Dear Together Friends, Fans, and Family,
I think I have invented an unparalleled fall trail mix: Reese’s Pieces (why are these so hard to find?!), roasted salted cashews, and Honey Nut Chex. You are welcome.
Anyway, fall is finally finally here, and per usual, I’m trying to hold out on turning on the heat until November 15. Does anyone else fight adjusting the thermostat like me? My husband, who grew up outside of Dublin in a constant rainy chill, and then spent his teenage years in SoCal, often has some quibbles with my commitment to toughness and frugality. PUT ON AN EXTRA HOODIE, KIDS. Hey, I was raised in a house that was heated by a wood stove only – as in gather-round-the-stove-Laura-Ingalls-Wilder-style to get dressed before shivering out the door in central Maine.
Since the temperatures dropped fast in the mid-Atlantic, I have all things reading, cooking, and fuzzy blankets on the brain. The fall book releases are so strong that I made a list of what order I want to read the books dropping – something I never do, as I always pick up my next read on vibes. And, I’m hoping to finally act on my little side quest of finishing the last five years of Newbery Award winners by the end of 2026.
My Kindle will be putting in lots of work this fall!
So, in the name of making time to read, cook, and do all the cozy fall things, here are a few items I’m trying to fit into a busy October – November stretch. And yes, I put some of them into my calendar, like the day Barbara Kingsolver’s new novel releases, and when a documentary I want to see comes out! This is a Fall Playlist, if you will!
- Finishing Judy Blume’s biography on audiobook. I’m not the biggest audiobook fan because my brain wanders, but I make an exception for a biography! And, as a Judy Blume completist, this profile read by Molly Ringwald was an absolute delight. I especially loved hearing about her correspondence with other authors like Beverly Cleary!
- Make or participate in my own Book It! program. Speaking of book nostalgia, this article (gift link) made me excited about some incentivized reading. I lived for my personal pan pizzas as a kid in Maine (keep in mind the nearest Pizza Hut was 25 miles away!), and as someone who showed up every single Tuesday for the two hours a week our town library was open (meaning a wall of books above the volunteer fire department!) to check out Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (yes, I know Roald Dahl has not aged well) at least 14 times, I love that this is back.
- Watch the new season of The Great British Bake Off. I mean, I’m pretty sad about Prue’s departure, but I’m a huge Nigella fan, so this will be a good cozy watch with Kid #4. Fun fact: Dr. Together and I are slated to be Paul and Prue for Halloween this year.
- Listen to Ina Garten’s new podcast! Ever since I read her autobiography, chronicling such a tough childhood, I have extra respect for what she has built and created. Plus who doesn’t love an adult with a uniform (thank you, blue button up shirt!), who can roast a perfect chicken and made giant martinis or cosmos in the pandemic?! Her cookbooks remain some of my favorites.
- The Baby-Sitters Club stage musical?! When I got to go into “town” growing up, there was a much bigger library with a 12-book limit, and you can bet I checked out every single Baby-Sitters Club book – and double editions! – when available. This article about the 40th anniversary and musical in development made me want to re-read every one.
As you can tell, children’s literature is a true love of mine. Fun fact: I spent a summer in college as an intern at Charlesbridge Publishing in Watertown, MA, reading the slush pile of picture books, and still have dreams of becoming a children’s author someday.
As we settle into cozy season (and especially as an antidote to the world around us right now), I wish you much literature, love, and light. I’ll be getting ready to cook my molasses ginger crinkles, make my favorite kale salad, and assemble my pumpkin trifle.
I started my October with Ana and Cornelius in Las Vegas. I love when I get to see my TTG Team in real life!
#togetherforever #clipboardsandclogs
Maia
PS Are you about to go out of office for the holidays? Make sure you’re all set to exit and re-enter without a splash. Join the early access list for our latest no-cost pop-up – Together Prep, Pause, and Pick Up!
PPS Were you following Fat Bear Week (gift link), the annual bracket that crowns the chunkiest bear in Alaska before hibernation begins?! Together Team Member Lauren had us all invested in this fun low-stakes competition which also serves as a nature conservancy fundraiser.
PPPS We’re planning ahead! Let us know of any awesome holiday or Teacher Appreciation Week activities your school or district does to show teachers how amazing they are!
- What does your personal blueprint say about you? Friend of TTG Kelly H-P recently shared what she calls a personal blueprint and how it can be used to foster teamwork and collaboration in a group – and uncover all the idiosyncrasies. What a wonderful way to communicate what you value and how you operate – and I could see this being great in January as a way to kick off the calendar year. Thanks Kelly!
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Pay off your productivity debt? Sometimes our daily To-Do list can feel intimidating and endless. Ahem, raises hand. Oliver Burkeman proposes a perspective shift toward a Done List. Starting from zero and listing what you get done each day can help you focus on what’s important and avoid stressing about what might not get done.
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Asking questions in a world of AI. In a world where the answers to virtually every question are one search bar away, we might be losing out on human connection. Friend of TTG Jeff W notes that we must be curious and ask the right questions, but more importantly make it safe to respond, and my favorite, “listen between the lines.”
