After living in Switzerland for 6 years, I had still not seen the iconic Matterhorn peak - and nor, I may add, had my husband, though he was born here. But when friends visited this summer from North America, they wanted to go to the big M, and so we decided to come along. View … Continue reading Postcards from Switzerland: On the Matterhorn trail
For anyone interested in the sacred dimension of reading, I've created a week of free online meetings to introduce a contemplative way of engaging with texts--not necessarily "religious" in the conventional sense. I'm very excited to share this practice with you all, as it's been transformative in my own life. Each meeting will be independent, … Continue reading A week of sacred reading starts tomorrow
What I read this month Mina's Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa, translated by Stephen B. Snyder - Women in Translation (Japanese) Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais, translated by the author - Women in Translation (French) A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald The Magician's Book … Continue reading Month in Review: July 2025
As I recently posted in my blog newsletter and Substack, The Enchanted Circle, I'd like to offer an opportunity for those interested in reading as a sacred practice to gather online. It would be so wonderful to share this practice with others! Going forward, such gatherings might take place once or twice a month. As … Continue reading A week of sacred reading
What I read this month The Abandoned by Paul Gallico - Reading the Meow The Ghost of Frédéric Chopin by Eric Faye Bodyfulness by Christine Caldwell The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke - Reread Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - Reread, Reading Austen 2025 The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa The … Continue reading Month in Review: June 2025
This year, I've been reading through the novels of Jane Austen in publication order, something I don't think I've ever done before. Thanks to the hosts of the Reading Austen 2025 event for putting me onto this project, and be sure to check out the other posts so far - lots of good stuff there. … Continue reading The Men of Mansfield Park
People often ask how I like living in Switzerland. I always smile and say I like it, it's beautiful, I appreciate many things. I don't tell them that for me, moving to Switzerland was a lot like dying. English chapel, Davos Though not to be compared to the desperate flights of many forced to leave … Continue reading Six years in Switzerland
What I read this month Every Good Boy Does Fine by Jeremy Denk Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Reread for Reading Austen 2025 The Showings by Julian of Norwich, translated by Mirabai Starr Any Human Heart by William Boyd Show Boat by Edna Ferber Booth by Karen Joy Fowler Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi … Continue reading Month in Review: May 2025
When Cathy of 746 books announced last year that she would not be hosting 20 Books of Summer this year after ten successful years, Emma of Words and Peace and Annabel of AnnaBookBel both volunteered to take it on. Though I have sworn off doing too many reading challenges this year, I couldn't resist joining … Continue reading Ten Books of Summer
I'm always up for checking out an independent book-discovery site, so I was intrigued when I heard of Shepherd, a new platform built around recommendations by authors. Each author picks a theme, topic, or mood and five books they love. Via the site or weekly emails, readers are guided to lists that have something in … Continue reading A new way to find your next favorite read
