Hello, fellow tinkerer 👋 -

Happy Wednesday. I'm halfway through a week I designated for "internal work" (minimal client work). I'd intended to work on a few projects — and have been doing that — but also am recording three podcast episodes, did a LinkedIn Live (view the recording here), and have seven meetings scheduled. No one but myself to blame for a jam-packed schedule. 🤣 Next time I do this, I'll be more mindful of leaving my schedule ACTUALLY free to work on projects.

1) Reflection:

I was recently having a discussion with someone about book organization. I have a lot of bookshelves in my house. Some are organized alphabetically. Some are by height and color. I'm an avid book collector, and I think of books as art, as much as utility.

2) Product:

If you love collecting books, I have two recommendations.

First, you can get really cheap editions of classics with Dover Thrift Editions. Some books are as little as $2.50 USD. I bought a ton of these when I was right out of college and trying to build up my book collection, spending money on books rather than stuff like food...

At the other end of the spectrum, there's Folio Society. Absolutely gorgeous illustrated books, but they are pricey. I only have one and it was a gift (to myself, for my birthday).

3) Tip:

Tomorrow is Halloween in the U.S. and trick-or-treaters will be at our door. I'll hand out the expected candy, but also planning to leave out a box of books saying, "Take one, if you want one." We have lots of books we've outgrown over the years, and I'd love to give them to someone in our neighborhood (though dropping them off at a donation center is Plan B). If you read this in time for Halloween, you could do the same — or plan for next year!

Want more ideas?

→ This newsletter is published on Kit (formerly ConvertKit), and I also publish on Ghost and Substack. That seems wild to most people, but here's why.

→ How do you learn new things, and do you have space to learn at work? Here are some thoughts.

→ Actor Andrew Garfield has been talking very openly about the loss of his mom. Here he is on Modern Loss and on Sesame Street (get ready to fall apart).

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That's it for this issue of Tinkering! See you again in two weeks.

Cheers,
Anna

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