How can it be almost September? When I look back over the past few months, I’m happy to say one of my biggest accomplishments has been the number of books I’ve been able to absorb. This has been intentional, prompted by my own addiction to good fiction (as well as good poetry) and also to other groups I’ve joined that have encouraged this habit by providing active opportunities to engage in reading and talking about books. I’ve become increasingly conscious of how reading in all genres primes my mental pump, and gives my brain respite from my own selfish preoccupations.

After periods of sustained, intentional reading, I am able to engage in easier conversations about my own work. Maybe I’m less nervous, maybe I’m more conscious of my own work being just a spoke in a broad, global literary wheel. It’s humbling to read the work of authors who make me say to myself: I wish I’d written that! Or, how does that person do it? At the same time, it’s a reminder that we all have stories to tell, poems to write, and the part of me that resonates deeply with work I read is the same part that takes me to the page when I embark on my own writing. All of that helps me understand my own motivations and obsessions a little better.

It’s not news that I’ve always loved reading, which as much a part of my life as breathing. However, I often pick up books that for one reason or other, I’m unable to finish, particularly if I’m reading several at one time, which is often the case. So being able to immerse myself in—and finish— some outstanding books recently has been wonderful.

The other really neat thing about this summer is the Bloodstream book tour, which has been going swimmingly and at a manageable pace. From a reading I did at Malaprops in Asheville in early May, (let’s count that as summer) to a signing event at Midtown Reader in Tallahassee, my hometown in mid-June, to a talk with the local YaYas group (what a delight that was!) All of these events were made special by the appearance of friends and family. It’s been such an honor to be invited and to be able to spend extra time with folks I care about, who support me.

And tomorrow, Aug. 24, I’ll be doing a reading/conversation about Bloodstream with the remarkable Ocala-based poet, Asa Drake, who stepped up after my friend, Sarah Anderson, had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. I’m so excited, as this will be my first-ever conversation-style event relating to the book, and Asa is someone I feel so at ease being around. I know she’ll have insightful questions and just spending time with her in my favorite bookstore will be a huge highlight of my year, I’m sure. Here’s a link with information about the event, for those interested, and a short list of the books I’ve read this summer, starting with fiction and non-fiction:

• Mule Boy by Andrew Krivak: One of the best books I’ve ever read, and entirely unique. He should win everything for it, but unfortunately it wasn’t released in the UK for reasons I don’t know, so won’t be eligible for the Booker Prize.
• Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead: Outstanding and heart-wrenching, this book hit close to home, being set near and parts within my hometown of Tallahassee. I knew the streets, the parts of town. No wonder it won a Pulitzer.
• Bel Canto by Ann Patchett: Absolutely fantastic.
• The Dutch House by Ann Patchett: Similarly fantastic.
• Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-up by John Carreyrue: Non-fiction, but riveting, about the Theranos scandal. This was a book club assignment, but I’m glad I read it.
• Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams: Also non-fiction, riveting, depressing. Glad I read it.

Poetry books:

I’m reading happily “in” (but not finished with):

• Poetry’s Possible Worlds by Lesley Wheeler
• The Poet’s Companion by Dorianne Laux and Kim Addonizio
• Maybe the Body by Asa Drake
• Strange Gifts by Veronica Kornberg
• Songs for the Land-Bound by Violeta Garcia-Mendoza
• All There Is to Love by Aiden Heung

Here’s to the end of a sweet summer, and to the beginning of another season, hopefully one full of more meaningful connections, both on and off the page.