What a wonderful read. I feel like I live in a similar state of shock like this almost all the time, which is kind of scary and keeps me floating around. But I love how you were able to put it into words so nicely, and makes me feel less alone!
Lovely! I requested all 3 of these at the library to enjoy. One picture book I think would fit well with this list is Reeve Lindbergh’s The Midnight Farm, with illustrations by Susan Jeffers.
Reading this felt like having an echo of a moment of being! Like you, I’ve had those moments, as an adult too, and I never had a name for them. But it’s always felt like Woolf describes it in her quote: where the distinctions we make fade away, and I realize (remember?) that we are the music, the Iris, the seagull, the tree, and each other. (I’d use the word ‘oneness’ but that’s never felt like it describes those experiences.) Its more like reality slots into place, and the world reveals itself. Simple and humbling and profoundly beautiful.
Thanks for introducing me to Woolf btw. I had no idea she’d talked about anything like this. I have a sudden hankering to read everything I can of here now.
P.S. Just discovered your essay via Brad Montague’s Substack. Very glad to have done so :)
This was absolutely lovely -- especially during a week I which I feel very...meh. I love how I can feel the love you have for books and life in every post. Writing does that for me too. It returns me to myself. It helps me process the moments in a deeper way. And children's books in particular offer those flashes of delight. Thank you for this wonderful post and experience.
Taylor, I practically inhaled your writing from this piece. Your descriptions of the books are vivid and stunning, and so are your personal reflections. Thanks for the time and love you clearly put into this. 😌
What a wonderful read. I feel like I live in a similar state of shock like this almost all the time, which is kind of scary and keeps me floating around. But I love how you were able to put it into words so nicely, and makes me feel less alone!
Lovely! I requested all 3 of these at the library to enjoy. One picture book I think would fit well with this list is Reeve Lindbergh’s The Midnight Farm, with illustrations by Susan Jeffers.
Yay! Enjoy them! I don't know that one. I will have to check it out.
Hi Taylor,
Reading this felt like having an echo of a moment of being! Like you, I’ve had those moments, as an adult too, and I never had a name for them. But it’s always felt like Woolf describes it in her quote: where the distinctions we make fade away, and I realize (remember?) that we are the music, the Iris, the seagull, the tree, and each other. (I’d use the word ‘oneness’ but that’s never felt like it describes those experiences.) Its more like reality slots into place, and the world reveals itself. Simple and humbling and profoundly beautiful.
Thanks for introducing me to Woolf btw. I had no idea she’d talked about anything like this. I have a sudden hankering to read everything I can of here now.
P.S. Just discovered your essay via Brad Montague’s Substack. Very glad to have done so :)
Thanks, Sandi! I'm glad you enjoyed it (and happy to have you here). :)
This was absolutely lovely -- especially during a week I which I feel very...meh. I love how I can feel the love you have for books and life in every post. Writing does that for me too. It returns me to myself. It helps me process the moments in a deeper way. And children's books in particular offer those flashes of delight. Thank you for this wonderful post and experience.
Also I haven't read Moon Jumpers. Can't wait!
Taylor, I practically inhaled your writing from this piece. Your descriptions of the books are vivid and stunning, and so are your personal reflections. Thanks for the time and love you clearly put into this. 😌
Thank you, Erika! That means a lot to me. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Adding all of these to library hold requests right now. Woolfian Kid's lit? Yes please.
Yay! New genre?! :)
Such a lovely round up! I want to find a copy of Moon Jumpers now. It looks like a gem.
Thank you! Oh, you must! :)
Fantastic work as always 👌🏽
Thank you so much!