About Me

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Bookmark Binge | Seattle Book Bingo 2025

I told friends I'm dabbling in Seattle Book Bingo, but the truth is, I've been gunning for blackout! I've been an absolute nut -- zipping through audiobooks and flying through pages. Although this was my first year to participate, I've essentially been playing my own Book Bingo with my self-assigned monthly reading categories. I enjoy matching books to various prompts, and this summer I found ways to read books that have been on my TBR for a while. Similar to a book club, it also led me to pick up several titles I wouldn't have normally selected. Of the 23 books I read, here were my all-stars (half of which were re-reads!):


I love the diversity in this collection -- length, genre, content, style, authors, publishing year, and also my enjoyment...haha! I'm sharing quick thoughts and a letter grade (taken from podcaster Erica Ladd's book review system) to make it easy to scan. 

A = Amazing! Awesome! Above and Beyond!
B = Buzz-worthy! Book I'd recommend
C = Could have been better...could have been worse
D = Disappointing
F = F*** this book

Suggested by a Library Worker | The Favorites by Layne Fargo (B-)
(2025; 437 pages) // Contemporary Fiction
This book is a Wuthering Heights retelling in the world of ice dance, and I found the drama-filled story fun...it made me want to go ice skating and watch the Winter Olympics :) A little too long but overall a page turner and can see why it was a popular book. 

SAL Speaker (Past or Present) | Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (B)
(2015; 152 pages) // Nonfiction
Glad I finally read this (albeit too quickly)! It was more lyrical and poetic than I was expecting and he meanders a bit, but his main themes and ideas are striking and important!

Grief | Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (B+)
(2025; 298 pages) // Thriller
I picked this up on the recommendation of Mr. Fleece's cousin and really enjoyed it! Beautifully written and interesting plot and themes. Would love to pick up more climate-related novels and explore more of McConaghy's backlist. 

PNW Nature | Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (C)
(2022; 368 pages) // Contemporary Fiction🎧
I saw this book everywhere and wanted to know what it was about. Glad I did it on audio -- my favorite chapters were voiced by Marcellus. I liked the characters more than the plot, and wasn't blown away by the writing. 

Censorship | The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (D+)
(1951; 277 pages) // Classic YA
As one of the most banned books of all time, I thought this prompt was a great excuse to pick up this classic I had never read. Too cynical, negative, and stream-of-consciousness for my taste and didn't like being in his head or following his nighttime escapades. My two favorite parts were when you understand the title and the bittersweet carousel scene/paragraph with his sister. 

Author from Another Continent | Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl (A+)
(1970; 96 pages) // Children's Literature🎧
By today's standards, there are lots of reasons why this story isn't great for children -- guns! starvation! Some of the language...But gosh, NLW and I really love this one! The audiobook narrator Chris O'Dowd (same voiceover as Puffin Rock) completely makes the experience!

Suggested by an Independent Bookseller | Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones (C)
(2025; 240 pages) // Essays
I listen to From the Front Porch podcast on occasion, so was intrigued enough to read her book. The reflections on daily life, community, and faith were pleasant, but nothing really stuck with me two months later. Probably would have liked it better on audio...

Flower on the Cover/In Title | Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (A)
(2019; 368 pages) // Historical Fiction
I just love the way the story unfolds and how real it feels. Camila Dunne's love for her husband is just wonderful! I read on the page this time, but would recommend on audio. The TV show is great too <3

Intergenerational Friendship | The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa (C+)
(2005; 180 pages) // Fiction🎧
I had heard about this title from a few different places and thought the premise sounded interesting: a housekeeper who cares for a professor whose memory resets every 80 minutes. It was a little bit too slow, quiet, and sweet for my taste, but glad to have included a book in translation on my list!

New-to-You Format | Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found by Sophie Blackall (B)
(2011; 129 pages) // Nonfiction
We often rotate library books that we can display on our coffee table and this one was a delight! I originally discovered Blackall through the world of picture books but in this collection she illustrates online confessions from strangers that range from silly and quirky to endearing and sweet. 

Dystopia | The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (B+)
(2008; 374 pages) // YA 
I really wanted to finish Station Eleven by Emily St. James, but I just wasn't engaged with the story. So instead, I went with a tried and true page-turner -- I love the balance of familiar scenes and it's-been-so-long-that-I've-forgotten combo that comes through on a re-read. 

Found Family | Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette (A-)
(2021; 273 pages) // Literary Fiction
I picked this up on recommendation from Annie B. Jones (author of Ordinary Time...see above!) and loved my reading experience. It's similar in a lot of ways to The Housekeeper and the Professor (see above!) in that they are both quiet books with unusual premises that are ultimately about connection, but I enjoyed the writing and storytelling of this one a lot more, probably because it explored the topics of faith and finding yourself.

Resistance | One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (A)
(2025; 208 pages) // Nonfiction🎧
Another book I read too quickly --  and would honestly pair well with Between the World and Me. Nevertheless, I appreciated his main argument and thought audio was a great first-time exposure as he narrates it himself. This would be a good one to read again, and ideally with someone to discuss!

Humor | The Noble Hustle: Poker, Beef Jerky, and Death by Colson Whitehead (C)
(2014; 234 pages) // Memoir🎧
I almost never reach for the "humor" section and wasn't sure what to pick up for this category. I originally planned on reading Whitehead for the BIPOC historical fiction, but instead stumbled upon this niche portion of his life in which he enters a World Series of Poker competition. Parts were funny and I enjoyed the Texas Hold ’em nostalgia, but overall this was a little too sarcastic/obscure for my taste. 

(2020; 232 pages) // Nonfiction
Wonderful book to read if you're interested in learning about the activism and disability rights movement -- something I was quite ignorant about! Glad to have some more context and learn about one of the key leaders on this part of our country's history.

(2024; 256 pages) // Biography🎧
What a wild true story! Their personalities, unique decisions and circumstances, and immediate fame that resulted were all so intense. Still not sure what I think about this one. 

Monsters | Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes (B)
(2022; 373 pages) // Mythology
This was no Circe or The Song of Achilles, but a fun mythology retelling nonetheless. An empathetic, feminist view of Medusa.

Read in Public | Robot Dreams by Sara Varon (C)
(2007; 208 pages) // Graphic Novel 
I stumbled across this book when putting books on hold for NLW. I liked the idea and themes, but wasn't crazy about the artwork itself. Read it quickly at a park while my kids were on the playground. 

BIPOC Historical Fiction/Nonfiction | The Buddha in the Attic by  Julie Otsuka (A+)
(2011; 144 pages) // Historical Fiction
I needed something short as I was nearing the end of the challenge, and am so glad I picked this up! It's unusually told from a first-person plural "we" group of women. The sentence structure was often repetitive, but ultimately really effective. I absolutely loved considering this time in history from the perspective of these women -- following Japanese "picture brides" all the way to their forced internment after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Otsuka's final chapter is so smart in that it flips the voice and we hear from the white American neighbors in the community. I think this would be a great book club selection!

One Big Book | Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (A+)
(1936; 959 pages) // Historical Fiction🎧
This is an epic novel with such vivid characters. I love the dialogue, the descriptive writing, and the foils between Rhett, Ashley, Melanie, and Scarlett. So good! 

Hope | Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (B)
(2021; 476 pages) // Science Fiction
I finally picked this up while on vacation because I wanted to know what all the hype was. It's not what I'd normally pick up, but overall I still liked it and thought it was a perfect fit for the "Hope" square. Glad I read it so close to the movie coming out and will be fun to compare. 

Gender Bender | A Girlhood: A Letter to My Transgender Daughter by Carolyn Hays (C)
(2022; 282 pages) // Nonfiction🎧
I appreciated the chance to consider the trans experience through the perspective of a parent. The reflections are heartfelt, though the book sometimes wandered into tangents. Overall it deepened my empathy toward families navigating similar journeys as the author.

Buddy Read | Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (D)
(2025; 352 pages) // Romance
Read this with my West Seattle Book Club and found it slow, with most of the conflict taking place in the main character's head -- not my favorite. I'd recommend watching the documentary Sally instead. 

Any book can be a beach read,
-SJW

Friday, July 4, 2025

Fourth of July Reflections | 2025

For years now, I've wanted to attend the annual Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony at the Seattle Center—and this year, we made it happen! I wasn't sure what to expect or how my children would fare, but it felt important, especially in a year marked by tumultuous politics and Donald Trump’s hostile leadership.

I haven’t attended any marches or protests in recent years, but in a way, this ceremony almost felt like one. Watching 501 individuals from 79 countries get sworn in as new citizens was uplifting—and a powerful reminder of the constitutional rights I have as a U.S. citizen. It’s amazing that people from across the globe, each with their own stories, cultures, and languages, can obtain those same rights. What a meaningful way to celebrate Independence Day!

I still love all the summery aspects of the holiday—watermelon, water play, grilling with friends, country music, red, white, and blue, fireworks, etc.—but I also appreciated the opportunity to reflect on my country and find a renewed sense of gratitude. Alongside attending the ceremony, a few things in recent weeks have helped me think more deeply about patriotism, identity, and the American experience:

"...By limiting government, specifying rights, and empowering the people, the founders of the United States of America proclaimed that the heart of America would be its citizens not its rulers..."
Oh say, can you see?

– SJW

    Sunday, June 15, 2025

    Around the Corner & On My List | Summer 2025

    NLW has just three days left of Kindergarten, and then we'll officially be shifting into summer. Similar to last year, we have some bigger trips, so I’m mentally organizing the season into three phases:

    Phase I: Ten days in Missouri to visit my family and enjoy life on the farm
    Phase II: Summer camps + nanny E. We'll have about 4 hours of care most weekdays which feels supportive and wonderful
    Phase III: Ten days in Connecticut to visit family and enjoy life on the East coast

    With Fourth of July fun, a weekend trip to Port Angeles, and friends and family visiting in between, it’s shaping up to be more structured than I initially expected—and, the structure is welcome.

    Around the Corner
    -
    Celebrating the first day of summer at Jack Block Park
    - Staying with our friends K&C in St. Louis
    - Visiting the Rabbit Hole in Kansas City 
    - 4th of July bike parade

    Essentials
    Outside of blueberry picking, I don’t feel the need to schedule much more. I know we’ll naturally weave in these activities that make summer feel like summer for our family:

    - Spray parks
    - Wading pools
    - Beach play
    - Blackberry picking
    - Blueberry picking
    - Playdates and park meet-ups
    - Ice cream, watermelon, cherries 
    - Playing at Schmitz Preserve Park
    - Lounging in our hammocks

    Bucket List
    I'd love to make it to the four major bodies of water in our area: Elliott Bay, Lake Washington, Lake Union, and Green Lake. We bought a paddle board for Mr. Fleece's birthday—maybe that’ll be the push we need to get out there more often. Some other water spots on my radar (no expectation to check all of these off!):

    - Flowing Lake
    - Chism Beach Park 
    - Newcastle Beach Park
    - Angle Lake Park
    - Beaver Pond 

    We’re skipping the big festivals, concerts, and outdoor movies this year. I’m more interested in exploring new places, spending time with friends, being in nature, and maintaining helpful family rhythms. The one true bucket list item? Biking with the kids along Myrtle Edwards.

    Reading List
    Currently reading (audio): The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa
    Currently reading (physical): Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
    Most excited to pack for vacation: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
    My Seattle Book Club's summer classic: Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (need to decide if I'll commit to re-reading)
    I'm hoping to dive into some historical fiction and pick up something by Ann Patchett or Kristin Hannah

    Summer sun, something's begun
    - SJW

    Saturday, June 14, 2025

    No Preamble | Spring 2025 Collection

    Watching | Wonka
    I enjoy Timothée Chalamet's acting and was curious to see his portrayal and interpretation of the well-loved Willy Wonka. I thought he did a great job and made the role his own. The entire movie was visually appealing and fun! A Complete Unknown is up next!

    Reading | Emma by Jane Austen
    2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, which created an extra incentive to finally read Emma. It wasn't as propulsive as I had hoped, but I'm glad to know the storyline and to have encountered more of Austen's work. I liked Emma more than Sense and Sensibility, but less than Pride & Prejudice. This movie adaptation was very true to the book!

    Listening | Good Mood
    An effective way to get me or the kids into a good mood, this song gets a lot of airtime :) It's one of CCW's favorites!

    Eating | Blue cheese
    Blue cheese has been making its way into all my salads. I've always loved a wedge or Cobb salad, and it's likely because of this showstopping cheese :) My recent easy go-to has been kale + apples + pecans + blue cheese + balsamic vinegar + extra virgin olive oil. Scrumptious!

    You must be the best judge of your own happiness,

    SJW

    Monday, May 19, 2025

    Bookmark Binge | Emma, Empathy, and Everything In Between

    This spring’s roundup reveals just how varied my reading life has been lately. With only two book club picks among the mix, the rest are personal selections—chosen on a whim, sparked by a recommendation, or driven by pure curiosity. Below, I’m sharing what drew me in and how each book landed.






    Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (2018; 467 pages) // Fantasy🎧
    I first heard of the Nevermoor series from Fiction Matters. It's a fun and whimsical middle grade novel with wonderful world-building. This one is the second in the series and it will scratch that Harry Potter itch! 

    Trust by Hernan Diaz (2022; 402 pages) // Historical Fiction🎧
    On lots of "best of" lists, plus heard it was great on audio. Impeccable writing and I love how it all unfolds...it won the Pulitzer for a reason!

    All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (2024; 597 pages) // Mystery+Thriller
    This book was on my college roommate's favorites list for 2024, which was reason enough to pick this up. In short, I hated the content warnings component of this book (which are essential to the plot) but couldn't help but love the cast of characters and story-telling. It helped me realize how much I love closing a book on a chunky, character-driven saga. A hard one for me to recommend, yet so good!

    Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz (2024; 303 pages) // Memoir🎧
    I had seen this cover but wouldn't have picked it up if it weren't for my Seattle Book Club. While it was hard to hear all that happened to her, it was a quick listen and compelling story. The end made the book for me, when she compares being in a cult to being in an abusive relationship...and how it can happen to smart ambitious women. I love when a book helps me cultivate empathy—this one certainly did!

    Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks (2025; 224 pages) // Memoir
    I'm always intrigued when a novelist publishes a nonfiction book (a la John Green...see below!) especially when it explores one of my niche topics: grief. This is the account of a wife remembering and mourning her husband's unexpected death, told in dual timelines—a favorite format of mine. It is lovely and sweet and reminds you of the "big things" in life. Similar to The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, but I preferred this one.

    Emma by Jane Austen (1815; 474 pages) // Classic🎧
    This book has been on my list for years now! A few things pushed me to finally pick it up: covered on Novel Pairings, earmarked it as a "massive" book to read in March-May, and a friend of mine also picked it up around the same time. And 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth! It wasn't as propulsive as I had hoped, but I'm glad to know the storyline and to have encountered more of Austen's work. I liked Emma more than Sense & Sensibility, but less than Pride & Prejudice. This movie adaptation was very true to the book!

    I loved The Anthropocene Reviewed, so when I saw John Green published another work of nonfiction, I was ready to dive in! I grabbed this off Seattle’s ‘Peak Picks’ shelf and finished this in a few sittings. I love how he touches on the beauty and pain in this world while also teaching you something. One of my favorite kinds of reading experiences. I thought this was wonderful! 

    Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout (2024; 326 pages) // Fiction🎧
    I've enjoyed Strout's other fiction with its emphasis on everyday relationships, vivid descriptions, voicy characters, and peculiar plot points. So when I heard this novel combined her two most famous protagonists, Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge, I was intrigued! Overall though, this fell flat and I just wasn't as engaged with the story or happenings. There's a lot of dialogue and the legal case "mystery" didn't drive the story enough for me to care all that much. It was fine—I could have skipped this one.

    I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (1985; 184pages) // Dystopia🎧
    I had never even heard of this until my UT Book Club selected it for our spring read. I wanted to re-read the first pages again after I finished, which I think is a sign of a good book! Not a stand-out favorite, but the storytelling is unique and thought-provoking—it certainly touches on the age-old question: ‘What does it mean to be human?’ Excited to discuss this one with friends! 

    The Measure by Nikki Erlick (2022; 353 pages) // Science Fiction🎧
    Not quite sure where I first heard of this, but I'm a sucker for anything "thought-provoking" and was intrigued by the "what-if" premise. Appreciated the interconnected stories, but most of all, I loved that this one surprised me—both in the direction the story took and by surpassing my expectations! The audiobook is narrated by the all-star Julia Whelan <3

    Always reading, 
    - SJW

    Wednesday, April 2, 2025

    No Preamble | February & March Collection

    Watching | Vengeance
    B.J. Novak's clever and satirical writing shines through in this West Texas mystery. I had never heard of this, but friends from UT recommended before heading to a girls' trip in Texas. 10/10!

    Binging | Hacks
    This show is a must-watch for anyone that enjoys stand-up and smart, fast-paced dialogue. The ensemble cast is fantastic, but the dynamic between Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels is the heart of the show. 

    Reading | Everyone Who is Gone is Here by Jonathan Blitzer
    My trip to Texas also prompted this pick for book club—we wanted a relevant nonfiction read, and this delivered. Blitzer details the history and political decisions that shaped the immigration crisis at the border, depicting multiple harrowing stories. The book is deeply informative without being prescriptive —mostly a documentation of how we got here. It gave me a clearer sense of the severity, longevity, and complexity of the issue. Not something I would have picked up on my own, but I’m glad I did!

    Eating | Familyfriend
    We went on a double date with our foodie friends A&L and had a glorious time at this Guamanian little hole in the wall—so unassuming that Mr. Fleece and I accidentally walked past it. The combination of delicious food, incredible service, and great conversation was the perfect remedy after a rough day of parenting. We learned that the staff has been friends since high school and all left their corporate jobs to help the owner open his restaurant. I loved their corn chowder and bulgogi dish the most (even more than their now famous burger)!

    Listening | Waitress Soundtrack 
    I listened to this soundtrack for the first time before seeing the play live at the 5th Avenue Theater. It's quirky and lovely and keeps growing on me. Makes me want to listen to more Sara Bareilles (she wrote the lyrics and music!) 

    It only takes a taste when you know it's good,
    - SJW

    Sunday, February 2, 2025

    No Preamble | Winter 2025 Collection

    Watching | Shirley 
    In honor of the MLK holiday, I watched the biopic of Shirley Chisholm and her run for president in 1972. Her tenacity, integrity, and authenticity shine through. What a force! One of my favorite parts of the film is when you find out at the very end that Barbara Lee went on to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives!! I also loved seeing the real Robert Gottlieb attend the movie premiere.

    Reading | Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
    A favorite of Sara's from FictionMatters, and then referenced in The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I decided to pick this up to round out my fantasy reads for January. As a "sliding door" novel, it was slightly confusing at points, but overall, I adored the descriptive writing, the setting and timeframe, and the ending! Great on audio. 

    Listening | Beautiful Things by Benson Boone
    I've loved this song when it pops up in my Spotify and just now learning he's a TikTok sensation. Go figure! I also like his songs Slow it DownSugar Sweet, and In the Stars.

    Podcasting | Sold a Story
    This investigative series delves into the reading gap in America, unpacking the science of reading—the meaning behind the term, its history, and the debate about how children are taught to read. As a mother of a kindergartner learning to read, I found it both fascinating and, at times, heartbreaking. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in literacy and education.


    These beautiful things that I've got,
    - SJW

    Friday, January 31, 2025

    Year of the Dragon | Resolutions for 2025

    Along with the books I want to read, I'm hoping 2025 is a year of patience. I want to be increasingly patient with myself and those around me, most notably, my children :) I also want to be more realistic about how long projects/tasks take and accept that I won't be able to complete everything all at once.  In general, I am coming into the new year exactly how I wanted to be feeling -- refeshed, positive, excited, and more settled into myself.

    Word for the Year: Patience

    Intention for the Year: Get Outdoors! We already spend a lot of time outside, but I want even more.

    Goals for the Year:

    1. Visit Mount Rainier National Park
    2. Plant a vegetable garden
    3. Get my bike working
    4. Professional photo shoot for our family

    We're planning very similar trips to the ones we took in 2023 -- Camano Island for spring break, Missouri farmhouse with family in June, and Connecticut in August! And I already have a girl's trip to Houston with college friends on the calendar for March. Hooray for time with family and friends. More of that, always!

    Cheers to the year of the dragon,

    -SJW

    Thursday, January 2, 2025

    Dog-earred Pages | 2025

    Here's my updated monthly categories for the year and six titles I'm eyeing!

    January: Fantasy 
    February: Black Authors
    March-May: Massive Books (400+ page)
    June: LGBTQ
    July-August: Historical Fiction
    September: Specific Authors (i.e. Kristin Hannah, Ann Patchett, Lauren Groff, Margaret Atwood) 
    October: Re-read Favorites
    November: Nonfiction
    December: Mood Reading

    Removing distractions,
    -SJW