Susan Branch's new book just arrived and it's wonderful!

hen I open up Susan Branch's blog, I immediately feel inspired. One of my favorite books was A Fine Romance, all about her adventure in England with Joe.

I wrote a post about this amazing book and the book signing that we attended in Sandwich, Massachusetts.

Susan's love of music also let's me know what a kindred spirit she is, and she always begins a post with some MUSICA. Taken from her latest post.

I went to the mailbox this morning and found her new book, Martha's Vineyard, Isle of Dreams.

I opened up the package and there it was, such a beautiful book.  Every page is written by hand and illustrated with her beautiful artwork.

There are photographs from her scrapbook to help you feel like you are back in 1982, when her Martha's Vineyard adventure began.

Once I opened up the pages, I fell in love again.

You can purchase this book through Susan's blog or Amazon.  It will be on the bookshelves early May 2016

A truly fairytale story and one we can all relate to, as women.  My heart is with her as she says goodbye to a first marriage and is brave enough to conquer new territory alone.

I was divorced from my first love and left for Manhattan with a broken heart and lots of dreams.  I moved to Princeton, New Jersey, next door to my new husband, the same year that Susan moved to Martha's Vineyard.  As I read each word, it brings me back to another chapter of my life too.  I can totally relate to her feelings of going from heartbreak to new adventures.

The book is written so beautifully, and I love the size, the cover and the feel of the book.  Of course the handwritten style captures your heart too.

At a book signing in Sandwich, Massachusetts

Another wonderful adventure in getting to know her work is attending her book signings.  My friend Joyce and I have gone to book signings here in Massachusetts.

  

hen we learn that Susan is in town, we will drive to Cape Cod, Newburyport or now the upcoming signing at the Unlikely Book Shop in Plainville, Massachusetts.

You can find her event schedule here, to see if Susan is coming near you soon.

Joyce and Susan at a book signing in Newburyport, Massachusetts

Susan Branch has always been my goto writing.   Whenever I want to be inspired, comforted or get lost in the joy of cooking or take a walk through Martha's Vineyard.

Her blog continues to bring me joy and inspiration.

I am not alone, her most recent post called Proud Mommy has over 3,100 comments!

 Now that the books are being shipped all over, you will find her blog even more fun.  Susan will be sharing photos that people send from their homes and reading spots, as they read her new book.

I haven't been to Martha's Vineyard since last summer.  Now I will be walking through the scenes of the island through Susan's words...and savoring every page.

P.S. I have left Susan's choice of MUSICA playing, and new romantic songs keep playing.  A lovely soundtrack without commercials.

A Lovely Day on the Cape to see Susan Branch

hen my friend Joyce and I found out that Susan Branch was having a book signing for her new book, GRATITUDE, we just had to go.

This has become a custom with us.  Every book that Susan writes is magic and this one is a gentle reminder to be Grateful.  Written in her illustrated style, the quotes are a daily reminder to be thankful. "a book of inspirational thoughts and quotes.

The song The Sunny Side of the Street, always makes me happy.  Thinking about the simple pleasures in life and how blessed we are to enjoy our lives.  In Susan's new book, one of the illustrated quotes is...

Susan lives that quote in everything that she does and celebrates.  She celebrates her life, whether she is celebrating washing her favorite dishes in the sink, or enjoying her wonderful life with Joe.  She reminds me always through her writings, cookbooks, and blog, that we can create our own happiness celebrating our story.  Celebrating the simple things in our life, that define us.

Titcomb's book shop in Sandwich, Massachusetts hosted the event.  There were cupcakes, and lemonade and we sat outside in the garden listening to Susan's talk.

There was quite a crowd of course.

 Susan brought a basket of journals and some samples of her new mugs, which will be available shortly.  I have my eye on the one with the bluebird.  Joe was in there too, taking photos.

Blue skies overhead, birds chirping near the bird feeders and lines and lines of kindred spirits who also adore Susan.

I have written numerous posts about Joyce and my adventures at Susan Branch book signings.

Now I have a new book to add to my stack of inspiration.  Only this new one I keep nearby, so that I can fill my mind with lovely thoughts whenever I please.  Enjoy your day, and remember to choose the sunny side of the street.

The Susan Branch Book Signing

hen I got my copy of A Fine Romance by Susan Branch, I couldn't wait to get home and start to read.  Her wit and charm is written into the words found on every page.  I especially love how this book is a picture book for grown ups, with beautiful illustrations and photographs decorating each and every page.

The book is handwritten and that in itself is an amazing amount of work, but she literally decorated each page of this treasure like only Susan knows how to do.  I remember reading her post and seeing stacks of hand decorated journal pages and being in awe.

I followed along on her blog during her trip last year, but this book is even more special.  Telling the story of how Joe and Susan met and how they both love Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.  A Fine Romance is romantic and as lovely as you know Susan Branch to be.  As they tour England, visiting friends, gardens and interesting places.  Of course there are quotes and even some recipes too.

My friend Joyce and I went to the book signing in the Town Hall in Sandwich.  One of my favorite book shops, Titcomb's Bookshop hosted the event.  They have some lovely photos on their Facebook page.

I was so glad that we had gotten our tickets early, especially when we saw this sign outside the Town Hall.  Inside there were lots of books, calendars and pocket calendars for sale.  Refreshments included cake and cookies, recipes from the book.

 There were familiar things to remind of us of Susan, near the podium.

Susan gave a wonderful talk.

She shared with us about how she worked on the book, keeping a detailed journal of their journey to England.

Then she read from her book. There were some questions and then we were ready to meet this wonderful lady.

My friend, Joyce took our photo together.  Susan is as nice in person as you might have imagined.

I had several books signed for Christmas presents.  There were 160 people at the book signing.  Many, like myself had several copies for her to sign.

As we walked to our car, her amazing van was parked outside the Sandwich Town Hall. Even their car is illustrated.

I loved every minute of her book, her talk and meeting her in person of course.  My only wish is that she writes another book very soon.

P.S.  I learned that Titcomb's Bookshop has lots of signed copies available from Monday's book signing event.