Happy Monday and welcome to another issue of Amanda Reads! This newsletter is going out a bit later than usual because we had an incredibly busy weekend and I honestly forgot I am a person who writes a newsletter. But, I’m here now, and I’ve got your reading recommendations and tarot readings for the week!
This is the last newsletter I’ll write in our current home, as we will be moving this coming weekend. So the next time I slide into your inboxes, it will be from the log cabin. That hardly feels real, and yet, it will be.
Okay, let’s dig in to the good stuff!
Book Rec of the Week
This week’s recommendation is Sara Novic’s True Biz, which I finished last week. This book is told from multiple points of view, featuring the principle of an Ohio school for the deaf and a few of her students. Interspersed between the chapters are lessons on Deaf culture and American Sign Language.
Each character has a different relationship to Deafness and a different background in the community, and the story tracks their experience at the school and reaction to the news that life may be about to change for them in a big way. This was a tough read at times, but a really great one, and one I highly recommend. It’s also a Reese’s Book Club pick, if you don’t want to take my word for it alone.
Tarot Reading of the Week
Card of the Week: The Sun (XIX)
Deck Used: Starchild Tarot
This week’s card literally leapt out of the deck, so apparently there’s some strong Sun energy going on right now. The Sun is quite a positive card, shining with optimism and bright futures ahead. This might be a good week to go for the gold, to chase a dream or goal you’ve been looking for. Or maybe you just need to sit back and take a moment to appreciate the shiny things you’ve already got in your life. Either way, this feels like a great energy to bring into the start of a mid-February week!
Words from the Web
I very much enjoyed reading Michelle Marie Warner’s poignant reminder about the importance of breaking from our routines when we’re feeling stuck. Even though I’m personally in the midst of a lot of changes, I know the stuck feeling all too well.
As for me, I spent a good amount of time pitching ideas rather than writing them, but still managed to get some words out there this week.
In response to Age of Empathy's monthly prompt, “the returning light,” I reflected on walking my dog in the winter times.
My first piece for The Memoirist, “My First Valentine Love Bombed Me Before It Was Cool” is a look back on Valentine’s Day with my emotionally manipulative high school boyfriend.
That’s all for this week, my friends! I hope you find some great Sun energy in the week ahead, and I’ll see you on the other side of the Big Move next week!