This is what I come to Substack for. I sit down with a cup of coffee and put up a mental do not disturb sign and savour every word. Puts a smile on my face every time. Looking forward to hearing about Paris, rain, croissants and friendship. What more does anyone need?
Yes! We hope for future posts about Paris and croissants, green shaded courtyards, and cafe culture with long-separated friends!
I love bookstores, so have been enjoying your stories about working in one.
Based on how delightful your posts here are, I also recently purchased your audiobook “Sorry I’m late: I didn’t want to come” which I hadn’t realized *you read yourself* until a few chapters in. Great choice! Hearing your story, in your voice, really brought the book into focus. My wife and I were crying with laughter at the improv and comedy bits - great book!
I did read it myself, despite begging my editor to NOT be the one to do it. It took TWO WEEKS and was agony. But I am glad you are listening now! That makes it worth it.
Reading it yourself being agony is very on-point for the topic, lol!
We were a few chapters into the audiobook, and I was thinking “this reader is *crushing it*! Alternately, warm, funny, droll, ironic, and you can feel the emotions and empathy this reader has for the source material...it’s like she lived it- fantastic performance! <checks catalog entry> wait! She DID live it! <excited happy noises from the driver somewhere in Nebraska on 22-hour road-trip>
*Definitely* record more of your own works on audiobook in future! As a creative work, hearing the author read their own works is a huge benefit to the story.
I rush to your Substack each time I see a post, ignoring others that have laid idle for weeks in my inbox. It’s simple and normal yet funny and out of the ordinary all at once. The perfect thing to read to take me out of my life for a few minutes.
Honestly, I feel like I’ve just had a coffee with a good friend when I read your messages from the planet - well, from at least your part of it. Your writing flows like good conversation. Thanks for today’s happiness lift.
All the wisdom and chuckles this post gave me, but I'm still hung up on you preferring Jeremiah to Conrad! (Although that probably means you have healthier attractions than I do). Hello from the Brown community!
If I ever finish writing my novel I aspire to seeing it launched from a small bookstore whose staff are adorned with gold hoop earrings and where the wordless music will not distract potential readers from my printed ramblings....
And if it makes you feel better, I have been worrying about bedbugs too. But not quite to the same extent as my husband who has asked me not to sit down on buses and the tube anymore. I'm afraid I have told him lots of lies about this in the past week or so.
You know what’s one of the best parts of these posts? The complete joy that lingers, the smile on my face, the moment later on when I laugh out loud remembering the ‘funny’ that has stayed with me. I now pay attention to the little things that make me pause & enjoy. Thank you :)
Oh god I sincerely hope this is not true: ‘“No, Jess. We’re the moms now. We’re not the main characters anymore.”’ Because I’m an inappropriate mom then 😬
And Sadie wants to be a therapist? Hmmm. I love when you post stories from the book store. Every time you mention a celebrity siting I think of Notting Hill. Enjoy Paris and your friends!
This is what I come to Substack for. I sit down with a cup of coffee and put up a mental do not disturb sign and savour every word. Puts a smile on my face every time. Looking forward to hearing about Paris, rain, croissants and friendship. What more does anyone need?
Yes! We hope for future posts about Paris and croissants, green shaded courtyards, and cafe culture with long-separated friends!
I love bookstores, so have been enjoying your stories about working in one.
Based on how delightful your posts here are, I also recently purchased your audiobook “Sorry I’m late: I didn’t want to come” which I hadn’t realized *you read yourself* until a few chapters in. Great choice! Hearing your story, in your voice, really brought the book into focus. My wife and I were crying with laughter at the improv and comedy bits - great book!
I did read it myself, despite begging my editor to NOT be the one to do it. It took TWO WEEKS and was agony. But I am glad you are listening now! That makes it worth it.
Reading it yourself being agony is very on-point for the topic, lol!
We were a few chapters into the audiobook, and I was thinking “this reader is *crushing it*! Alternately, warm, funny, droll, ironic, and you can feel the emotions and empathy this reader has for the source material...it’s like she lived it- fantastic performance! <checks catalog entry> wait! She DID live it! <excited happy noises from the driver somewhere in Nebraska on 22-hour road-trip>
that's very kind - a lot of people HATE my delivery, so I'll take the compliment this time!
*Definitely* record more of your own works on audiobook in future! As a creative work, hearing the author read their own works is a huge benefit to the story.
Not bed bugs that’s for sure! :)
This 👆👆
Well said! I agree
My thoughts exactly!
I rush to your Substack each time I see a post, ignoring others that have laid idle for weeks in my inbox. It’s simple and normal yet funny and out of the ordinary all at once. The perfect thing to read to take me out of my life for a few minutes.
Honestly, I feel like I’ve just had a coffee with a good friend when I read your messages from the planet - well, from at least your part of it. Your writing flows like good conversation. Thanks for today’s happiness lift.
This bit made me laugh out LOUD:
"a small part of me hopes the Irishman is on a porch stoop somewhere listening to Lana Del Rey and thinking about me and my massive sandals"
Enjoy Paree!
I have a friend from Paris staying over next month and I genuinely texted her 'DO NOT BRING BEDBUGS' so: I'm with you pal.
Your posts are just delightful. I get excited for a little dose of dopamine every time they come to my email. Thank you!
“Emotional tenor of Siri”. When will these posts be turned into a book? One day soon I hope 🤍 they’re magic.
All the wisdom and chuckles this post gave me, but I'm still hung up on you preferring Jeremiah to Conrad! (Although that probably means you have healthier attractions than I do). Hello from the Brown community!
If I ever finish writing my novel I aspire to seeing it launched from a small bookstore whose staff are adorned with gold hoop earrings and where the wordless music will not distract potential readers from my printed ramblings....
Hahaha I know just the place...
Likewise!
I love everything about your newsletter.
And if it makes you feel better, I have been worrying about bedbugs too. But not quite to the same extent as my husband who has asked me not to sit down on buses and the tube anymore. I'm afraid I have told him lots of lies about this in the past week or so.
You know what’s one of the best parts of these posts? The complete joy that lingers, the smile on my face, the moment later on when I laugh out loud remembering the ‘funny’ that has stayed with me. I now pay attention to the little things that make me pause & enjoy. Thank you :)
Love your Substacks. I worked in a bookstore when I was in my 30s and your pieces bring back such memories … I loved that job!
Oh god I sincerely hope this is not true: ‘“No, Jess. We’re the moms now. We’re not the main characters anymore.”’ Because I’m an inappropriate mom then 😬
“She’s very British and by this I mean she is enigmatic and I have no idea if she likes me or merely tolerates me.”
This line is perfection.
heels are dead, long live the comfy sandals
*sigh* I also love the sad love longs, and you’re right, they just aren’t the same when you’re married. I don’t get all the same feels as before.
And Sadie wants to be a therapist? Hmmm. I love when you post stories from the book store. Every time you mention a celebrity siting I think of Notting Hill. Enjoy Paris and your friends!