Footnotes:: February
Reading to keep us alive while moving into the unknown
February has been both a blip and an age.
We finally had several days of proper snow this month, and it was such an incredible boost. With all the terrifying news and the pressure of an upcoming election in Germany until yesterday, seeing some fairy dust sprinkled over everything was a much-needed balm.
Rituals of winter have been essential over the last few weeks: this candle, brought back from a UK trip at the beginning of the month, has set a serene mood as I write. I’ve consumed so many cups of Bengal Spice tea I’ve lost count of the boxes we’ve gone through, and an early bedtime with lots of reading before sleep has been the best ritual of all.
This is a hard time, and there is a lot to be afraid of now. Resistance is top of mind for me, and I suspect for you as well. Here’s what fueled me to keep doing the best I could through February.
Reading delights from this month:
Book bright spots from February:
Keep Moving,
. I often felt behind, not having read this when it came out, but picking it up this month felt like a true gift, as if this extended and generous encouragement found me right when I needed it most. Perhaps you need it now, too, whether for the first time or a reread?Held, Anne Michaels. A beautiful spider web of a story, extending its threads through many lives that span forward and backward in time. It reminds us that the true impact of moments may not be what we see right now. Absolutely stunning.
Beyond Anxiety, Martha Beck. I devoured this and immediately bought the audio version as well, which will be my next book listen. I felt like Beck’s stories and insight were rewiring my brain for the better, but it’s so easy to forget new lessons, so I’m going back in for another round. Essential reading in a tough time. While I was reading it, things that normally spun me out felt like puzzles I could solve, rather than catastrophes in the making. Here’s to more of that.
The community shared books they’ve enjoyed taking to bed this month here. Add yours to the discussion. An excellent topic, inspired by the first episode of SLP Season 11.
Other highlights from this month:
I discovered
and her marvelous substack via and thoroughly enjoyed Petya’s take on keeping a commonplace book, prompting me to make a giant tea and devour her back catalogue, including this no-bullshit guide to annotation.The Secret Library podcast has started a new season, with the wonderful
starting us off in Ep 1. You can listen to our conversation about reading yourself happy here.I can’t stop thinking about
’s post about research as a leisure activity. Once again, something written last year found me at exactly the right time and I’m so grateful.- wrote about Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and how aspects of its structure can inspire further writing. This post is truly a gift. So many links to follow and explore. It could keep you going for a whole Sunday and then some. Enjoy.
The paywall is down on this archive post for the next week, as I think we could all use some TLC for the level of capacity we have. To access the full archive, join seasonal workshops, and get access to the Secret Resource Library,
upgrade to paid.
We can’t create from a vacuum.
This week, ask yourself what you need to give more space to your creativity. What would remove friction between you and writing? Sometimes making the transition into writing just a little smoother can go a long way.
Need support? Ask those around you.
If you’re looking for more formal support, I’ve got space for a new individual coaching client starting in March. My clients have finished book drafts, written proposals, launched substacks, and more. We’ll create a routine that works just for you together. Learn more about individual coaching here.
No need to go it alone.
xx,
Caroline
PS. A friend sent me this recently, and it takes my blood pressure RIGHT down.
That Celine Nguyen piece is an absolute treasure trove- keep coming back to it!
This week I finished "The Hard Crowd" a collection of personal essays by the amazing Rachel Kushner. Highly recommend.
I am so flattered that you found my thoughts on annotating and commonplace journaling helpful. I am shocked that it's taken me this long .... but it was only this past year that I realized how quickly I was just moving through books... next, next, next... and it struck me as super consumerist and superficial. I still want to read as much as possible because that's my favorite thing in the world, but I also keep looking for ways to deepen my understanding of what I am reading and connect to it in deeper ways.