As you may remember, I am frantically editing my manuscript before I go to the Big Sur Writing Workshop a week from tomorrow, and in doing so, I have neglected reading in favor of spending all my time writing.
I think it’s fair to do that for a short amount of time (for me, six weeks), but it’s starting to feel unhealthy. When I read, I join in on a large conversation, I connect with a bigger community. Writing the way I have for the last five weeks is a much more solitary act. I feel a little lonesome and left out, as if I was in the restroom when the juiciest gossip was shared.
When Big Sur is over, let me tell you, I’m knocking down doors and rejoining that conversation. It’s what feeds my writing.
Can. Not. Wait.
P.S. I literally have … hold on, I’ll go count … sixteen new books on my shelves. Dying.
JACKIE LEA SOMMERS 
I know exactly how you feel. I haven’t been able to read for weeks because I was busy preparing my manuscript to send it away. I sent it yesterday so I can finally start reading again. 🙂
Endure. 🙂 Been through it for two months last year. Now I’m hoarding on reading again. Lol
Ooooh, what new books?
I’m only now having enough energy and motivation to read for pleasure again after grad school and first semester of teaching. My bedside table is piled with 8 books, and I pointed at it and told my husband, “THIS is who I am!” Have so much fun at the conference, can’t wait to hear about it.
Son by Lois Lowry | The fourth book in the Giver series!
Janie Face to Face by Caroline B. Cooney | The final book in The Face on the Milk Carton series, which I first started reading back in 1990. (In other words, this book is a long time comin’!)
Unwholly by Neal Shusterman | The sequel to Unwind, which I read last October and loved.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater | Desiree’s fiance bought me this for my birthday! So excited.
Help Thanks Wow by Anne Lamott | Her new book on prayer (thank you, Des, for buying me a bunch of these books as birthday presents!)
A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver | Her latest poems
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness | I read Ness’s A Monster Calls recently and loved it. So excited for this book.
Hokey Pokey by Jerry Spinelli | His new book about a land without adults and how growing up someone still creeps in!!!
Vex Hex Smash Smooch by Constance Hale | The book on verbs my daddy bought me for Christmas
Across the Universe by Beth Revis | From what I gather, this is a story of survival in space after being cryogenically frozen. Eeep!
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker | A novel about one girl’s life when the earth’s rotation begins to slow.
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Under the Wolf, Under the Dog by Adam Rapp
Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
I can’t wait to dive into these!!!
Thanks for being pumped for me about the workshop — I’m so nervous!!!
Oh, Jackie, I feel for you. I’m so excited that you’re going to this writing workshop, and I know it’s going to be a wonderful experience for you. And then think of all the BEAUTIFUL reading you’ll do when it’s over.
Thanks Tina! I’m so excited for both! (But also very, very nervous for Big Sur!)
I can’t wait to hear about the verb book, he was so excited about that!!! 🙂
I can’t wait to give Dad a full report!
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