Happy Friday! This weekend I get to hear Ann Patchett discuss her new book The Dutch House (loved it, listen to me recommend it here) and hear Nadia Bolz-Weber discuss her most recent book. In between we’re taking all the kids all the places, hanging out with friends, and hopefully enjoying some of this perfect fall weather while it lasts.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you.
My favorite finds from around the web:
- Why This Librarian Is Using Twitter To Fight Changes To Library Ebook Pricing Terms. “Many library users cannot afford to buy every book they read, so many readers use the library to try new authors or genres they’re unsure of.”
- This Pantsuit Politics episode is a good starting point for people who aren’t entirely sure what ‘s going on with the impeachment inquiry.
- I’m on the hunt for the perfect pair of black jeans and I appreciated these tips for denim-shopping. (These are my favorite blue jeans.) Do you have a pair of black jeans you love?
- Why Julia Roberts’ next film with Celeste Ng could be her best yet. How do we feel about this casting decision? (This ties directly into today’s episode of One Great Book!)
- I Am “Why Do I Need Venmo?” Years Old. This made me laugh.
- How morning TV and London at Christmas inspired Lucy Parker’s new romance. I love Lucy Parker’s contemporary romances and her next release sounds so good! Headliners comes out January 20, 2020.
- French city of Dunkirk tests out free transport – and it works. This does sound wonderful: “To get around town, you no longer need to look at the schedules, buy tickets or worry about parking, she says. You just hop on the bus.”
Favorite Instagram:
From last weekend’s camping expedition: the longer I work on/near/adjacent to the internet, the more I appreciate time spent far, far away away from my laptop. The crappier the internet reception, the better. Follow me on Instagram @annebogel.
On the blog:
One year ago: Discover graphic novels with these 8 favorite reads. If you’ve been wanting to try graphic novels, this list has you covered.
Two years ago: 10 excellent fall nonfiction reads. ‘Tis the season!
Three years ago: Announcing: the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club. We launched Book Club on October 12, 2016! It’s grown a lot since then (regular classes, author talks, and more) and I’ve loved the community that’s formed there.
Four years ago: 8 books recommended by readers with great taste.
Five years ago: ‘A Diamond is Forever’ and other fairy tales. “It’s no surprise that an expensive fairy-tale wedding does not contribute to a marriage’s long-term success, but I was surprised that relatively high wedding expenses negatively correlated with marital duration.”
On What Should I Read Next:
This week’s guest loves larger than life nonfiction, especially if it reads like an intense thriller, so I hooked him up with exactly that.
On One Great Book:
Don’t miss today’s brand-new episode of One Great Book, where each week I pull one standout selection off my personal bookshelves and tell you all about it, in ten minutes or less.
Have a great weekend!
28 comments
Your Dunkirk mention made me think you would love Ljubljana, Slovenia. We’ve been twice, including last week. It’s like a miniature Paris. Gorgeous buildings and the entire city designed by Joze Plecnik, for the people. Ljubljana’s wildly popular mayor decided to block the city center from cars. He didn’t want apartments being bought up by AirBnB folks, and wanted the elderly people to stay so it would retain the authentic flavor of the locals. Anyone can catch a Kavalir (golf cart) ride free. It’s so great. I wish more cities would do this.
Lucille, that’s absolutely wonderful! Thanks for the recommend!
Lucille, thanks for putting Ljubljana on my radar! I would love to visit Slovenia one day, but didn’t know about the car-free city center. Thanks for sharing!
I’m still loving my Madewell jeans thanks to you–thank you!!! Most comfortable and best fitting jeans I’ve ever owned. Love your blog, your links, and your recommendations–most of the books I read come from your posts.
Go to J Jill and try on their jeans. I’m 33…they are my favorites pants and now I buy them from ThrepUp. 🙂
Thanks for the recommendation!
Thank you for including the three year MMD book club anniversary link – first of all, so interesting to read the history of this wonderful group. But also, I FINALLY understand the concept behind flight picks. It makes complete sense to me now. Excited to explore one of the four provided: Class Matters, since I just re-watched (in binge fashion), the entire six seasons of Downton Abbey, and absolutely love the film Upstairs Downstairs.
I’m so happy to hear this. Thanks for sharing (and for reminding me to explain “flight picks” mroe often!).
If your black jeans are being replaced due to fading, not because they’re worn out, consider re-dyeing them. The environmental cost of denim is huge and fading is the main reason black jeans are replaced rather than because they’re so worn they’ve got holes in the wrong places.
I didn’t know you could do that!
I LOVE MMD and WSIRN and I have been a fan for at least two years. I listen to every podcast, I have been a part of your book clubs before, I recommend you to many other readers and I read many of your book recommendations. BUT I ask you to remember that not all of your followers are Democrats. There are some that are republicans and follow republican ideals. I’ve noticed that occasionally you will recommend a book or a podcast that leans democratic. Please don’t take my love for your platform away! Thanks for all you do!
Catherine, thanks for the kind words and thoughtfully worded comment. Please know that the specific reason I shared a Pantsuit Politics episode is that the show is hosted by two women: one conservative, and one liberal. Like many of their listeners, I appreciate how they have nuanced conversations about contemporary (and sometimes historical) political issues while often vehemently disagreeing about the underlying ideology. I hope that is helpful to know. Thanks for reading!
My opinion, Stick with BLUE jeans! Save the black for leggings, tights, and dressy trousers.
I was just talking to someone the other day about the MMD Book Club and the fact that it is the best $10 I spend every month, hands down. I explained how it worked, the benefits to joining and every fun thing that I could think of to tell my friend to convince her to join. She asked me how long I had been a member and I without hesitation said “almost from the beginning”, thinking I might have not joined until month 3 or 4. I looked into my membership details and saw that my first payment was on 10-13-16 and I wondered when it actually started. I ran out of time to try to figure that out so I was excited to see that it’s official begin date was 10-12-16 and I joined the very next day. Not only can Anne recommend great books, she can now read minds and provide the answer that I probably would have spent hours looking for and never found. Congrats Anne on this wonderful community you have built that I get to be a part of every day and I can’t wait to see what new fun things you have in store for us in the future.
Thanks for this, Gayla!
I’m so jealous you get to hear Ann Patchett!!! I read Commonwealth in one night except for the last 30 pages, which after reading until midnight I got up at 6am to finish. I bought the Dutch House on a Sunday at 5 and was halfway through it by bedtime then called in sick (shhhh!) to finish it. I have never in my life done something like that. Her books speak to me. I love her writing style and her stories. I wish she’d come to Napa for a book event!
It was a fun talk, and she sent everyone home with a looonnnggg reading list!
I just bought these black jeans (my first pair from Madewell), and I love them! https://www.madewell.com/9%22-mid-rise-skinny-jeans-in-black-sea-H2230.html?dwvar_H2230_color=DM0702&cgid=apparel-jeans-skinny&position=11&position=11&activeChunk=0#prefn1=color&prefn2=denimRise&prefv1=Black&prefv2=Mid+(9%22)&scrollCount=0&positionInChunk=2&start=1
Thanks for the recommendation!
I just purchased my first pair if jeans from Everlane & I am so pleased!! So I quickly ordered a second pair in black – their authentic high rise skinny. They are incredible – no sagging, no gaping at the waist. They are high waisted, which provides some tummy control ☺️ Best part is they’re $68 – I can swallow that! True to size for me. I highly recommend them!!
You’re not the first reader to tell me this—thank you!
The “Why Do I Need Venmo” article was fun, and scrolling down to the links at the bottom, also liked “List: Grown-Up Crayon Colors”!
And I agree with the comment above on politics…we’re not all Democrats!
Haven’t had a chance to check the rest out as yet, just had to mention those.
Thanks, as usual!
Just have to bring up, Pantsuit Politics is not a podcast for Democrats only. They have a conservative and a liberal host and are very fair minded. If you haven’t tried it yet I highly recommend it.
Point taken, will give it a try…least I can do. Thanks!
I love the Pantsuit Politics podcast..They showing the way for grace filled conversations! Their impeachment episode was helpful.
I can’t wait to read The Dutch House. My high school classmate and friend, Noah Saterstrom, painted the beautiful cover of the book!
How was Ann Patchett? I just finished reading The Dutch House which I loved. Our book group had read Bel Canto years ago.
So good!