This month, I have been into spring. I adore this time of year. Last May we moved one mile west: we’re still in the same part of town, almost in the same neighborhood. But our surroundings have nonetheless changed, and I’ve so enjoyed watching the blooms in our new setting—and even in our own yard. It’s been one delightful surprise after another.
What I’m watching
Um, nothing. Unless MasterChef Junior with the kids counts. We have been busy.
On the other hand, I did finally order my own copies of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea because I neeeeed to watch it. Soon.
What I’m reading
All summer reading, all the time. Every year I choose the books for the guide fairly early, but I can’t make myself stop reading until just before publication time, because I’m perfectly willing to make a last minute swap if I find a book that I think you’ll love even more.
I’ve found some terrific titles for this year’s guide, and I can’t wait to share them with you. I also have a reject pile that’s as tall as I am.
In my kitchen
I feel like the last person on the planet—or at least the last person on Pinterest who actually eats vegetables daily—to try mason jar salads.
I’ve been eating salads for lunch (every single day) and finally decided to try this method, just to save time and help keep all the salad in my fridge fresh. It’s worked great, and I can’t believe I didn’t try it sooner.
In my ears
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, finally. This has been recommended to me repeatedly as a truly fantastic audiobook. I concur.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, as narrated by Jim Dale. It took me a while to get into this one: I wasn’t that enthusiastic about it until 3 or 4 hours in. But now I’m 70% of the way through and am doing those telltale things that show I’m in the midst of a great audiobook: pulling weeds, washing dishes, and actually folding the laundry. That is high praise.
I’ve been writing lots this month, which always means lots of Gregory Alan Isakov. And, to my surprise, Bob Dylan. I thought I wasn’t much of a fan, but a coffee shop I was in this month was playing Blood on the Tracks on repeat, and I loved it. I’ve been listening to it ever since.
On the blog
• Most likely to make you feel better about your giant screw-ups: You will stumble.
• Best comments section: 7 things I’m choosing to splurge on right now.Â
• Most nostalgic (and most popular): Favorite childhood books you should totally read again.
• Most likely to leave you standing in front of your closet with a garbage bag: My accidental capsule wardrobe.
• Most likely to grow your grocery list: My favorite things to buy at Trader Joe’s.
Best of the web
• Ann Patchett: Owning a bookstore means you always get to tell people what to read. “Recommending books is the birthright of every zealous reader.” (Reminds me of this bit of crazy talk.)
• I’ll be me. And you can be you. “The important thing is to live within your means and manage your money responsibly, and there are a zillion ways to do that well.”
• Why we loved Gilbert Blythe. “…the moment Anne breaks a slate over Gilbert’s head is the moment he starts growing up.” (The one-minute video this post references is great.)
• Alton Brown answers 23 of our most difficult questions.
Linking up with Leigh Kramer to share what I’ve been into lately.
25 comments
Thanks so much for sharing my post!
And you almost have me convinced to try a Mason jar salad now (I do happen to eat vegetables every day.)
Try it! I want to hear what you think.
I am so excited for your summer reading guide, I can’t wait to see what books you’ve included!
I eat salads every day for lunch, too; I seriously need to try the mason jar method.
I didn’t care for The Night Circus, but I think I’m alone in my opinion on this one since everyone else has nothing but good things to say about it.
I can’t wait for the summer reading guide. This is my first year following your blog, so when do you usually publish the list? Also, I recently checked out the Anne of Green Gables movie from my library. I’m excited to curl up with some popcorn and a glass of wine and watch it this weekend!
This year’s guide will be out May 15. And your weekend plans sound delightful.
I still haven’t tried mason jar salads. I wanted to a few weeks ago and realized I don’t have the right size mason jars. I have to clear out some kitchen things before committing to a bunch of jars.
I saw the movie made from Enders Game. It was fairly good. Now I’m wondering if they are planning on a sequel.
On other YA, have you seen the new series W.A.R.P. by Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl? The first two books are good, and now I’m waiting for the third to come out.
I actually like the WARP books better than the Fowl books, but I kind of wish I hadn’t discovered them just yet… Waiting for series books is the worst test of patience.
“the worst test of patience”
Ditto that!
The Night Circus is the most ambitious, daring debut I’ve ever read.
And Ender!!! If you love it, consider reading Ender’s Shadow next — the same story from Bean’s perspective. I am totally not a science fiction person, but I’ve sucked up the first 6-7 Ender books with a crazy passion (then got behind and felt I couldn’t catch up :).
Thanks for the rec!
love watching junior chefs!
Big Ann Patchett fan, I loved the article you shared. Really excited for the Summer Reading Guide. My first time linking up, I am excited to get to know everyone. 🙂
Welcome!
Can’t wait to see your summer reading guide!
Excited for your summer reading guide- can’t believe it’s already time for it again! 🙂
Kudos on the mason jar salads. You’re like a grownup or something, eating salad every day. I only eat it if it’s put in front of me. 😉
The Night Circus is a little slow getting started, but it is very good! I didn’t realize that Jim Dale did the audiobook – might have to check that out!
Also, I would love to see a post on the books that didn’t make your summer guide (and why!) 😉
I usually post a summer “reading guide rejects” list every year. 🙂
I need to get my own copies of the Anne movies, too. Friends and I watched together a couple of summers ago and they were just as good as I remembered. So happy you’re enjoying The Night Circus!
I also eat a salad most days for lunch (and have the Instagram pics to prove it!) and I still have not tried a mason jar salad. I’m loving spring. It’s very rejuvenating. I’m getting lots of things done. We also love to watch MasterChef Junior with the kids. They are obsessed with that show. However, I’m so happy Game of Thrones is on right now!!!
I have never read any of the Anne of Green Gables books. Or seen any of the movies. So this past month was very confusing for me.
Go ahead and judge.
No judgment here, but watch out—if I ever have the opportunity to have a Green Gables marathon with you, or press a book into your hands, IT’S ON.
Deal. 😉
Ah, you’re reading The Night Circus! Well, you’ve probably finished it by now…Did you know it started out as a NaNoWriMo novel? Apparently she couldn’t figure out what happened next so she sent her characters to a circus, and the circus was more interesting than the other plot.
Bob Dylan is my favorite! And Blood on the Tracks is my favorite album of his. Glad you are enjoying it. Now I need to check out Gregory Alan Isakov. Which album of his should I start with?