Links I love

This post is sponsored by Prep Dish.

Happy Friday, readers! I’m home from a whirlwind trip to Texas to meet a bunch of you on my I’d Rather Be Reading tour. It was a great trip; thanks for your taco and tourist recommendations. Now that I’m home for a bit I’m hoping to drink lots of coffee and make serious progress on the new Robert Galbraith novel.

My favorite finds from around the web:

• Get thee to a library! Unsung hero of 41st St: Library Way. “Brevity is the soul of wit — how and where better to joke about the tumultuous, glorious nature of literature than on a plaque the size of a puddle on the approach to one of the most important libraries in the world: the Schwarzman New York Public Library on 42nd Street.” (I always like to visit when I’m in NYC.)

• Sales are booming at Manhattan typewriter store, mostly thanks to young people (and Tom Hanks). “In the early 2000s, Schweitzer said he sold about 10 manual typewriters a month. In recent years that number skyrocketed to about 60 a month, with millennials steadily buying the machines and bringing them in for service.”

• Best science fiction picture books for kids. “While listening to these science fiction picture books, your children will travel to far off galaxies, imagine what happens when aliens come to earth, or explore the intersection between reality and fiction.”

• Anne Bogel would “rather be reading”; Lithub.com’s book picks and more. I loved getting to talk again with bookstore owner Roxanne Coady after her appearance on What Should I Read Next?.

• How to know if a recipe is any good. “Food is delicious because of three main things: flavor, salt, and heat. If you know what to look for regarding these three components, you’ll have a decent idea if a new recipe is worth a go.”

Make meal planning easy :

I have used and loved Prep Dish for years now and I’m excited to share a special deal to help your whole family eat great this school year.

Every month, Prep Dish founder Allison sends members weekly meal plans (Your choice: gluten-free or paleo; we do paleo.) with a shopping list (I love the way Allison lays out these lists!) and directions for how to spend a few hours prepping the week’s meals. Then you roll into the week with a fridge full of easy-to-finish dinners you can have on the table in 30 minutes or less.

Through Monday, October 1, Allison is offering MMD readers 50% off a premium membership! That’s a huge discount, and will save you a ton of time in the grocery store and in the kitchen.

Fall is a great time to get started with PrepDish. The start of a new school year and fall sports (plus book tour) push me off routine and leave me scrambling and frustrated when it’s time to start dinner. But Allison’s easy-to-follow plans for healthy, tasty meals bring your dinners the routine they need to get you through whatever this busy season holds.

Click here to get started.

Favorite Instagram:

Sometimes my professional author obligations for book tour include cuddling the shop dog. Don’t tell Daisy—and especially don’t tell her Sophie’s allowed on the couch. (This is at Fort Worth’s delightful shop Monkey and Dog Books. Follow me on instagram @annebogel.)

On the blog:

One year ago: 20 terrific titles from #ownvoices and #diversebooks authors. “I like the way We Need Diverse Books puts it (as well as their site, which is an excellent resource): ‘We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.'”

Two years ago: 15 audiobooks that enhance your reading experience. “These 15 titles aren’t just good books; they’re also wonderful listening experiences.”

Three years ago: In praise of bookish deadlines and library due dates. “I’m often guilty of telling myself I’ll get around to reading a certain book one day. A good deadline forces me to ask myself if I’m ready to read it right now.”

Four years ago: The resumé virtues vs. the eulogy virtues. “The eulogy virtues are more important, but they’re not the ones we think about the most or prioritize. Not most of us, anyway.”

Five years ago: A mentoring cheat sheet (for both sides of the relationship). “Don’t let a mentoring relationship get stuck because you don’t know how to move forward. If you’re feeling stuck–whether mentor or mentee–try using these three questions to get the ball rolling.”

Six years ago: Balance isn’t a see-saw. It’s a game of Twister. “We need other people in our lives who can carry us through, who can cover the spaces that we can’t control. We need other people to keep us from falling.”

Seven year ago: Best book you’ve never heard of on… housekeeping. “Ms. Mendelson’s passion for housekeeping continues to inspire me, and I still regularly pull the book off the shelf when I’m not sure how best to tackle a household task.”

Have a great weekend!