books
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Things I’m letting go of
Originally published on Substack In the first week of January, 2026, I got my hands on a few new journals. One is going to be used for Bible notes and prayer. The other is a bulleted journal, and I have decided to use it for short daily notes, as well as ‘sidebars’ where I will… Continue reading
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James Madison, Father of the Constitution
Madison tends to melt into the background when compared to the other Founders. This doesn’t mean that he was less significant: he helped to shape our country into what she is now. Continue reading
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5 Reasons to (Finally) Read 1776
This year, I was beckoned by the book 1776 by David McCullough. I remember purchasing it long ago, soon after it was published. I purchased it in the spirit of “Everyone is buying it. Therefore, it must also be on my shelf.” Continue reading
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The Early Sorrows of Martha Washington
Much of the Washingtons’ union remains a mystery. After George’s death, Martha burned most of the letters they exchanged. Continue reading
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31 Years Old & Reading Fairy Tales
At the young age of 31, though I wish I’d managed to achieve more by now, I am reminded of the C.S. Lewis quote: I am old enough to begin reading fairy tales again, and I’m going to make my reading this coming year more intentional. Continue reading
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Review: His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis
In many aspects, George Washington is a mystery to us, despite the many books that have been written about him. He hadn’t even died yet before myths began to emerge surrounding him. His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis is a concise biography of a man who has had volumes dedicated to him since the founding… Continue reading
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Mary Shelley: An Introduction & Her Dream
Mary Godwin was born August 30, 1797 in Somers Town, London, to an unconventional family. While only one of her parents survived to bring her up, the unorthodox nature of her environment must have soaked into her as she entered womanhood, for she went on to live a life just as scandalous. Continue reading
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Beatrix Potter: Author and Naturalist, Part II
Beatrix’s ventures into the forests surrounding her family’s estates cultivated her fascination for nature. At a young age, she used her artistic skills to draw and color plants and flowers, using her brother Bertram’s microscope to include the minute details. Continue reading
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Review: A Tempest of Tea
When I saw the beautiful book cover for A Tempest of Tea, I would never have guessed that there were vampires in the story. I confess that the word tea is what convinced me ultimately to give this novel a try. Since it had been popping up on my Instagram feed so much, I was… Continue reading
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Two Ways of Writing
As a writer, have you figured out whether you’re a “secretive storyteller,” or a writer who adventures with others? Continue reading
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The Aftermath of Decluttering a Bookcase
I’m a storyteller who sees value in every tale, but that doesn’t mean that I need to hoard every book. Doing so creates physical clutter that reduces the value of the titles. Continue reading
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Review: EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES by Heather Fawcett
When Emily is taken by this faerie in form of thanks—thanks or a kidnapping?—she finds herself in a cold place where she has no notion of time. She knows nothing except that the faerie plans to marry her in order to thank her for having released him. Continue reading
Mariella Hunt & the Tearoom 