Books, Bards & Baselines

You had me at “We were both young when I first saw you.”
I mean… come on. A single sentence and I was swept into a glittery school dance I’d never attended, heart pounding for a boy I’d never met. I didn’t even like country music at the time—but Taylor made it feel like a fairy tale written in the margins just for me.
That was the day I realized that music could tell stories, that four minutes could hold a novel’s worth of longing. “Love Story” wasn’t just a song—it was a soft opening of the door to something I’ve never stopped running toward. (Also, shoutout to 2008 me and that clunky little MP3 player I thought was the height of sophistication.)

You had me at “It is a truth universally acknowledged…”
The sheer elegance. The boldness. The wink. Jane Austen doesn’t ask for your attention—she simply begins. And the line is so good, you surrender immediately. That’s when I started noticing the power of first sentences. The confidence. The voice.
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”
“Call me Ishmael.”
“I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.”
These aren’t just openings—they’re handshakes, dare-you-to-read-ons, love letters to curiosity. A good first line doesn't just pull you in. It invites you to stay.

You had me at the library.
Technically, you had me at the returns desk. You, with that slightly crooked smile, that perfect eyeliner, and a stack of overdue philosophy books like it was a personality trait. I think I said something wildly flirtatious like, “You’ve got a lot of fines.” (Smooth, right?) And you, without missing a beat, said, “I’m worth it.”
Reader, I married her.
We were both pretending to be casual, but let’s be real—we were orbiting. Me shelving books I’d already read just to loiter nearby. You checking out yet another existential tome with a grin that said, what if I’m the plot twist?
I still remember dropping a stack of poetry books and muttering, “Well, that’s a metaphor,” and your laugh? Immediate main-character energy.
We’ve been writing our story ever since—side by side, spine to spine, chapter by chapter. And it all started with a late return and a perfectly timed quip.

You had me at love on a hard court.
The thwack of racket against ball, the squeak of sneakers on sun-warmed clay, the impossible beauty of a down-the-line winner hit on the run. Tennis is ballet in motion, chess in real time, and pure emotional theater.
You had me at Sabalenka’s fierce roar, at Alcaraz’s sunshine grin, at Sinner’s elegant calm. At the hush before a serve, the sudden intake of breath in a tie-break, the final ace that seals a miracle comeback.
Tennis isn’t just a sport—it’s a language of effort and instinct, of heartbreak and joy. And somewhere in the middle of a third-set rally that lasts twelve shots, something inside you says: this is love.

So yes—you had me at…
At every lyric that knew my heart before I did.
At every sentence that opened the door to a new world.
At every borrowed book, every shared glance over the top of a hardcover.
At every match point, every midnight rewatch, every athlete who made me feel something.

"You had me at hello" is cute.
But honestly?
You had me at yellow. ☀️

Here’s what I’m hoping to read this month (in between watering plants, daydreaming about tennis matches, and listening to Taylor Swift, obviously):

📖 Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (re-read)

An old favourite is making a triumphant return! I first read Percy’s story years ago, and now I’m diving back in—with wiser eyes and an even deeper appreciation for sassy demigods, dysfunctional Olympians, and that trademark Rick Riordan humour. Honestly, it feels like reconnecting with an old friend who still knows how to swing a sword and crack a joke..

🌍 Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Let’s switch gears and zoom out—way out. This is my “deep thoughts by the windowsill” book of the month. I’m expecting to learn fascinating things, highlight half the book, and occasionally pause to ask, “Wait… why did we start farming?”.

🔥 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Confession: I’ve never actually read this. I know. But now that dystopia feels a little too close to reality (ahem), I figured it’s time to meet Katniss and see what all the fuss is about. May the odds be ever in my favor—and may I not spiral into a full-blown revolution.

🌊 Beach Read by Emily Henry

Let’s lighten the mood with some witty banter, romance, and... probably some emotional healing disguised as fun summer vibes. Everyone says Emily Henry books are like sunshine in paperback form with a sneaky little storm cloud inside. I’m ready to be charmed and mildly devastated.

☕ Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The literary equivalent of a warm cup of tea and a knowing smirk. I’m revisiting this classic because, frankly, Mr. Darcy never goes out of style. Plus, I’m always in the mood for sharp wit, slow burns, and 19th-century sass while marvelling at how Jane Austen roasts society with such elegance.

So that’s the plan, bookishly speaking. Will I read them all? Who knows! Will I get distracted by a library haul or fall down a mythology rabbit hole? Very likely. But the joy is in the journey - and this month, my passport is stamped with gods, rebels, lovers, and philosophers.

📚 What’s on your June TBR? Tell me your must-reads and literary detours - I’m always collecting suggestions like shiny shells on a beach.

Welcome to Books, Bards and Baseline - a corner of the internet where I plan to ramble joyfully about the things I love: books I can’t put down, myths I can’t stop thinking about, music that makes everything feel a little more magical, and tennis matches that make my heart race (and occasionally break).

My name’s Danielle. I’m curious, affectionate, and probably thinking about five things at once at any given moment (thank you, ADHD). I started this blog because I wanted a place to gather all my thoughts - the joyful ones, the nerdy ones, the slightly chaotic ones - and share them in case they resonate with someone else out there. If you’re the type to fall in love with fictional characters, yell at the TV during a Grand Slam final, or cry at a song lyric… hello, friend. You’re in good company.

You can expect a bit of everything here:

• Mythology musings (Greek myths are my personal obsession)
• Book thoughts and recommendation
• Tennis rambles (Sabalenka, Sinner, and Paolini stans, I see you)
• Playlists, journaling ideas, joyful chaos
• Random reflections on life, love, and possibly bees

Thanks for being here. Let’s see where this goes ✨