51. there is no place like home

dorothy had it right, and how many places can feel like home? plus stephen king.

I sit in my kitchen. It’s hard to focus on writing because my mom and sister are talking to me, and we’re watching the puppy be bad. I’m supposed to publish this in thirty minutes and it’s not going to be ready, but I can’t bring myself to be bothered.

It seems very full circle to be writing the 51st edition of this newsletter back at home - very nearly a full year and I’m back where this started. I simultaneously feel like everything is the same and nothing is at all. There is no place like home.

This got me thinking though. That feeling of coming home I can also find in books, other places, people, memories … does home have to be one place or one thing?

I can feel my apartment becoming like home. The relief when I walk in the door, the comfort of getting into bed, watching the sun rise on the balcony (whenever it isn’t freezing outside). I feel at home where I grew up, with my dogs and with my family. I feel at home whenever I have the chance to visit my horse. I feel at home with my friends. I feel it when reading my favorite books and watching my favorite movies.

A basic Google search tells me that “a home can feel like a place of safety, comfort, and security where we can be ourselves.” Contributions include nostalgic memories, pleasant sensations, reflections of our personality, and shared experiences.

I think that feeling at home is one of those things that cannot be defined or boiled down to one word. For me, home is a mix of comfort, love, and memories. I can find it in so many places, and I feel lucky that I do.

I apologize for how short this is, but I am at home and I want to take advantage of that! By the way, I just realized I made a Wizard of Oz reference right as Wicked released - kismet.

What feels like home to you?

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Note, these are affiliate links. I always forget how hard it is to find these by Sunday!

1. A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley (Romance): Nov 26, 2024

2. A Trinket for the Taking by Victoria Laurie (Mystery): Nov 26, 2024

3. Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas (Mythological/Fantasy): Nov 26, 2024

4. Blood of the Gods by Sapir A. Englard (Paranormal Romance): Nov 26, 2024

5. City of Silk by Glennis Virgo (Historical)

6. Darkly by Marisha Pessl (Thriller/Romance/Family): Nov 26, 2024

Books I’ve compiled from a variety of lists such as the New York Times, Indiebound, and the B&N Top 100, but also through what I’ve seen online. I’ve decided to simply add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.

1. To Die For by David Baldacci (Action)

2. Wicked by Gregory Maguire (Fantasy)

3. Clive Cussler: Desolation Code by Graham Brown (Thriller)

4. The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E Pearson (Fantasy)

5. Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert (Fantasy)

6. James by Percival Everett (Historical)

Stephen King won the poll last week and what great timing!

via stephenking.com, by Shane Leonard

I say good timing because I recently finished his memoir, On Writing, and it gave me such a good look into his life. Stephen grew up as the second of two boys with a hardworking mother. As a first grader, he had to be held back a year since he was so sick (tonsils!) but it gave him time to create stories, which is where this all began.

Stephen wrote and wrote and wrote some more. He sent stories into literary magazines throughout his childhood and teenage years, tacking rejection notices on his wall in front of his writing desk. His memoir goes into depth on his life, and his love for his wife Tabitha is evident in every page. They met in college and married quickly. Stephen taught for a few years, hastily writing in stolen moments.

Carrie was something that Stephen didn’t think would work. Tabitha convinced him otherwise, and the rest is history. He says in the memoir how he just writes and writes - the story tells itself. He opens up on his struggles with alcohol and the car accident which nearly ended his life. I urge you to pick up the book - I feel as this overview hasn’t done him justice. His wit and genuine talent for writing overflows. I learned a lot, but mostly to trust myself and not to get distracted - the story will win out in the end.

Just a reminder to comment any recommendations or email me: thesundayreads@gmail.com!

1. I haven’t read much this week - what recommendation do you have for me?

That’s all for today. Much love

Izzy