Hello. It’s Shannan. While I was researching poetry, preparing for a Patreon bonus episode, I discovered that I guest posted for Links I Love in April 2024. Well, here I am again on National Poetry Month. Last time, I quoted Langston Hughes’ Harlem, one of my all time favorite poems.
I have heard it so many times and I am feeling it very keenly right now: the world is going (has gone?) mad. What has been keeping me sane is art, including literature, drawing and painting, great movies, and music. This weekend, I plan on doing a little art, maybe practicing my drawing skills and working on my paint-by-numbers monstera piece, and reading more poetry. Today let’s start with the first line from new-to-me poet David Gate’s collection A Rebellion of Care (Bookshop):
Make art & music
because music & art
are love letters to the living
addressed to us all
My favorite finds from around the web:
I offer gift links for articles whenever possible (you may still need to create an account with the publication); if there’s no gift link and you’re not a subscriber, check to see if your library carries the publication or use a bookmarking service.
ALA denounces federal book banning bill. (American Library Association) The American Library Association has released a clear and concise statement about the dangers of H.R.7661, a federal book banning bill that targets librarians and teachers.
How Thieves Stole Paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse in a Three-Minute Art Heist. (TIME) I love media (books, films, and tv shows) about art heists. In March, we had an actual heist take place in a private museum in Italy. The info has only now been released to the public.
Top Nine Reasons to Read Poetry. (MMD) I reread this gem from the Modern Mrs Darcy blog archives every April.
I love Anthony Horowitz’s work and the sixth book in the Hawthorne & Horowitz series, A Deadly Episode (Bookshop), is releasing this month, on April 28. This series is so meta, with Horowitz including himself as a character in the story. I loved that this takes place on a movie set.
Need more whimsy in your life? Start a letter-writing habit. (NPR Life Kit) I have been moving to analog as much as I can in 2026. I used to love writing letters as a kid and want to reintroduce this into my monthly routine.
Building a Second Brain: An Interview with Tiago Forte. (Bullet Journal) While I would like to be more analog in my day-to-day life, digital still works for me. Remember when I said I noticed that I did Links I Love in April 2024 while I was researching poetry? I found this out because of my second brain, a system I have implemented after discovering Tiago Forte’s work in productivity and knowledge management. This old interview with Ryder Carroll of Bullet Journal fame goes into detail. There is also a book (Bookshop), if you want to go into more depth.
Quince quality is on-point. Last month Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club hosted The Darcy Awards where the Academy (our Book Club members) voted on categories including Best Author Chat, Book with Outstanding Emotional Depth, and overall Best Book of the ten years of Book Club. We got dressed up for the occasion and I wore this silk tee (XS-XL) from Quince in black. I was astounded by the level of quality in the piece: no raw hems, double stitching, and it came with care instructions.
When Will We Begin to Listen? On the Meaning of Black Silence in a Democratic Crisis. (Literary Hub) I feel compelled to share this article by Candis Watts Smith, a professor at Duke University as a Woman of Color living in our current world. “So too can silence be wielded to offer lessons.”
Have I inspired you to read more poetry? If you are not a member of the What Should I Read Next Patreon Community, now is a great time to join! We’re getting ready for summer reading and the annual Summer Reading Guide. Also, next Friday you’ll be able to listen to the aforementioned bonus episode, Starter Guide: Poetry. It’s a great primer to start your journey with poetry.
Don’t miss these posts:
12 Feel-good fiction books you can read in an afternoon. If you’re leaning toward the lighter side of your reading tastes these days, this list is for you.
Why my reading life is a buffet. How to bring abundance into your reading life.
12 bookish mysteries about bibliophiles and bookstores. Lean in to your love of books and bookstores with one of these literary mysteries!
Have a great weekend!
About the author
Shannan Malone is our MMD Cohost and What Should I Read Next? Patreon Community Manager. Her go-to genre depends on her mood! You can find Shannan on Instagram @shannanenjoyslife.
