Currently on my bedside table....

A little vintage cactus shaped dish that holds some important stones, a vintage deer lamp, my new back scratcher (a must if you live alone and like having your back scratched), a tiny tea light candle made by my friend Ayesha, my Fit Bit, a ball jar with a little bit of herbal tea left in it, a tube of cortisone cream I bought today in a desperate attempt to get the swelling on my hand to stop, and a stack of three books.

This has been the summer of people mailing me books. I won't argue with that for one second. So far this summer, my mom sent me a self help book (Codependent No More by Melody Beattie), which I am almost finished with & one of my mentors/professors from college sent me a signed copy of his new book of poems (Bone Fires by Mark Jarman). It has been a long time since someone has sent me a novel to read though. I'm pretty sure this is the very first time someone has sent me a novel over 650 pages! I opened my mailbox this morning and smiled when I saw it. My friend, Ben, had been telling me about this great book he was reading & he thought I should read it too, so he ordered me a copy and had it shipped to my house! It is amazing how such a small gesture can be so incredibly thoughtful. I'm going to begin reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay tonight. I have no doubt that there is something in this book that I need to hear right now.

What is on your bedside table? I'm curious.