Looking for some new summer reading?
I recently discovered The Mindful Librarian on Substack - and was delighted to check out her favorite books set in Maine! Even more delighted to spot my book, Just Up The Road! Subscribe to her newsletter & check out her top book picks here.
Want to snag these books locally?
from Literary Leanings rounded up her favorite Maine bookstores here!My daughter, a newly minted eight year old, is heading to sleepaway camp in less than two weeks. It’s a short program in Midcoast Maine - one that she chose completely on her own volition. She’s an only child, so her bravery and enthusiasm to try something like this continues to be astounding/baffling to her parents - but, of course, we want to encourage and celebrate her courageousness.
At the time of registering, it was a no brainer. Not only is she thrilled to go - but, um, we have this chunk of time to ourselves?!?! We take her everywhere with us - so this concept is new, exciting, strange!
But now the clock is ticking and we are days away from drop-off. And as I start to chip away at labeling every article of clothing she is going to take - I feel the pit in my stomach grow ever so slightly each day. It finally hit me that not only will I not see her for ten days, I won’t talk to her for 10 days. What if she gets sick? Someone is mean to her? She just needs her Mom?
I’ve been trying to redirect this restless energy towards focusing on enjoying my remaining time with her. Planning special moments, reminding myself to be totally present when we play. So, when an opportunity presented itself to stay at a hotel with a rooftop pool just 30 minutes from home... I, of course, brought my favorite gal.
A Mom/Daughter one night getaway in Southern Maine for the books. A place with every amenity you could possibly ask for - so much so, that if you don’t want to leave the hotel, you truly don’t have to.