I woke up early, before the dog even (though he‘s up now), and have been reading these essays steadily, in an effort to finish before the New Year.

In some ways, it‘s been a peaceful morning, full of a quiet I rarely get to luxuriate in. But each essay has made me cry. TTW writes of the establishment of Bears Ears National Monument, “It was about America looking into the deep future rather than into the narrow exhaust pipe of today.” 👇🏻

This short novel is a disruption — in 1982 & now. It‘s about the sorrow of domestic life. It‘s about the way that people crave a “home” and how sometimes, despite your best efforts, you‘re never quite able to make one (or keep it).

At first, I thought reading Shark Heart in the same year as this would dull its novelty but it‘s a different beast (not just taxonomically but tonally). Too bleak to become a favorite but it feels poignant & memorable.

@5feet.of.fury posted about her least favorite books of the year, which I thought was a fun exercise! Here are my Bottom 5. Top 5 Flipped?

It‘s a real shame; the bottom right has one of *the* best covers! 🐚

This rivals Book 6 as my favorite in the series. I‘m an unabashed Hawkes admirer. I don‘t know if he‘s right for Emma (or *more* right than anyone else) but he‘s right for me. The part where he soothes her after her fortune and it feels as if he‘s pressed a star into her hand is nothing short of swoon-worthy. It was also lovely to see her (and all of them) in their freest form, let loose from societal constraints. I need my own Stonecrop. ✨

If Rufi Thorpe was trying to get me to fall in love with her a little bit, she‘s succeeded. I‘m hungry for more of her writing! It felt casual yet crafted. The characters are complicated and dimensional. The meta nature of the text added a sense of self-conscious play. I hope Arby‘s has given Thorpe a stake in their company because I can pretty much guarantee that readers everywhere are now craving at least one item from their menu. 👇🏻

I love that the holidays bring far-flung friends home. These girls have been my pals for over 20 years. The one on the right moved to Detroit with the Jesuit Peace Corps right after college. New England misses her dearly! She received a life-saving heart transplant this year. I am so grateful for her continued existence. I told them both to read Margo‘s Got Money Troubles. They were sold by the detail about Pokémon dick pic comparisons. ??

“The sadness from the morning didn‘t exactly go away; it dried on me and slowly crumbled, leaving me covered in little flakes, like if you eat a glazed donut in a black shirt. That was how it was being a grown-up. We were all moving through the world like that…”

Such a kind novel. More than halfway through, one of the side characters speaks, briefly, about “building infrastructures of kindness” and I would hazard a guess that this is exactly what Ann Napolitano might thrive on: building an infrastructure of kindness within her readers. The lessons in this book about how we grow together and apart; how we hurt and how we heal; and, most importantly, about how we love and how we forgive are “beautiful.”👇🏻

How long until I‘m asleep like this lazy bones? 🐶

Puppy‘s first snow. ❄️😜

While there are some beautiful details in this morally complicated novel, Glendy Vanderah‘s writing is absolutely NOT for me. Her dialogue does not even come close to approximating the way that people actually speak to one another.

I appreciated the author‘s respect for nature, her underlying message about climate change, and the “magic” of Riley‘s family (vintage dresses, fossils, clock gears, art, the moon, moths, and secular prayer).

My husband played a Presidents of the United States of America cover set tonight to benefit Amos House (homelessness & poverty) & Riot RI (a non-profit using music creation, critical thinking & collaborative relationships to foster collective empowerment & the development of healthy identities in girls, women, trans, & gender-expansive youth & adults). When I say that listening to the tagged beforehand was the right choice, I REALLY mean it. 👇🏻

Speaking of ONE in a Milennial, this is the ONE and only time I‘ve ever had to slow down an audiobook‘s playback speed — and I, too, came of age alongside Rory Gilmore! I‘m only a year older than Kennedy, so this was obviously nostalgic for me. She‘s great with wordplay but sometimes *too* verbose (which…pot, kettle). The AIM chapter was my fave. Would not recommend to folks outside of our generation (I think a lot of it would be unintelligible!).

Inspired by #TuesdayTunes:

My Spotify Wrapped revealed that this was my year for rediscovering early Jewel. She was the artist featured in my Soundcheck. Honestly, I really just had “Jupiter” and “I‘m Sensitive” on repeat…I‘m not ashamed. 💎

Some other (old news) songs that I discovered this year were: Let the Mystery Be by Iris DeMent; You‘re Dead by Norma Tanega; and (the actually new-ish) Dumb in Love by Whitmer Thomas (2020).

The subtitle for this trio of vignettes is “stories of women and men.” Specifically, they are stories about denial, desire, and threat. Claire Keegan never misplaces a word. No detail can be overlooked. Take, for instance, this sentence in “Antarctica,” a twisted tale about the quest for simple pleasure: “The cat was watching her, his eyes as dark as apple seeds.”

Perfectly unsettling, all.

Content. 💞

Our tree is under the employ of Santa.

Naughty? Nice? Tree‘ll be the judge of that…

And, to make it Litsy-related:
“BooOooOok!!!” 📕👁️🔮🎄

This time around, making the collage for my most beloved nonfic reads in 2024 meant adding a title that wasn‘t a *true* favorite. 🙈 Otherwise, the sizing got weird! And I can‘t have that!!!

So, congrats, Wolfish, you‘ve been granted Honorable Mention amongst the Best of the Best.

I made a little graphic (one for fic & one for nonfic) to share my favorite books of the year with friends on Instagram.

Some titles are missing due to collage-making constraints (most notably the cozy fantasies, like Legends & Lattes and The Spellshop, which fell lower down on my list) — but I love seeing the covers all together like this, as if they‘re friends!

I‘m not convinced the Norendy Tales are for children nor am I unconvinced. I could see them being just as soon discarded for being confusing (and sad) as I could see them being treasured despite the confusion (and perhaps because they are a little melancholy). Regardless, they are for me. This installment reminds me of Leonard Cohen‘s Anthem: “Ring the bells that still can ring /Forget your perfect offering/ There is a crack…👇🏻

Puppets begins with a shockingly sad ending. And it ends with a predictably light-filled beginning (predictable if you know Kate DiCamillo). At first, I thought, “I can‘t imagine a single child I would give this to.” By the time I finished the story and read the words on the back cover, “This is a story that‘s perfect for savoring alone or *for reading aloud and sharing with those you love* [emphasis mine],” I vehemently agreed.

“AIM…was a place that allowed me to transcend my social awkwardness in pursuing friendships and flirting with boys, where I could wow people with what I knew to be my strength even at a young age: words.”

…Also, just putting this out there: I loved this Ben Harper song way too much for someone who was afraid to smoke pot. 😅

“With America Online…you were forced to withstand…the [unique] sound of dial-up: after nearly five minutes of listening to combinations of beeping, screeching, & scratching, it began to sound like two machines in a cat fight. I don‘t know how to best describe it other than what I assume it would sound like if a melody of insanity sampled a smoke detector that desperately needed its batteries replaced & then hurled itself into a garbage disposal.”

In praise(song) of @Christine for giving me such a wealth of titles to choose from!

Pictured above are the books I‘m most eager to read. I knew when I saw Sigh, Gone & God of the Woods on your list that we had similar taste (both of which I‘ve read & was instantly enamored with).

Praisesong‘s a little outside of my comfort zone. I don‘t cook. But it looks fascinating and maybe it‘ll help me stretch (in & out of the kitchen).

#AuldLangSpine

Here‘s my excellent #AuldLangSpine list, compliments of @Christine.

She said she was nervous about submitting so much nonfiction but that‘s part of what drew me in! It‘s been roughly a decade since I made my fated New Year‘s resolution to “read more nonfic.” Now, I reach for it naturally, no resolution required. There are a handful of fiction titles, too, which seem right up my alley.

Follow-up collage post to come (with my intended reads)!

The sun sets on another year of frenzied matchmaking.

ALL #AuldLangSpine match emails have been sent! Check your inboxes & remember to respond to confirm that you‘ve received your list.

I‘ll be over here, bathed in the golden glow of a job (hopefully) well done. I truly love this next part! Can‘t wait to see everyone‘s posts about their lists, what they‘re hoping to read, etc.

Enjoy! ✨

📸: David Taberner
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

I spent hours out in the cold and snow today filling our library‘s new StoryWalk with the tagged book for the town‘s Holiday Festival this Saturday.

It‘s one of my favorite seasonal picture books. It briefly references “Christmastime” but it‘s otherwise just a nature-filled gem of a story (with dreamy, textured pages).

I guess it was worth the frozen fingers. And nose. And toes. 🥶

I‘ll sleep when I‘m dead. Just kidding. I‘ll sleep now. 🙃 The next wave of match emails have gone out. I should be finishing up by the end of day tomorrow!

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

📸: David Taberner
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

Match emails are triiiiiickling out. So slowly, it barely bears mentioning.

I‘m headed to work soon, so if you haven‘t already received something from me (and only five pairs have), no need to keep checking your inbox.

I‘ll be back at it later tonight!

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

📸: David Taberner
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

But wait…there‘s (one) more! Congratulations, @BennettBookworm & @Itchyfeetreader ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine

ALL #AuldLangSpine matches have been announced!

Thanks for your enthusiasm and support! Now, I‘m going to climb inside my chrysalis and turn entirely to goo…at least until morning. 😴

Match emails coming soon! I‘ll post here when they begin their great migration.

#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

📸: David Taberner
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

Hi, @Christine!
You‘ve been matched…with me! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @Singout & @Chelsea.Poole ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be crawling its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @JamieArc & @Billypar ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be bounding its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @TheKidUpstairs & @CarolynM ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @julesG & @sebrittainclark ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be entering your orbit via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @Laughterhp & @rachelsbrittain ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @Sharpeipup & @Loanne ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be padding its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @Lesliereadsalot & @thegreensofa ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @CSeydel & @CBee ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be buzzing its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @Jerdencon & @MallenNC ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @MeganAnn & @Zuhkeeyah ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @Mollyanna & @DGRachel ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be prancing its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @KadaGul & @BarkingMadRead ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be padding its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @HOTPock3tt & @LiteraryinPA ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Every first Tuesday, our favorite local bookstore hosts Tunesday with a musician‘s circle. You can regularly hear the mountain dulcimer, banjo, tin whistle, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, limberjacks, violin, cello, Chinese erhu, & more!

My favorite part is the Celtic dance & clogging. And the books, of course. This month was also a Wassail celebration. And I drank a literary-themed Blood Meridian cocktail. Anyway, I‘m back now!

Lunch break over. Posting will resume post-work!

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

📸: David Taberner
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

Congratulations, @DebinHawaii & @JacqMac ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @Erinreadsthebooks & @Read4life ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be bounding its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025

Congratulations, @Larkken & @Lin3han ! You‘ve been matched! 🥳

Your official reading list will be winging its way to you via email within the next 48 hours.

You can start tracking those books down so soon!

Please note:
All reading for this event should begin on January 1st, 2025.

Thanks for participating!

📸: David Taberner (aka my bff)
Instagram: @ decent_nature_photography

#AuldLangSpine
#AuldLangSpine2025
#ALSpine2025