What's for October?

Hello, Gemsonshelf friends,

Two things have recently caught my attention: John Donne’s Holy Sonnets and a quick scroll through everything I’ve published on Substack so far. Let’s just say Donne moved me deeply… and my own archive moved me to ask, Wait, when was the last time I did a full series on one author? (Answer: not in a while. Possibly never.)

Also — and I didn’t plan - humor has been sneaking into my writing like a mischievous pet. So this month, I give up; I won’t be keeping it out.

Here’s the plan for October:

1. A Deep Dive into John Donne’s Holy Sonnets

We’re going straight into the mind and world of John Donne — lover, preacher, poet, and all-around fascinating human. I’ll be exploring his Holy Sonnets. Believe me, if there’s a physician capable of diagnosing what ails the soul and writing a prescription for it, it is Donne. You’ll get background stories, stylistic details, and insights that might make you want to reread the sonnets — or at least appreciate the poems more over your morning coffee.

2. A Recall of the Funniest Hits

Because laughter is holy too, I’m bringing back some of Gemsonshelf’s most hilarious pieces. The ones you loved (or missed) that made even the grumpiest inbox smiled Think of it as a mini comedy revival — perfect for long commutes, lazy evenings, or procrastinating on work.

So, what should you expect each week this October?

On Wednesday

* A bite of biography (Donne’s, not mine — don’t worry)

* A summary of one Holy

* A peek into the language and style

On Friday

* A thematic deep dive

* A quick look at how each sonnet connects to its

On Saturday

* And finally, a reflective essay to tie it all together

On Monday

* A recall of he funniest hit

Looks like a lot, I know. But I promise to keep things snappy and digestible — except for the biography and essay, which deserve to stretch their legs a bit. They’ll be worth your reading time, I promise.

Stay tuned — and may your October be full of wit, wonder, and (holy) laughter.

Warmly (and with a wink),

A.O. Faleye

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