a lifestyle blog for book lovers

What are you up to this weekend? Last night we grilled for the first time this year, so it’s really starting to feel like spring around here. Tomorrow I’m looking forward to watching my college kid’s first track meet (that I get to see, at least) and having a special family dinner. And finishing a good book, of course!

I hope you have something to look forward to this weekend, and that this collection of links and things I’m enjoying these days help ease you into that weekend frame of mind.

My favorite finds from around the web:

  • What If We Just Stopped Being So Available? “Having multiple obligations and priorities means that we are, all of us, in a perpetual state of delay on something, and apologizing for that fact feels like having to apologize for your standard mode of being.”
  • I’m loving the new spring colors for these American Giant slub tees, my absolute favorites. (Because they sponsor What Should I Read Next I have a code for you: Get 20% off your first order when you use promo code DARCY.)
  • This Ina Garten tart is a perfect dessert for a spring weekend. (We often just plunk a bunch of sliced fresh fruit right on top.)

Don’t miss these posts:

Have a great weekend!

19 comments

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    • Anne says:

      I can speak to my experience with the slub tees: the fabric is heftier than that of any other tee I’ve worn, and while it’s not 100% opaque, I definitely wouldn’t call it see-through. I also have shades of blue, green, yellow, navy, black in the slub tee and you can’t see a thing through any of those. I hope this helps!

  1. Heather Richardson says:

    I am always perusing your lists for books my mum might enjoy. She is 94 and has lost her sight reading so audiobooks are her only real activity, so I thank you for your lists, Books to recommend to Grandma might be a good list.
    But now I find myself looking for something for me. I just this week received a diagnosis of cancer, and I feel I need books that uplift, feel good stories without mush. Something to distract me from my woes, and the war and the plague and the post-whatever-it-is times we live in. I am probably delusional – there is no joy without sorrow, but right now I feel like my sorrow cup is overflowing

    • Natalie says:

      Hi Heather,
      I too, am sad to hear of your diagnosis. I will put you in my prayers and send love and healing your way! One thing that worked for my mom when she was diagnosed and going through treatments was laughter. I know that may be hard right now but what worked for her/us was watching funny movies.
      For books, I really enjoy contemporary romances by Christian Lauren and Abby Jimenez as they make me laugh and recently I also read the 2 books in the HitMom series by Elle Cosimano, which were very entertaining. Hope this helps!

      • Fiona says:

        If you want an uplifting book, try How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior. An easy read about an elderly woman who goes to Antartica.

    • Adrienne says:

      So sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Heather, and you are in my prayers. I enjoyed ‘Miss Benson’s Beetle,’ and found it to be uplifting and hilarious, and not mushy at all.

  2. Barbara LH says:

    As usual – enjoy your Friday lists…
    but FYI, I had trouble with two of the links.
    My McAfee said that the one to the hedgehog tape dispenser was to a suspicious site – so I didn’t go further.
    And the one about books as decor went to Wash Post – behind a paywall.

    • Anne says:

      Oh no! The hedgehog goes to Target; I’m sorry you’re getting that message. I just updated the WaPo article as a gift link so you can bypass the paywall. 🙂

  3. Adrienne says:

    I LOVE the hedgehog tape dispenser! So cute… I was looking forward to doing some weeding and pruning in my flower beds tomorrow, but alas, it is pouring with rain today, so they will be far too muddy. So… change of plans… I am going to make tamales tomorrow instead. My daughter has perfected tamale-making, and armed with her recipe and instructions, I hope to make several dozen to stock in the freezer.

  4. Missy G says:

    Sanderson has already raised over $30 million with his Kickstarter! Whoa. I think it’s a fabulous idea! I could see kickstarter campaigns really taking off for romance authors, mainly of whom self-publish already.

  5. Tammy says:

    I really enjoyed the articles about being less available and choosing long haul items. These are two things that I think about often. I yearn for the days before pagers, cell phones, emails, etc. I like the idea of choosing favorite, well loved items that last over random splurges (which I participate in often when stressed!) My daughter and I saw that cute hedgehog tape dispenser at Target over the weekend!

  6. Fiona says:

    The article about Slow Cooking reminded me of an interesting book – In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore. He also has a ted talk.

  7. Ann says:

    I am always fascinated to read about new developments and theories about Stonehenge. I saw the PBS-Nova episode about where the bluestones came from in Wales and the time/effort it took to move them there. What that must been like to be a pilgrim journeying to Stonehenge for a ceremony. Wow!

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