Helping artists through coaching and big picture planning, to get clarity on the next best steps, so they can be confident, breathe easy and build a sustainable, successful career.
[Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter] Happy New Reading Year! What's your Winter-type? (Jan.'26 meetups)
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Welcome, Reader, to the turning of 2025 to 2026 and to all of you who are newly joining, welcome to our little corner of the Internet. And to everyone... we are truly grateful that you are here. Happy New Year! As part of my own journey into the new year this week, I am participating in a writing workshop and one of the first questions was, "When you hear the word 'Winter', what comes to mind?" I paused a moment and wrote... Cold. When I think of Winter, phrases like, "it's only cold if you don't have the right clothes" and "go put a sweater on" come to mind. This is particularly true in moments when the outdoor temperature and the accompanying wind cause our old, drafty house to be colder yet. Winter reminds me that snow and layers and chilliness are all part of a life lived here, in a city that dives deep into its four seasons. Winter is never gentle, never tentative, never halfway done. Between the chill in the air, the frost on the windows and the realization that I'll have to get up from this spot in order to get something warmer on, Winter always means a sense of looking forward to warmer days. I am not alone in this, I know. However, this is not the only mindset of those who live in these wintery climes. At our house, opinions are fiercely divided: my husband, Roger, could not be more opposite in his view of this frigid season. For him, Winter is a bright invitation to hearty, fresh and brisk movement! Skiing, skating, snowshoeing and fat biking... these are, of course, reserved for the frosty months of Winter, and Roger partakes daily, in any one or more of them. Without snow and ice and sub-zero temperatures, all of these would be impossible! And think of our proximity to the Gatineau hills, the many kilometres of cross-country trails, our spectacular skating canal-rink ~ what a travesty it would be for many, should all that outdoor fun no longer be possible. A fact remains though, for those like me who prefer the après-ski part of skiing, and who, after a short snowshoe or Winter walk, are eager to bundle up inside: cozying up by a crackling fire, cracking open a cozy mystery and becoming a crack sleuth in a quaint, fictitious town. For us, these are Winter's very welcome activities. As far as I'm concerned, Winter is perfect for hunkering down and immersing myself in imagined worlds. What's your Winter-Type? Do you rush outside like Roger does when the snow flies and fills fields & hills with the powdery white stuff? Or do you, as I do, wrap up yet more snuggly into a favourite blanket and read on? Maybe you like a bit of both an'some of each...?! Let me know! Again, happy new year and 'hope to see you at one of this month's meetups! Warm wishes, · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · 🌷Spring 2026 Book Swap: A One-Question Poll...🌷 In 2025 we had our first two, #sbc613 book swap events, one in each of Spring and Fall. Plans are already simmering for the Spring'26 Book Swap and we need your help! Help us choose the timing that might work best for you! Please consider clicking here to respond to our poll. Thanks in advance for participating! · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · JANUARY 2026 EVENTS 📆 Rather than a list of meetups, perhaps you'd prefer a calendar page. 📝 All meetups are available for signup here. ⭐ = NEW!
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · What am I reading recently & currently...? I am currently reading Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. I was attracted by the cover and title for this time of year. I just finished A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson. It was our book club book, chosen by Lori, and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to our book club discussion. Prior to that our book was The Women by Kristin Hannah. That was, at times, a tough read, but I loved it. And before that, I read Outside by Jennifer L. Holm - a YA departure for Holm, which I also liked. I've also been leaping along in ACF Bookens' St. Marin's Cozy Mystery Series, currently reading book 8. I interjected all of these with Booked for Murder by P. J. Nelson. A cozy mystery with an edge... loved it. Gosh... one of my favourite things is hearing about what others are reading. · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · How does a reading meetup work?
Make your experience fit your vibe
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter If you received this email from a friend and would like to subscribe, please click here. |
little acorn creative coaching
Helping artists through coaching and big picture planning, to get clarity on the next best steps, so they can be confident, breathe easy and build a sustainable, successful career.
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