This Week's Miscellany (Chicago and Indianapolis Edition!)
Let's meet up, books I'm reading, and miscellany
Friends, we’re taking the fam to New Orleans this weekend for parades and beignets. On a scale of one to neurotic about Mardi Gras crowds, I’m “I bought airtags to put on my children in case they get lost.” It isn’t our first time taking the kids to Mardi Gras but it’s been awhile and everyone should have a little compassion on my poor nerves!
Then next week I have a work trip to Chicago that I’m really looking forward to. After it wraps up, I’m going to the Art Institute with a friend and then spending the night with my high school bestie and bridesmaid. But before I fly home, I get to FINALLY meet two online friends in person. And they are also authors and Janeites. So, Chicago folks, you’re invited to a conversation about Lent, liturgical living good books, and Jane Austen next Saturday!
Marcia and Shannon’s book, Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s is an inviting journey through the liturgical year and Black Catholic tradition from the experiences of two faith-filled women. I loved it. And Marcia and Shannon’s love for Austen has also made us kindred spirits. So we’ll be chatting about Lent, how good books help us to grow in holiness, and of course, Miss Austen. And we’ll have books for purchase that we’ll be happy to sign for you!
And if you’re planning to attend, please fill out this form so I’ll know how many books to have on hand for you!
And I’m also excited to be traveling to Indianapolis in April to speak at the Together in Holiness Conference. Will you be there?
Reading Lately
My current reads are:
The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs
Meet the Austins by Madeleine L’Engle
The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
And I enjoyed reading my friend
on whether charitable disagreement is possible.Listening
I’ve been on a 90s kick and have been mostly listening to Sixpence None the Richer and Tori Amos.
Watching
I watched Three Pines based on the Inspector Gamache mysteries by Louse Penny and found it compelling; however, I haven’t read the books and
who has read them and is Canadian had some interesting thoughts about the series: Three Pines and Thinking You're Too Cool for CozyI’ll be back in your inbox soon reflecting on Mr. Collins! And a shout out to new paid subscribers Laura, Phillipa, and Margot. Thanks for your support!
Is this the first time through L'Engle's work? She's such an eclectic and fascinating author - I prefer her more fantastical work, particularly A Wind in the Door, but the Austin series is quite nicely done!
Glad to see Trueman's book continuing to make the rounds - I mostly skimmed it, since I feel like I got it double barrelled in the face as an English grad student from 2009-2011, but I think Trueman is an underrated analyst of the problems we face today!
The piece about the canon was very interesting and worthwhile, though I fear it doesn't really offer a strong enough vision to work against those screaming loudest.
The piece on cozy mysteries makes me once again lament the "cozy/"realistic" divide in mysteries - I miss the golden age, where dark things happened, but there was still a pushback against the grim, grey, bleakness of "social realism" and its commitment to the hatred of "modern late stage capitalist" culture and community. The ability to grapple with serious, hard things without trying to make everyone who watches or reads it miserable.
Chicago and New Orleans!! Two dream vacations of mine!!