Hey! You’re here. Thank you!
I know I am not alone in feeling like January was about 48756 days long. But somehow we did it. We are here nearing a new month and I’m here on the other side of this screen giving you a high five or a hug or here, one of the 9875349875349 photos I have of my dogs sleeping:
May we all know this kind of peace. Actually Yaya is pretty annoyed in this photo as per usual, but you get the idea.
Here are some odds and ends that kept me on my feet this month.
Favorite Read
No one is surprised! My first read of the year was Dog Songs by Mary Oliver. I wanted to start 2025 off with a banger and you better believe I did. I’ve been afraid to read this one for a while because I know many of the poems are about Mary’s experience with pet loss and I wasn’t ready. Yes, some of these poems are devastating. But like so much of her work it lives somewhere in between the ache and the wonder. It’s both. If you’ve ever loved a dog, you simply must read this book.
One Bright Glimmer
When you are an 8.5 pound 13 year old chihuahua sometimes you want to go outside and play but you also don’t want to get your little feetsies all wet and cold. In these situations you just have to hope you have moms that will pull you around on a little tube like the queen you are.
You will not be surprised to learn that this was Rebecca’s idea. She is a genius and Dog Mom of the Year 2025. She already clinched the title.
Book I’m Looking Forward To
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El-Akkad
Between this title and the cover, this book already had my attention, but I’ve also been reading raves from readers I admire like
and . In his non-fiction debut, El-Akkad investigates “what it means to live in a West that betrays its fundamental values.” I’m really looking forward to digging into this one.Tell me in the comments what books are on your tbr this month!
Biggest Surprise
Our local paper called the bookshop to ask us some questions for an article about the Tik Tok ban. Our store doesn’t have a Tik Tok because frankly I am too overwhelmed, but I offered a quote about how booktok created enthusiasm around certain books and genres we may not have otherwise stocked in the store. You know I used this opportunity to yap about our small and mighty romance section. When I was done yapping the reporter on the phone was like okay great someone will be over to take your picture later today. Lol whut.
Well good news is that I happened to be wearing some Stacks Book Club merch. Please see the above photo of me looking lovingly at our romance section.
Anyhow the lesson here is in a small town you never know when the paper is going to show up to take your picture so always wear your good merch and never miss an opportunity to yap about the books you love.
I’m Still Learning
This month, the list of things I am still learning feels very, very long. I am still learning how to live in a world like this. I am still learning how to take care of my people, how to show up for my trans and queer siblings, how to protect undocumented folks targeted by ICE. How to resist Fascism in all its insidious forms. I am still learning and the stakes feel so high. I know reading is not enough. I also know it’s the only place I know to start.
And all the while I am learning to be so dead ass about my joy. It’s a serious business tending to joy in a world like this.
I hope, despite it all, your week has a little joy in it. A good hot cup of tea with just the right amount of milk and honey. A book you can’t wait to get home to. A good night’s sleep. An alarm-free morning. Whatever your joy looks like, I hope you take it seriously.
Tell me about it in the comments! Tell me your glimmers, your surprises, your favorite books, and your doggy stories. I want it all.
I love you.
I’m glad you’re here.
Love,
Rosamond
"And all the while I am learning to be so dead ass about my joy. It’s a serious business tending to joy in a world like this." Really took me out on this Wednesday morning <3 Thank you for your words.
I see you sweatshirt!!!!!