reading
-
3 Lessons We Learn Rereading Old Books
Why have I decided to reread old favorites in 2026? I believe it will satisfy an emotional need. Venturing back to The Secret Garden will make me reminisce about childhood. A trip to Hogwarts will remind me of my teenage years, when the Harry Potter books made everything around me vivid. Too often, a brand-new…
-
The year of reading old books
This year, I am doing something that feels unnatural to me. Instead of going out and looking for new books to add to my shelves, I’m going to look at those shelves for books I already own. It is not necessarily in the spirit of anti-consumption, for if I won the lottery, I would still…
-
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…
-
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.
-
How the Post Office Created America
The Post Office became a much-needed social spot. Men and women went to gather their mail, enjoying chats with neighbors in the process.
-
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.”
-
Mary Todd Lincoln Wasn’t ‘Crazy’
Why does Mary seem to get all of the blame for their broken marriage? While we’re at it, Why was Mary offered so little sympathy, even after her husband was killed by her side?
-
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.
-
History in Art, #1
Doctor, I die hard; but I am not afraid to go; I believed from my first attack that I should not survive it; my breath can not last long. Haunting and poignant, these are George Washington’s final recorded words, spoken as life slipped from his body. His death occurred on December 14, 1799. He had…
-
Book Review: Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
I finished reading this last night. I had started in October but became sidetracked due to life things; I’m glad I came back to it during the Christmas season, because it is a perfect book to read during Advent. George is a sickly child who is aware that he won’t live to adulthood. He finds…
-
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.
-
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…
Mariella Hunt & the Tearoom 