Books · by Piotr Zieliński · 2026-08-27
Notes from a very normal winter with Books before coffee
Context: I am not an expert, just someone trying to make Books feel less intimidating. I wrote down what worked, what felt awkward, and what I would do differently next time.
Part of me wanted the fancy version with all the tools. The better version was boring: one notebook, one reminder, and a willingness to be clumsy with the prototype for a while.
Would love to hear how other people handle this. I am especially curious about the version that works on a tired weekday, not just on an ideal Sunday.
I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.
209 sparks · 31 comments
Comments
Paper Otter · 43 likes
Good reminder that boring can be good. I would love to see a follow-up after 10 weeks.
Ethan Brooks · 10 likes
Thanks for making it less intimidating.
Urban Comet · 4 likes
This comment has main-character footnote energy.
Valeria Flores · 1 likes
@paper-52 Same here. It took me too long to learn.
Mateo Cruz · 0 likes
@paper-52 Kind of wild how often good is the whole issue.
Curious Panda · 10 likes
I am cheering for this update. That is where the boring checklist helps.
Lena Müller · 9 likes
I think this advice is overrated. I keep a note about libraries for exactly this reason.
Sleepy Noodle · 8 likes
This comment has main-character footnote energy.
Bianca Santos · 8 likes
I think the bad version of this advice causes a lot of frustration. This would have saved me a lot of trial and error.
Rapid Panda · 5 likes
Short answer: yes. Long answer: also yes.
Youssef Mahmoud · 6 likes
This is genuinely helpful, thanks for writing it out. A little friction removed goes a long way.
Midnight Atlas · 5 likes
The context helps. Without it I would have assumed the opposite. This is more useful on a tired quiet Sunday than on a perfect day.
Mango Atlas · 76 likes
I needed the reminder to start smaller.
Maya Williams · 4 likes
The boring logistics are always the hidden part. This is more useful on a tired rainy evening than on a perfect day.
Mango Mango · 3 likes
I agree with the goal and disagree with the method. The social part surprised me too.
Valeria López · 3 likes
I found this disappointing because it skips the hardest part. I keep a note about nonfiction for exactly this reason.
Lena Müller · 2 likes
Helpful and not preachy, which is rare. I care less about the perfect answer and more about repeatability.
Mara Fischer · 6 likes
Totally agree, especially for beginners.
Rohan Mehta · 3 likes
@de_rider Respectfully, I see it the other way.
Can Arslan · 2 likes
Good reminder that boring can be good.
Rafael Almeida · 2 likes
What happened after the first week? I am curious whether coffee stayed easy. The São Paulo example makes it feel concrete.
Aoi Ito · 1 likes
The vibe here is immaculate. I care less about the perfect answer and more about repeatability.
Mango Atlas · 1 likes
Glad you shared it; small wins count.
Maya Williams · 0 likes
I would not call it wrong, just incomplete. The a neighborhood park detail changes the whole answer.
Aarav Sharma · 0 likes
This reminds me of something a friend in Madrid mentioned. That is the kind of detail beginners miss.
Élodie Favre · 0 likes
I appreciate the honest middle stage, not just the polished ending. I used to overcomplicate this constantly.