LOVE those books. I moved last week and The Grey Wolf was my constant companion as I schlepped my stuff between apartments. I like the new narrator, too.
I'm 34/53 on the holds list at the Iowa City Public Library, after getting my hold in there weeks ago. I'm good at waiting. I mean, I've been waiting for eight years . . . .
I love these books so much! I'm saving the new one to read over Christmas break. I do think that it's important to read them in order because Louise Penny does a lot with character evolution.
Each one can be read as a standalone. But it provides a richer experience if you start at the beginning and follow the development of the principal characters. “The Grey Wolf“ in particular refers back to an earlier book in the series.
I haven't read all of them yet, and I tend to like to read a series in order, if possible. With these books, I'd say it's important that you try to do that. There are certain storylines that continue through the series, and recurring characters that you get to know more and more about as the series goes on.
My 16-year-old daughter has finally found her people at school. She had such a hard time in elementary school and middle school fitting in and now that she is a sophomore in high school, she finally has a nice group of friends who share her interests. I'm so happy for her.
I love this! I too really struggled as an elementary and middle school kid (turns out I was autistic) and finally found a great group in HS. Yay for your daughter!
yay for your daughter, and thanks for sharing this! my older kid is so lovely and smart and kid and a bit of an oddball, and the transition to middle school has been challenging socially. this is such a good reminder that it can be a long journey to finding your people, and it doesn't mean anyone is doing anything wrong.
I spent yesterday writing an absolute BUMMER of an essay about my abortion experience and my abusive marriage- and how that all ties in to this election and systemic issues. Why is this making me hopeful? Because it feels hopeful to finally have a voice after all of these years suffering in silence.
Absolutely! It definitely feels like at least somewhat we have been able to discuss abortions more openly after the fall of roe! There are thousands of reasons that we need the ability to make that choice and vocalizing them helps(hopefully) people understand the complexity of that choice and why we need it! Personally I was $250k in student loan debt and had just started my career of 12-14 hour days 6 days a week and got pregnant on birth control!! It was just not a feasible situation, now I have twin girls and am in such a better situation that I am so thankful I was able to make that choice ten years ago! My girls will benefit enormously from their parents being in a more stable healthy situation!
I have a nonbinary 11 year old kiddo and over the weekend we made a cake to celebrate the one year anniversary of the new name they chose for themself. And they told us "I can't imagine not having lesbian moms." Just general queer family joy all around.
Solidarity to queer (family) joy!!! I've expended my nervous election anxiety with the queer groups on my campus today, and I am so thankful for them, our activism, our joy, our community.
Oh my gosh I came here to write that what's giving me hope is the community of queer families that my wife and I have found, and the other queer kiddos that are kiddos get to be friends with. And then I saw this comment and it just made me so happy. It has been a rough couple days of fear, but knowing that there are families out there who have our back and we have their back, knowing that queer Joy is still happening.. it helps. ❤️🌈
I’ve been volunteering doing Iowa GOTV text banking. Most people don’t reply, but most of those who did had very enthusiastic responses! My favorite: “voting in person Tuesday- let’s flip this 💩”
I did doorknocking in PA and NC and now am calling to help people "cure" ballot issues with their mail-in ballots. Some of it is hard (just got a "fuck off" text from someone whose ballot was rejected) but much of it is heartening - connecting with people who are truly thoughtful (even if not for Harris/Walz) and want to move our country forward from the conflict and hate.
Wow, thank you for all your work. I so wanted to do door knocking in swing states but learned I'm just not good at it -- and it stresses me out too much. I appreciate those of you who made this such a sensational ground game!
I am volunteering with the Virginia Democrats as a poll greeter on Election Day. Basically, monitoring our poll site to make sure all those who want to can cast their vote quickly and without fear or intimidation. It is a small role, but I like to think I am helping to make a difference.
I did that in 2016 when I was in northern Wisconsin. Wisconsin was a state the polls got very wrong. I got a real close look at the racism that motivated my neighbors and went home that day feeling dismayed even before the results started coming in.
One thing I had to report was a voter who refused to be checked in by a young man who was a Somali American Not him- give me someone else and just show me how to vote for Trump” she said.
Good for you for doing the volunteer, it can be hard!
My mom (who I live with) has been phone banking in Arizona. I asked her how it was going today and she was like “Actually, I could not get someone off the phone. He was talking about how excited he and his fiancé were to vote for Harris and down ballet.” And this was in Scottsdale of all places.
Good thing: I took my marriage off life support in January and rather than my fears of loneliness coming true, I discovered my community is far stronger than I gave it credit for. I’ve had more lunches, dinners, adventures, calls, texts, drop-by wine hours, hugs, laughs and words of affirmation than the last decade combined. I have hope for my future and my children’s future knowing our chosen family is behind us.
I could not be happier for you. I had a similar revelation about the quality of my friendships after my divorce, humbling and reflective of how isolated I had become physically and emotionally in those last years of marriage. I wish you nothing but continued joy and discovery.
What gives me hope as a 66 year old is people like you who represent the generation that has to lead, and has their priorities straight. You and those who have the courage to stand for the essential issues we are facing.
My 15 year old son and his group of friends. He got his first girlfriend, but within a week of them being "official," she broke up with him. Only to say a week later "I broke up with you because you did something that upset me, but I didn't bother to talk to you about it. So let's talk about it." And they're back together. They are 15 and are showing far more maturity than some 40 year olds. All the crap our parents give us for "gentle parenting" and talking openly with our kids is getting shoved back in their boomer faces when I hear stories like this! These kids are pretty awesome.
(And no, I don't know what it was that he did that upset her. He refuses to tell me haha! But the fact that he feels comfortable enough to share even this much is another awesome thing that gives me hope)
Good thing: Germany recently relaxed its rules to allow for balkonkraftwerk, which sounds like an 80s music revival but means that renters can install solar panels on their balconies to defray their electricity costs and impacts. I just read about that in Bill McKibben's newsletter and it kind of made my day.
Bonus thing: adopting another rescue dog in one week, can't wait!
I am heartened by the broadening communal understanding that democracy is not just one Tuesday every 4 years, but an ongoing process in and outside of the polling places. I see so many more people diving in beyond just getting folks to vote in this election. Because while electoral politics are foundational to our democracy, us folks holding us folks up and creating long-term change together is even better <3
Yes yes yes! I am not in the US but I have been helping people understand lately that there are so many ways to be involved in politics and even the small quiet actions help!
I'm running for school board and I'm excited to vote for myself tomorrow - there are several amazing women on the ballot for all types of positions and I'm grateful to be able to serve my community through advocating for public education!
I’m in Pennsylvania, so we’ve been flooded with calls, texts, and in-person canvassing visitors. This weekend a young man approached us while we were doing yard work and introduced himself as not only representing candidates for the down-ballot races election, but as someone who’s running for local council in 2026. My husband and I were impressed by his poise, dedication, command of the issues, and optimism. He is our sign of hope and the best that this country represents.
I was happily surprised that she sang a new song and it was just as good as her current stuff. My b-friend (who knows who she is but isn't otherwise invested) said "that was really good!" after both her numbers, which is a major WOW coming from him - LOL!
That’s exactly how I felt. I had heard of her but hadn’t heard any of her songs. I haven’t been able to stop listening to Pink Piny Club. It’s just a really good song with a message and she has an incredible voice.
I got a lot of hope from the excitement from call recipients from phone banking this weekend. I interpersonal relationships are giving me hope and i have made plans for not being alone Tuesday night as results roll in…. I am prepared for the red mirage but so hopeful.
Thanks for that encouragement. I've done postcards because I've been too terrified of phonebanking (anxiety + fearing it will affect my hope), but I signed up for the "Everyone for Kamala" phonebank tomorrow and still terrified. Knowing it was positive helps! I've also made plans to not be alone Tuesday and Wednesday (and maybe beyond?). It does help.
If it helps, Teresa, in my experience canvassing they tend to have people reaching out to undecided, independent, or Dem voters. Phone banking may be different but I didn't know this until I canvassed (not this election bc I'm recovering from surgery). I'm going to do phone banking today & tomorrow. You can do this! Surround yourself with physical comforts and treats, and thank you for trying this despite the nerves!
I did do some text banking earlier on and, yes, these do all seem to be "likely Dem" or "Dem-leaning Independent", which is why I did it. But then, I got three vile, rude, awful responses (mind you, this is out of 100 so percentage wise it's really not that much), and it really affected my mood for days. So then I stopped doing it. :/ I've read all the reminders that it's not personal, to just move on, and that kind of response is normal, but it gets to me way too much. I need to work on letting it go. Thanks for the encouragement!
That IS hard when you're highly sensitive/empathetic, etc. It's not normal to treat each other that way. I hope this doesn't happen again but if it does, that you can find other ways to help that protect your feels - we each can't do all of the things, right?
Thanks Toni! I was trying to come up with my hopeful thing for today, and honestly your kind, intuitive, and empathetic response is the thing that gives me hope today. ❤️
Actually I think that very negative response can be quite normal. It's not like you get one message and just start yelling. I have been getting more than 25 texts a day and this week it went up. Now I just autodelete every message about politics. I don't answer at all whether I like or dislike the candidate and I block all the numbers. And my bloods pressure so goes up. This is one place that I think needs to be fixed with an auto opt-out so you NEVER get unsolicited texts.
Fine; amend "it's not normal" to "it's not respectful of the human on the other end of the text, who is likely an unpaid neighbor doing their best for their community."
I’m so glad to hear this. I’m phone banking tomorrow morning, and as an introvert I’m terrified. I wrote postcards and contributed to the limit of my income, but this last is a real go beyond my comfort level moment.
Phonebanking used to freak me out until I decided to treat it like being in a play. I'm just reading a script. Nobody can see my face. If they're unpleasant, I can just hit end call. Now I just cruise through hours of phone banks without a second thought.
I too am quite introverted and I tried out phone banking and I didn't hate it. It's tedious because people hang up on you and you have to keep starting over. Of the people I did talk to I only got two who were kind of jerks about it and everyone else was lovely and voting for Kamala Harris (this was in Georgia btw). But I lost my voice after an hour of that and switched to text banking, which is kind of gamified and fun. Also the dialer is easier to figure out.
I did blockwalking and phonebanking in Austin Texas this weekend. I was calling and knocking for people who hadn’t voted, many of whom were college students who’ve moved (soooooo many lived upstairs; got my steps in!) When I did talk to household members, though, it was all ‘Voted ALL TEAM BLUE!!’ Now, Austin is a Blue island, but the enthusiasm was real!
My good thing is that Louise Penny gave us a new Inspector Gamache book and I'm enjoying the audiobook narrator.
LOVE those books. I moved last week and The Grey Wolf was my constant companion as I schlepped my stuff between apartments. I like the new narrator, too.
Omg really???
I'm 34/53 on the holds list at the Iowa City Public Library, after getting my hold in there weeks ago. I'm good at waiting. I mean, I've been waiting for eight years . . . .
This is good news. Thank you for spreading the word!
I love these books so much! I'm saving the new one to read over Christmas break. I do think that it's important to read them in order because Louise Penny does a lot with character evolution.
How important is it to read those in order?
Each one can be read as a standalone. But it provides a richer experience if you start at the beginning and follow the development of the principal characters. “The Grey Wolf“ in particular refers back to an earlier book in the series.
I haven't read all of them yet, and I tend to like to read a series in order, if possible. With these books, I'd say it's important that you try to do that. There are certain storylines that continue through the series, and recurring characters that you get to know more and more about as the series goes on.
My 16-year-old daughter has finally found her people at school. She had such a hard time in elementary school and middle school fitting in and now that she is a sophomore in high school, she finally has a nice group of friends who share her interests. I'm so happy for her.
I love this! I too really struggled as an elementary and middle school kid (turns out I was autistic) and finally found a great group in HS. Yay for your daughter!
yay for your daughter, and thanks for sharing this! my older kid is so lovely and smart and kid and a bit of an oddball, and the transition to middle school has been challenging socially. this is such a good reminder that it can be a long journey to finding your people, and it doesn't mean anyone is doing anything wrong.
I love this as I have a sophomore son who is still struggling with this and it gives me hope. Thank you.
I spent yesterday writing an absolute BUMMER of an essay about my abortion experience and my abusive marriage- and how that all ties in to this election and systemic issues. Why is this making me hopeful? Because it feels hopeful to finally have a voice after all of these years suffering in silence.
Absolutely! It definitely feels like at least somewhat we have been able to discuss abortions more openly after the fall of roe! There are thousands of reasons that we need the ability to make that choice and vocalizing them helps(hopefully) people understand the complexity of that choice and why we need it! Personally I was $250k in student loan debt and had just started my career of 12-14 hour days 6 days a week and got pregnant on birth control!! It was just not a feasible situation, now I have twin girls and am in such a better situation that I am so thankful I was able to make that choice ten years ago! My girls will benefit enormously from their parents being in a more stable healthy situation!
I have a nonbinary 11 year old kiddo and over the weekend we made a cake to celebrate the one year anniversary of the new name they chose for themself. And they told us "I can't imagine not having lesbian moms." Just general queer family joy all around.
Love this! Thank you for sharing this story about your loving family. You are awesome!
Solidarity to queer (family) joy!!! I've expended my nervous election anxiety with the queer groups on my campus today, and I am so thankful for them, our activism, our joy, our community.
This gave me lots of warm fuzzies. Good job moms
this makes me soooo happy. congrats to your kiddo on their self-determination, and congrats to you for doing a great job parenting 💜
Oh my gosh I came here to write that what's giving me hope is the community of queer families that my wife and I have found, and the other queer kiddos that are kiddos get to be friends with. And then I saw this comment and it just made me so happy. It has been a rough couple days of fear, but knowing that there are families out there who have our back and we have their back, knowing that queer Joy is still happening.. it helps. ❤️🌈
I’ve been volunteering doing Iowa GOTV text banking. Most people don’t reply, but most of those who did had very enthusiastic responses! My favorite: “voting in person Tuesday- let’s flip this 💩”
thank you for doing that work!
I did doorknocking in PA and NC and now am calling to help people "cure" ballot issues with their mail-in ballots. Some of it is hard (just got a "fuck off" text from someone whose ballot was rejected) but much of it is heartening - connecting with people who are truly thoughtful (even if not for Harris/Walz) and want to move our country forward from the conflict and hate.
Wow, thank you for all your work. I so wanted to do door knocking in swing states but learned I'm just not good at it -- and it stresses me out too much. I appreciate those of you who made this such a sensational ground game!
I am volunteering with the Virginia Democrats as a poll greeter on Election Day. Basically, monitoring our poll site to make sure all those who want to can cast their vote quickly and without fear or intimidation. It is a small role, but I like to think I am helping to make a difference.
I did that in 2016 when I was in northern Wisconsin. Wisconsin was a state the polls got very wrong. I got a real close look at the racism that motivated my neighbors and went home that day feeling dismayed even before the results started coming in.
One thing I had to report was a voter who refused to be checked in by a young man who was a Somali American Not him- give me someone else and just show me how to vote for Trump” she said.
Good for you for doing the volunteer, it can be hard!
My mom (who I live with) has been phone banking in Arizona. I asked her how it was going today and she was like “Actually, I could not get someone off the phone. He was talking about how excited he and his fiancé were to vote for Harris and down ballet.” And this was in Scottsdale of all places.
I did PA vote chasing phone banking yesterday, partially inspired by Lyz's column! And it did in fact reduce my anxiety.
Good thing: I took my marriage off life support in January and rather than my fears of loneliness coming true, I discovered my community is far stronger than I gave it credit for. I’ve had more lunches, dinners, adventures, calls, texts, drop-by wine hours, hugs, laughs and words of affirmation than the last decade combined. I have hope for my future and my children’s future knowing our chosen family is behind us.
I could not be happier for you. I had a similar revelation about the quality of my friendships after my divorce, humbling and reflective of how isolated I had become physically and emotionally in those last years of marriage. I wish you nothing but continued joy and discovery.
Life support. Wow, thanks for the spot-on descriptor. Congrats to you!!
What gives me hope as a 66 year old is people like you who represent the generation that has to lead, and has their priorities straight. You and those who have the courage to stand for the essential issues we are facing.
The young punk guy who helped me reverse an overdose on the street, and held the stranger tenderly as he came back to life.
Thank you for your service, Sarah! You both were amazing.
That’s wonderful! You’re a hero!!
My 15 year old son and his group of friends. He got his first girlfriend, but within a week of them being "official," she broke up with him. Only to say a week later "I broke up with you because you did something that upset me, but I didn't bother to talk to you about it. So let's talk about it." And they're back together. They are 15 and are showing far more maturity than some 40 year olds. All the crap our parents give us for "gentle parenting" and talking openly with our kids is getting shoved back in their boomer faces when I hear stories like this! These kids are pretty awesome.
(And no, I don't know what it was that he did that upset her. He refuses to tell me haha! But the fact that he feels comfortable enough to share even this much is another awesome thing that gives me hope)
Wonderful! Sounds like you’ve done right as a mom. Mazeltov!
Good thing: Germany recently relaxed its rules to allow for balkonkraftwerk, which sounds like an 80s music revival but means that renters can install solar panels on their balconies to defray their electricity costs and impacts. I just read about that in Bill McKibben's newsletter and it kind of made my day.
Bonus thing: adopting another rescue dog in one week, can't wait!
Please come back with pup pics!
Of course!
My eleven-month-old daughter is learning to walk, and y’all it is just the most wonderful, beautiful thing to watch this tiny human grow up.
I love this!! It's so cute when they first walk, because their little bellies are their center of gravity so it's that toddling belly-forward walk
I am heartened by the broadening communal understanding that democracy is not just one Tuesday every 4 years, but an ongoing process in and outside of the polling places. I see so many more people diving in beyond just getting folks to vote in this election. Because while electoral politics are foundational to our democracy, us folks holding us folks up and creating long-term change together is even better <3
Yes yes yes! I am not in the US but I have been helping people understand lately that there are so many ways to be involved in politics and even the small quiet actions help!
I'm running for school board and I'm excited to vote for myself tomorrow - there are several amazing women on the ballot for all types of positions and I'm grateful to be able to serve my community through advocating for public education!
yay! thank you for doing that work!
I’m in Pennsylvania, so we’ve been flooded with calls, texts, and in-person canvassing visitors. This weekend a young man approached us while we were doing yard work and introduced himself as not only representing candidates for the down-ballot races election, but as someone who’s running for local council in 2026. My husband and I were impressed by his poise, dedication, command of the issues, and optimism. He is our sign of hope and the best that this country represents.
Chappell Roan’s performance on SNL made me smile.
SAME! I loved it.
I was happily surprised that she sang a new song and it was just as good as her current stuff. My b-friend (who knows who she is but isn't otherwise invested) said "that was really good!" after both her numbers, which is a major WOW coming from him - LOL!
That’s exactly how I felt. I had heard of her but hadn’t heard any of her songs. I haven’t been able to stop listening to Pink Piny Club. It’s just a really good song with a message and she has an incredible voice.
I got a lot of hope from the excitement from call recipients from phone banking this weekend. I interpersonal relationships are giving me hope and i have made plans for not being alone Tuesday night as results roll in…. I am prepared for the red mirage but so hopeful.
Same!! I did voter calls to Pennsylvania and it was just overwhelmingly positive, which is a much different tone than previous phone banks I've done!
Thank you both for doing that work!
Thanks for that encouragement. I've done postcards because I've been too terrified of phonebanking (anxiety + fearing it will affect my hope), but I signed up for the "Everyone for Kamala" phonebank tomorrow and still terrified. Knowing it was positive helps! I've also made plans to not be alone Tuesday and Wednesday (and maybe beyond?). It does help.
If it helps, Teresa, in my experience canvassing they tend to have people reaching out to undecided, independent, or Dem voters. Phone banking may be different but I didn't know this until I canvassed (not this election bc I'm recovering from surgery). I'm going to do phone banking today & tomorrow. You can do this! Surround yourself with physical comforts and treats, and thank you for trying this despite the nerves!
I did do some text banking earlier on and, yes, these do all seem to be "likely Dem" or "Dem-leaning Independent", which is why I did it. But then, I got three vile, rude, awful responses (mind you, this is out of 100 so percentage wise it's really not that much), and it really affected my mood for days. So then I stopped doing it. :/ I've read all the reminders that it's not personal, to just move on, and that kind of response is normal, but it gets to me way too much. I need to work on letting it go. Thanks for the encouragement!
That IS hard when you're highly sensitive/empathetic, etc. It's not normal to treat each other that way. I hope this doesn't happen again but if it does, that you can find other ways to help that protect your feels - we each can't do all of the things, right?
Thanks Toni! I was trying to come up with my hopeful thing for today, and honestly your kind, intuitive, and empathetic response is the thing that gives me hope today. ❤️
Oh, man, I'm so glad my experiences helped. ❤️ Dusty in here!
Actually I think that very negative response can be quite normal. It's not like you get one message and just start yelling. I have been getting more than 25 texts a day and this week it went up. Now I just autodelete every message about politics. I don't answer at all whether I like or dislike the candidate and I block all the numbers. And my bloods pressure so goes up. This is one place that I think needs to be fixed with an auto opt-out so you NEVER get unsolicited texts.
Fine; amend "it's not normal" to "it's not respectful of the human on the other end of the text, who is likely an unpaid neighbor doing their best for their community."
I’m so glad to hear this. I’m phone banking tomorrow morning, and as an introvert I’m terrified. I wrote postcards and contributed to the limit of my income, but this last is a real go beyond my comfort level moment.
Phonebanking used to freak me out until I decided to treat it like being in a play. I'm just reading a script. Nobody can see my face. If they're unpleasant, I can just hit end call. Now I just cruise through hours of phone banks without a second thought.
I too am quite introverted and I tried out phone banking and I didn't hate it. It's tedious because people hang up on you and you have to keep starting over. Of the people I did talk to I only got two who were kind of jerks about it and everyone else was lovely and voting for Kamala Harris (this was in Georgia btw). But I lost my voice after an hour of that and switched to text banking, which is kind of gamified and fun. Also the dialer is easier to figure out.
You are “doing something” as Michelle Obama asked. You go!!
Good luck tomorrow, Sherri - and thank you for your contributions!
I did blockwalking and phonebanking in Austin Texas this weekend. I was calling and knocking for people who hadn’t voted, many of whom were college students who’ve moved (soooooo many lived upstairs; got my steps in!) When I did talk to household members, though, it was all ‘Voted ALL TEAM BLUE!!’ Now, Austin is a Blue island, but the enthusiasm was real!