Around Here | I’ve been going through a lot of older blog posts lately during my prep for podcast episodes and realized that I miss being able to check in via these weekly-ish Currently posts. They’re nice little snapshots of a given moment, and fun to come across when I’m looking for a particular review or post. So, I’m going to try to bring them back!
Reading | I’m trying to finish up Locking Up Our Own by James Foreman Jr. for my book club meeting this afternoon. It’s a book about the history of the criminal justice system, looking specifically at how black leaders in the 1970s — trying to save their communities from an epidemic of drugs and violence — put in place policies that (coupled with lots of racism) have led to today’s era of mass incarceration. need to pick up a new fiction book, but haven’t decided yet. I’m thinking either Dietland by Sarai Walker or The Glass Magician by Charlie Holmberg.
Watching | I am deep into a binge-watch of ER. I’m past the prime of the show and into the slow seasons, so we’ll see how long it continues. I’m also catching up with the most recent season of Jane the Virgin — I love that show so much!
Listening | I just finished a fun audiobook, The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman, the first in a series about a secret society of librarians who travel to alternate worlds to save great books. It was goofy and fun, which is one of the kinds of audiobooks that I love.
Blogging | I’m trying to get caught up on reviews for most of the books I’ve read this year. I knocked out a bunch in recent fiction and nonfiction roundups over the last couple weeks. I’m still very behind, but getting closer!
Stopping | I was really excited about the idea of my 100 Day Project for this year, 100 Days in a Notebook, but I fell off the wagon pretty early. Going in, I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of showing off random sketches and doodles on my Instagram account and so didn’t plan to do that… but without the accountability, I lost momentum. It’s a good lesson for thinking about what to do next year.
Starting | I also found a slightly-different outlet for my creativity lately — knitting! My grandma tried to teach me a few years ago, but I just couldn’t get it. I decided to try again a few weeks ago, and something just clicked this time. I can’t decide on my first real project — suggestions for a beginner pattern are welcome!
Loving | In May, nine of the 10 books I read were by women. And honestly? That was amazing! With everything happening in the world right now, filling my brain with voices that aren’t just mediocre white dudes has been soothing. I’m curious to see how long I can follow my interests while still only reading books by women and people of color.
Loving II | A new season of The Great British Baking Show is coming to PBS on June 22. I actually think it’s probably a season that’s aired in the UK already but whatever, new to me. This is not a drill!
Anticipating | Summer programs kick off at the library I work for on Saturday, so that’s exciting. I’m also going to see Chicago with a friend, and have plans to see Ocean’s 8 with some girlfriends next weekend. I haven’t been super social lately, so I am looking forward to all of that.
Happy Sunday, everyone!
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I have missed your Currently posts! They are my favorite. 🙂
I’m looking forward to seeing you back here on Sundays. I miss these posts…I’d like someday to return to ER but for now Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Britbox (on Amazon Channels) are enough to keep me occupied, plus I can’t seem to get into good binge-watchs. My wife is, though, right now watching The Americans and enjoying it. I always like the idea of 100 days projects too, but then fall off the wagon too. Perhaps why I haven’t done one in a while. Oooh, thanks for the reminder about Ocean’s 8. We want to see that too.
I haven’t watched The Americans at all, but now that the show has wrapped up it’s tempting to dive in and start. We’ll see — lots of ER to finish still!
Another knitter! First off, I highly recommend joining Ravelry, a free site for knitters and crocheters (and some spinners and weavers as well.) It’s fantastic. You can: keep track of your yarn stash and needles; keep track of your past, current, and future projects; browse or search literally thousands of patterns, many of them free or downloadable for a reasonable price; and connect with other knitters via forums and groups with every possible focus, from sock knitting to writing patterns to geeky/fandom knitting.
Simple scarves are great beginning projects. I like Jason Flood’s Noro Striped Scarf; it’s 1×1 rib (knit-purl-knit-purl) with alternating 2-row stripes of long-change color-changing yarn, and it comes out beautifully. Here’s the link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/noro-striped-scarf . Basic hats are good for learning to knit in the round.
Thank you for the suggestions! I have a neglected Ravelry account, but I will have to get it going again to track projects. I love the pattern you linked to, it’s beautiful!
When you get back on Ravelry, come friend me there! I’m Lady-Lark.
It’s good that you started the project of 100 days and even if you didn’t finish it at least you tried and now have moved on to something else. Hope you enjoy knitting. I would love to try that one of these days. Here’s to fun summer moments!
I was really optimistic about the notebook project, but it just wasn’t sticking after awhile. And as long as I have a creative outlet, I think it’s still good.
Locking Up Our Own sounds really good.
I saw Chicago for the first time last year and loved it.
It was excellent — I’ll be recommending it a lot.
My daughter is getting her degree in Criminal Justice so I’m going to have to pick up Locking Up Our Own for her. And then read it as well!
I think she’ll find it really, really interesting in the context of all the other things I’m sure she’s learned pursuing that degree!
I’m glad you loved The Invisible Library! I’m reading the latest one (4th?) right now, The Lost Plot and it is such a great escape.
Also, I just added Children of Blood and Bone to my library list thanks to your last post! 🙂
It was so delightful! I did figure out the mystery a bit ahead of the characters, but that was ok, I still enjoyed spending time with all of them. I am glad there are more books in the series.
Hi Kim! 🙂 Popping in on old friends today as I try to revive my bookish world, which I really miss. So excited about “The Great British Baking Show” — setting the DVR for sure! Hope you are well.
Hello, friend! I could not be more psyched for GBBS coming back! That show is just one of the best, kindest, most awesome things to indulge in.