What are you up to this weekend? I had to cancel a trip on short notice because of my lungs (sniff), so I’m suddenly looking at a lot of free time I wasn’t planning on. Have you read or watched something amazing lately, or baked something especially tasty I might take on in my new-found leisure time? Please tell me in comments!
I hope you have something to look forward to this weekend, and that this collection of interesting reads and favorite things helps ease you into that weekend state of mind.
My favorite finds from around the web:
- 8 Ways to Read More Books—And Why You Should. (Time) I love the friendly tone and relatable anecdotes in this piece—and not just because I’m quoted in it!
- Viola Davis achieves EGOT status with Grammy win. (NPR) Well deserved. Her narration of her memoir Finding Me was stunning.
- Women’s Prize Launches Nonfiction Award. (Women’s Prize) “The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, which will sit alongside its sister prize the Women’s Prize for Fiction, will amplify female voices, whilst celebrating books that inform, entertain, challenge, disrupt, and offer solace and connection.” I’m excited by this development, as I’ve found many great reads from the Women’s Prize longlists.
- Now you can buy yourself flowers … made out of legos! How gorgeous is this LEGO Icons Wildflower Bouquet building set? (Update: I just heard this bouquet made an appearance in this week’s new episode of Abbott Elementary!)
- Why Everyone Should Read Thriller Writer Louise Penny. (Oprah Daily) I was delighted to write this guide to the Inspector Gamache series.
- Roast chicken might be the most romantic dinner of all. (Washington Post gift link) But the food that might actually beat out those cliches in the department of amour is actually quite humble: Consider the roast chicken. Served at home. Atop your everyday plates. Unglamorous? Maybe. But hear me out…”
- I Kept a ‘One-Line-a-Day Journal’ for 5 Years—Here Are My 10 Biggest Takeaways. (Well+Good) Our MMD Book Club community manager Ginger is a big fan of this practice!
- Women Have Been Misled About Menopause. (New York Times gift link) This is a hot topic of conversation in my friend circles these days.
- Meet the archive moles. (Prospect Magazine) “There’s a growing band of people digging through library stacks and second-hand bookshops in search of lost classics. I’m one of them.”
- These Are the 3 Words That Best Define My Personal Style. What are yours?
- These embroidered pillows from Rifle Paper Co. are completely adorable: choose from this book club pillow, this READ option, or these darling daisies.
- I Tried 4 of the Best Tomato Soup Recipes and Found My Family’s Forever Favorite. (The Kitchn) In case you’re looking for the perfect accompaniment to a grilled cheese sandwich. Actually any kind of soup + grilled cheese combo is a crowd-pleasing dinner at my house, and one we’re turning to a lot lately.
Good reads for right now:
- 130 recommended reads for those traveling to New York City. Or those who want to.
- 43 favorite fictional couples. This was such a fun list to put together!
- 10 giftable books to share with friends on Galentine’s Day. One of the best days of the year!
- Book journaling tools for every reader. Calling all pen geeks!
Have a great weekend!
48 comments
So many links that I favorited! Must make roasted chicken ASAP after reading this and Spare. Feel better soon!
I highly recommend Legos for adults if you find comfort in order!! I picked them up on a whim when they had a bookstore set. And then I was hooked (again)!
Yes! My boys have all loved them and I’m now discovering that I do too, for my own personal pleasure, We’ve become such a Lego family that even my father-in-law bought a set after my mother-in-law kept admiring ours (the orchids!). So fun for all ages!
I am so sorry you had to cancel your event–if I remember correctly it was a reading retreat. May this illness you are experiencing soon take a hike!
Get well soon Anne.
I loved your guide to the Inspector Gamache series. I especially loved how you described my hero : “supremely decent, quietly intelligent, startlingly kind Chief Inspector Armand Gamache” I also loved the books you highlighted at the end. Bury your dead really elevated the series.
I’m reading Bury Your Dead right now (slowly getting through the series and doing so in order) and I totally agree! This book is more elevated than the previous 5 or 6 (whatever it is!). And I loved those ones too. This is just a higher level. One thing remains the same, reading Gamache will always makes me hungry!!
Sorry you are under the weather Anne. My corner of Kentucky (Western) has been especially dreary and lots of people are feeling worse for wear. Here is an easy breakfast/brunch recipe I made a couple weeks ago and my coworkers raved about it.
https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/savory-sausage-and-cheddar-bread-pudding.html
Thanks so much for the NYT gift link on menopause. That is so well written and reaffirms how women are treated poorly again and again in society. Reproductive health is a basic human right- at ALL ages. Between dwindling access, downright bans and the combination of ageism and sexism, millions of women are denied life choices and fair quality of life. I loved the what if comparison regarding if men experienced hot flashes, depression, loss of libido, brain fog. So frustrating.
These cookie bars are one of our family favorites: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/chewy-chocolate-chip-cookie-bars-recipe
(I use regular vanilla, omit the espresso powder, and add toasted pecans.) Easy and so delicious!
The tv show, Poker Face on Peacock is an absolute delight. Each mystery is self contained in the episode, and the acting and writing is top notch. Natasha Lyonne is a charming crime solver whose “gift” is her ability to tell when people are lying. Good for teens as well, but heads up for salty language. I got my parents hooked on it as well, but my dad doesn’t appreciate the “F bombs”.
Fictional couples… loved that! My favorites are Nick and Nora Charles of course, for their style, wit and competitive relationship.
My son and his wife suggested a Netflix series, Somebody Feed Phil. We’ve watched 3 episodes so far, there are six seasons, I believe. We highly recommend it! Funny, different and food + travel.
Loved your review about Louise Penny and A World of Curiosities! Well done! I only found Louise Penny’s wonderful novels because of MMD, thank you a thousand times over!
I absolutely loved that series! There is something so utterly charming about him that I have a teeny crush – ha! He seems to genuinely love life and take pleasure in the smallest and largest of excitements. It’s contagious.
I saw Louise Penny at an author event a few months ago. She was so much fun.
I started keeping a “Few Lines a Day” Journal in 2017. The most interesting part was seeing the progression of COVID since early 2020. It’s also fun to reflect back on vacations and family events. This week, I’ve been reminded that a year ago I was planning a trip to Paris. It’s a fun process especially when I look back.
https://www.saveur.com/sumac-roast-chicken-lemon-and-garlic-recipe/
This is the best roast chicken I’ve ever had. (Saveur magazine Sumac Roast Chicken with Lemon and Garlic). It’s a bit of a production but worth it!
We have a constant supply of overripe bananas and even though I like banana bread, I’ve been craving a banana chocolate chip muffin that’s like the one I remember from a local bakery as a child. I’m happy to report that I found it! I use the “Bakery-Style Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins” from Sprinkle of This but reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup and replace 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour with wheat flour. They look and taste awesome and use just one bowl: https://www.sprinkleofthis.com/banana-chocolate-chip-muffins/#wprm-recipe-container-2985
That article on menopause reminds me why the NYT is still a good paper. It is such a complex topic and they can give it the space to explore all the nuances. I was waiting for the writer to bring up Prometrium vs Progestin, which is bioidentical vs. synthetic progesterone. The more natural hormone does not seem to have the risks of clots and depression that the synthetic does. It is also much cheaper so maybe the lack ofmoney to be made is why it isn’t talked about. I was fortune to find a doctor who proscribed it for antenatal anxiety and she mentioned that it can be helpful during menopause as well. She blew my mind when she said women’s fertility is tied to every area of our health, and yet it has been so politicized that doctors are hindered from learning and we from seeking help for anything from pms to menopause. It was the most validating thing to hear a doctor say my symptoms were real and she could help. Would that more women could hear that!
So many great links this week, Anne. I’m ready to dive into a few of them. I hope your lungs are more cooperative very soon.
I hope your breathing returns to normal soon !
I may have suggested this movie recently but I’m still thinking about the story and music from it. It’s called, “Fisherman’s Friends.”
A wonderful bake that our family has enjoyed many times since last September when I discovered the recipe is: Apple brownies. Here’s the recipe: 1/2 c butter, melted
1 c sugar
1 egg
3 med apples, peeled & diced
1 c flour
1/4 t salt
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1 t nutmeg
Heat oven, 350 degrees. Grease 8×8 baking pan or dish. Mix together butter, sugar, egg. In separate bowl, mix together remaining ingredients except apples. Combine wet ingredients with dry. Mix in apples. Pour into pan. Bake 45 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes then enjoy! Yum!!
So sorry you’re still sick! Sending love!
I did not know about the Women’s Prize for Fiction (and now non fiction) What a great source for great titles! Thank you!
I always learn something new from your links! 🙂
I have the previous version (2ish years old?) of the Lego bouquet and it was so fun to put together. And it gets SO MANY comments from guests. Same with the Lego succulent set! Lego is killing it with sets for adults. As if I didn’t give them enough for sets for my kids! (We had a round on Christmas morning where everyone, kids & adults, got Legos. We were all happy.)
My family – husband, adult children, and grandchildren of various ages have all found the first season of “Best in Dough” on Hulu to be quite entertaining. There are 10 episodes in this pizza competition cooking show that could easily be enjoyed over a weekend. (It’s especially fun to watch while eating pizza – homemade, store-bought, or delivered.)
Oooh, can’t wait to try the tomato soup recipes!
I’ll be making these two-bite lemon poppy seed scones this weekend. So easy, so yummy. (Seriously, so easy. After I made them the first time, I realized that I would no longer be quite so impressed when I read about cooks in period books just whipping up a batch of scones.)
https://www.budgetbytes.com/lemon-poppy-seed-two-bite-scones/
I am sorry to hear about your trip and your illness continuing but OMG, you were on Oprah’s website!! That is so cool or maybe you have done this before and it is old-hat?? It seems pretty cool to me. And it was a great article. Thank you for the wonderful recaps!
Sorry about the canceled trip — I hope that you’re feeling and doing as well as is possible at this time.
I love the article about the one-line-a-day journal and I think it’s inspired me to look at this practice for myself. Loved reading your quotes in the Oprah article! I’ve just started reading more and some of those really helped. Also, I watched that episode of Abbott Elementary last night and thought that Lego set was very cool – love that show!
Anne – so, so sorry about your lingering lung issues. May it resolve itself soon!
THE NYT article about Menopause is worth its weight in gold. I have shared it with many friends. We need to fight the growing efforts by politicians to take good health care out of our hands!
Thank you for your positive attitude! I’m praying you heal soon.
Do you have a recipe for those gorgeous heart cookies in the photo? If so, please share!
Anne, please get better soon! This has gone on too long!
Our favorite treat is the Big Bad Wolf’s Brownies from a childhood Disney cookbook. I am in bed for the night, but can type out the recipe later if anyone wants it. They’re always great, especially when chocolate chips are added. I’m listening to the audiobook of Good Omens, and I bet the show is great because the book is terrific!
I also enjoyed the menopause article’s focus on how long men would put up with the symptoms women endure. Funny!
I do hope you get well soon! If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend the PBS series, “All Creatures Great and Small.” It is so good. Embroidery is fun and there are plenty of kits on Etsy to try. Lastly, I love these Strawberry muffins from Pinterest. https://pin.it/6ZtQmhI
YES! Usually Sunday nights are a bummer but I can’t wait for Sunday nights to see the next episode of ACGAS.
I gave up on Louise Penny books after reading a lot of them. I liked Gamache a lot but two things about the books drove me nuts: first, I cannot stand all those sentence fragments. An occasional one is fine. A book full of them is just poor writing. Second, I became weary of Three Pines. Just a liberal person’s idea of heaven.
My husband gifted me my first ever Lego set as an early Christmas gift. Our kids have had plenty of them, and growing up, I had a box of my brothers old leftover Legos (they weren’t really “made for girls” back then, so I never thought to ask for at), but I’ve never had boxed set of my own to build. He gave me the house from Home Alone w/the add on lights set! The 5 of us spent the entire day on Thanksgiving putting it together as a family. I’ve been eyeing other adult sets ever since.
I’m so sorry you’ve had this ‘crud’ for so long. I hope you start to feel better soon. I am getting ready to watch the “3 Pines” series on Prime Video. I loved all the books!
I am absolutely loving Lonesome Dove, which I believe you recommended. I’m also rereading Missing Presumed, a British mystery that is a cut above most mysteries.
I also enjoy British mysteries and I picked up Missing Presumed based on your recommendation! I had never heard of this author and I am loving it! Thanks for that!
If you have any further British mystery recommendations , please do share!
Have you read the Nicci French series , the first being Blue Monday? If not, I think you may enjoy. Lots of complex characters & great story lines.
Thank you for the link to the NY Times article about menopause. This is so true. My body was forced into menopause when I was 47 years old. I was so unbelievably fortunate to go to an OB-GYN who is an expert on menopause and who had read all of the studies. I have been wearing a hormone patch since I was 48 years old. It has saved my life as it has kept me from experiencing the debilitating symptoms of menopause. I saw my mother go through it and it was not pretty. Women need to be informed of all of their options and the truth – the facts – about the options.
I just read Case for Christ by Lee Strobel and it is amazing!!! It is the best thing I’ve read this week!
My daughter (11) stumbled across the floral adult lego sets and put a couple on her Christmas list. We now have a Lego orchid (https://a.co/d/3IFHD8x) sitting in our window – they really are remarkable looking and she said it was a challenge!
Have you read Cold Coast by Robyn Mundy? It’s a fiction account of the true story of the first woman trapper out from Svalbard. I am a real baby with regard to animals being hurt or hunted but it was written so well that I didn’t cry once! There is even one side of the story told from a small female fox’s perspective. I loved it and could not out it down. The Mother, Pearl S Buck is a great read and Pachinko is also good. Can’t remember the author sorry. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Just added Cold Coast to my list! I adored Pachinko (author is Min Jin Lee), and am a fan of Pearl S Buck as well.
My husband and I have been binge watching “Cobra Kai “ on Netflix, and I recently read “Waxing On” by Ralph Macchio. Good old ‘80s nostalgia time!
I’m “reading” Thank You For Listening on audiobook (though I’m sure you’ve already done this) and I’m obsessed with it. I’ve been trying to will myself to pick up Four Thousand Hours but haven’t yet.
I baked these cookies for friends going through hard times, and they’re absolutely divine. Easy, too. https://www.alisoneroman.com/recipes/salted-butter-chocolate-chunk-shortbread
Speaking of tomato soups, this tomato and fennel soup is a lovely twist on the traditional, and you could probably blend it with an immersion blender if you wanted (but why?). https://anewsletter.alisoneroman.com/p/spicy-tomato-soup
I would urge any woman looking at hormone therapy to find a non-animal sourced product. The Premarin industry is horrifically cruel: horses are forcibly impregnated, then made to stand in a stall 24 hours a day so their urine can be collected. Once the foal is born it is taken away so she can be mechanically impregnated again and start the cycle over and over and over. Much like the dairy industry, the babies are either discarded or sucked in to the same cycle.
Thank you for pointing that out. It’s a horrible industry and there are alternatives that are effective. Sadly, a lot of people just don’t care.
It’s me, I’m an archive mole! That article really resonated with me…and caused my reading list to grow, yet again. I’ll never read them all, sigh.
I love tracking my reading in Goodreads. That said, I’m also realizing right now that for the season of life I’m in right now, if I’m reading non-fiction, it needs to be very light-hearted. I still love reading non-fiction of any kind though