Links I love

What are you up to this weekend? I’m celebrating a birthday, which means brunch and family dinner and a long walk with the dog and … hiding from the heat, as per usual lately.

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 frame of mind.

Mark your calendars!

Join MMD Book Club for our version of Book Camp: a virtual Readers’ Weekend on July 18-20. We’ll kick things off with a conversation with Xochitl Gonzalez, author of our July selection Olga Dies Dreaming. There will be member meetups and more. Plus, we have a Readers’ Weekend digital kit designed just for you that will help dedicate a weekend to reading and the reading life.

My favorite finds from around the web:

The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. (NYT gift link) The list itself is interesting but it’s almost been more fun to see and hear what everyone else would put on their ballot.

A short reading list for Manhattanhenge. (MMD) Literary armchair travel for those who can’t see the twice-a-year spectacle in person—or those who want to deepen their context before they see it for themselves.

I live with a Target employee, so Target Circle Week is a big topic of discussion at my house right now! Our picks: the Buy 2, Get 1 Free sale on all my books (er, technically that sale is on select books, games, and movies), this Universal Thread 3/4 Sleeve Midi Shirtdress that looks way more expensive than it is, and this Women’s Best Ever Midi Dress. Please note ALL clothing is 30% off (school uniforms, anyone?). We also stocked up on Nespresso pods while coffee is 20% off; my daughter and her friends need dorm and apartment gear and they are getting it ALL while the sale is on.

The Devil Wears Prada Is Officially Getting a Sequel After 18 Years. (E! News) I will absolutely watch this. I also enjoyed reading all the scoop on the original included here.

It’s Not Just Your Garden: ‘Hydrangea Hysteria’ Blooms in the Northeast. (NYT gift link) Why hydrangeas are having a banner year on the East Coast. Warning: this made me want to stop what I’m doing and go deadhead my hydrangeas immediately!

How Celebrity Book Clubs Actually Work. (Esquire) “Every book club adamantly denies that imprints or agents are a determining factor in the book selection process, but only a publishing rookie in an industry built on connections would take that at face value.”

For those who requested the pasta recipe we combined with the blackened chickened breasts I shared in last week’s Links I Love: here you go!: Ali Slagle’s Lemon-Garlic Linguine from NYT Cooking (gift link).

For tennis’s greatest winners, the slimmest margin makes all the difference. (Washington Post gift link) “Even top-ranked tennis players win barely more than half of the points they play.” I played competitive tennis for years and was still surprised by this stat (though I shouldn’t have been).

When It’s This Hot Out, Eat Like a Toddler. (Eater) Don’t mind if I do. I mean, who doesn’t love a snack plate?

Several of you recommended this little portable mosquito repeller and we are LOVING it.

7 tips for planning your own personal reader’s retreat. (MMD) The hows and whys of dedicating time to reading and the reading life.

How to Suss Out Fake Beauty Products on Amazon. (POPSUGAR) I wish this article wasn’t necessary but here we are.

Decoding Carmy’s Cookbook Shelves on ‘The Bear’. (Food & Wine) This is fun—and thorough.

Don’t miss these posts:

20 heart-pounding heist novels. Whether you’re in need of a page-turner or looking to bust out of a reading slump, these heist novels fit the bill!

15 backlist books to enjoy while you wait for this summer’s buzziest new releases. Summer is the perfect time to turn to your favorite author’s backlist.

15 breezy romance series for when you need an escape. Looking for a romance series (or two) that you can devour?

Have a great weekend!