The Bookshelf ~ January 2025

lectori salutem

Beth Brower is the author of thirteen books, including The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, The Q, the Books of Imirillia, and The Beast of Ten. She also writes here on Beth Brower Scribbles Away

DEAR READER,

Happy, fresh 2025.

I’ve always enjoyed the writing of a fresh year. Twenty Twenty-Five. Bright. Not yet worn. No patches. No split seems. Now, I don’t mind the inevitable texture and wear, the well-earned patina as the year finds its way into spring, marches on through summer, and slips into fall, before finding its way back to winter. Glorious impermanence. The natural course of the calendar. (I am a fan of wabi-sabi, and the attendant ideas, after all.) But for now, let us revel in the crisp promise of January.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Springville Library, Feb 6th, 6:30 p.m.

During the last online Emma conclave, I drew two locations to have an event. The first was Portland, and we had a blast. The second was Springville!

Below is the flyer provided by the Springville Library for the event with all relevant information:

If you have any questions you would like answered, feel free to submit them to contact@rhysdonpress.com.

UPDATE: The bookplates for THE 193 CLUB are being prepared! We’re excited to get them all signed, stamped, and sent your way! The confirmation emails are being sent out in batches. If you haven’t received your email yet, you will before Tuesday.

It’s been wonderful to see the excitement of readers all over the world who snagged a copy with the overlap on page 193! I’ve enjoyed the sense of connection and look forward to shipping out the signed bookplates.

I’ve been trying to let my mind stretch out after the go and rush of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 8 release. In the process, I came across this video on meditation and how it can change the brain for the better! Here is the link!

A January Evening in the Haagse Bos, by Louis Apol (1850-1936)

Isn’t that lovely?

And for those of you who want a winter scene that’s a touch warmer than this snow-filled woodland, here is an altogether different scene, one I think would capture the interest of Lion, Pierce, Islington, & Hawkes.

A Session of the Painting Jury, by Henri Gervex

If January has come in cold and dreary, keep your chin up. Put the kettle on, take a deep breath, and take a moment to forgive the difficult days. Remember that the dip gives way to the next rise. The pattern of life is as kind as it is complicated. We are meant to rest in the kindness and gain wisdom from the complications. That’s part of the deal, it seems.

It’s going to be a great year. There are some exciting plans in the works here at Rhysdon Press. Thanks again for all the support, encouragement, and joy. We’re having quite a bit of fun in St. Crispian’s, aren’t we?

I’ll see you all on February 6th!

x Beth