The thought of hope springing eternal came to mind. Why? Perhaps it was a conversation about the state of the world I had with a friend who stopped by earlier in the day. Or perhaps it was the latest snow storm that blew in. Curious where the phrase came from, I discovered it was Alexander Pope (1688 - 1744) in his "Essay on Man." Thank you very much, Project Gutenberg.
I tend to be optimistic. I want to believe possibilities open up if one tries hard enough. Of course, there are umpteen variables that are part of that overly broad statement including having the resources to keep trying, having support, being in a situation that offers possibilities. Putting together the upcoming traveling bookstore Spring 2024 tour, there were moments of doubt and then things started coming together. Would I find accommodations in Boise? Yes, a friend of a friend offered her place. Are there any legal parking spaces for a pop-up bookstore in the Bay area? I had seriously begun to wonder about this when C.K.Itamura with Berkeley Commonplace had the perfect suggestion.
And then there is the question that I hear frequently. Are people still reading? Isn't everyone just scrolling on devices catching images and memes? Recently came upon an article about how reading is good for you (which, of course, I already knew) and that it may be linked to mental acuity as we age. There is still more for folks to investigate about this but in the meantime, I'm going to anticipate people searching for enticing materials to read. Perhaps more individuals will adopt the belief that reading is both good and good for you (sort of like chocolate). I also decided rather than trying to restrain myself from gushing about my latest can't-put-it-down book to friends, I should be telling them all about it so they might just get suckered into reading.
Very soon I'll have all the dates/places/times set for the Spring 2024 bookstore tour posted. Look forward to getting the word out and connecting with readers (doing sixteen gigs!!). Look forward to discussing the state of the world and what each of us can be doing. Look forward to hearing your ideas.
Recent reads (sorry for lack of nonfiction in this round, will do better next time):
Butterflies in November by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
The Illiad by Emily Wilson
I Saw the Sky Catch Fire by T. Obinkaram Echewa
The Double by José Saramago
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