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Library Plug-in
Whoa. I just came across this amazing Chrome browser extension — once you install it, every book on Amazon or Goodreads (plus a long list of other book-related sites) comes up with the availability of that book at your local library, in all formats. I just installed it earlier today and have already put a… Continue reading
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On Just Being a Reader
I am drowning in good books these days. I just got back from a long work trip, where I read Stephen and Owen King’s Sleeping Beauties. It wasn’t fantastic, but I love Stephen King and the way you just get sucked into his insane plots. This was perfect to read on the long plane rides… Continue reading
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NaNoWriMo? No, Thanks.
National Novel Writing Month—NaNoWriMo for short—is upon us. In case you don’t know what that is, it’s a contest of sorts in which writers are challenged to produce a 50,000 word book entirely in the month of November, from start to finish. As someone who used to ghostwrite books of that length for a living,… Continue reading
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Words and Music
When I was thirteen years old, I became obsessed with words. It was when I decided I wanted to be a writer, after reading SE Hinton’s The Outsiders (which I’m sure I’ll post about here at some point). I read tons of books from the local library – all the Hintons, Lois Lowry, Judy Blume,… Continue reading
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Don’t go to sleep!
I arrived in India yesterday and in between napping and trying to figure out what day it is, I’ve been reading Sleeping Beauties by Stephen and Owen King. It’s my book club book this month and is especially great to read right now because the plot revolves around a sleeping sickness that only affects women. In… Continue reading
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Categories
We’ve been writing about commonplace books –these old fashioned collections of quotes from books and readings– and working on our own versions for a few months now. When we started, a little bit of digital sleuthing quickly showed that most people break their CPBs down by category. I considered this for a few days, and… Continue reading
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Vicky’s bullet journal best practices (so far)
When I was in my fast-paced tech job and overwhelmed with shit to do, I became obsessed with time management systems. My first love was Getting Things Done by David Allen. It really helped me get through some crazy times but the process was pretty cumbersome and outdated (lots of calling people ON THE PHONE… Continue reading
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“We’re always lucky,” I said and like a fool I did not knock on wood.
My fourth favorite book in the whole world is Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast. I had to read The Sun Also Rises in high school and I hated it and because of that, I didn’t pick up another Hemingway until I was in my early 30s. If I’m going to be absolutely honest, I have… Continue reading
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The Secret History
Why do I always picture Bunny as Kent from Real Genius? (One of the best ’80s movies ever, by the way, if you haven’t seen it go do so asap.) Anyway, let’s talk about this book. I’ll start. I think this is at least my fourth reading, and having read The Goldfinch since last time, I’m finding a… Continue reading
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Memories survive on a wisp of fragrance
I am in love with Abigail Thomas. My friend Laurie gave me a copy of her book A Three Dog Life back in 2006 and it sat unread on my shelf for almost ten years. I was worried that the titular dogs died and I had to emotionally steel myself for that. Of course, when… Continue reading
About Me
I’m Victoria Griffith and I am enthusiastic about a LOT of things. Pine trees and mushrooms and the desert. Mountains and motorcycles, travel and photography. Friendship and writing and books and surviving the love of your life’s terminal diagnosis.
I read constantly, think about reading obsessively, and have strong opinions about what makes a great memoir. I write about books here, and I’m working on one of my own.
I was born in Paterson, NJ, call Seattle home, and spend winters in the desert of Southern California, where the light is different and the ocotillos are doing something extraordinary. I try to get out and see as much of the world as time and money will allow.
If you’d like to say hi, you can reach me at vgriff@vgriff.com.
vgriff 