And all of a sudden, it’s April. Are daffodils weeds? They grow like them, obstinate yellow everywhere. We are bright and we are HERE. Aries season in a plant.
Chipmunks are back on offer and several times a day, the shadow of a hawk or turkey vulture consumes my yard in a way that makes me think of Moonstruck. “Who died?”
This works for me. It’s one less rodent trying to turn my Jeep into a motel. Twice a week, I pop the hood to spray Mighty Mint: Rodent Vehicle Protection on the engine. I’m pretty sure it’s just toothpaste and water, but the packaging is so official I continue to obey.
April is a month of high holy days. Passover! Easter! And, my personal favorite: Independent Bookstore Day!
One of the best things about living in a small community is developing a relationship with local booksellers. As an author, indies wield untold power. No one can crush you faster than an indie bookseller blinking without recognition as they tell you your book is not in stock while heavily implying that it never was. Emily Henry has a great passage about this in Beach Read. It’s soul crushing.
Conversely, if an indie gets behind you, they can extend the life of your book…for years. I’m fortunate to have two incredible booksellers on Island who continue to champion Songs in Ursa Major like it’s a new release.
Bunch of Grapes in Vineyard Haven is what you picture when you picture a bookshop on an island; magical, cozy, and eclectic. It’s the first place I was ever recognized as a writer (fun fact, it’s also the storefront that inspired Widow’s Peak). They have a really cute kitten named Bookmark, and Molly is a brilliant bookseller, who does a phenomenal job catering to a hungry and diverse readership that balloons 10x every summer.
Edgartown Books is my hometown bookstore; it’s where I waited in line for Harry Potters to be released at midnight. Matt is one of the best in the business and is incredibly knowledgeable about pretty much every book ever sold. You can talk to him about Percy Jackson (which I have read!) and A Little Life (which I have not!) in the same conversation. They have a super dreamy café in back for reading and people watching—it’s a little slice of heaven.
Both are worth a follow (click the names above)—and if you happen to be looking for a signed copy of Songs in Ursa Major, both currently have stock.
Updates
Weather: Temperamental. Wellies and baseball caps. Some freakish, possibly sentient fog. It’s warm enough that I’m starting to pull ticks off Freddie (boo).
Currently Reading: Bittersweet by Susan Cain and Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Currently Watching: still Midsomer Murders (the John years) and March Madness
Editing: see below re: Prose to the People
Books I Read Last Month
Light light light Fourth Wing spoilers, otherwise you should be good.
THE EMPYREAN SERIES: For context, I am a huge Rebecca Yarros fan. These books make me grin so hard I sometimes have to stop to take face breaks. That said, this was my third time reading Fourth Wing, but my first since reading the sequels, and I found myself having some feelings I didn’t want to have—namely certain bargains and certain signets I now know about made me feel extremely self-conscious for Violet when I wanted to be breathless. But so it goes. In the words of Cadet Two-Rs-in-Sorrengail Sorrengail herself, my love is not fickle, and Fourth Wing is still one of my favorite builds of all time. Onyx Storm has overtaken Iron Flame as my second favorite in the series. Professor Xaddy seems to be garnering mixed reviews, but I was really into the mat scene! It’s Jasper/ Alice training montage vibes in the best way. Read if you want to be swept off your feet/ turned into a literary sea wife, tearfully awaiting the next installment.
THE WEDDING PEOPLE: In a market that likes to delineate between books that talk about feelings and books that give you feelings, this book is defiantly both, and I love it. It’s propulsive and wise and really funny—think Ottessa Moshfegh meets Elin Hildebrand. Read if you want something that’s cathartic and sensuous, but won’t turn you into a sea wife.
MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLE: This was my second Rufi Thorpe book, and I just love her. She has such a delicious appreciation of kitsch, and her writing makes even the tackiest chrome siding look like gold. And she is so, so, so funny! I guffawed at this book—both at the scenes and some of the lines. The characters are super lovable, particularly Margo and her dad, Jinx, though everyone gets a little moment of pathos. Made for Love meets Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. Read if you want to laugh and also get really mad a few times, and you have an interest in the intersection of art and identity.
WHEN THE MOON HATCHED: So fun. Like the first four Throne of Glass books distilled into a super serum and so very sexy it hardly bothered me that I had to learn new words for things like day (dae) and night (slumber). I fell into this book—Raeve comes fully programmed on how to fight/stab/read, which is refreshing. The magic in this universe is very cool/ apropos of Avatar the Last Airbender in ways that make it sing (This is an in-world joke, FYI). Read if you want immersive and steamy and poignant. Will definitely turn you into a sea wife.
Upcoming Releases
Two titles I love are publishing this month. The first, I got to work on, the second, I devoured. I’ll be posting more about them as their birthday’s arrive, but in the meantime, you can click on the images below to investigate/ pre-order.
Advanced Praise for PROSE TO THE PEOPLE: “Through vivid photography, interviews, and essays, this work—part-travelogue and part-manifesto—helps us fall in love with the places that have centered Black literature as a form of resistance.”—Elle
Advanced Praise for SUCH A GOOD MOM: “With a plot that moves as swiftly as the currents off Martha's Vineyard, Such a Good Mom is a rollicking fun mystery that makes one point abundantly clear: the only thing harder than motherhood is knowing who to trust. A twisty ride that's not to be missed.” – Jamie Day
I love mail. I love your handwriting. Drop me a postcard, I’ll send you one back.
Until next time—
xx
Emma