Welcome to the very first volume of the Lovely Sunday Notes.

I hope that that the Lovely Sunday Notes will be a cute, little snapshot into my life as a Literary Lover. I’m very happy that you’re here and I hope you stay a little while.

I suppose I should start with a proper introduction: Hi, my name is Elsie. I love books.

That’s my entire personality. Not to be dramatic, but I aspire to devote my life to books.

I love everything about books. I love reading them, writing them, sniffing them, crying over them, obsessing over them.

I. Love. Books.

I love reading contemporary fiction that is somewhere between literary fiction and commercial fiction. I believe it would be categorized as upmarket. My all-time favorite type of book is a coming-of-age story with a heavy romantic subplot. If you have any recommendations, please, please let me know. I beg you.

I, of course, love romance, but I do prefer limited spice and closed door/fade to black. Just give me all the yearning and fluff and I’ll love you forever.

I also love reading classics. I love reading a book that has stood the test of time and that many, many people hold dear to their hearts.

Tragically, though, I’m in a big reading slump at the moment. I talk more about it here, but suffice it to say that I am devastated.

I’ve been in this reading slump since late October or early November. It’s been about six months. I’ve read a book here and there, but it’s nothing compared to the number of books I know I’m capable (and want to!) read.

It’s not the first time I’m in a reading slump. It’s also not the longest reading slump.

But it’s just… It’s just really hard being in a reading slump!

(How many times am I going to say reading slump? Maybe that’s why it won’t go away).

Every time I’m in a reading slump it feels like there’s a part of me that’s missing. I’m not fully myself.

But I have hope. I have hope that I’ll get through this soon.

To no one’s surprise, I’m not currently reading anything. But I feel like I’m crawling out of that reading slump, and I’ll be reading all the books soon enough.

On the bright side, I sure have hauled some wonderful books.

I traveled to Europe a few weeks ago (specifically, I went to the U.K., France, and Italy). We did a quick one-day trip to London from Paris.

Is there anything better than book shopping in London?

I made a list of books I wanted to buy, and I made my way to Foyles.

I was on a mission. I had very limited time. I sped through the fiction section and picked up the books as I went. I was in and out of the store in about fifteen minutes.

I did have to pay for a checked bag on the flight home. But you know what? It was absolutely worth it. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Anyway, I could go on and on about books.

And I will.

I will.

Come along and feel free to jump in with your own thoughts! We’re all welcome at the Literary Lovers Club.

Thank you so much for reading this. Please let me know what kind of books you like to read, and let me know if there are any books you’d recommend I read.

See you next time!

Elsie