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Poetry Friday: January’s Books and Bookstores Roundup

January 26, 2024 /
 

Awards

As you probably know, the ALSC awards were announced this week. I’ve been doing Mock Caldecott and Mock Sibert with my students.
 
I was especially excited to see that two friends from my debut group, The Notable 19s, were recognized!
 
Jessica Lanan’s JUMPER won a Sibert Honor! I really loved this book, but also check out all of her beautiful books!
 
Richard Ho‘s TWO NEW YEARS won the Sydney Taylor Book Award. He has lots of great books out and more coming.
 
A huge congratulations to them both!
 
 
 

Bookstores and Books

 
Not that your dying to know, but I’ve decided to structure my Poetry Friday posts a little different. And boy, do I love structure.
 
Each week, I’ve been sharing a Poem as Picture Book. I’ll share those every week, except the last week of the month. On the last week, like today, I’ll share my 24 Bookstores in 2024 Report for the month, and I’ll share what else I’ve been reading.
 
I’m sure there will be deviations from the structure because I’m hoping to start sharing some book news in the next few months, so I’ll take breaks from the routine for breaking book news!
 

24 Bookstores in 2024: January Report

 
 
I made a goal to visit 24 independent or used bookstores in 2024. I started just before the new year, so I’m not sure it counts (but I make my own rules, so it counts).
 

BONUS: Fonts Books and Gifts in McLean, Virginia

Visited on December December 30, 2023
 
This is a newish bookstore with a great selection, and it was my first time visiting.
 
 
I picked up a book everyone keeps talking about for teens, and it also got some award love on Monday.
 
 
 

1: One More Page Books in Arlington, Virginia

Visited on January 13, 2024
 
 
This is a favorite, and the place I did my book launch party for Wait, Rest, Pause. When I was at my previous school, they helped me with author visits and book orders. It was also my go-to place to order curbside books during the shutdown of the pandemic.
 
 
I’m a fan of Julia Cameron, morning pages, and artist’s dates. She has a new book out that I’ll give a whirl sometime this year.
 
I’m also excited to already have my beach puzzle for spring break!
 
I wanted to figure out a way to document my visits to indie bookstores, and many of them have water bottle stickers. At first I thought, I’d put them on a large water bottle, but 24 stickers on one water bottle might be too much. I won’t want to put them on my laptop. But if anyone has suggestions for something else I could decorate with the stickers I buy, let me know!
 

2. Bard’s Alley in Vienna, Virginia 

Visited on January 23, 2024
 
Bard’s Alley has been helping me with book orders for school visits for authors who’ve been coming to my school this year.
 
When I swung by to pick up the books for the latest school visit, I spent a few minutes since it was pretty quiet. I picked up a book on a topic that I’ve been reading about for a few years.
 
 
 

Haiku of the Week

 
 
hydrangea
drained of color now wears
her winter lace
 
Photo Taken: December 21, 2023 at Green Spring Gardens
Haiku Written: January 17, 2024
 
 
 
 

What I’ve Been Reading

 
Here are some other poetry collections and novels-in-verse I’ve read so far in January. 
 
 
Crossing Stones by Helen Frost
 
Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
 
All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr
 
(also known as Erin Bow, author of Simon Sort of Says, MG which I loved! It also got a Newbery Honor this week!!!)
 

Grow

My word of the year is GROW, so every week, I’m asking myself how did I grow/stretch myself this week. 
 
I’m taking a class with Julie Falatko called “The Map to Inspiration.” I could be a professional class taker (probably because my strengths are 1 Learner and 3 Input). In the past few years, I’ve tried to be more mindful about what classes I take and make sure they are acutely focused on what I want to learn.
 
Last week we were talking about clearing the distractions. It’s not craft focused but it is about process (and I love talking about process). I’m trying to be on my phone less and reading more! 

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36 Comments

  • Irene Latham

    January 26, 2024 at 8:09 AM

    Marcie! So much to love in this post! I love that hydrangea lace. And all these book recs! For your bookstore stickers, maybe buy a vintage suitcase at a thrift store, cover it with bookstore stickers, and use it to carry props/books into your school visits…or use somehow in your library? Fun! xo

    • Marcie Flinchum Atkins

      January 26, 2024 at 6:58 PM

      Oh my gosh, YES!!! This means I could have a poetry suitcase just like Janet Wong AND have a cool way to display my stickers. Now when I visit thrift stores, I’ll be looking for vintage suitcases AND flower frogs. 🙂

  • Susan T.

    January 26, 2024 at 10:50 AM

    Marcie, maybe our hydrangea has some lace, too; I will have to look. Thanks to your haiku for that reminder. I hear ya on the being on the phone less and reading more. I need to do the same. I’m taking note of several book titles here to look for.

  • Rose Cappelli

    January 26, 2024 at 5:24 PM

    That hydrangea winter lace is gorgeous. You are lucky to have so many independent book stores in your area. Can’t wait to hear more about your upcoming projects.

    • Marcie Flinchum Atkins

      January 26, 2024 at 7:00 PM

      I’m so, so, so lucky! And interestingly, in the years I’ve lived here, several more have opened up, so I get to visit some new ones. I already have a date planned with 2 writer friends to visit one out in Middleburg, VA.

  • PATRICIA J FRANZ

    January 26, 2024 at 6:10 PM

    I was thinking I had read Dashka Slater and then realized she was behind ESCARGOT 🙂
    Beautiful hydrangea lace; they remind me of spent cotton bolls that use to populate swaths of land around the Phx metro area. I didn’t realize how much I miss seeing them until I saw your photo.

  • Kathryn Apel

    January 27, 2024 at 12:32 AM

    Oh, that hydrangea. So pretty when in bloom, but not to be overlooked when dressed in winter lace. Exquisite!

    I picked up the Artist’s Way at my favourite little OpShop recently. I’ve heard so much about it over the years – so much so, I keep putting of diving in. I’ve just dug it out, to put on the top of my TBR pile.

  • Mary Lee Hahn

    January 27, 2024 at 7:14 AM

    I can’t wait to hear what you think of ACCOUNTABLE. I’m intrigued, but my reading energy is going into the Newbery, and I have to say, just a few chapters in…I’m GOBSMACKED! Frankie commented that she can’t believe they gave the award to a white man, but start reading and it’s a good reminder that they gave the award to the BOOK.

    I loved seeing CROSSING STONES. That’s one of my all-time favorite Helen Frost books.

    And as for the poetry, I, too, am in love with hydrangea’s lace!

    • Marcie Flinchum Atkins

      January 27, 2024 at 6:04 PM

      I’m hoping to read ACCOUNTABLE with my teen. I’m a little more than halfway through THE EYES AND THE IMPOSSIBLE and it is soooooo good. I’m not usually a fan of talking animal middle grade, but wow, this one is so, so, so good.

  • Carol Varsalona

    January 27, 2024 at 9:11 AM

    Marcie, I was going to say make a vision board for your stickers and life thoughts but Irene’s idea is so exciting that I look forward to seeing if you can find a vintage suitcase. Many thanks for always providing information on Northern Virginia book stores and new books. I love my hydrangea so your haiku is very special.

  • Linda Baie

    January 27, 2024 at 10:10 AM

    I love reading about your bookstore visits. I wish you could drop by the one where I work (it’s all volunteer-run). But I have other Indy favorites, too. Those hydrangeas just keep giving us beauty. It’s lovely that you noticed and wrote about them. Have a nice weekend, Marcie. Thanks for the titles of some new to me.

  • Linda Mitchell

    January 27, 2024 at 12:06 PM

    oooooh! Thanks for the bookstore recs. I love, One More Page Books. It’s a darling little store. And, thanks for the MG recs. Stephanie Hemphill is a fav…must take a look at that one. I will look out for winter lace this weekend. There should be lots in the walking path I take.

  • Karin Fisher-Golton

    January 27, 2024 at 1:57 PM

    I love so much about this post! I’m with you on loving the structure. Your idea to visit 24 indie bookstores in 2024 is brilliant, and I enjoyed getting a peek at the first few here. And I said “ooooh!” aloud when I read “winter lace.” Such a lovely image.

  • Laura Purdie Salas

    January 28, 2024 at 11:43 AM

    What lovely updates–and beautiful lace on that hydrangea. I’m doing more thoughtful and purposeful professional development this year, Marcie. Trying to pick one challenge or book or course per month. Jan is Storystorm, and Feb is NF Fest. But then in March, I have a book I’m looking forward to reading. All the courses look so good–I could get lost in them too…

  • Janice Scully

    January 28, 2024 at 3:21 PM

    Your website is made to order for those looking for picture books for kids. I have friends buying books for grandchildren and will refer them to your site. So many wonderful titles and bookstores to visit. Long ago I lived in Arlington VA and I was glad to see the bookstore you mentioned.

  • Denise Krebs

    January 28, 2024 at 11:18 PM

    Marcie, I always like structure of your posts, and I’ll look forward to the end of the month and reading more about the independent bookstores you visit. Irene’s idea is so delightful. I can’t wait to see the vintage suitcase you find. The hydrangea lace is gorgeous!