What a wonderful summery post! You got me thinking of the few signed books in my collection which I also treasure. I did a totally embarrassing fan girl thing when I was lucky enough to briefly met @SusannahCahalan and she kindly signed my copy of Brain on Fire. My toes still curl at the memory of my nervous jabbering while thrusting the book at her. Such a brilliant read and a fascinating medical mystery. And one of the books that inspired me to write my own memoir about my own battle with flesh-eating bacteria.
Jacqui, I am the same. Total fan girl!😂 When you've been through such a traumatic experience, it must be so validating to find someone who can relate and captures so much of what you've felt. This is why writers are total rockstars! Thanks for reading, Jacqui.❤️
It's such a pleasant piece, full of July vibes from your side of the world. I can smell and breathe in the slowness of the month in your words.
Congrats on your second draft, honey! I can sense the thrill of accomplishment and the excitement of becoming. That is so healing and inspiring, ma sha Allah (I’m sure you know the word).
And the puzzle part—I loved it. I’ve been watching my daughter do them her whole life while telling myself, I can’t do this. For the first time, I’m wondering—can I try one, just once at least? So I’m adding this to my future to-do list as well, in sha Allah. Thank you for giving so many new ideas in this post.
And signed copies are my thing as well! I have many from Urdu writers and one by Orhan Pamuk. I left that one in my library in Pakistan. The Nightingale was such a good read, and it must have been a beautiful moment to get your copy signed by Hanna Christine!
Definitely try a puzzle! I find them soothing, a lovely project that is always waiting for me. I can work on it for 30 seconds or an hour, and it gives my mind a break from other parts of the day. Thanks so much for reading, Sofia. I'm grateful for our connection here.❤️
I am 'anti' when it comes to collecting. But I do have a growing collection of books signed by their authors. Each scribbled signature is a memory of a moment of connection; an extra splash of magic tucked inside the pages.
And as an author, when I sign a book that I've written, it's like a little note of love and appreciation that I'm passing on to the reader.
I suppose the author's signature inside a book, or any note scribbled and signed from the giver of the book to the receiver, is a physical manifestation of the truth of books: That they are truly conversations--a shared experience in some way between reader and writer.
I am delighted to see that a book that I signed has landed in this gorgeous collection.
Thanks, Sarah.❤️ You always have a kind word for my photography, and I so love your visual take on the world. I'd love to know which signed books you've picked up this year!
Earlier this year, I picked up a signed copy of Elif Shafak’s recent novel: There are rivers in the sky and more recently, when I went to a book talk in London, I had the book signed (The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis).
I am definitely less inclined to send books to a charity shop if they’re signed for sure!
Maria, like you, I am a collector of signed books. You're right, there's something so incredibly special about owning a book the author has signed - even better if it's personalized. I hope you enjoy your summer break and enjoy your summer reading and writing time!
That’s right, I remember! And you have quite a few, I think. Thanks so much for reading, Wendy. Just a few weeks left for us here til we need to think about school again…
Maria, I love your posts so much! Full of vibrancy and love and life. This one is packed full of books I will add to my TBR. I have been soooo curious about Jen Pastiloff, and ta da! A writer I trust and respect (YOU!) delivered what I needed to know. And, I am thrilled to be mentioned … I hope my mini course lights you up! 🌸☀️
What sweet words! Thank you, Kate. I'm so honored to count you as one of my readers. The feeling is mutual.❤️ I love that Jen was on your radar and my post lined up. Another nudge from the universe! I have one more mini deadline I've set for myself next week, and then I will be diving into your course. I really can't wait. I have a feeling it's exactly what I need right now.
Maria, thank you so much for the sweet shout-out — that was really kind of you, and I appreciate it so much. Writing a book is like running a marathon, one step at a time, and you’re doing it! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to read your book.
And if you want to add one more signed book to your shelf, I’d love to send you a copy of mine. ♥️📚 Just DM me your address!
It was my pleasure, Olivia. And YES PLEASE! I would absolutely love a signed copy of your book for my shelf. Yay! Mornings in 50 Words is gorgeous and I have no doubt your fiction is the same. I'll DM you! Thank you so much for reading.❤️
What a wonderful summery post! You got me thinking of the few signed books in my collection which I also treasure. I did a totally embarrassing fan girl thing when I was lucky enough to briefly met @SusannahCahalan and she kindly signed my copy of Brain on Fire. My toes still curl at the memory of my nervous jabbering while thrusting the book at her. Such a brilliant read and a fascinating medical mystery. And one of the books that inspired me to write my own memoir about my own battle with flesh-eating bacteria.
Jacqui, I am the same. Total fan girl!😂 When you've been through such a traumatic experience, it must be so validating to find someone who can relate and captures so much of what you've felt. This is why writers are total rockstars! Thanks for reading, Jacqui.❤️
Thanks Maria - very happy that I'm not alone! 😎
love this summer sum-up; love you!
Love you too, E!❤️❤️❤️
Sweet Maria!
It's such a pleasant piece, full of July vibes from your side of the world. I can smell and breathe in the slowness of the month in your words.
Congrats on your second draft, honey! I can sense the thrill of accomplishment and the excitement of becoming. That is so healing and inspiring, ma sha Allah (I’m sure you know the word).
And the puzzle part—I loved it. I’ve been watching my daughter do them her whole life while telling myself, I can’t do this. For the first time, I’m wondering—can I try one, just once at least? So I’m adding this to my future to-do list as well, in sha Allah. Thank you for giving so many new ideas in this post.
And signed copies are my thing as well! I have many from Urdu writers and one by Orhan Pamuk. I left that one in my library in Pakistan. The Nightingale was such a good read, and it must have been a beautiful moment to get your copy signed by Hanna Christine!
Keep writing and keep inspiring! 🌟
Definitely try a puzzle! I find them soothing, a lovely project that is always waiting for me. I can work on it for 30 seconds or an hour, and it gives my mind a break from other parts of the day. Thanks so much for reading, Sofia. I'm grateful for our connection here.❤️
My pleasure!
I am 'anti' when it comes to collecting. But I do have a growing collection of books signed by their authors. Each scribbled signature is a memory of a moment of connection; an extra splash of magic tucked inside the pages.
And as an author, when I sign a book that I've written, it's like a little note of love and appreciation that I'm passing on to the reader.
I suppose the author's signature inside a book, or any note scribbled and signed from the giver of the book to the receiver, is a physical manifestation of the truth of books: That they are truly conversations--a shared experience in some way between reader and writer.
I am delighted to see that a book that I signed has landed in this gorgeous collection.
Wonderful pictures to accompany this post, Maria.
I too, love a signed book, and for some reason 2025 has been a good year for picking up some signed copies at book stores.
Hope the editing goes well!
Thanks, Sarah.❤️ You always have a kind word for my photography, and I so love your visual take on the world. I'd love to know which signed books you've picked up this year!
Well, now that you ask… 😂
Earlier this year, I picked up a signed copy of Elif Shafak’s recent novel: There are rivers in the sky and more recently, when I went to a book talk in London, I had the book signed (The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis).
I am definitely less inclined to send books to a charity shop if they’re signed for sure!
Great titles, Sarah. I completely agree! Signed books are for forever❤️
Maria, like you, I am a collector of signed books. You're right, there's something so incredibly special about owning a book the author has signed - even better if it's personalized. I hope you enjoy your summer break and enjoy your summer reading and writing time!
That’s right, I remember! And you have quite a few, I think. Thanks so much for reading, Wendy. Just a few weeks left for us here til we need to think about school again…
Maria, I love your posts so much! Full of vibrancy and love and life. This one is packed full of books I will add to my TBR. I have been soooo curious about Jen Pastiloff, and ta da! A writer I trust and respect (YOU!) delivered what I needed to know. And, I am thrilled to be mentioned … I hope my mini course lights you up! 🌸☀️
What sweet words! Thank you, Kate. I'm so honored to count you as one of my readers. The feeling is mutual.❤️ I love that Jen was on your radar and my post lined up. Another nudge from the universe! I have one more mini deadline I've set for myself next week, and then I will be diving into your course. I really can't wait. I have a feeling it's exactly what I need right now.
Maria, thank you so much for the sweet shout-out — that was really kind of you, and I appreciate it so much. Writing a book is like running a marathon, one step at a time, and you’re doing it! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to read your book.
And if you want to add one more signed book to your shelf, I’d love to send you a copy of mine. ♥️📚 Just DM me your address!
It was my pleasure, Olivia. And YES PLEASE! I would absolutely love a signed copy of your book for my shelf. Yay! Mornings in 50 Words is gorgeous and I have no doubt your fiction is the same. I'll DM you! Thank you so much for reading.❤️