Gathered Notes
May '24
Welcome to the May ‘24 edition of Gathered Notes, a monthly collection of art, poetry, book, movie, and music recommendations that have brought beauty into my life this past month.
Art: Still Life, Alfred Eberling, 1948
Welcome to the May ‘24 edition of Gathered Notes, a monthly collection of art, poetry, book, movie, and music recommendations that have brought beauty into my life this past month.
Poetry: Book of Genesis
By Kei Miller
Suppose there was a book full of only the word,
let – from whose clipped sound all things begin: fir
and firmament, feather, the first whale – and suppose
we could scroll through its pages every day
to find and pronounce a Let meant only for us –
we would stumble through the streets with open books,
eyes crossed from too much reading; we would speak
in auto-rhyme, the world would echo itself – and still
we’d continue in rounds, saying let and let and let
until even silent dreams had been allowed.
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Watching, Listening, Reading
Movie: Surprised By Oxford
Summary: Emotionally guarded Caro Drake arrives in Oxford with the singular goal of attaining her Ph.D., but through a turbulent friendship with a charming young man, Caro begins to open herself up to mystery, vulnerability and love.
My review: Five stars. A romance set in Oxford. The title alludes to a connection with the C.S. Lewis book, Surprised by Joy. I loved this faith-based story that went beyond a surface-level romance. The movie is based on a memoir by Carolyn Weber, and after watching it, I want to read all her books.
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Listening:
Poetry Unbound, a podcast by Padraig O’ Tuama
Reading: The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron
Summary: From deep in the trenches of the Great War to the storied English countryside and the devastating Coventry Blitz of World War II, The British Booksellers explores the unbreakable bonds that unite us through love, loss, and the enduring solace that can be found between the pages of a book.
My review: As a huge Kristy Cambron fan, I pre-ordered "The British Booksellers" the moment I heard about it. Let me tell you, it absolutely lived up to the hype! Set in war-torn Coventry, England, the story weaves excitement, romance, and intrigue in a way that kept me turning pages well past my bedtime.
Cambron's characters always come alive on the page, and this book was no exception. I found myself completely invested in their journeys, especially Eden and Amos. Their resilience in the face of the Coventry Blitz was truly inspiring.
The book doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of war. The bombing of Coventry was depicted with a heartbreaking accuracy that made me appreciate the strength of the human spirit even more. But amidst the darkness, Cambron reminds us of the power of hope and the solace found in literature. It's a beautiful testament to the enduring spirit of booksellers and the stories they keep alive, even in the most difficult times.
"The British Booksellers" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a touch of romance. It's a story that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.
Quote of the Day:
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” -Desmond Tutu
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Writing life: My upcoming (September 24) Apron Strings book, Kristen, is available for pre-order in the Kindle format (it will also be available in print later). Being part of a group project has been fun, and I’m enjoying reading the other authors' books as well. It’s a great series! So far, books 1-5 have been released. We’re releasing a new one each month throughout the year (mine is #9). Here’s the series page if you want to check them out!
The other part of my writing life (I’m working on a Creative Writing degree) is going well. I just finished a series of poetry units, which I loved, and submitted a major assignment (big relief). Now, I’m moving on to spend some time learning to write stage drama, the last set of units, before I leave for Oxford to study in person this summer. I will have a lot of work to do between now and then.
How about you? What kind of art or music is bringing beauty into your life right now?
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May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever he may send you; may he guide you through the wilderness; protect you through the storm; may he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you: may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.