I had to laugh out loud! I enjoyed the personal insight! I too, try and keep my substack with just the stories, but I just cannot keep my mouth shut either. So I started a new substack so I could talk, even if it's just to myself.
I've said it before and I'll say it again-- keep the personal reflections coming! Yes, we're all human and most likely are sharing a lot of the same feelings whether we say them out loud or not (this year in particular if you're an American 😖😅). Thank you for sharing with us, and giving us great books for the kids in our lives as well!
I love hearing about how things are going with you. And you always have such words of wisdom to share. Hope there’s many more sun soaking days ahead of you. ☀️
I love anything Elana K. Arnold writes, and Bat is brilliant! And I must immediately find Bananas in my Ears, it's calling to me. And as for your personal sharing, it makes your book sharing all the more poignant. I do love how books for kids (which are really books for all of us) can be such a balm. Sunshine is good, too, you take all the vitamin D and deep breathing you need and keep sharing. It matters.
Sarah, I admire you for being able to put yourself out there as much as you do. You have helped ME feel less alone. I can't share like you do (at least not in this space) but I often wish that I could. Thank you!
I'm glad I've helped you feel less alone, Katie. I often think, "I'm just going to delete all of this" but I stop myself because I tell myself, "Maybe this will help ONE person." So when it does, it means so much to me.
Nothing makes me unsubscribe from something faster than a newsletter with no personal stories. I can get drab booklists and generic "here's what this book is about, decide for yourself if you like it" from anywhere. I can only get what you offer from you. So grateful for all the parts of what you write.
I love nonsense poetry AND Quentin Blake so much, so I have no idea how this one escaped my radar! Gotta get my hands on this asap. And I've been meaning to read Bat for ages!
Sarah, I'm sorry you're struggling right now. I wish I could give you a big long hug. Instead I will send you some love virtually. I think it's great you're sharing and being vulnerable and being real. I hope it helps! I'm in awe that you write so many incredibly well-written, thoughtful, interesting, heartfelt newsletters without every missing a beat! It's incredible and YOU'RE AMAZING!!! Don't forget it.
Put so many of these on hold!! Especially excited about A Boy Called Bat. My oldest is autistic and I have been really keeping my eye out for books with autistic characters where the autism isn’t the point. THANK YOU!
only halfway through this one so far, but here to say thank you always for showing yourself. It's all so hard, and full, and beautiful and on and on. AND I love anything Quentin Blake illustrates, and his work with michael rosen has been lovely.
Sarah, the personal anecdotes and your sharing are my favorite part of your writing. I, of course, love the book recommendations, but really love knowing how you are and what you are thinking.
Your sharing helps others feel less alone -- at least it makes me feel this way. This has been a difficult season for many around me and it is a weight on my shoulders and a constant struggle to not take it out on those I love, which is the last thing I want to do. I'm thinking of you and slightly envious of this lying in the sunshine as we currently have a foot of snow in the yard.
Hang in there, Sarah. Oh, and A Boy Called Bat was a true delight. I knew I had something to say about books, too.
Well, it was lying in my sports bra in 52-degree weather, but I'll take it!
Thank you for always being so supportive and such a cheerleader, Darcy. I hope I've told you often enough how much it means to me and how grateful I am for you 🩷
Well now I must read about Bat (and thanks for your thoughts and encouragement).
He's a great character!
I had to laugh out loud! I enjoyed the personal insight! I too, try and keep my substack with just the stories, but I just cannot keep my mouth shut either. So I started a new substack so I could talk, even if it's just to myself.
I love that.
I've said it before and I'll say it again-- keep the personal reflections coming! Yes, we're all human and most likely are sharing a lot of the same feelings whether we say them out loud or not (this year in particular if you're an American 😖😅). Thank you for sharing with us, and giving us great books for the kids in our lives as well!
I love hearing about how things are going with you. And you always have such words of wisdom to share. Hope there’s many more sun soaking days ahead of you. ☀️
I love anything Elana K. Arnold writes, and Bat is brilliant! And I must immediately find Bananas in my Ears, it's calling to me. And as for your personal sharing, it makes your book sharing all the more poignant. I do love how books for kids (which are really books for all of us) can be such a balm. Sunshine is good, too, you take all the vitamin D and deep breathing you need and keep sharing. It matters.
Thank you, Meredith 🩷
I appreciate your vulnerability and I’m in the same boat. Thanks!
Sending comfort your way 🩷
Sarah, I admire you for being able to put yourself out there as much as you do. You have helped ME feel less alone. I can't share like you do (at least not in this space) but I often wish that I could. Thank you!
I'm glad I've helped you feel less alone, Katie. I often think, "I'm just going to delete all of this" but I stop myself because I tell myself, "Maybe this will help ONE person." So when it does, it means so much to me.
Nothing makes me unsubscribe from something faster than a newsletter with no personal stories. I can get drab booklists and generic "here's what this book is about, decide for yourself if you like it" from anywhere. I can only get what you offer from you. So grateful for all the parts of what you write.
"I can only get what you offer from you." LAURA 🥹❤️
💗💗💗
I love nonsense poetry AND Quentin Blake so much, so I have no idea how this one escaped my radar! Gotta get my hands on this asap. And I've been meaning to read Bat for ages!
I think you'll enjoy both!
I’ve just borrowed all Bat audiobooks for an upcoming spring break road trip. Thank you!
You're so welcome. I've revisited them several times and I really think they're best on audio -- enjoy!
Sarah, I'm sorry you're struggling right now. I wish I could give you a big long hug. Instead I will send you some love virtually. I think it's great you're sharing and being vulnerable and being real. I hope it helps! I'm in awe that you write so many incredibly well-written, thoughtful, interesting, heartfelt newsletters without every missing a beat! It's incredible and YOU'RE AMAZING!!! Don't forget it.
without "ever" missing a beat! :)
Thank you so much, Taylor 🩷
I'm here for the personal AND the books. Recommendations need context, plus I love to learn the personal too :)
I can subscribe to impersonal stuff easy with the big time guys - I come to Substack for the hyper personal. I bet a lot of people do too :)
Put so many of these on hold!! Especially excited about A Boy Called Bat. My oldest is autistic and I have been really keeping my eye out for books with autistic characters where the autism isn’t the point. THANK YOU!
Then the entire Bat series is perfect for you!
only halfway through this one so far, but here to say thank you always for showing yourself. It's all so hard, and full, and beautiful and on and on. AND I love anything Quentin Blake illustrates, and his work with michael rosen has been lovely.
Thank you, Nancy 🙏
Sarah, the personal anecdotes and your sharing are my favorite part of your writing. I, of course, love the book recommendations, but really love knowing how you are and what you are thinking.
Your sharing helps others feel less alone -- at least it makes me feel this way. This has been a difficult season for many around me and it is a weight on my shoulders and a constant struggle to not take it out on those I love, which is the last thing I want to do. I'm thinking of you and slightly envious of this lying in the sunshine as we currently have a foot of snow in the yard.
Hang in there, Sarah. Oh, and A Boy Called Bat was a true delight. I knew I had something to say about books, too.
Well, it was lying in my sports bra in 52-degree weather, but I'll take it!
Thank you for always being so supportive and such a cheerleader, Darcy. I hope I've told you often enough how much it means to me and how grateful I am for you 🩷
52 degrees. Lady, you are brave. Aww, I'm grateful for you! Hang in there, Sarah.