Links I love

Did you all have as much fun as I did at last night’s Fall Book Preview Unboxing Event? When I’m not SCUBA diving this weekend—we’re currently in Indonesia—you’ll find me at the beach inhaling the new Rebecca Ross (Bookshop).

The downside of being in this beautiful place in mid-September is I’m missing out on all of the fall flavors and activities, so if you happen to find yourself in an apple orchard or a coffee shop this weekend, please enjoy those fall vibes on my behalf. I hope your weekend includes something good to read, something yummy to eat or drink, and some time to take care of yourself.

(If you haven’t snagged your Fall Book Preview yet, it’s available right here! And if you want a Fall Book Preview print, delivered-by-snail-mail booklet: we sold out of our first print run, but Will Bogel is ordering more today: if you want one, it’s important that you order right away. Place your order here. We estimate they will ship the first of October.)

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 bookmarking service.

A new biography zeroes in on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s superpower. (NPR) Reading a biography about the man who shot to fame in part due to his take on another famous man’s biography feels a bit meta, but I can’t wait to read this.

Tell me I’m not the only one who’s recently been googling “Books to read if you loved K-Pop Demon Hunters.” This guide from a library in British Columbia gave me a few titles to add to my Libby holds list. (Have a recommendation? Please share in the comments!)

Here’s the First Clue to Find a Buried Canadian Treasure Worth Nearly $1 Million. (Outside) Who wants to sponsor Will Bogel and me to go and search for this treasure?

I’m always on the hunt for skincare favorites in handy travel sizes that suit my carry-on lifestyle, so I was excited to find a travel-size version of one of my favorite cleansers at a Sephora in Australia.

I Didn’t Expect Dr. Gurathin To Be My Favorite Part of Murderbot. (Reactor) I had mixed feelings about the Murderbot TV adaptation—it took me a few episodes to warm up to the casting of Alexander Skarsgård in the title role—but I loved many of the other casting decisions. This piece about Dr. Gurathin captured some of my thoughts with eloquence, and gave me a few new perspectives to ponder. Spoilers abound, so proceed with caution if you’re new to this fictional universe.

How to befriend a house – #179. (Shangrilogs) As someone who has built two houses, lived in many more, and often has a transient perspective on “home” in the first place, I was inspired by this piece from one of my favorite Substack writers.

I’ve been wearing my Well Read hat (MMD) on repeat. It’s the perfect way to add a little bit of flair to my travel wardrobe while protecting my skin at the beach in Australia and Indonesia.

Our Good Season is Your Catastrophe: On Life as a Wildland Firefighter. (LitHub) Wildfire in the American West could be considered one of my “odd bookshelves.” If you’re curious about the topic, you might enjoy this excerpt from former hotshot and wildland firefighter River Selby’s new book.

I wear a nightguard because I tend to grind my teeth, and I was influenced to buy the Zima dental pod earlier this year. I love it, but what’s really been a game changer for me is the travel-friendly Zima Go. When I find myself in places with dubious drinking (and toothbrushing) water, the UV sterilization makes me feel like I’m taking the best possible care of my oral health, and the robust design holds up well to a travel lifestyle.

I recently discovered the PBS series Untold Earth and am finding it a perfect mix of curiosity, nature, and travel. I recommend starting with the “Cuttlefish” episode, but that might just be because I spot them quite often when I’m diving.

I shared my must-have sling bag last December (MMD)—I remain just as obsessed as ever. EVERGOODS recently released new packing cubes. I snagged one before embarking on our latest round of travel and it’s easily the best packing cube I’ve ever used. I’m only about six weeks of use in, but so far I’m incredibly impressed with the quality and capacity. This would make an awesome gift for the traveler in your life, and their 8L version is under $50.

Don’t miss these posts:

20 wonderfully discussable books to spark great conversation in your buddy reads and book clubs. These books will make you say, “I HAVE to talk about this with someone!”

My favorite spices and seasoning blends. Spice up your life!

20 historical mysteries featuring feisty female protagonists. My love of strong literary heroines is no secret.

Have a great weekend!

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