On Tuesday, my kids and I were driving to music class, chit-chatting about various things, and we got on the topic of church sermons, and my 7-year-old said, "The best way for me to know God is with stories."

He paused, then continued.

"That's why I really like Jesus. He told stories."

My little guy is constantly asking, "Can you tell me a story from when you were little?"

He especially loves stories about how people were rascals and didn't listen to their parents. He cannot get enough of these stories.

He's a Tiny Story Collector. And he's as rabid as any stamp aficionado or baseball card enthusiast.

Don't we all love stories for this reason?

We're struggling to make sense of life—all the time, we struggle with this—and stories illustrate the truths that elude us when we're consciously trying to "figure it out."

Stories sneak in through a back alleyway. They tap us on the shoulder, and that tap reverberates down, down, down till it reaches our heart. Then it ricochets back up, up, up till something in our brain clicks into place, and...dawn.

Sometimes I'm so busy reading a book, and then the next book, and one more after that in such quick succession that I don't stop to reflect on anything...I grow immune to so many various taps and reverberations.

I need to make some breathing room for reflection.

An effective way to do that is with a reading journal of some kind.

I'm more of a pen-and-paper person myself, but I've been wanting to make a mobile-friendly reading journal for those of you who'd much prefer to do this on your phone.

​So, here you go! It's a frills-free Google Doc with a TBR, book log, and book review template. Click and type. Easy as that.

When you click the link, it'll prompt you to make a copy. Do that, and you'll have your own private version in your Google Drive.

Have fun, and happy reading (and reflecting).

Meet the author (in 10 pictures or less)

Did you catch my first Library Binding picture interview earlier this week?

​Head over to Substack to meet Emma Fox, the author of The Arrow and the Crown and The Carver and the Queen. Just be sure to have your TBR handy!

I've been having SUCH FUN working on these behind the scenes. I'm getting to meet so many wonderful writers—and getting tons of book recommendations, too!

Right now, a new picture interview will drop every Tuesday in Substack.

Book Lover's Grab Bag

😰 No one buys books. Wait—yes they do. Wow, this debate has been hitting nerve after nerve, world without end. Here's an interesting offshoot by Alan Jacobs regarding his publishing journey.

😳 Why did John Perritt write a children's book about porn? He tells you why here.​

📖 Novels are a waste of time, except they're not by the always insightful Joel Miller.

📚📚📚

As always, I'll leave you with one irresistible indulgence—door delivery for your reading habit.

Your devoted,

Michelle

P.S. Are you the type of person who does everything on your phone? Here's a mobile-friendly reading journal for you to try.​

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