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Letters from the Reading Perch: The Owlet Goes to a Convention
Sometimes it’s easy to feel like reading is the most isolated of the modern hobbies – at least the nerdy ones. Most of my nerd friends have hobbies that boast conventions and gathering spaces: whether it’s a weekly meet at the board game store or the many Comic Cons, there are so many places for
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Letters from the Reading Perch: The Unique Joy of Travel Tsundoku
I’ve been doing quite a bit of local travel recently. Two weeks ago, we were soaking up coastal sunsets; this weekend, we headed inland for a few days in Tahoe. (California is a truly incredible state – in the coldest months of the year we can enjoy sea and snow in a matter of miles.)
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A Door Book for the in-between month: The Ten Thousand Doors of January
January is an in-between time of year. It’s in the name, with the god of beginnings reminding us to keep the past in view while planning for the future. It’s a month full of possibility, tinged with nostalgia and memory, the winter sun illuminating faint visions of the perfect year ahead. Of course, that vision
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Letters from the Reading Perch: New Year, new pages
I love the fresh feeling of a new year. Yes, it’s a totally arbitrary date, not tied to anything physical—but the feeling of turning a new page, a blank canvas onto which we can paint our intentions for the next 12 months, is exactly the inspiration I need in the darkest months. So I want
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Letters from the Reading Perch: Farewell to 2025
As the skies get dark and the year winds down, it’s the season of reflection. As you read this, I’m likely drinking a mug of Poirot-themed tea, solving my Miss Marple puzzle, and looking forward to a bowl of desi tomato soup. A perfectly cozy end to an extremely busy year. So busy, in fact,
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Familiar Paths and Fresh Magic in Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore
It’s hard to believe it’s already December—yet here we are at the end of the year. Honestly? I’m always excited to dive headfirst into the holiday spirit. My tree is up, the lights are twinkling, and I’m prepping for a weekend of intense cookie-baking. But before we can plunge into the holiday festivities (yes, you
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Spindles, Secrets, and Sisterhood in Spellbound
It’s been a minute since I posted some good, old-fashioned book thoughts. But this week I found an absolutely perfect mid-fall read, and I knew I had to share. It’s a Sleeping Beauty retelling called Spellbound, and its contemplative take on a generally simple story was a refreshing break from my usual intrigues. I love
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Letters from the Reading Perch: Cozy Gifts for Bookish Souls
It’s gifting season here at the Owlet’s Nest, and honestly, dreaming up presents for my loved ones is one of my favorite parts of the year. (The only thing that keeps me from doing it even earlier is the lack of storage space in my city condo!) That said, my family is full of niche
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Letters from the Reading Perch: On the Art of Giving Books
Holiday season is almost upon us, and that means gifting season as well. (I just spent the day at a craft fair picking up presents, so my wallet is well aware of this fact.) With gifts on the brain, I’ve been thinking about one of my favorite — and trickiest — categories of presents: books.
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Letters from the Reading Perch: Bookmarks, milestones, and other small magics
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since I started The Cozy Owlet. This blog – and this community – have become such a mainstay in my life. This blog has given me rhythm and structure, even when life is a whirlwind. I appreciate that it forces me to slow down and reflect