a lifestyle blog for book lovers

What are you up to this weekend? My own first priority is to stock up on coffee for the weekend, because we inadvertently emptied our little coffee can this morning! (Do you have a favorite this decaf devotee should try?)

I hope you have something fun to look forward to this weekend, and that this collection of interesting reads and enjoyable things helps ease you into that weekend frame of mind.

My favorite finds from around the web:

  • We tried this beef stew recipe last weekend and it was delicious. (Per Deb’s suggestion, and so as to avoid a grocery trip, I halved the mustard.)
  • Welcome to Colonoscopy Land. Helpful, detailed PSA that I wish I’d had before my first colonoscopy at 39 due to family history. Don’t skip these screenings!
  • My daughters are obsessed with these skincare face masks. (Remember the days when “face mask” always made you think “skin care” and not “virus?”)
  • What Min Jin Lee Wants Us to See. “Learning how to write stories is really different from writing the facts. I’ve thought about this a lot. Every day is chaos, right? How do I create cosmos? How do I get you to change your mind? That’s going to require you to feel something.”

Don’t miss these posts:

Upcoming Events:

  • March 9: Let’s Talk About Funny Books: A Conversation with Amy Poeppel: What books make us laugh? In this deep dive into the funny books genre, we’ll talk about what makes a book funny, how a story balances drama and humor, and how a writer injects serious moments of catastrophe and tragedy with humor. We’ll also be joined by Amy Poeppel, author of Musical Chairs. (This is a Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club event.)

You can find more upcoming events here.

Have a great weekend!

28 comments

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  1. Eileen says:

    I had read that fascinating NYT article about book publishing and immediately thought, Anne Bogel would love this! I guess I was not wrong. When I was a kid my father (not at all mechanical) brought our family to factory tours all around the country as entertainment, education, appreciation, and primarily admiration. I have always found them fascinating! (sugar cane, breweries, cigarette factories, etc.). I have continued with my kids, but more fun (and tasty) places like ice cream, candy, chocolate, and pretzel factories, with the odd textile mill thrown in.

  2. Danielle Diehl says:

    My husband only drinks decaf coffee in the afternoon. I bought him Cometeer decaf and he loves it. Said it’s some of the best he’s ever had. Plus the container is fully recyclable.

  3. Terrill says:

    Love your blog posts and have followed from the beginning. I have a request. Any chance you could put which publication the articles are from so I know whether I subscribe or not and if I want to risk potentially using any of my few free articles from them? Even just a (NYT) or (Atlantic) etc at the end of each title

    Thanks so much- I truly appreciate you.

  4. Heidi says:

    We have a subscription to gillespie.coffee and love it! We alternate between the Absolved decaf blend and whichever single origin decaf is available. All are wonderful, and I think the owner (a Lutheran pastor) ships within 24 hours of roasting the beans!!

  5. Megan says:

    I don’t know if you have a Safeway near you but if you do, their O Organics Decaf French Roast is my favorite! I stock up whenever we visit family on the east coast!

  6. Sheri Warren says:

    If you are near a Kroger or one of its affiliates, I recommend Simple Truth Organic 100% Peruvian Decaf. I mix mine with caffeinated coffee, but I would drink the decaf alone and black, which I never do. It’s so smooth and not bitter that it needs no sweetener or cream. I almost cry when my store is out of it.

  7. Fiona says:

    You asked what we’re doing this weekend? It’s my daughter’s birthday and she has asked to go to an escape room. It will be our first time. It’s a King Arthur theme.

  8. Kate says:

    Siver Bridge Coffee is in the midwest (Ohio) and has great decaf flavors. My faves are Highlander Grogg, Snow Angel and Pumpkin Spice.

  9. Jodi Frederick says:

    I definitely recommend the Peru Norte Organic MWP Decaf from Z Street Coffee Roasters. Kellen Pechacek’s parents own this company and their coffee is the only coffee in my home.

  10. Aimee says:

    I was really hoping there might be a list of books set in or about Ukraine. Was just thinking yesterday I can’t recall ever reading a book set there and really wish I had. While we will have basketball games and church and reading, our hearts are also breaking for the loss of life and trampling of democracy taking place.

    • Ann W. says:

      I recently read the book “The Last Green Valley” by Mark Sullivan. It is historical fiction set at the beginning of WWII. It starts out as a family fleeing the Ukraine as the Soviets advance. It was a very good book, and ironically/sadly seems relevant to today.

      • Aimee says:

        Thank you for the recommendation, Ann! Checking to see if the library has it and if not, the bookstore! Reading is, for me, like music for so many. It allows (enables?) me to feel the emotions I don’t know what to do with sometimes. Thanks again.

  11. Susan says:

    I needed the colonoscopy article 2 weeks ago. I had my first one last Saturday. The part of the article where the author talks about privilege really resonated with me. I was able to have mine on a Saturday so I didn’t miss work and the facility was very nice. How many put it off because they can’t afford it or it’s not convenient?

  12. Jaime says:

    I order coffee from the Coffee Fool. They have a big selecton of decaf coffees, including flavored varieties. My favorite is two parts Vienna Roast to one part Creme Brulee.

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