The Good Stuff
Birthday Edition
Hi, Friend.
It’s my 47th birthday today. It’s also the birthday of my debut picture book, My Thoughts Have Wings, illustrated by Leanne Hatch. I love that this book and I will get to share this day going forward.
If you haven’t ordered a copy yet, it would be the best birthday gift! Grab a copy for yourself, your nieces and nephews, your grandkids, your nice neighbor’s children, your local little free library…you get the picture. If you want signed and/or personalized copies shipped anywhere in the US, you can order through my local indie, Gramercy Books, and I’ll inscribe them for you. I just signed a bunch yesterday to kids named Bennie and William and Ellie…
For my 47th year, I made a playlist of 47 songs I love. It’s an absolute no-skips playlist for me, and it was difficult to stop at 47. One perk of aging: I’ll get to add more songs.
Speaking of music, Old 97s has a new record coming out in March, American Primitive. I got a sneak peek (sneak listen?) and IT IS SO GOOD. Stephen King—yes, that Stephen King—agrees.
I’m just back from the AWP conference, where I saw so many beloved writer friends. My saving grace I always pack: Wrinkle releaser spray. I refuse to iron. Life is short, as the poem goes.
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, which means you should really read this poem by Carrie Fountain, who’s one of our best. Dare you not to cry.
What are you reading and loving right now, or hoping to dig into soon?
I’ve seen a few terrific movies recently: Good Grief, starring Dan Levy; C’mon, C’mon, starring Joaquin Phoenix, with Gaby Hoffman; and my favorite film in a very long time, Women Talking, adapted from Miriam Toew’s novel and directed by Sarah Polley. Its incredible ensemble cast is led by Jessie Buckley, Rooney Mara, and Claire Foy. As for TV, Violet and I have been watching The West Wing, which I still love.
Speaking of Violet…
I think it’s going to be a good birthday, and I hope it’s going to be a good 47th year. Thanks for being part of it.
With gratitude—
Maggie
Happy Birthday! Today would also have been my great grandmother's birthday --- she was a poet and wrote a novel but was a single mom as her husband died very young in a horse accident, so she never got the time until much later in life. At age 53! she decided to go to college with her youngest kid (my grandmother). The only place that would let her in along with grandma was Oberlin! So, my Ohio roots....
Happy Birthday and so glad I found you! I am reading "You Could Make this Place Beautiful" by Maggie Smith and loving it. ;-) . I am also reading "Postcard " by Anne Berest which is not a romp, but a quick read for such a long book. I am reading with the Brandenburg concertos by Bach playin in the background on my firs record player. Yes, my first LP player - I did grow up with vinyl; I'm 67 (so you are a teen to me!). Quite a long wait to have my own record player and not have to listen to what the boys want to play. Hope it's a grand year, Maggie and best of luck with the lovely children's book.