a lifestyle blog for book lovers

Links I love and what’s on my nightstand.

My favorite finds from around the web:

Stephen Colbert tells Wake Forest graduates: “It’s time to say goodbye to the person we’ve become.” “It’s time to say goodbye to the person we’ve become, we’ve worked so hard to perfect, and to make some crucial decisions in becoming who we’re going to be. For me, I’ll have to figure out how to do an hour-long show every night. You at some point will have to sleep. I’m told the Adderall wears off eventually. Good luck.” A wonderful mix of humor and wisdom.

Masters of love. “Science says lasting relationships come down to—you guessed it—kindness and generosity.” (No surprise to anyone who’s read the best book you’ve never heard of on making marriage work. I’m s0 glad Gottman’s work has entered the mainstream.)

40 ways to keep summer from slipping away. “I find that if I’m intentional, I’m better able to fully engage in the moment. I don’t want to let a second of summer’s goodness slip away unappreciated.”

The BBC is making a tv drama about the Brontë sisters. 7 fun facts about the Brontë sisters that hopefully come up in the two-hour television drama.

What I’m reading: 

The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand. Nantucket writer Hilderbrand is “the queen of the summer novel.” I tried to get my hands on this one early so I could vet it for the summer reading guide, but no luck. (I included another Hilderbrand novel in the beachy reading category.) It comes out June 16, so it did arrive a little early—but not early enough.

The Pelican Brief by John Grisham. I cannot explain it but I’ve been dying to reread this specific Grisham novel for months. I got halfway through it last night while Sarah was making dinner.

• It’s time for me to start a new audiobook, but I hate choosing. (Ideas?)

On the blog:

The minimalist summer reading guide. Decision haters, rejoice! I narrowed this summer’s summer reading picks down to my top 5 books. (I’m giving away a set of all 5 to one lucky reader.)

My favorite instagrammers to follow. How I avoid instagram envy, and who I follow for beauty and inspiration. (So fun to see your favorites!)

The new house after one year. I can’t believe it’s already been a year/I can’t believe it’s only been a year. An update on what things look like around here.

Have a great weekend!

25 comments

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  1. Kristy says:

    Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline was a great audio book. Recently recommended the book to my bookclub and they loved it.

  2. Denise says:

    Currently listening to Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler. The narrators are doing a wonderful job of bringing the two main characters to life.

  3. Sarah M says:

    I just started reading Gottman’s book! I’m halfway through and it is excellent. I plan to do all the little quizzes with my spouse when I’m finished, but the reading portion is so good.
    Sarah M

    • liz n. says:

      Have you read “River of Doubt?” It’s Candice Millard’s first book, about Theodore Roosevelt’s trip to the Amazon. It is excellent.

  4. Kelty says:

    Oh John Grisham, you break my heart every single time. That man can write one heck of a story, but he can’t ever seem to end them well. And yet, I keep getting sucked in. I did enjoy the Pelican Brief. And the movie with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington wasn’t bad either.

  5. Tim says:

    I always thought Emily and Charlotte’s lesser known literary little sister’s name was Algernon … or Eustachian … or something like that. Who knew it was Anne?

  6. ailikate says:

    It is not your usual, but I’ve been really enjoying the Southern Reach Trilogy on audio. It’s creepy and mysterious and very complex.

  7. Hannah says:

    John Grisham books are my guilty pleasure. The writing is not elegant and the plots are formulaic. But I associate them with the beach, the airport, my dorm room in Europe, all kinds of places that make for adventure. So Grisham will always be fun for me. The Pelican Brief is exciting.

  8. Michelle Deckert Richmond says:

    I really enjoyed “The Good House” on audible. Loved the narration…loved the story.

  9. Anne says:

    I enjoy John Grisham! It’s been a long time since I’ve read one of his. I think it’s a rule that someone has to be named Rex, somehow, someway, in his novels. 😉 Have a great weekend! We have baseball practice, baseball game, graduation party, church, and maybe some house projects to attend and complete. And maybe some laying around!

  10. Erin says:

    I’ve been enjoying listening to Alan Bradley’s Flavia deLuce series the first book is “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie”.

  11. Beth smith says:

    I am just finishing listening toThe Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. Oh.My.Word. Unbelievably wonderful.

  12. Eve says:

    Just listened to Mere Christianity on Audible & highly recommend it! Didn’t realize that was the form it was originally intended to be communicated in. Also second the recommendation of Orphan Train. Just started The Secret Keeper, so I’m glad to hear good things about it.

  13. Courtney says:

    Audiobook rec: “Into the Wilderness” by Sara Donati. It reminds me of the later Outlander books that are set in America and the narrator does an excellent job. I finished the series recently and started listening again.

  14. Margaret says:

    I’ve read most of John Grisham’s books once, but The Pelican Brief and The Firm are the ones I reread every 5 years or so. I think his later work became pretty formulaic, but there’s a reason his formula worked. It’s very readable and fun! I love the character of Darby. Have fun. 🙂

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