Reading as Refuge

A Friday Fun Idea

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about collections. To those of you who shared personal stories with me, thank you so much. It was such a joy to read each and every detail.

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The objects we gather, keep close, and return to can really enrich our lives. Sometimes the objects we hold in reverence are books. Both the books we have already read and the books we want to find the time to read.

This week, I’m thinking about books and reading (and maybe listening to books while knitting, a new passion of mine).

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This little hat is up for grabs, it would fit a 3-8 year old. Message me, it is not on my website. It is soft and stretchy, part wool (I don’t know the full yarn content, the ball of yarn I got was free).

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When the news is relentless, my nervous system gets tired and stressed, and not in a good way. Because of this, I notice I have been reaching for books more than ever—not to escape, exactly, okay, maybe I am escaping. But books can also remind me that horrible situations in life have existed for humans in earlier decades and centuries.

Yet we persist.

We are not alone
As I read
I am reminded
Again and again
That humans, deep inside
Have common values that can unite us.
I remain optimistic.
Sober, refusing both despair and denial.
Open, interested, and hopeful.

So here’s your Friday Fun invitation:

What are you reading right now that is not the news or social media?
A novel.
A book of poems.
A zine full of ideas.
Or the same three pages over and over?
Or nothing at all (which is also information).

And a gentler follow-up, if you feel like answering it for yourself or in the comments:
What kind of reading do you need right now: comfort, clarity, companionship, or quiet?

If you’re craving reading and community, my Sweet Antidote community gathers for a Zoom Book Talk meeting on February 20th. No expertise expected. Just thoughtful readers and honest conversation.

Happy Friday, friends.
Be kind to yourself this weekend, even if it’s just a book resting unopened nearby to remind you of the value of human creativity and connection.

PS. Soon, I will begin a Wacky Wednesday post (the name might change or stay) . These will include my writing and illustrations and will be available only through a paid subscription to my Substack feed and emails. I have a dream of writing another book, but I need to get started.

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And now for a very short reading list because sometimes it can help to know what others are enjoying:

• Vivienne by Emmalea Russo
  A novel about a woman artist, ambition, and interior life—quietly observant, emotionally intelligent, and perfect for readers who like to linger rather than rush. (This is our February Book Talk pick in Sweet Antidote.)

• Matrix by Lauren Groff
  A feminist reimagining of power, devotion, and creative authority. Medieval setting, modern questions. Surprisingly grounding.

• In Her Own Right by Chelsea K. Madeline
  A thoughtful companion for women artists navigating authorship, confidence, and self-trust—without urgency or bravado.

(Choose one. Choose none. Skim. Pause. Reading counts even when it’s partial.)

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Sweet Antidote: A Sugar and Spice Society is where generosity meets art in conversation. A twice-monthly gathering on Zoom (and also offers a private online space for discussion) for artists who crave depth, honesty, and creative kinship.

We will meet on February 20th at Sweet Antidote to discuss Vivienne by Emmalea Russo.

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If these newsletters make you think, smile, or feel a little less alone in your own creative messiness and missives, you can toss $5 or more into Suzanne’s hat—this is a one-time gift (not a subscription). It’s an internet version of wild audience applause, a virtual hug, or a dispatch to me:

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