What are you up to this weekend? The weather here promises to be superb, so I’m hoping to get my tulips planted! I forgot about them the past few years but have my bulbs ready and waiting to go in the ground, along with some crocuses we’re trying for the first time. Along with my planting, I’m hoping to read a good book or two, bake fall treats, and take a long walk with a friend.
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.
My favorite finds from around the web:
I offer gift links for articles whenever possible (you may still need to create an account with the publication); if there’s no gift link and you’re not a subscriber, check to see if your library carries the publication or use a service like Pocket.
As a middle-aged man, I would’ve saved loads on therapy if I’d read Baby-Sitters Club books as a kid. (The Guardian) “There remains a prevailing taboo which prevents boys (and men) from taking too much interest in whatever kinds of culture girls (and women) are interested in. It doesn’t apply in the reverse – for instance, to women who become interested in space and superheroes and dinosaurs.”
I’m not a fan of star ratings for books, but I am highly likely to try 5-star NYT Cooking recipes, especially when they’re written by Melissa Clark. This Pressure Cooker Spicy Pork Shoulder (gift link) was a big hit this week. I used a 7-pound bone-in pork shoulder because that’s what I had, and made the recipe exactly as written. It turned out great; big results for little effort here.
The Halloween of my dreams. (Washington Post) This 2004 essay remains the best thing I’ve ever read about Halloween—but believe me when I say it’s likely to make you weep.
Hero Item: Wardrobe Pieces for the Next Level. (Midimalist) “Hero items … are the pieces that make getting dressed easier. Hero items get you stopped in the store because they are easy to admire. They allow you to put the piece on and it (almost) doesn’t matter what else you are wearing because the Hero is doing all the work.”
The MMD gift guide for Jane Austen fans. (MMD) For the Jane Austen fan in your life. (Maybe that fan is you?)
31 stray copyeditorial thoughts. (A Word About) Strong opinions on Oxford commas, split infinitives, interrobangs, and adverbs, plus a few details even publishing people still get wrong.
Take 40% off sale items at Anthropologie this weekend. Lots of great finds including plenty of good stuff I very nearly purchased earlier this season, but the price seemed a bit high. Not today! Check out the Capri Blue Pumpkin Clove Jar Candle in several sizes, the Maeve Short-Sleeve Textured Popover Blouse, the Somerset Maxi Dress and Shirt Dress, seasonal dish towels, and monogram mugs. (Anthro sizes XS to XL for these items.)
Are We Too Impatient to Be Intelligent? (Behavioral Scientist) “Too often, we optimize for the numerical thing, time and speed. We’re not optimizing for the emotional state.” Fascinating long read on what we lose when we prioritize time efficiency above all else, and the negative consequences we experience when technological options become obligations.
Digging into Nikki May’s delicious Mansfield Park reimagining. (What Should I Read Next?) A smart and fun discussion of all things Austen and May’s new book This Motherless Land, out Tuesday in the U.S.
In Pursuit of Wonder, Ada Limón Goes to Outer Space. (Elle) More accurately: her poem goes. Such an unexpected story!
A friend texted this week to say how happy she is she bought this Chelsea Sweater Blazer in all three colors: they are lovely. (XXS–3X) J.Crew Factory is also 40% off everything this weekend.
The Best Candy to Hand Out to Trick-or-Treaters, According to Kids. (Eater) Tips to up your game.
AI Audiobook Narrators in OverDrive and the Issue of Library AI Circulation Policy. (Smart Bitches Trashy Books) Audiobook listeners, beware. This deep dive is wild!
Don’t miss these posts:
7 spooky (not scary) short story collections. These short story collections will get you in the mood for Halloween without keeping you awake all night!
What are your chilly weather go-to meals? The comments are a gold mine of meal inspiration.
MORE extra-long books worth reading. I like big books and I cannot lie.
Have a great weekend!
5 comments
Since I have a kid with food allergies who often didn’t have options at every house, I try to think a little outside the box with Halloween. Hands down, the biggest hit with tiny and great big kids alike is stickers. We don’t have a lot of trick-or-treaters, so I’m able to offer up full sheets of stickers – cats, dogs, smiley faces, cartoon characters, etc. I also pick up tiny bottles of bubbles after Halloween each year after they go down to 75% off. If I get candy, it’s usually Yum Earth lollipops, which are safe for most kids with food allergies.
Re-reading all of those chilly weather meal recipes was a great reminder of things that have fallen out of rotation that should come back in. Thanks!
My Hero item is red lipstick. I swear it almost doesn’t matter what I’m wearing. I have fair skin, light eyes, and dark hair. Something about the red lip automatically makes me look put together. Bonus points that it fits in my purse and doesn’t take up closet space!
Your blog has just eased me into my Saturday, thank you. Sitting on the sofa with the my dog for company, with a cherry tea on the side, a loaf of sourdough in the oven, reading about editorial thoughts and winter comfort food is a lovely start to a relaxing weekend.
I read the article about AI narrators where the librarian discovered that many of the books with AI narrators appear to have been written by AI as well. A list of authors was provided, and I was disappointed to find that an author whose series I had enjoyed (Fiona Grace) was actually AI generated. They do go on to say that the earlier books were not AI written but have a single author or a group of authors.
I abhor the pervasiveness of AI in writing, in websites, and in images. I would much rather read books which are the product of an individual’s imagination.
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