What’s in store for your weekend? My weekend is looking at once Very Big and Very Relaxed. On the relaxed front, our college kids have consecutive spring breaks and this is the overlap weekend—I’m looking forward to making allll the good food and hanging around the house with my crew. But also, Very Big: I’m planning to take Summer Reading Guide photos and send a daughter to prom.
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.
Unseen Harper Lee stories set in New York and Alabama to be published. (The Guardian) Huh. Thoughts?
Why Voice Notes Are a Small Act of Love. (Time Magazine) “‘Connection’ is what I found in hearing not just my loved ones’ voices, but the soundtrack of their lives playing in their 2-minute recordings: kids playing, how joyful someone sounded walking back from a good first date, the clatter of cooking utensils, gossiping about work.”
I love the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Tee—I just noticed they’re stocked for spring in a bunch of new seasonal colors (XS–XL). (I’m 5’9″ and typically take a Small, but this sweater has a trim fit and I could easily go Medium.) For those dreaming of spring this Vintage Wash Tencel Camp Shirt (XS–XL) is also pretty great. I recommend sizing down (I’m an XS in this style).
Memento Mori: An interview with Hanif Abdurraqib on his early career. (Delivery & Acceptance) “Something I still apply now is this idea that everything I’m writing has the opportunity to be my last thing. So make it your best thing.”
French Cinema Leads the Way to a Revival of In-Person Moviegoing. (New York Times gift link) This piece, which highlights the “very French idea about citizens’ moral obligation to support the arts and to do so somewhere other than at home,” pairs beautifully with the Culture Study essay in last week’s Links I Love.
How learning to DNF books enhanced my reading life. (MMD) The case for quitting books that aren’t serving you.
Why Is Young Hollywood Going So Old Hollywood? (Elle) “It feels like an extension of method dressing: dress for the job you want (an award-winning Hollywood diva of yore) and you might just go home with a statuette.”
I impulsively added the Keira Collared Button-Front Blouse by Pilcro (XXS–XL) to my Anthro cart a few weeks ago and it turned out to be warm weather PERFECTION. My teenage girls oohed and aahed so I know it’s good! This Old Navy Shirred Flutter-Sleeve Top has a similar vibe and is available XS–4X.
Creole vs. Cajun Food: What Are the Differences? (Food & Wine) Fascinating food history. (Apropos of regional food talk: I’m taking a quick trip to New Orleans next month. Any recs?)
Books for an adventure out West. (What Should I Read Next?) What to read to prepare for a summer road trip to the Grand Canyon and more national parks.
Concert Ticket Prices Are Soaring, and Busting Gen Z’s Budgets. (New York Times gift link) Will and I parent four Gen Z kids: this piece generated good dinner table conversation at our house.
A Brief History of the Em Dash. (Wallflower Chats) I’m a fan! “But one mark you’ll never be able to pry from my cold, dead hands is the almighty em dash. Because it’s more than a punctuation mark. It’s an ethos, a state, a heady rush of feeling that tolerates no space between thought to thought. It’s an energy!”
A break from your smartphone can reboot your mood. Here’s how long you need. (NPR) I took a five-day phone break last month and it was GREAT. And surprising. “‘Helping people to retrain their brain to derive joy from healthy activities has an antidepressant effect.'”
Don’t miss these posts:
Science Fiction and Fantasy that is fabulous on audiobook. Audiobook experiences that will carry you away.
A whole stack of middle grade books you can read in one weekend. Perfect for Middle Grade March!
My favorite Jane Austen film adaptations. Some Jane Austen adaptations are phenomenal; some are more likely to leave you feeling like you squandered two hours. Here’s my guide to the best versions.
16 classical literature retellings, remixes, and reimaginings. The best retellings add something new and unexpected to the stories we know well.
Have a great weekend!
13 comments
I loved the article on the em dash! I agree that it’s more than a punctuation mark, it’s an ethos and an energy! 😄 That said, I’m always in danger of overusing it in my own writing and editing work—oops!
My family really enjoyed the New Orleans School of Cooking. We choose the class that only watches the cooking while we ate what was cooked!
We stayed at the French Market Inn – it gave all the New Orleans vibes, very comfortable and was centrally located.
Court of Two Sisters for brunch is my idea of heaven! Sunny courtyard with a fountain. Delicious food and coffee. A three-piece jazz band. So so good.
Magazine Street – an afternoon ramble of shops and restaurants.
And one of the most wonderful bookstores – Faulkner’s!
Take some coffee and croissants down and watch the Mississippi River action.
Enjoy!
Thank you for the recommendations!
NOL has been on my bucket list for years–but I think it just moved up a few notches!
If you’re hitting up NOLA, Arnaud’s is a must! Loads of history and the food is SUBLIME! Their Jazz Brunch is also iconic! (People are going to tell you Commander’s Palace — which is fine but Arnaud’s is going to blow your mind!)
I’m a big fan of the em dash! I didn’t know it had a name, but I use it often. (Hopefully, not too often???) What a fun article.
Mr. B’s for lunch in NOLA. Enter through the garage entrance (it’s legit) so you can walk through the back room and the kitchen. Have a $1.50 Bloody Mary, order seconds on the unparalleled French bread and have the gumbo ya ya that they only serve at lunch. You probably won’t have time for it but the WWII Museum is world class. Laissez les Bon temps rouler!! 💜💛💚
Loved the NPR tips to reduce screentime! I’m about halfway through reading Anxious Generation, and screentime (especially social media time) is now constantly on my radar.
Jimmy J’s & the Ruby Slipper were delightful finds in NOLA . We toured Mardi Gras World & that was so much fun
Compère Lapin was the star of my NOLA trip in December! At the opposite end of the spectrum the self-proclaimed counter service joint Turkey and the Wolf was fantastic for off the wall combos (the collard greens melt!) and nostalgia. And, it’s worth a farther trip on the trolly to experience The Camellia Grill’s pecan waffles. Enjoy!
For NOLA, Jamila’s Cafe is amazing Tunisian food and the family that owns it are all so sweet and generous. They’re also pretty knowledgeable of cool bars to hang around after dinner and can give you good recommendations!
My NOLA recos!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11t0HMMkls0XH6PyNN9zEFiQGbVDrFQEMnWSYeix1RKY/edit
Agree with Arnaud’s. For a quick lunch in the Quarter, I like a muffuletta (easily feeds 4) and a Dixie beer from the Central Grocery. And it’s touristy, but I think the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is fun to see. Hope you love the city—Lent is my favorite time to go!
Sounds like a perfect weekend. I have noticed by reducing the amount of screen time has relaxed me more. I reduced it for the children too and my son has chilled out much more than he was. On a train tomorrow so new books have been purchased.
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