Miscellany #2
Hello Friends,
Happy Valentines Day! I hope your Saturday morning is relaxing and full of coffee, books (or substack essays), and a big brunch! I can smell the bacon sizzling from the kitchen. If there must be Valentine’s Day crafts in your future then I wish you a quick clean up and some wine and charcuterie after.
Unfortunately I am finally coming down with the sickness that the rest of my household has been struggling with this week. So the weekend plan is to finish a detective novel and start another one (thank you J.K. Rowling for writing such a long series of long books…I feel like the fun will never end!) and stay under this blanket with endless bowls of soups and cups of hot drinks. Maybe a romantic family movie at the end of the day. If you have favorite kid appropriate romantic movies, send them my way!
This week has been full of amazing discussions about Kristin Lavransdatter in person and online. All of which has me thinking that I am so thankful for fiction and bookish community. I know that I wouldn’t be able to think through life so well and go on to live well without the aid of my favorite stories and fellow friends who have read them too. What a joy it is to share reading with friends.
Now onto the happenings on the internet….
What’s New Around Here
Everything Kristin Lavransdatter
New Essay: Why Read Fiction-Kristin Lavransdatter Edition by Jessica Risma (if you only click on one link in this post…make it this one!)
I was going to end this essay saying something like, “Kristin did not choose right. But knowing the end of the story, and that she ends with God, everything, therefore, is good. So let’s entrust all whom we love to Him, and give over to Him all our fears about their choices.”
And I think this is right.
But I also think it’s a bit too limited, a bit narrow-visioned, a bit tidy, and a bit incorrect.
….
So, my final thought is: raise a glass to reading good stories, for it is through His story that we become His.
In other words, do read literature, it’s the dance of soul craft.
New Podcast: ep. 95: Kristin Lavransdatter Chat (Book One-The Wreath)
Everything Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost Book One (Paid Subscribers only)
Other Goings On
Last Week’s Miscellany (for a more detailed update)
We Need Your Book Recommendations (last chance!)
Flashback….
This time last year we were chatting about What We Were Reading and our Snow Day Woes! Enjoy some more book recommendations than you ever needed.
February Book Club Book
Don’t forget that we are a group of actual book clubs (in person and virtual), not just a podcast/substack. So we’d love you to read along with us and join or start a group! This month we are starting Kristin Lavransdatter…hope you join us!
Up Next
Here are the next 3 books we’re reading in case you want to get ahead and order your copies! If you were going to order them new anyway, this is a good way to support us.
March- The Wife by Sigrid Undset (Kristin Lavrandatter Book Two)
April- The Cross by Sigrid Undset (Kristin Lavransdatter Book Three)
May- The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Random Things I’m Enjoying
We got the kids these CD players for Christmas and then checked out a ton of audiobook CDs from the library and it has been the best thing that’s ever happened to bedtime in this high energy household with six kids 10 and under. Shoutout to Sarah Van Hecke for the inspiration. And apologies to anyone in my town who was hoping to check out THE WHOLE Harry Potter series or Lord of the Rings. We are the problem. Try again in 9 weeks!
If you haven’t watched Cool Runnings this Winter Olympic season…this is your sign to do that. The kids thought it was absolutely hilarious and the adults enjoyed it too. I’m thinking it will inspire some more winter sport watching this week!
I’m finishing up The Dignity of Dependence by Leah Libresco Sargeant right now and I have really been enjoying the time I’ve spent contemplating what it means to be a woman (and a human) in society. It has been such a good reminder women need to embrace their womanhood, not reject it, in order to become fully human and fulfilled. It sounds obvious, but I think more of us need the reminder than we think!
I loved Meredith Hinds’ thoughts last week comparing the Superbowl to The Illiad. My kids are also currently very into The Illiad and The Odyssey and football. So this was a fun thought process. However, now that the Superbowl has happened I can only be a little disappointed that it wasn’t an exciting game. Even I, sportsball (thank Heidi White for the word) fan that I am, noticed this….
If you don’t know yet, I feel like I need to tell you…my husband, Aaron Hartley is now writing on Substack! He has discovered a new love for Montaigne and is writing about it (A Montaigne of an Idea). And what better way to jump into Montaigne than with an Office joke! I think you’ll like him and Montaigne. So double win. And yes, this is called nepotism, if you weren’t sure. But, I really do think he is great! Also, please join me in convincing him to read A Gentleman in Moscow. Bookish Peer Pressure is a force to be reckoned with!
Close Reads (Goldberry Studios)has started reading This is Happiness this week and their first conversation was a joy to listen to. So if you need a good book and/or a great conversation, definitely take a listen! Thanks David Kern, Heidi White, and Sean Johnson!
Have a fun weekend and Valentine’s Day full of good books and lovely people!
Till next time,
Kelsie Hartley
Until next time, keep revisiting the good books that enrich your life and nourish your soul.
What We’re Reading:
February-April
Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
Paid Subscriber Read-Along
Paradise Lost by John Milton
A Few Reminders:
If you are wanting to get in on the in person or virtual community please contact us!
We have turned on paid subscriptions which will allow you to support the work we are doing here.
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Hope you feel better soon!!
I have always appreciated nepotism and the wonderful things it has done for our world.