November, In Review
Thoughts on moving, a walking talking baby, and a podcast that changed my reading
Hey, readers!
November was quite the month for us! We moved into our new home towards the beginning of the month and spent much of November trying to get situated. That’s been quite the process, and—to be honest—I didn’t expect to feel so unsettled or to spend that first week or so really missing our old home! But as we’ve gotten used to this space and worked to make it feel more like us, I’ve started to find my rhythm and to feel so grateful to have more space as Louise grows and changes. Today’s month, In review letter includes some thoughts on these big changes, the best things we’ve bought for the new home, a podcast episode that just might have saved my reading life, and, as always, what’s going on in the world of motherhood.
A podcast episode that transformed my reading
Last month I shared that I wanted to read more slowly, and this month a podcast episode about that topic spoke to me so deeply that I had to listen to it twice. Ezra Klein talked with Maryanne Wolf, the author of Proust and the Squid and Reader, Come Home, about the value of reading slowly and how our brains actually consume language differently when we slow down.
After listening, I cranked down my audio speed and deliberately slowed my eyes down when reading on the page—and, readers, it felt wonderful! Not only did I enjoy the books I was reading more than I otherwise would have, I actually ended up reading more in the back half of the month. I know there will still be books I speed through for whatever reason, but I’m trying to commit to at least 30 minutes of truly slow, on the page reading every day. I’ll report back and you can hold me to it!