“There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories.“

— Ursula K. Le Guin

@tea__Reads

At the beginning of the year, I wrote about finding balance. While I did find my footing throughout the year, it wasn't exactly the type of balance I had planned. But isn't that how it always goes? Hey all ✌🏻 It's been a minute! After a long heatwave, I've been enjoying the cooler, cloudy mornings we've had for the last couple weeks. While they make for more difficult lighting situations for photos, these calm, breezy mornings are perfect for tea by my porch door. Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Tea Open House at @mintoislandtea and picking up some of the first spring flush! It's so exciting tasting tea that's grown only 15 minutes from my house and, I've gotta say, the team has absolutely knocked this first flush out of the park. The steamed green is one I'm going to have to treasure while it's here... because, between me and my partner, I think we'll drink it down before second flush arrives 😅 Hey everyone! 👋🏻 It's been a minute! Today marks the first day of 2024 and my blogs second anniversary! While I'm grateful for all the support I've gotten running Tea Reads, the new year offers us an opportunity to reflect on our current goals and lifestyles. Tea Reads has always been fun, but I have to acknowledge how much work it takes to write, read, and keep up a social media presence while balancing my other life goals. So, to tip the balance back in my favor, I've decided to take a step back from the blog this year. You can read more about the decision through the link in my bio or in my stories!

Latest Posts

  • Lighthead: Reflection

    I’ve developed a process for writing my book reflections. Once I’ve read the book, I go back through any notes I took and look up unfamiliar concepts or questions I might have. I delve into reviews to give myself some… Continue reading

    Lighthead: Reflection

  • Giving & Receiving Critique

    There’s a special kind of dread that comes with finishing a second or third draft. Every rewrite sits in front of you looking like a finished piece. And, to some extent, it is: it’s as finished as you, alone, can… Continue reading

    Giving & Receiving Critique

  • Tea Bags Vs. Loose Leaf

    There’s a big rivalry in the tea world. It’s on par with the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers; the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin; Goku and Vegeta. While the tea community prides itself on its “chill” status,… Continue reading

    Tea Bags Vs. Loose Leaf

  • Book of the Month: Lighthead

    Writing is, and always has been, entwined with visual arts. Art shown in galleries and museums display artist statements to give the piece context. Illustrations and photos dot their way through books or are displayed boldly on the cover. The… Continue reading

    Book of the Month: Lighthead

  • Conversations With Friends: Reflection

    Morality is the backbone of many popular stories. Heroes are Good, Villains are Bad. The former embodies current societal values and ideas, while the latter represents less acceptable, or extreme value systems. Tests of moral strength are given to the… Continue reading

    Conversations With Friends: Reflection

  • Navigating Writer’s Block

    Artists of all stripes have a difficult time describing where their motivation to create comes from. Some chalk it up to inspiration (a famously fickle mistress); others, to hard work and rigid schedules. I’m of the personal opinion that the… Continue reading

    Navigating Writer’s Block

  • From Leaf to Cup: Part 2

    Do you have a favorite apple? Personally, I’m a Honeycrisp gal. Golden Delicious and Granny Smith are pretty good too, but, beyond that, I’m ambivalent (unless it’s Red Delicious. Those things can go straight to hell). That said, my experience… Continue reading

    From Leaf to Cup: Part 2

  • Book of the Month: Conversations With Friends

    The adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” is rarely followed. I mean, let’s be real- when you scroll through Libby or Kindle, do you pick an unknown book solely because of its blurb? I know I don’t. Covers… Continue reading

    Book of the Month: Conversations With Friends

  • Between The World and Me: Reflection

    “I would not have you descend into your own dream. I would have you be a conscious citizen of this terrible and beautiful world.” – Ta-Nehisi Coates There are books that change the way you read. Jane Eyre opened me… Continue reading

    Between The World and Me: Reflection

  • Sketching the First Draft

    Every art piece starts with an idea. There’s usually a gathering of materials, some excited muttering, and a vague plan for execution formed. Then the artist will sit down in front of their blank canvas, fingers buzzing with potential, maybe… Continue reading

    Sketching the First Draft

Meet the Blogger

Copywriter by day; fiction-writer by night. Cyndy is an avid reader, writer, and tea drinker with a passion for the written word. When she doesn’t have her head in a book, you’ll find her hiking waterfall trails, spending too much money in craft stores, or replaying her favorite RPGs to unlock new endings. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her partner, Alex, and her dog, Sylvia.