a lifestyle blog for book lovers

Readers, you’re not dreaming: it’s not the weekend quite yet! Since we’ll host Quick Lit on Friday, July 15, I thought you might prefer to have this collection of interesting reads and favorite things at the ready on Thursday. I hope you enjoy this week’s round up.

This week is unusual in more ways than one: yesterday was my birthday! I’m writing up a not-exactly birthday reflection for a weekend newsletter so keep an eye out for that (and subscribe here if you’re not on the list).

My favorite finds from around the web:

  • Fantasy Failed to See Me, So I Wrote Myself In. Nice reflection from V.E. Schwab. “There’s a reason so many people who don’t see themselves in the hero find themselves in the villain. Villains move perpendicular instead of parallel. Their presence disrupts the story. They are unabashedly, unashamedly themselves.”

On the podcast:

This week’s episode has been a long time in the making! I hope you agree it was worth the wait. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or right here with the player below.

Don’t miss these posts:

Upcoming Events:

  • August 2: Book signing at Sundog Books in Seaside, Florida: I’ll be there at 12:00pm central time with my new kids’ journal My Reading Adventures.

You can find more upcoming events here.

Have a great weekend!

50 comments

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  1. Taylor says:

    Happy Birthday a day late! My 30th birthday was on Tuesday and I was taking time to reflect on my 20s and what I hope for in my 30s, so I’m excited to read your birthday reflection.

  2. Diana Smith says:

    Happy Birthday Anne! You have the same birthday as my daughter. What a special treat of home made ice cream for your birthday!

  3. Sarah says:

    Happy Birthday!
    I love reading about the uptick of independent bookstores opening and doing so well. In the early years of our marriage, my husband and I had a nice Friday night routine. We would grab a bite to eat somewhere and head to one of a couple bookstores. I miss those bookstores!

  4. Allison says:

    While I appreciate the latest info on sunscreen for the eye area, it sounds super tricky to me. And what if you begin to sweat, or rub your eye for some reason, and that sunscreen should then end up in your eyes anyway? I still think your best bet is a good pair of UVA-deflecting sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, which will help not only your eye area, but your whole face.

  5. Sandy says:

    From the big book TBR suggestions, I have read four of them, and recommend them:
    – Five Days at Memorial;
    – Wild Swans;
    – Resistance Women;
    – 1Q84.

  6. Adrienne says:

    Happy Belated Birthday!
    The images from the James Webb telescope are simply amazing! Out of this world in fact… Oh that was a bad pun! The key lime ice-cream looks delicious – will have to give that recipe a try. Thanks for sharing the links.

  7. ADC says:

    Happy belated birthday! Wishing you many healthy and joyful returns of the day. ♥️

    I was one of the – apparently – very few people who truly loathed Crawdads. I tried several times and thought it was appalling. Had no idea about Delia Owens’ past but it helps to explain (a bit) part of why I disliked the book so much. It felt patronizing and heavily stereotyped in ways that condescended to populations I was fairly certain the author wasn’t part of.

    Rather than putting sunscreen on your eyelids, wear sunglasses! We have a family history of macular degeneration and I recently learned in talking with my optometrist that one of the best things you can do for your eyes is wear UV protection (sunglasses) to reduce your risk of many eye conditions. My eyes are very light blue so I always wear sunglasses outside and often inside (i joke – sort of – that I only collect two things, books and sunglasses). I do it for comfort but was happy to hear there are actual health benefits as well. For others who wonder, as I did, whether it matters if they are polarized, it does not. The UV protection is what you’re after. Your face will appreciate a wide brimmed hat, too. 😉

    Happy reading, fellow book lovers! 📕

  8. Andrea says:

    I love Rebekah Taussig’s writing (both in “Sitting Pretty” and on her Instagram). Another potential read for Disability Pride month (and any and all months) is “My Body Is Not a Prayer Request” by Amy Kenny. I haven’t read it yet but the audiobook is on my TBR and is available on Scribd.

  9. Kari says:

    Happy birthday! Yesterday was my birthday too! Thanks for the warning about the new Persuasion! Now I know not to get excited about it.

  10. Pam says:

    Happy belated birthday, Anne! We share a birthday, as well as a love of reading! Many happy returns.

    Spent my birthday visiting the public library, then home to watch Belfast on library DVD, and start reading Bomb Shelter by Philpott, as my holds had finally come in. Also welcomed the plumber unexpectedly, and we topped off the day with a birthday supper of seafood lasagna and chocolate fudge cake. An eventful but good birthday, thanks to you (book recommendation!), the plumber (speedy work) and my hubby, haha.

  11. Patricia says:

    My version of the not so grand adventure, the summer bucket list. All the fun things I want to do (or have already done this summer).
    1. go to the zoo (actually I zoo walk every Thursday and took granddaughter last week).
    2. eat outside on the terrace every evening, weather permitting.
    3. take a picnic to Golden Gardens (nearby beach)
    4. eat cherries as often as possible … falling behind on this one
    5 make key lime pie or lemon ice box pie … perfect summer food
    6. listen to music outside somewhere (did that last week and again today).
    7. ice cream with blackberry sauce should be on this list somewhere
    8. every kind of ice cream should be on this list (except coffee flavor)
    9. check out the Nordstrom sale (stuff on the way)
    10.read beach books
    11. watch the best of the summer blockbusters … nothing like a summer action flick.
    12. goof off.
    13. take a day trip, maybe Mt Rainier or Whidby island? (taking the ferry to Vashon Island on Friday.
    14. S’mores should be on this list…

    • Liza Beam says:

      Patricia-coffee ice cream is the best!! You can’t live in or adjacent to Seattle and not know that. haha

      What a great list!! I went to Spokane for an outdoor concert a few weeks ago, on a non-traditionally cold June evening in Eastern Washington.

    • Sheri says:

      Patricia, your list sounds great, especially the trip to Whidbey Island! My daughter lives there and I’m in Florida so I don’t get to see her nearly enough! Enjoy your summer!

  12. Laura says:

    I haven’t watched the Persuasion movie yet, but I was very disappointed in the trailer. Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen book and it does not seem like the adaptation is going to be very good.

    • Anne Bogel says:

      Karen, I just wanted to say I am still so disappointed that the cancellation of my 2020 book tour meant I didn’t get to visit Foxtale as planned that year. I’ve heard wonderful things about your store and am very much looking forward to visiting in person. Please keep up the good work; we readers appreciate you so much.❤️

  13. I good book (not brand new) to go with the ice cream–The Ice Cream Makers–https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2018/07/19/two-new-ice-cream-books-a-novel-and-a-cookbook/

  14. Biz says:

    I have very sensitive eyes. Several years ago Clinique had a fantastic SPF eye cream but by the time I was ready to my my second tube they’d discontinued it. I switched to the Supergoop, but a couple of years ago it was reformulated and the new formula has a tint and I can only assume the tint is the problem because it irritates the heck out of my eyes. So the search continues.

  15. Leanne says:

    Anne, have a great time in Seaside, FL. I remember Sundog Books from when we used to visit my sister-in-law at her beach condo. That whole area is truly an experience.

  16. Rachel says:

    Happy belated birthday Anne! Homemade ice cream is awesome. Disability Pride reads I could hug you. Thank you so much for seeing me, us, disabled people, when much of the wider world wants us to stay invisible and silent.

  17. Rachel says:

    My sisters, sister-in-law, and I are planning to watch the new “Persuasion” this Saturday to destroy it amongst ourselves. . . if we can get through it. I could barely get through the preview, and I think one sister watched it on mute.

  18. Kathy Rogers says:

    I’ve searched and cannot find the post where you recommended them, but I have to thank you for pointing me to the Sun-San Saltwater sandals. I bought a navy blue pair (navy + white = summer uniform) and they are the BEST. My feet are stupid sensitive, like they’re made of tissue paper and rose petals. I get blisters if you look at my feet too hard. These are sturdy and comfortable! I’m thinking about getting another color. Yay! Thanks so much!

  19. ADC says:

    I must recommend the new Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris movie for those wishing for entertainment indoors to beat the summer heat. Delightful!

  20. Jenn N says:

    I knew nothing about the new Persuasion going into it – Netflix recommended it to me and I LOVED it. Now that I’m looking at the article and comments I’m seeing I’m clearly in the minority but I thought it was hilarious and so fun and fresh! My husband even snorted out loud during one moment although he was pretending not to watch. What a scathing review though. Just had to go on record as one of the movie’s (only?) defenders!

  21. Kathy Rogers says:

    I have made the key lime ice cream. It’s waiting in the freezer for after dinner, so we haven’t yet enjoyed the full experience. But the scrape-the-freezer-bowl tastes? –swoon– Thanks for the link!

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