What are you up to this weekend? Around here, we’re bracing for more snow and sleet today. Fingers crossed it’s not too bad because my street is already a skating rink! But I’m looking forward to the weekend, especially MMD Book Club Readers’ Day tomorrow, which thankfully is not weather-dependent.
I hope YOU have something to look forward to these next few days, 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 bookmarking service.
‘Hamnet’ Producer Liza Marshall Secures Rights to Author Maggie O’Farrell’s Next Novel ‘Land’ for Hera Pictures (EXCLUSIVE). (Variety) I’m here for all the Maggie O’Farrell adaptations.
More happy adaptation news: Maven Screen Media Options Film Rights To Hit Historical-Mystery Novel ‘The Frozen River.’ (Deadline)
Washington Post Closes the Books Section Amid Layoffs. (Shelf Awareness) Oof. (Related: I appreciated this succinct commentary on how the atomization of media hurts readers.)
What’s saving your life right now? (MMD) Our longstanding practice of sharing what’s getting us through the winter months.
This lasagna soup made for a great snow day dinner. (We used rotelle because that’s what we had and it worked great.)
The Correspondent Is an Epistolary Novel for the Social Media Age. (Slate) “Something about our particular moment calls forth nostalgia for pen-and-paper communication. This is an epistolary novel for the social media era, appealing to the hearts of readers who feel like they were born just a little too late, and are now condemned to operate in a world where interpersonal communication is so omnipresent as to have lost its glamour.”
New Nancy Meyers Movie Enlists Penélope Cruz, Kieran Culkin, Jude Law, Emma Mackey and Owen Wilson. (The Hollywood Reporter) Something to look forward to in 2027.
Soup. (Butt + Chair) Laurie Frankel on making soup, and novels: “All of this is also how you write a novel. At least, it is also how I write a novel. I need no special equipment. I have no recipe or plan. There are no steps to follow carefully in order. I throw a bunch of stuff in the pot, taste it, determine it’s terrible, then adjust and adjust and adjust and adjust until it’s good.”
19 Winter Olympic storylines we’re watching (they’re not just about sports). (NPR) Do you plan to watch?
12 novels about female friendship in honor of Galentine’s Day. (MMD) “These titles come from a variety of genres, but their common theme is the power of strong female friendships. Importantly, ‘strong’ doesn’t at all mean the absence of conflict.”
The Evolutionary Brilliance of the Baby Giggle. (New York Times gift link) “Laughter and humor are fundamental to how babies learn about and participate in the world.” 10/10 recommend watching a few short baby giggle videos as a mood booster!
What Should I Read Next #512: I’m looking for 5-star stunners. Titles and techniques to escape a reading slump.
Ann Taylor Loft’s Valentine’s Day edit is the CUTEST and on big sale right now. Most of the pieces read “pop of red” or “versatile whimsy” as opposed to being just good for one week of wear. My favorites are the ribbed relaxed cardigan (XXS–XXL and not just in red) and striped harbor tee (XXS–XXL); their new layered perfect ribbed tee is adorable and that green is amazing (XXS–XXL).
The Marathon Moby-Dick Reading Is a Radical Act. (The Atlantic gift link) “Is there another book at once so good and so bad, so thrilling and so boring, so authentic to the currents of the soul and so hideously contrived, so stunningly patrolled by dreamlike visions and so crushed by its own intellectual baggage?”
How Miss Piggy Went From Minor Muppet to TV’s Top Hog. (New York Times gift link) “Miss Piggy began as a bit player, but a sassy attitude and a karate chop carried her to the pinnacle of pop culture.” I think I’ll watch the new special for nostalgia’s sake: my dad was a huge fan of the original The Muppet Show.
Don’t miss these posts:
12 compelling musician memoirs to read or listen to. Learn about the art of music through these fantastic memoirs.
Buy the flowers. There’s never been a better time.
End your reading slump with these short novels and novellas. Short books that pack a big punch.
101 powerful books to celebrate Black History all year long. February is Black History Month! I hope this list helps broaden your TBR throughout the year.
Have a great weekend!
12 comments
For great short novels I’d add
The Housekeeper and the Professor The Old Man who Read Love Stories
Three Days in June
Like many of you I was really sad to hear the WA Post was eliminating their entire book section. I would no longer start my Fridays being enlightened and uplifted while reading the newsletter from Ron Charles the WA Post book editor. Luckily Ron is now writing a column on Substack and I am thrilled. If you have a minute I urge you to take a look.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this information.
When the opening montage for The Muppet Show started up my eyes filled with tears, and I sang right along with it. My heart didn’t know what was happening…neither did my husband! It immediately took me back to a simpler time and I felt like I was back in my grandparents’ living room watching it with them while my mom bowled and my dad was working. My Pappy did a great Kermit the Frog impression! 🙂 God bless Seth Rogan for bringing it back, and for the cast and crew for staying true to the characters I haven’t seen in that specific format since I was eight years old.
Where did you hear the opening song for The Muppet Show? I’m older than you are, but hubby and I enjoyed the show during our newlywed days (almost 50 years married). My husband just LOVED those two old guys up on the balcony.
If you like all those characters, you might enjoy watching Jim Henson’s memorial service on YouTube. Especially if you need a good cry…
Me too, Renae! I immediately teared up and sang along! The Muppets bring me back to a place of innocent, pure joy and “good, clean humor”. I still can’t listen to “The Rainbow Connection” without crying. 🙂
I, too, was choked up when The Muppet Show started. It was an amazing, nostalgic moment, and I hope they make more.
Just pre-ordered Land! Thanks for the heads-up!
I’m delighted to share!
A very heartfelt and appreciative thank you for highlighting and including books, authors and links for Black History Month. Love your inclusiveness.
Can you repost the Lasagna Soup recipe, please? The link doesn’t work for me.
Thanks!
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