Happy Saturday to you! For me, it’s been one of those weeks where I’m re-prioritizing every hour and all my reading and writing aspirations get pushed to the weekend. But we are finally here, and I’m so glad!
Today I’m sharing the book-to-screen show I’m currently watching, dates for upcoming library book sales in the East Bay, a few things that are inspiring me lately, a poetry recommendation, favorite e-book deals, and my thoughts on saving creativity for “later.”
Currently Watching
On Wednesday night, I set aside two hours to watch the first two episodes of The Summer I Turned Pretty in Season 3. It sounds like one or two episodes are coming out each week over the next few months, so I’ll definitely be tuning in!
I finished reading all three books a few years ago. They are super short and easy reads (you still have time)!
Local Book Sales
Last weekend I was researching all the local library book sales to mark on my calendar and thought I would also start sharing with you. You can find the complete list here. Shopping these sales really does help your local library and you get some great deals in the process! Click on the links below for details about the sale, especially to learn about if there are *members only* pre-sale hours!
July 2025
- Saturday, July 26: Danville
August 2025
- Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 3: Castro Valley
- Saturday, August 2: El Sobrante
- Saturday, August 2: Martinez
- Thursday, August 7 – Saturday, August 9: Antioch
- Friday, August 8 – Saturday, August 9: Walnut Creek
- Saturday, August 30: Danville
✨ Inspiring Me Lately ✨
You know I subscribe to V.E. Schwab’s monthly newsletter called “The Visible Life of V.E. Schwab.” I will never get over the title by the way. I’m so glad she has this ongoing tribute to Addie.
Anyway, every single time I see it sitting in my inbox, I get this surge of delight because I know it is going to contain so many gems! I may get distracted by social media, but my heart belongs to longer-form writing like books, magazines, and newsletters that I can sink into and get lost in.
In the latest newsletter, she explains the highs and lows of life on tour for her book, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. She also shared her reflections of her 20-year writing career (she’s 38 now). She has a few pieces of advice for writers and these were my Top 5 favorites:
- Learn to differentiate between a craft weakness and your voice/style. Learn what needs improvement vs. what is simply a matter of taste.
- None of your work is wasted, even if it doesn’t get published. Everything you create teaches you about your process, and hones your skill.
- Spite can motivate you when hope doesn’t.
- The thing someone hates about your work will be the thing that makes it matter to someone else. Reading is subjective. And that’s a feature, not a bug.
- Every story you put into the world is a way for readers to find you.
If you are a writer, I highly recommend subscribing to her newsletter (it’s free!).
E-book Deals
I’m thrilled that two of my all-time favorite books are on Bookshop’s E-book Deals today. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read them, now is the time!
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – on sale for $2.99!
The Huntress by Kate Quinn – on sale for $1.99
Poetry Rec
I’ve raved about Josie Balka’s work before and this week is no different! I heard her new poem twenty minutes after she posted it and it stopped me in my tracks. I thought it was the perfect complement to the book I just finished, The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison. Both are reflections about the “dream world versions of ourselves.”
Saving Creativity for “Later”
Throughout the week as I come up with ideas to write about, I usually write them down in a draft post or in my notes app. I don’t have to think too hard for topics or inspiration because 5-6 topics come to me pretty easily – about my personal life, the books I’m reading or want to read, or something interesting in the writing or publishing industry I want to share. However, sometimes I have an idea that I think I need to “save for later.” If I have a plan to use it or it is time sensitive for a specific season, then it’s ok to save. But if I’m only holding on to it because I’m scared I won’t have any more good ideas, that’s a warning sign for me. It means I’m not trusting my own creative process.
After writing almost every single day for over 10 years, I’ve learned that the well doesn’t really run dry – for me, as long as I’m experiencing life, I’ll always have something to write about (having the time to write is a different problem entirely).
And we are off to enjoy the weekend! On the docket for us: a visit to the library, movies, the pool, errands, and lots of walks, bike rides, coffee, and books (of course!).
Questions for your weekend:
- What show are you currently watching?
- What’s your favorite author newsletter to receive?
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