Summer Reset

It’s officially summer for us. School is done, it’s past the solstice, and we are harvesting a few things from the garden.

This year (as is typical), long days and summer energy inspire me to get busy. I’ve been pushing through projects around the house and garden, diving into learning goals, eyeing up that two-scarf warp I put in the loom maybe a year ago. Most of all, I’ve been pushing hard to make progress on writing projects with a vision of being “ready” as a writer by the time September hits. (Ha ha ha! You can never be “ready” or “done” as a writer.)

But somewhere inside me, summer is calling. Summer is reminding that she isn’t for work. She brings renewal, rest, rejuvenation. She whispers about relaxed time in the garden, spending a whole day reading a stack of books, dipping in and out of the water, and holding space for creating beauty, whether that’s a refurbished dresser, cut flowers, a garden-fresh salad, or gathering with friends.

I still have things I want and need to do, but I’m trying to let myself enjoy the doing and, importantly, take times away from the push. To hold space and slide into the refreshing experiences that will fill me up for another year.

Here’s a few glimpse of what that looks like around here right now.

Books

Since reading is a big part of my summer plans, here are a few titles to share that I’ve loved over the past 6 months. I’d love to hear any recommendations you have!

Adult books:

Slow Productivity: the Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport (2024). If you want inspiration to still achieve while also making time to rest and rejuvenate, this is the book for you. The overtones of bro-ness are toned down in this latest book of Cal’s, and the streamlined take-aways reflect the themes of the book: do less, go deep, and take care of yourself while you do it.

Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer (2023). Claire’s humility, brilliance and humour shine through in this exploration of what it means to love art made by bad people, and ultimately, how to make peace with loving all the imperfect humans in our lives. She is way smarter than me, but I could still follow most of what she said.

Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes (2022). The latest in Marian’s series about a family of Irish sisters and their struggles through the years. She brilliantly explores the experience and impacts of addiction in an incredibly pacey, readable way with rich character depictions, a ton of humour, and skilled writing. If you have time, I would highly recommend going back to read the whole series (if that kind of thing is your jam).

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto (2024). Awesome old/retired protagonist (who… is not much older than I am??) with a rich, hilarious cast as the attempts to solve a murder pull together a community that didn’t know they needed each other.

If Only They Could Talk by James Herriot (1970). You’re probably all familiar with this veterinary memoir from the UK. It was my first time reading it, and it was so much better than I anticipated. Amazing characters with stories brilliantly told—episodic but still with a story and character arcs. Definitely recommend!

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Huang (2024). If you read romance, this is the non-formulaic romance novel to satisfy your good book-loving heart.

Funny Story by Emily Henry (2024). Same.

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle (2024). Same!

Middle Grade

The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh (2023). Told from three perspectives over two timelines, this is a fast-moving, emotionally-engaging account of the Holodomor in Ukraine and the importance of combatting disinformation.

Hummingbird Season by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic (2024). This novel in verse about a young boy’s struggles through the early stages of the COVID pandemic and lockdowns is a powerful tool for processing those experiences. The specificity of details had my heart racing, and ultimately healing, as I saw myself in these shared experiences.

The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies (2023). Ghosts, but not scary. A homeschooled girl attempts to help three ghosts resolve their unfinished business. The voices of all the characters are funny and distinctive, and I loved how the story came together in the end.

Dress Coded (2020) and The First Rule of Climate Club (2022) by Carrie Firestone. Brimming with messages of social and environmental justice fully embedded in rich characters and just-hard-enough dilemmas, we raced through these books. The creative storytelling structure, with super short chapters using all forms of communications (emails, podcasts, notices, minutes, and more) added to the pacing and energy.

Picture Books

Too many. A selection include:

Remembering by Xelena González and Adriana Garcia (2023). Vibrant and inclusive exploration of rituals to remember and connect with pets who have left our lives. “This is how we remember you.” Only read if you want to cry and heal your broken heart.

A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney (2023). Another tear-jerker about a boy following a series of messages from his recently-deceased father that take him on a healing journey through the woods. Gorgeous illustrations were completed by Brian Pinkney after his father, Jerry, passed away during the process of illustration.

Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler and Loren Long (2021). Beautiful rhymes and stunning images honour not just the brains behind buildings, bridges and other feats of modern construction, but the many dedicated and talented workers who make their construction possible. An important topic, addressed in an empowering way.

Except Antarctica! By Todd Sturgell (2021). “What about humour?” you said. Here is a hilarious exploration of a series of animals, all sharing a key characteristic: they don’t live in Antarctica. Or do they? The omniscient narrator made the book for me.

Rising by Sidura Ludwig and Sophia Vincent Guy (2024). Perfect lyrical poetry brings to live a story about baking challah and Shabbat, enriched with metaphors about life, connection, and resilience.