September Content List
Your monthly curated list of entertainment to discover something new and talk about your favorites.
You must write your first draft with your heart. You rewrite with your head. The first key to writing is... to write, not to think. - Finding Forrester movie
When did you fall in love with books?
For me, I've always had a connection to books. I discovered new worlds and my love for language through reading. I remember the two-story Savannah home of my grandparents, and their books stacked on various shelves and tables. In that blue house I was introduced to Terry McMillan and Iyanla Vanzant; and though I didn't read their books when I was a kid, their names stuck with me.
A few days ago I was leaving a writing class at the library when I noticed a book sale; an entire meeting room dedicated to rehoming books.
There were rows of books, divided into genres like mystery fiction and gardening. I start at the back with the children’s books, slowly studying the book covers for interesting titles. Each time I add a new book under my arms to hold, I feel the coolness of the cover on my skin.
Browsing for books is one of my favorite pastimes along with reading and writing. For this month our list will include books and the journey of storytellers.
But first a quick icebreaker.
Answer the questions with the first book, podcast, or TV series that comes to mind.
A book where the characters are with you much after you finished
Your current favorite conversational podcast
A TV series you weren’t ready to end
Thank you for engaging with The Cottage and helping me discover new content!
Recommended Podcasts:
Read With Jenna
This podcast is the companion to the Today book club, #ReadWith Jenna. On the second episode of the podcast Jenna interverviews Javier Zamora on his memoir “Solito”. In his memoir Javier details his emigration from El Salvador to the U.S. to reunite with his parents.
Some Good Reads
The Way of the Fearless Writer by Beth Kempton
A book for to inspire more books by turning your fear into fuel to simply write. For writer’s experiencing a blockage of words this book will help to “free your mind so your body can create”.
“It’s really not that complicated. We simply need to choose to begin” -The Way of the Fearless Writer
Well Read Black Girl by Glory Edim
What began as a book club is now an anthology book, podcast, and digital literacy platform. This book is a collection of inspiring essays from Black women writers who share their childhood-to-adult experiences with literature.
Youtube Finds (Kid’s Content Included)
The children’s picture book series, Elephant and Piggie, is a favorite for little ones. When reading this to a young child enjoy the giggles and requests to “read again”.
But this is about the animated video of Should I Share My Ice cream?—the perfect pair to the book during engaging screen time.
An educational and kid’s show, Caitie’s Classroom, features fun field trip destinations with titles like “Let’s Go To the Beach” and “Lets Play at Diggerland”. In this video Caitie explores the local library and reminds viewers of the many benefits for visiting.
Solo Writing Retreat with Madeline James Writes
In this vlog, viewers join fantasy writer Madeline on her solo writing retreat. The video includes her daily activity as she balances productivity with relaxation.
Book Thrifting with Tia Chu
Tia describes herself as “a 24 year old with her nose in a book”. Watch the video below of Tia on an excursion to visit multiple little free libraries within her community.
**Since 1987 September has been library card sign-up month. By using the local library I’m saving more than $5,500 per year by using free library services. 1
Use this calculator to estimate your savings.
And in Book News…
Three memoirs releasing Fall 2023:
Thicker Than Water: A Memoir by Kerry Washington (September)
The Woman in Me by Brittany Spears (October)
My Name is Barbara by Barbara Streisand (November)
Upcoming book to film adaptations:
All The Light We Cannot See (Netflix, November 2023)
The Color Purple (December 2023)
It Ends With Us (Feb 2024)
The Perfect Ambience Playlist
Check out this playlist to inspire what’s next for you and discover talented musicians from a composer/pianist, a violinist, and a grammy nominated harpist.
Oh, and I witnessed the talents of the Edgewood String Quartet in person during a candle-lit tribute to Beyonce event.
“The world won’t remember me, but they will remember the music.” Daisy Jones & The Six
Support me as an independent writer by sharing, commenting, or buy me a “coffee”.
https://ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/calculator/
I love that calculator! Our libraries print the value of all the books we've borrowed on our receipt and man am I grateful for libraries 😅 I'm super excited to see the film adaptation of All The Light We Cannot See. I'm hoping I'll have read it by then... my husband bought it for me years ago but since I know heartbreak is inevitable, I've been reading it at a sloth's pace.