and find my name inside it, but I never have. I have Daddy’s original copy, but it’s brittle and fragile and I think the pages might disintegrate if I handle it, so I found this more recently printed paperback at a yard sale. Wish me luck, it’s Michener… (#wordy)

IN OTHER BOOK RELATED NEWS…

Saturday, May 16, is WORLDWIDE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY BOOK DRIVE DAY. Bring new or gently-used children’s and young adult books to your friendly neighborhood Little Free Libraries. Snap a photo of yourself dropping off books and post it in social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) using the hashtag #givebooks. Random participants will be selected to receive goodies. Read more about this HERE.

Our Little Free Library has been a big hit in our neighborhood. The books constantly change as neighbors take and leave books. As I read the books on my “not your typical” Summer Reading List, I plan to add them to the library so others can enjoy them. Thanks to all who are supporting our library!

For you Fayetteville book lovers, on Sunday, May 17, 2015, from Noon-6pm, Nightbird Books is having an Overstock Sale as part of the 5th Annual Block Street Block Party. Also, The Curious Book Shoppe on Block Street is having a Gigantic Spring Used Book Sale from 10am-7pm. What a great way to pick up a few good books for your summer reading! (Rain, rain, stay away…)