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Today on Fable and the Verbivore, we’re sharing our latest book reads conversation — this is part 1 of 2 featuring the Verbivore’s stories!

Over the last year instead of doing our typical bookclub episodes, we’ve started talking about some of the things we’ve recently read and enjoyed, connected with, or learned from. It’s been a great way to share what we’re consuming and loving lately and finding new recommendations.

In this episode, the Verbivore covers a range of non-fiction affirmation and creativity books, three new releases from bestselling authors, an older rom-com, and a middle grade novel based on a new favorite animated film. The books include a much anticipated new release from Emily Henry, a break from her typical brand from Ali Hazelwood, a rom-com where the main characters grapples with the past while preparing to put on a musical, and a story of a robot who ends up in the wild and has to figure out how to go about surviving.

We talk about mental health and before bed practices, looking at and comparing an author’s collection of work, and checking out the critiques that other people have on a book to learn how others received or reacted to a work. Things like:

• Books of affirmations and thoughts that have been nourishing and soothing through challenging times - Transitions, Love for Imperfect Things, Things you Can Only See When You Slow Down, and Affirmations for Anxiety Blobs Like You and Me

• A design book that helped spark story setting and character choice ideas - House Beautiful Style 101

• Creative practices that have helped develop new skills in the art of paying attention - The Art of Noticing

• Enjoyable new releases that also have lessons to teach when compared with other books from the author’s collection about choices and noticing what we connect with and what we don’t - Funny Story, Not in Love, Once More with Feeling, and Happiness for Beginners

• A simple, yet surprising and profoundly touching story well told - The Wild Robot

We hope you enjoy this episode! Keep reading, writing, and putting your voice out there!

Into the woods,

Fable & The Verbivore

Notes:

Books and Films Mentioned:

• Transitions: Prayers and Declarations for a Changing Life by Julia Cameron

• Love for Imperfect Things by Haemin Sunim

• The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to Be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim

• Sweatpants & Coffee: Affirmations for Anxiety Blobs (Like You and Me): Gentle thoughts to keep you centered, focused and hopeful for the days ahead by Nanea Hoffman

• House Beautiful Style 101: 400 Designer Secrets to a Beautiful Home by Lisa Cregan

• The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday by Rob Walker

• Funny Story by Emily Henry

• Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

• Once More with Feeling by Elissa Sussman

• Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

• The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Music from:https://filmmusic.io
‘Friendly day’ by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
Licence: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)