It felt as though it called out to me, begging me to take it home with me. A book I had never heard of before stood out among its neighbors on the shelf. I ran my fingers along the gold lettering on the spine, and without hesitation, placed it in my shopping basket, and paid the kind woman working the cash register. When I arrived home, I placed it on one of the ever-growing piles of books that sit on the floor in front of my overflowing bookcase, where I knew it would likely sit untouched for a long time, much like the others beneath it.

I collect books like some people collect baseball cards.

As an avid reader, I know I won’t get to them all right away — but that’s never the point. I don’t read only to finish. I read to feel. To escape, to remember, to imagine, to understand. And even when I’m not reading, the books still speak to me. Their presence alone shifts the room’s energy. They make my space feel fuller, wiser, more alive.

Each one is chosen with quiet care. Not for display, but for the way they make me feel in the moment I find them — hopeful, nostalgic, curious, seen. A stack of unread stories doesn’t whisper guilt to me. It hums with comfort. Each book is a promise I’ve made to myself that someday, I’ll take the time.

Some afternoons, I pull my reading chair next to the stacks and simply sort through the books. Sometimes I choose one to leaf through, only to place it gently back in its place without reading a word. Just knowing they’re there is enough.

These books, with their uncreased spines and untouched pages, are not forgotten. They are resting. Waiting. Like letters from a future self.

And so the stack grows — not out of neglect, but from reverence. Not because I must read every one, but because collecting them brings me joy. A joy rooted in the delicious anticipation of stories not yet known, words not yet read, feelings not yet stirred.

This is not clutter. It is a constellation of paper and ink, of hope and possibility.

Cultivate your joy of reading with our newly released Bella Grace Issue 44.

The post Stacks of Promises first appeared on Bella Grace Magazine.

“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.” — J.K. Rowling

It’s true. Reading opens the doors to a new world, a world that we may never experience in real life. It introduces exciting adventures and offers ideas through different perspectives. Reading exposes new words to us, as we are constantly discovering and expanding our vocabulary, oftentimes without even knowing it. Good stories have the power to take you through an emotional journey — a sad story giving you hope, or a joyful story bringing motivation. The inspiration a good book can offer is magical, which is why I encourage you to pick up a new one soon.

Did you know October is National Book Month? What better time to whip out your favorite novel and enjoy it once again, or maybe even re-open one you started before but never got around to finishing. There is nothing better than cozying up on the couch in your favorite blanket and diving into those magical pages.

If you need some reading inspiration, here are some of our favorite books here at Bella Grace:

• “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed

• “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes

• “Quiet” by Susan Cain
• “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

• “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo

• “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte

• “The Complete Works of Emily Dickinson”

• “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert

• “The Life Boat” by Charlotte Rogan

• “The Forest Feast Gatherings” (A cookbook by Erin Gleeson)

• “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah

• “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur

• “Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed

• The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion

• “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

I hope your book adventures continuously open your eyes to new wonders and inspire you to try new things, and that the next book you begin brings you the excitement and thrill we all anxiously await as we open the cover and turn to the first page …

What fabulous book would you recommend to our Bella Grace readers?

The post The Wonders of Reading first appeared on Bella Grace Magazine.

Slightly sinful, like eating a piece of fine chocolate before taking my vitamins.

Or checking something off my long “To Do” list before I have actually accomplished the task. Or going grocery shopping and deciding to treat myself to a leisurely lunch before going home. Only slightly sinful. Or should I call it “luxurious”? An act of self-care, for after all, the days have been busy, far too busy, and I deserve this.

What am I describing, you ask?

Reading in bed first thing in the morning.

Yes, the alarm went off, as it always does, and my usual routine followed by a list of tasks to tackle awaits. But it is cold beyond my quilt, or rainy on the other side of the darkness, and you know, I think I may be getting a cold. How bad would it be to stay in bed a bit longer? And a good book just happens to be waiting on my bedside table.

Morning reading in bed is bonus reading time for me. I never go anywhere without a book or some other reading material, just in case I need to wait some place. I carve out times during the day to read – lunchtime at my own dining room table, a brief break after a string of chores, and at the end of the day in bed before turning out the light. No matter how tired I am, I must read before closing my eyes and pulling up the covers. But morning reading in bed is a treat I give myself only occasionally.

When I was in the last years of elementary school, my family vacationed for a week or two at a resort in northern Minnesota; the kind of resort that no longer seems to exist. Small, simple cabins with bark cloth curtains on the windows, mismatched dishes, and linoleum on the kitchenette floor and the teeny-tiny bathroom. Our cabin had one bedroom where my younger brother and sister slept and a double bed in the living area for my parents. My bed was on the screen porch. At night we pulled down the skinny wooden blinds, and I turned on the pin-up lamp right above my lumpy bed with its wool blanket, for even summer nights in Minnesota are cool.

I read until my mother called out, “Nancy, it’s time to turn off the light.” I was always reluctant to listen, but I knew I could start my day reading in bed before anyone else stirred. Breakfast time at the lake was casual, and I could read and read until the smell of toast tempted me.

Right now I am reading Susan Branch’s “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams,” a memoir, which is like finding someone’s scrapbook in your attic. Colorful drawings, recipes, photographs, as well as her personal story in her own handwriting. This is perfect morning reading; reading that separates me from whatever stress or questions or deadlines or needs await me beyond the bedroom’s threshold.

Morning reading in bed extends the dream time.

Morning reading in bed stretches the day … a paradox, I know.

Morning reading both grounds and energizes me.

Morning reading is both a piece of fine chocolate and my daily vitamins.

Nancy L. Agneberg is a “woman of a certain age” (late 60’s), a wife, mother, grandmother … who is discovering the delights and the challenges of this stage of life. She is a trained spiritual director and a writer, currently working on a spiritual memoir. Visit Nancy at her blog, Clearing the Space, One Woman’s Spirituality, www.clearingthespace.blogspot.com.

What are you currently reading? Share with us in the comments.

The post The Magic of Reading in Bed first appeared on Bella Grace Magazine.

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt, and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” ― Lewis Carroll

There’s a chill in the air, but our hearts are warm.  We invite you to join us as we revel in the heartfelt moments and insightful experiences shared in our latest issue of Bella Grace.

Take a glimpse inside our dreamy issue 10 below, and order your copy today to start experiencing all the winter wonders found inside.

Erica Gerald Mason’s “89 Beautiful Days of Winter” encourages us to embrace the magic this season by making time each day for a lovely winter activity.

Aaron M. Brown reveals the powerful aftermath of a random act of kindness and proves a small gesture can truly be life-changing in “Two February Coffees.”

Discover Tracie West’s year-long project that perfectly encompasses the strong, unmatched bond between mother and daughter in “My Girl and Me.”

Kayla Dean explores the countless wonders found inside bookshops with “New Adventures between the Shelves.”

Christmas movies, hot chocolate, snow play and more. We compiled “32 of Our Favorite Winter Traditions” from Bella Grace readers just like you!

Hang up your coat, get cozy by the fire and join us as we welcome winter with Issue 10. We hope the captivating stories and enchanting imagery lining the pages of Bella Grace comfort your heart and light up your soul this season.

What’s your favorite part of winter? Share with us in the comments below.

The post A Moment With: Bella Grace Issue 10 first appeared on Bella Grace Magazine.

My life seems to be busier than ever these days.

Between long workdays, family obligations, and household chores, the days just fly by. While I used to look at a full calendar and feel pleased and even excited, I now feel a small sense of dread when I see all the squares in my planner filled up.

I know my husband has been the feeling the same way. It’s obvious when he asks, “What do we have to do this weekend?” instead of “What do we want to do?” Lately we’ve both been expressing our desire for just a day at home.

An entire day with no plans other than to stay in the comfort of our cozy house, doing whatever we please.

So, we chose a day and marked it down on the calendar. If people asked, we were busy. We promised to the other that we would decline all invitations. It was officially a “stay-at-home day,” and we both needed it desperately. It’s amazing how excited I got about the idea of an entire day with nothing to do other than exactly what I felt like. You would have thought I was about to leave for an exciting vacation.

As luck would have it, when we awoke on our stay at home day, we were greeted by the sound of raindrops. I walked through the house, turned up the heater, lit some candles, and put on a pot of coffee (the first of many) to brew.

The morning passed slowly as I finished up a book I’d been dying to get through and my husband researched some electronics he was interested in. I had plenty of time to not only paint my nails, but also to apply a face mask and cover up the sparkles of gray that seem to be appearing in my hair at an alarming rate. I finally completed a few knitting projects that were half done. We queued up several of our favorite movies, those we have seen countless times, and had them on in the background while we went lazily about our day.

How refreshing it was to spend the day doing exactly what we wanted.

When bedtime rolled around, we marveled at how the day was just what we needed and that the day felt longer than usual. This stay at home day wasn’t a guilty pleasure for us; it was something that was needed. Because of this I didn’t feel bad when I pulled out my calendar and blocked off another day next month to do just the same.

I’m already looking forward to it.

My best,

Editor-In-Chief, Bella Grace Magazine

What is your idea of the perfect stay-at-home day? We will share our favorite responses in a future issue of Bella Grace.

The post Making Time to Do Nothing first appeared on Bella Grace Magazine.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge bookworm. From the moment my mom taught me to read “Hop on Pop” by Dr. Seuss, I’ve been devouring book after book. My bookshelves are overflowing and I know the employees at the local library by name. Classics, mysteries, young adult … I read it all.

It may sound cliché, but I like my summer reads to be light and fluffy. I want to read books that will make me smile and feel good as I enjoy them poolside or outdoors under the stars. The problem is, there are a lot of those types of reads out there and a lot of them aren’t very good. So, to save you some trouble, I thought I’d share my favorite summer reads.

1. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

This book has it all: romance, family, and a touch of magic. Claire, the central character, is a caterer who has a knack for using edible flowers and herbs grown in the family garden that have the ability to affect those who consume them in powerful ways. It is hard for me to describe why I enjoy this book so much. All I can say is that it is enchanting and delightful.

2. Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani

I’m a sucker for books that take place in small towns and are centered around a quirky cast of characters. This story takes place in a small mining town in the Appalachian Mountains and focuses on Ave Maria, the town “spinster” and her group of friends as they come together to plan musicals and a parade to welcome a visiting Elizabeth Taylor to Big Stone Gap. This book is both funny and heartwarming. It may also make you want to pack your bags and head to a small town, even if for just a day.

3. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

Books about books … Is there anything better? The small, rundown town of Broken Wheel, Iowa, is turned upside down by Sara, a traveler from Scotland. Sara has arrived to visit her longtime pen pal Amy, who unbeknownst to her, has just passed away. The people of Broken Wheel take Sara under their wing and in return allow (albeit reluctantly) her to share her love of books with them. A touch of romance and a whole lot of charm.

4. The House at the End of Hope Street by Menna van Praag

When Alba finds her academic career at a crossroads, she stumbles upon a house she has never seen before. She is greeted by Peggy, an older woman, who invites her to stay at the house under the conditions she has 99 nights to figure out her life. Once inside the house, Alba learns the house is anything but ordinary, and previous guests include Beatrix Potter and George Eliot, who still remain in the home in the form of talking portraits that advise the latest guests. While the premise for this book sounds a little odd, I assure you that is wonderfully whimsical.

5. Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg

Most people are familiar with Fannie Flagg and don’t realize it. She’s the author of “Fried Green Tomatoes.” While I enjoy that book, “Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man” is by far my favorite by her. There was a time in my life when I only read classics and turned my nose up a bit at anything contemporary. After finding myself in a huge reading rut, I decided to find something lighter. A trip through the blogosphere had me reaching for this treasure. Again, this book takes place in a small, suburban town and is the story of a young girl just trying to make something of herself. (Aren’t we all?) The book is full of malt shops and debutante balls, and will keep you laughing long after the story is over.

Just writing this list for you has me itching to pick up one of my old favorites. If only my to-read list wasn’t already miles long. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I do!

What’s on your summer reading list? Leave a comment below and share which books you can’t wait to spend some time savoring this season.

My best,

Editor-In-Chief, Bella Grace Magazine

The post My 5 Go-To Summer Reads first appeared on Bella Grace Magazine.