Hello there! I’m guessing that one of these two scenarios applies to you:
- You know me in real life and ended up here through a link I shared elsewhere on the internet, which you clicked out of friendly obligation (or genuine interest, okay, okay), or
- You don’t know who the heck I even am and now you’re starting to wonder how you stumbled across this unsteady little baby giraffe of a blog post (aw, look at its crazy long neck and knobby knees!)
Either way, welcome to my brand new blog. I’m glad you’re here.
Hold on. Let’s back up in case you fall into the second category. Who even am I? Excellent question.
My name is Emily and I’m a thirty-three-year-old human being who uses the pronouns she, her, and hers. The most important thing you need to know for the purposes of this blog, i.e. the reason I created it in the first place, is that I love books. I love reading them, discussing them, recommending them, finding beautiful editions of them, holding them in my hands, gazing upon them fondly and yes, taking little sniffs of their tasty new paper smell…
You get it.
I love books and I wanted a place where I could talk about them in a longer format than Instagram allows.
And really, when one has finished high school, gone to college, gotten a graduate degree, and then a few—well, eight—years later finds oneself deeply missing the atmosphere of reading, discussion, and writing to which one had become accustomed during one’s school years; but when one does not actually want to return to school, because, uh, it’s expensive, and what would one do with a further degree anyway?; what else can one do but try to recreate some semblance of the previously described bookish community vibe, on the internet this time, since many of one’s graduate school friends have now moved away from the city in which one still resides?
I mean, hypothetically.
It would seem that the only course of action would be for one to start a blog, even if one wonders if anyone even reads blogs anymore.
(TLDR: I miss school but I don’t need or want to go back, so instead, blog.)
This is a space where I plan to be a nerd, unabashedly and enthusiastically, a space where I hope you’ll join me in talking about books and ideas. I’ll share what I’m reading, what I’m thinking, where I’m going, and what I’m learning. Maybe I’ll try some creative writing from time to time. Who knows. It’ll be less formal than a school paper (I’ll go ahead and apologize to my mom now for the occasional swear), but a little more put together than my old LiveJournal (rest in peace, Teenage Feelings). It’ll be like… a book party. And you’re invited. Bring whatever you’re currently reading and sit next to me. Have some dang snacks. Let’s discuss where we stand in the oxford comma debate (I’m for it), or how badly I want Sarah Waters to come out with a new novel (so bad).
Basically, I’m imagining the energy of Andrew W.K. (the actual king of parties—please Google him if you’re unfamiliar), but a little quieter and with more cats.
In the interest of rounding out your mental image of the weirdo currently trying to lure you into a metaphorical meet-up, I’ll leave you with a few salient facts about myself:
- I’m an introvert. Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking completely changed my understanding of myself when I read it.
- I have two degrees in English: a BA from Furman and an MA from Wake Forest.
- During the day I’m a barista and social media manager at a local bakery & coffee shop. I also own a lettering and design business called Em Dash Paper Co.
- I live in an old house with my spouse, Jordan, and our cat, Phoebe.
- My free time is most often spent reading, but in whatever spare moments remain, I like being outside—walking, running, hiking, disc golfing, or riding my bike.
- I don’t watch a ton of TV, but some of my favorite shows are Gilmore Girls, The Office, Arrested Development, Rick & Morty, Veronica Mars, The Good Place, Scrubs, Parks and Recreation, Dexter, Psych, and Felicity.
- I’ve been using the bullet journal method for a few years now and I love it. I’m also very into the feeling of a fresh new notebook, and I’m on a continual quest to find The Perfect Pen.
- I’m not quite as fanatical as some personality type enthusiasts, but I do love digging into how people think and act. I’m an enneagram 4 and an INFJ on the Myers-Briggs (though, yes, I know, take that with a grain of salt, don’t put people in boxes, etc).
- I love lists. There will almost definitely be some lists on this blog.
So that’s me. If you made it this far, feel free to leave a comment and let me know you’re here. And if we’re not IRL friends, or even if we are, tell me something about yourself, too. ♥︎
EDBP! 