Happy New Year, friends! We’re starting this year as we mean to go on, sharing an interesting and varied list of reads and finds to kick off the weekend—and in this case, the new year.
Around here we’re starting the day with a special brunch, with morning favorites like waffles, fruit, bacon, smoked salmon, and this favorite cranberry scone recipe. We often host friends on New Year’s Day, and even though that can’t happen this year, we decided to do it up right, just for us. I think I’m even going to dress up!
My favorite finds from around the web:
- What’s Behind the Pandemic Puzzle Craze? I did not know this: “The last time interest in puzzles spiked so quickly? The Great Depression.”
- This week I got to talk to my pals at Friends and Fiction about reading, writing, and how to take your reading life into the new year. They posted our conversation on YouTube so you can watch it anytime. It’s a good one!
- How Sarah Gailey Became a Novelist, Despite Themself. Such a great interview. (This year I just loved their works Magic for Liars and Upright Women Wanted, both of which earned a mention in my 2020 favorites list.)
- Age Your Cake. Do you do this? (I must confess at my house we rarely have the patience.)
- We’ve enjoyed wonderful breakfasts ever since my daughter got this waffle maker for Christmas. (My husband Will is mixing up the batter for today’s breakfast as I type.)
- I’m very excited to be in conversation with Jane Harper on January 13! Click here for more information and to register for this virtual event.
- Beverly Jenkins Is Romance’s Tough Pioneer—and Its Queen. Such a great profile.
- How precious are these reading wish bracelets, made by a Modern Mrs Darcy reader?
- Have Yourself A Lonely Little Christmas. “For me, the secret to spending the holidays alone was to recognize that I wasn’t really alone. I had myself. Which might not seem like much…But if you invite the bravest, kindest, most fun version of yourself to your party, you might wind up falling in love with your weird and wonderful self.”
- Inside the New York Public Library’s Last, Secret Apartments. That is…not what I was expecting. (This reminds me so much of The Lyons of Fifth Avenue!)
- Less than half of Americans know that alcohol is a carcinogen. Big Booze wants to keep it that way. I didn’t know but I also knew. You know?
The 2021 Reading Challenge
Make good things happen in your 2021 reading life with our choose-your-own adventure Reading Challenge. Click here to find out more and sign up for our fun and free challenge.
We’ve heard such good things from readers so far. I’m excited to read with you in 2021!
Don’t miss these posts:
- 15 inspiring and practical books to help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions. “If you want to actually keep your New Year’s resolutions, these 15 inspiring and practical books will help you follow through.”
- The words that keep rising to the top. This might resonate with those of you choosing a word or phrase for the year.
Have a great weekend!
10 comments
Hi, I have loved Jane Harpers books. One question about the event on the 13th…. do I need to buy a book from one of those bookstores listed or can I get it thru Amazon for my kindle reader? Thanks so much!
Wishing you and your family a happy and HEALTHY 2022!
The link to download the reading journal, which I need desperately, is not in this post. You mention in this post that you sent the link in the previous post but I believe this is not new so the previous post wouldn’t have itt. Could you please email me it or put it in the comments when you have time?
I believe this is the link you are looking for. https://modernmrsdarcy.com/reading-life-challenge/
Your New Year’s Day sounds much more exciting (and relaxing) than ours—we’re finishing up the week-long process of painting our kitchen cabinets ourselves, lol 🙂
Happy New Year! Off to go check some of these links out.
We removed wallpaper and painted our bedroom the week of Thanksgiving this year. It actually worked well to have a project to distract us from missing our families.
Thanks for the article about jigsaw puzzles. I usually pull my puzzle table out on Dec. 26 and leave it until I can get into my garden in the spring. This year it was never put away!
We have found jigsaw puzzles to be helpful to me – while my husband cooks our dinners we usually listen to an audiobook but my mind tends to drift. Working on a puzzle helps me focus.
Happy New Year!! That article about alcohol being a carcinogen is maddening — the coverup, the power of money — just so infuriating. Thank you for sharing it.
Great links! I am learning over the past year as well that I need to take care of myself and my dreams, like my job. I also had already planned to reduce the amount of alcohol I drink this year and this kind of clinched it. Glad to know I’m on the right path!!!
Thanks for the link regarding alcohol, the power of lobbies can be such a destructive force in our country. Upright Women Wanted was such a delightful surprise, thanks for the recommendation. I am adding Magic for Liars to my library holds list!
Thank you for consistently providing a wonderful blend of entertainment, inspiration, and intellectual stimulation. Your blog is a true haven for readers and thinkers alike.
Looking forward to the next installment of “Links I Love”!