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Hey there,
In case you missed it, I did write a blog post for April, my first real one of 2026. It felt good to get something out, even if getting into the right headspace for writing has been harder lately. The world has felt heavy and that tends to show up in my creative output whether I want it to or not.
April has been busier than expected between work, life, and a Spring break that felt anything but restful. Honestly, I'm still feeling pretty depleted. My saving grace has been an unexpected combination of crochet and audiobooks. I've never been an audiobook person, but somewhere along the way it’s shifted and I discovered that if I already know the book, I can listen while I crochet and it is genuinely one of the most restorative things I've found lately.
I've been teaching myself to crochet, naturally, through books. Which feels very on brand😉.
If you're in a similarly stretched season, I hope you've found your version of that too.
One more thing before you scroll: there's a poll at the bottom of this issue where you can vote on what I read next from my home collection. Last month one person voted. I appreciate you, whoever you are. Let's see if we can beat that this month.
P.S. If this was forwarded to you, welcome! Click here to subscribe so you don’t miss the next edition.
P.P.S. Make sure you add this email address to your contacts so next month’s edition doesn’t hit your spam folder or reply back and tell me what I should add to my workbench!
🧪Alchemy Notes
My March reading stats are below. 13 books, 5,475 pages, a 4.08 average rating. Not bad for a month where I felt like I was barely keeping up.
April has been slower in terms of raw numbers, partly because I've been listening to re-reads as audiobooks rather than counting them toward my total, and partly because non-fiction just takes me longer. I enjoy it, but I read it differently, slower, with more stopping to think. Which, given that April’s blog post was literally about the importance of letting your brain rest, feels appropriate. I'm still working on it.
⚒️The Alchemist’s Workbench
This Workbench is what’s literally on my table, not just on a list.
📖Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon
I bought this one when it first came out and then promptly left it on the shelf while I worked through my library holds. Typical. I finally picked it up and I'm almost done and it's genuinely good. It tackles a heavy topic but the author has real humor and I've laughed out loud more than once. If you've been meaning to read this one, consider this your nudge.
Book 3 of The War of Lost Hearts series, which shows up on practically every Bookstagram list for a reason. It was recently re-published which meant a longer wait than expected, but I'm hopeful this final book sticks the landing. There's nothing worse than a series that loses its nerve at the end.
The Home Collection
Alongside the Alchemist’s Workbench, I also have what I call The Home Collection…books I own and plan to savor slowly, revisit often, or keep for reference. There will only be books here if I have purchased or been gifted a new book, so it won’t have content every month (or at least that’s what my family hopes).
✨There are no new additions this month, much to the relief of my family.✨
As I slow down my library holds to work through my existing Home Collection. I need your help!
Please vote on what I should read next:
The book that's been sitting on your shelf for too long is:
📚 P.S. I read a lot… across strategy, memoir, psychology, and the occasional fantasy/romance/thriller/witchy novel. The book recs in this newsletter aren’t filler. They’re part of how I think, lead, and help clients navigate complexity. Want to see what else is on my shelf? Take a peek at my bookstore (affiliate link, updated regularly).
✍️ Read This
My friend writes this and I wouldn't recommend it if I didn't genuinely love it. If you're looking for something that feels like a warm exhale in your inbox, this is it. It's about living with more intention, joy, and, as the name suggests, a little more deliciousness.
🧶 Buy Your Yarn Here
Given my recent crochet hyperfixation, Michaels has been a frequent stop. Good selection, reasonable prices, and if you catch a sale you can stock up on yarn without too much guilt. They also have pretty solid beginner kits if you're thinking about picking up a new craft.
🧵 Support a Small Business While You're At It
I love a good small business find and Wyldwood Creative up here in the Seattle area is one of mine. Incredible fabric selection, and if you can't make it in person they ship nationwide. Worth a browse even if you're just looking. 😉
👋🏻Let’s Not Make It Weird
Hi, I’m Tara, Founder and Chief Alchemist of Alchemy Advising. I help growing businesses untangle their finances, rethink pricing, and build smarter systems so they can scale without burning out.
With nearly 20 years in operations and finance, including FP&A leadership at brands like HOKA and UGG, I now work with founders and execs who need clarity, not just spreadsheets.
Think: budgeting, forecasting, pricing, and big-picture planning that actually connects to how your business runs day-to-day.
If this newsletter made you nod, pause, or breathe a little easier - here’s what’s next:
📬 Forward this to a founder or leader who’s buried in numbers but hungry for insight.
💬 Hit reply if something sparked (or you just want to say “Hi!”).
📅 Want to talk shop? Visit www.alchemyadvising.co and learn about working together or book a chat.
“You don't let just anyone eat your banana.”