05. Bookmarks, Bendigo & Agatha Christie
Reading challenges and bookish bling
Hello, friend! How has your week been? Did you knock it out of the park again? I bet you did! Even if things didn’t go exactly to plan, I have a feeling you still impressed a few people along the way. Small acts of kindness have wide-ranging impacts.
Fishbird Catch of the Week
We post twice a week (Wednesday & Saturday) on the Fishbird Central blog. This week’s catch included:
Agatha Christie Reading Challenge
We challenge you to a literary adventure! In this post we recommend a range of books inspired by the letters of the name 'Agatha Christie'. Each letter, a clue, leading you to discover some new favourite reads and learn a little bit more about Agatha herself. Can you spot the fact from the fiction?!
In March 2024, we were lucky enough to stay overnight in Bendigo at the Julie-Anna Inn! If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times - Bendigo is the new Paris, and Italy is yesterday’s news! Bendigo offers a uniquely enchanting experience without the crowds and (as a bonus) is a little bit cheaper to get to from Queensland.
Crossing the Streams - Art and Bookmarks
Recently, I sat myself down and I said - Jen. You read a lot of books. You also sketch a lot of weird characters. Why don’t you combine these two magical streams and design some bookmarks, rather than marking your place in a book with a Subway napkin and a birthday card from 1996?
Reader, that mystery woman was me. And also was right. And also, this story has confused me and who is “me” and … *coughs* … bookmarks.
So I made some bookmarks.
No, no - put your money away! I’m still playing with the structure, and they’re not all consistent in design. I printed them on really thin paper, and one gave me a paper cut - BUT, how fun! Also, laminators are cool (don’t sniff the hot plastic) and I have a ‘device’ that makes the corners round - fantastic!
Who would you like to see on a bookmark? Keeping in mind that I’ll be sketching it, and I have a tendency to make dogs look like meatballs. Fire your suggestions at me and I’ll give them a crack.
Quick Fire Wrap Up
Currently Reading: ‘Lowdown Road’ by Scott Von Doviak (Amazon affiliate link). This book was nominated for Best Paperback Original in the 2024 Edgar Awards, and is on my June TBR. The story is published by Hard Case Crime who specialise in hard-boiled crime fiction and lost pulp classics. This one seems fun and fast-paced!
Currently Watching: I spend just the right amount of time watching YouTube, and have recently discovered Miranda Mills. Miranda is a UK bookish content creator and has the Emma Bridgewater mug collection of my dreams. If you like cosy book recommendations and walks around the English countryside, check her out!
Currently Wondering: How many versions of us are there? Not even factoring in parallel universes - we all present different sides of ourselves in different situations. If you asked all of these versions to meet you for lunch, would they all get along? Who is the truest version of you and what would they order?
Wishes for the Week
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, friend!
May you meet a lot of wonderful dogs, come into some unexpected money, and find yourself laughing at unexpected delights.
Stay cool, punks.
“We’ve found Atlantis and it’s populated by megalodons.” - David Attenborough (probably)
Jen x