Greetings, salutations, and warm hello, friends.

The end of May is upon us. 2020 is at the hafway point, and it’s certainly got nowhere to go but up.

It has been a contemplative and difficult week here. We lost a close friend, one who stood by our sides as we married, as darling husband did for him. He was a good guy, and he will be missed. Against the backdrop of the loss that we’re all experiencing, it reminds me again of Ann Hood’s elucidating statement that we all suffer from our own personal earthquakes.

Even while the world feels unmanageable and wrong, every story is a singular one, and we can’t truly understand the depth of another’s pain. I know so many of you are suffering right now, and I send you peace, and love, and compassion. The pain and rage and injustices we experienced this week are unfathomable. It’s definitly time to take a breath, reach a hand across the aisle, and hold on tight.

The secret project is pretty well wrapped, and I’m waiting for edits on HER DARK LIES. I had a crazy moment on Thursday when I realized that for the first time in probably four years, outside of a few books to read, all of my projects are in a state of completion, or in someone else’s court. These moments are few and far between for me. It’s the good and bad part of being self-employed, there’s never a moment of rest, you have to hustle to feed the cats. When there is calm, you must seize it.

With that in mind, a wee bit of news: I had already planned to take my delayed sabbatical from the socials this month, but I’ve decided to go ahead and take a few weeks off from the blog, as well. I reserve the right to change my mind, of course, but I think it’s high time I took a little break. I will be refilling my well with books and movies and house flipping shows, and getting as much fresh air as I can manage in our humidity laden environs. I’m deciding what I want to write next, and that’s always a good time to sit with my thoughts and ideas to see what gels for me. Last time I finished a book, I started another one immediately. I’m sort of enjoying this sense of completion with nothing hanging over my head. A new phenomenon.

Worry not, I’ll be back at the end of the month! 

As ever, onward...

TEAR ME APART is on sale!

If you’re in need of distraction, may I suggest TEAR ME APART? This book is the story of a mother willing to do anything to protect her daughter even as their carefully constructed world unravels around them. And right now, it’s on sale for $2.99! 

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THE GLASS HOTEL by Emily St. John Mandel

Quarantine is an interesting reading time. I either want to read something so light and fluffy I can’t help but feel good, or, I want to read darkly human, philosophically compelling works that resonate deeply and make me think about how life can be better lived or more impactfully. THE GLASS HOTEL falls into the latter category. A brilliantly structured book, it's a bit quieter than STATION ELEVEN, but it's beautifully written, wonderfully realized, and a thoughtful work of art. And I got to interview Emily for A WORD ON WORDS, which was incredible! A favorite author for me.

What are you reading?

That’s it from me. Love your neighbors, take a walk in the wilderness (with your mask on, natch), take some old towels to the local shelter, and I’ll see you next month!

Peace and hugs,
J.T.