Beyond the Booth / Spring Reads

Evolving this space into something more

I’ve mulled over this topic before, and now feels like the best time to make it official after a lengthy hiatus. I became a mom about eight (!) months ago, and let’s face it, I am just not reading at the same pace as I was pre baby. I’m still reading, but, rather slowly and selectively. I’m reaching for books that are messy, heartfelt, and heavy. They don’t always lend themselves well into the ‘party’ format I’ve created for The Library Booth. While I’ll still be celebrating that type of content and will be writing articles around it when I read a piece of fiction that inspires me to translate it into a fête, I think I’m ready to evolve this space into something more. What’s beyond the booth?

I want to keep writing about books. Why I love them, what I’m reading next, books that have moved me lately… as well as featuring people who write about books, read about books, and love books. It’s all still in the spirit of a party I suppose - let’s celebrate our favorite literature through not only an imaginary dinner party setting, but through reviews, round-ups, and spotlights on those who equally love a good piece of fiction like I do.

Now, as we are about to enter spring in the next few weeks I’ve had the new season on my mind. I just took a walk at Descanso Gardens, (my nearby botanic garden and one of my favorite places) where the tulips have started to bloom and the hyacinth was aplenty. It got me thinking about how I always love to read with the seasons. Last month, it was all about romance as we were leading up to Valentine’s Day, and in the winter, I love a cozy read that feels like I’m curled up in a log cabin myself.

Here’s a few reads that give me that fresh spring feel. It’s the season for regenerating, unfurling, and starting anew.

The Hours by Michael Cunningham / Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
The flower references are enough to make this feel like a spring read. A haunting prose indeed, but when I read The Hours and then immediately went into Mrs Dalloway, I felt moved by all the important questions these two pieces of fiction posed. Reading them in tandem with one another is also something I recommend.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
I heard a lot of pitter patter about this book, then when I opened it to start reading I was immediately disappointed by the format. “The whole novel is just… letters?” - said skeptical me. I was proven wrong, of course. It was so engaging, and Virginia Evans toggled back and forth between characters and their letters to one another masterfully. It’s tough to write a piece of fiction this way, and I commend her for making it all feel connected and not at all disjointed. It’s been a long while since I’ve read something that inspired me so much. After I finished the novel, (and I finished it quickly… even got up at 5am to read it because, well, that’s the only time I have to myself these days before the babe is up) I ordered beautiful stationery to start writing handwritten notes to a few loved ones.

North Woods by Daniel Mason
I guess I’m also into books with innovative structures during this new season. North Woods is just that. A true celebration of love and nature with several stories intertwining and connecting beautifully at the end.

Upstream by Mary Oliver
I always reach for Mary Oliver during the springtime. There’s no one else that writes about nature quite like she does. She calms my nervous system.

Thanks for being here and bearing with my inconsistent posting schedule. Appreciate this Substack community!