Happy Friday, readers! Here in Louisville we’re waking up to our first winter snow. Sounds like reading weather to me: I have two books in progress and hope to finish both by Monday morning. Wish me luck?
I hope you have a lovely weekend in store. Here are some good reads and fun things to get you started.
The Don’t Overthink It trailer!
To celebrate the upcoming release of my new book Don’t Overthink It, we made a trailer right in my home library. If you’ve ever thought, I wish Anne would walk me around her house and show me all the bookish details, this video is for you. (If you want to know a little more about the book, it’s good for that, too. Ha!)
I hope you enjoyed this little video! Just a reminder, get all the info on preorders, including signed copies and bonuses, right here. And book tour news is right here.
Fun things and good reads:
- Voices of Change: Tomi Adeyemi, Akwaeke Emezi, Elizabeth Acevedo, Angie Thomas, and Nic Stone are rewriting the rules of young adult fiction. Such a great profile!
- I couldn’t add this puzzle to my cart fast enough.
- The New Trophies of Domesticity. “Colorful cast-iron cookware by brands like Le Creuset and the retro, brightly hued stand mixers by KitchenAid aren’t just culinary workhorses; they’ve become small markers of stability and sophistication, coveted by young people for whom traditional indicators of both often remain out of reach.”
- Read-Aloud Revival has a great quiz to help you figure out what to read aloud next.
- New Albany Did What Louisville Has Not: Pushed Through Downtown Street Redesign. This fascinating case study of making a town physically more inviting is absolutely fascinating, and not just because it’s subject is practically in my backyard.
- I recently discovered that for my morning makeup routine, a nice liner brush works way better than my old $2 drugstore one.
- I shared with The Perks of Being a Booklover about why I don’t feel the need to finish books if I’m not enjoying them, interesting things you learn from reading a book’s acknowledgements, and more.
- Reading Challenge participants! We’ve got a new list of books nominated for an award in 2020: the International Prize for Arabic Fiction just announced its shortlist, so you’ve got more titles to choose from for “a book nominated for an award in 2020.”
- Don’t forget to enter the Goodreads giveaway of Don’t Overthink It! (US only.)
Don’t miss these posts:
- 12 great books that celebrate the power of female friendship. In the wise words of Leslie Knope, Valentine’s Day is about celebrating romance—but Galentine’s Day is about celebrating lady friends and so is this list.
- Flourless chocolate cake. This has long been our go-to chocolate cake recipe. (It makes an appearance in Don’t Overthink It!)
- 13 questions to ask yourself before buying anything for your wardrobe. Does your closet need an overhaul? Here’s where to start.
Have a great weekend!
30 comments
In the last 10 years, my city (Aurora IL) has been converting streets that have been one-way for 50 years to two-way as part of a downtown revitalization effort. It is so interesting to me that this kind of change can have such an impact. You are coming to our neighbor Naperville IL as part of your book tour. There you will see a master class on keeping a downtown vibrant. I so appreciate being able to experience both of these downtowns, and we live about equidistant between them. Aurora is focusing on a theater and restaurant scene and hoping the retail will follow. So far, it is an occasional destination for us, but so many exciting additions are coming in the next year that I look forward to spending more time and money there!
I haven’t been in downtown Naperville for over ten years, maybe more like twenty! I always loved the Riverwalk and I’m glad to hear their downtown is still doing well. I’m excited to visit again soon!
I had no idea about Aurora! My college roommate lives there; the next time we go for a visit I’ll have to check it out.
I live in Canada and am very confused by (and also jealous of) 2 inches (5 cm) resulting in a snow day.
Many states south of IN/IL/OH tend to get measurable snow once a year or so and thus don’t invest much in snow removal equipment. They close up shop for a day and wait for the melt. Here in Chicago, it takes about 5 inches timed just right or really bitter wind chills to call off school.
I understand the confusion! We’re just on a delay, but even that would never happen in a place where they got snow more regularly—and were more accustomed to dealing with it.
Even where I live and teach (32 years in the same district and still going), a perfectly timed 2” Of snow will result in a delay. Today, almost all the schools in Maine shut because of ice. We do make the days up in June. Reading for the book challenge – perfect stormy weather activity.
Yes, in central Alabama, all it takes is 1/2″!
Thank you for the list of nominees for International Prize for Arabic Fiction!
I’m happy you’re happy to see it!
Anne, I’m assuming these Arabic texts haven’t been translated yet for English readers? Just wondering, my son is getting a degree in Arabic language so he could read them but I have been reading as many books as I can find as well of course already translated. 🙂 Have a great day…we had a sprinkling of “snow” the other day in North Texas!
Tami, I’m not sure, and am actively investigating with the help of google and goodreads. Hope you find the info you need!
Found this list of a 2020 award this morning:
http://www.pnba.org/2020-book-awards.html
Thanks for sharing!
LOVE so much the list of books celebrating female friendships. I have no sisters or daughters BUT wonderful friends who mean the world to me. I also am very fortunate to have amazing sons who have gifted me with fabulous daughter in laws. I count my blessings in this department.
One question…tell me about using the brush for eyeliner. Do you use a liquid eyeliner or do you wet a powder liner? Sometimes a pencil, even the gel ones, are a bit too harsh for me but have not had luck trying to put them on with a brush. Details please…
Daisy! I love her cameo in your book trailer. 🙂
I just got my Votes for Women puzzle in the mail yesterday! Starting it with my kids this weekend.
Loved the video! Just a dusting of snow here this morning, but several schools are closed due to illness. Time for kitten snuggles and hot tea.
Really enjoyed the video!! Well done-best of luck with your book.
Thanks so much!
I really enjoyed your conversation with Carrie and Amy on The Perks of Being a Booklover–such a fun and interesting meeting of local book-loving minds!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! They were a delight to chat with.
I was most intrigued to see you playing the piano in the video! I took lessons for several years in elementary school and relearning piano as an adult is on my bucket list!
Thank you for the Arabic Fiction shortlist, that is a type of fiction that I want to explore. The Russian Quarter by Khalil Alrez looks intriguing!
I couldn’t find any of the books on this list on Amazon, could you?
No, I put 2 on my TBR list on Goodreads. Not avail at library either. Maybe in time, they will become available to US readers.
Anne thanks for the New Albany article! My dad is from Floyd’s Knobs/New Albany HS(class of 67!) and we all drove up there from Atlanta last summer for a family wedding. We stayed in the most darling AirBnb and I couldn’t believe how adorable NA has become. I’ve been going there since I was born but hadn’t been back since having young kids. We had the best time! I love seeing how they’ve made progress. I’d love for my own town to take note.
My mom and I can’t wait to see you at The Strand next month!
Hi Anne! Thanks for linking the article on New Albany. Walkable City was one of my favorite reads last year. Do you have any other favorite books on urban planning that you could recommend?
I love the trailer for your new book! I can’t wait to read it.
Love the video Anne – especially the cameo from such a delightful doggo at the end! 😉 Congratulations, and best of luck with the launch – don’t overthink it, as it were! Ha!