Savouring Summer's Last Pages
The joys of August
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Dear Friend
How are you feeling today? I hope the hazy sunshine is adding a little sparkle to your day, and that the humid nights aren’t affecting your sleep too much. I’m on my third iced coffee - the fuel required to get me through this sticky second day of August, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
As July unfolds like a well-worn paperback, I find myself eager to share the gems that have coloured my days with inspiration and tranquility. Today’s newsletter recommendations are a love letter to the quiet pursuits that have nourished my soul - like the whisper of pages turning, the scratch of the pen in my journal, and the gentle lull of waves on sandy shores close to my home.
From cosy bookshops tucked away in bustling streets, to podcasts that have made me laugh out loud and added to my interest of why I love to write so much - I’ve curated a collection of experiences that celebrate the art of slowing down. I’ve included literary havens I’ve enjoyed mooching about in, a taster of a new beach retreat venue I’m visiting this weekend, and a few photos capturing some of my recent beach walks.
I hope you enjoy my recommendations of the books that have captivated my imagination, the podcasts that have sparked new ideas and where I hang out when I need to escape from the maddening crowds. Most importantly, I hope you’re able to embrace the often overlooked power of letting our minds wander freely, proving that sometimes the most productive thing we can do is simply dare to daydream.
Recommendations from my adventures in July include…
The Books…
Bibliotherapy - the healing power of reading by Bijal Shah
Delicacy - a memoir about cake and death by Katy Wix
The Man Who Saw Everything - an exploration of memory, time and identity by Deborah Levy
The Podcasts…
Good Life Project - How to reclaim ease, sanity & success with
LitHouse - Deborah Levy and her Living Autobiographies
Sparkle On Substack - Creating my own Substack Universe with
In Haste - Is writing real life? with Cathy Rentzenbrink
London Writers' Salon - with
- Lessons from a former Editor in Chief at ELLE & Cosmopolitan on Writing Engaging Articles and Substack
The Place to Visit: Hay-on -Wye…
Eat: The Electric Shop - it’s an Aladdin’s Cave of stylish delights including books, plants, clothes, art, eco products and gifts for the home.
Sleep: Swallow's Nest Barn - the perfect abode for a retreat for one, especially if you’re craving a digital detox away from the maddening crowds.
Mooch: Richard Booth's Books - this is one bookshop I wish I could be locked in for the night, and it has it’s very own cinema!
It’s time that I slipped away to dip my toes into my favourite month August, where I’m hoping I’ll be able to adopt a slower pace of life. To help me step away from the home office, I’ve curated a few things to do, just for me or with my creative friends. Please help yourself to my list of ideas, and do let me know if you organise any of them this month..
Writer’s Corner:
Try writing outdoors - find a shady spot in a park or by the beach and let nature inspire your writing.
Start a summer themed short story collection, each tale no longer than the time it takes to enjoy a delicious ice cream.
Reader’s Nook:
Host a book swap with friends, bring a book to share and discover new reads while enjoying a bit of alfresco dining one evening.
Create a “summer reading time capsule” write a letter to your future self about your favourite summer reads.
Embracing the Last Whispers of Summer:
Take a leisurely beach walk at sunset, collecting sea glass or shells to take back home and create some art with
Host a literary picnic, where each guest brings food and drink inspired by a novel
Start a “sunset reading ritual” for the remaining summer evenings
I love this little quote I recently read in a bookshop in Hay and it really stopped me in my tracks "Summer's lease hath all too short a date."
Note to Self - Make these slower days in August count, fill them with words, wonder, and the courage to daydream.
Until the next time
Take care and stay safe xx
What do you think about this new beach abode I’m visiting this weekend, nestled in the bay of Whitesands, Pembrokeshire? I’m hoping it will be the perfect residence for a Writing Retreat. I’ll share more images in my newsletter later next week.
