What are you up to this weekend? I’m letting out a giant exhale because as of this afternoon all four of my kids—middle school, high school, and college—will be DONE with school for another year, and wow does it feel good!
Now that our 2023 Summer Reading Guide is out, we’re easing into our summer rhythms here at Modern Mrs Darcy, and I want you to know what to expect. This season I’m welcoming a few team members to “guest host” Links I Love, starting next week with MMD editor Leigh Kramer’s appearance in this space. I’m excited to see what she shares! Leigh is a longtime friend and I’m lucky to personally benefit from her keen eye and good taste; I’m thrilled she’ll be sharing both right here.
I hope you have something to look forward to this weekend, that you get a moment to fully exhale, and that this collection of interesting reads and favorite things helps ease you into that weekend frame of mind.
My favorite finds from around the web:
Our MMD 2023 Summer Reading Guide is out! Get your copy here.
Amanda Gorman on her inauguration poem being banned from Miami school: ‘I am gutted.’ (Los Angeles Times) This is the best synopsis I can find of this week’s events.
Inside the Delirious Rise of ‘Superfake’ Handbags. (The New York Times gift link) Counterfeits and dupes have long been an issue for high fashion labels. If you’ve read Counterfeit by Kristin Chen you’ve gotta read this piece!
The Anonymous Postcard That Inspired a French Best-Seller. (The New Yorker) Great profile of the author and behind the scenes on The Postcard, a 2023 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide selection. It makes me even more excited to talk with translator Tina Kover with MMD Book Club in July.
My new favorite cleaning tool: we love our yellow lab Daisy but don’t love that dog hair is everywhere. I found this little pet hair remover with the help of google and it has been magic on our upholstered furniture and wool-blend rugs.
Mansfield Park and patience. (Laura Vanderkam) “Ten pages doesn’t take that long. Because it’s such a small daily requirement, I actually read the ten pages… I feel a certain patience with the whole process, because I know that if I stick with it, I will be done.” For more about Laura’s reading endeavors, listen to WSIRN #359: Making big reading goals a reality.
How to Make Mystical ‘Fairy Butter’. (Atlas Obscura) Yum.
Laura Dave breaks down Last Thing He Told Me finale and what she imagines for a sequel. (Entertainment Weekly) Spoilers ahead! My family had big feelings about the finale and enjoyed talking over this piece together.
I’m loving this adorable crossbody bag from Target and this summery straw version from Madewell (30% off for the weekend).
A daily nap has a surprising benefit that has nothing to do with your energy levels. (Stylist) I’ve never been much of a napper but this makes me want to be!
‘The Color Purple’ Musical Trailer: Fantasia Barrino Stars in Emotional First Glimpse of New Movie. (People) Coming to theaters December 25.
Do you need a Pemberley shirt for the summertime? I thought so.
The Secret Ingredient Italian-American Chefs Love to Use. (The Takeout) I love hot cherry peppers and we keep them on hand, yet I still didn’t realize the possibilities!
Tolkien’s Middle-Earth wasn’t a place. It was a time in (English) history. (Big Think) Interesting theory.
From our archives:
12 recommended reads for those who dream of traveling to Scotland. Whether you’re planning a trip to Scotland or simply looking for some armchair travel, we’ve got you covered!
11 juicy memoirs to toss in your beach bag this summer.
15 re-readable middle grade novels that adults will love, too. The comments are a treasure trove!
Have a great weekend!
13 comments
Oh my gosh, I have been wanting to try that Uproot Cleaner ever since I saw it on Instagram (I have 3 cats). I have read probably every review on Amazon, and I *still* wasn’t sure if it really worked. Good to know a real person says it does! I think I’ll get it now! Thanks for sharing, and have an enjoyable weekend!
I love it!
Hey Anne,
I’m sending an email with the relevant link, but wanted to make sure you get the info. Someobe has plagiarized this post word for word. They changed the byline and a few very small details and posted it elsewhere. I’ll email you the link. I’m sometimes surprised about how visceral my disgust is at actions like this!
Hi Anne—
With respect, Amanda Gorman’s poem was not banned or restricted in a Miami school. The school committee only suggested it was more appropriate for middle school age. It’s a beautiful poem, and I’m glad it remains available.
I never leave blog comments, but I it’s difficult to stay quiet when legacy media outlets-on both sides-mislead us.
I really enjoy your blog and the great book recs you give us, thank you and keep up the good work!
Megan-
When you restrict access to a book, or limit the people who can read it (elementary school kids, in this case), that is a ban.
Kate-
The poem remains available and accessible to all students at the Miami Dade school which is a K-8 school. It was moved to the middle school section of the school Media Center (what they call their library), no students are restricted from checking out the poem.
https://www.snopes.com/news/2023/05/24/amanda-gorman-book-florida-school-ban/
Kate, my issue isn’t book bans, I love Amanda Gorman’s poem. My issue is poor, inaccurate reporting by legacy news media on the right and the left.
We may hear a lot about “book bans” without hearing the details of how that happens. This piece sheds light on the specifics and how access to this particular title was indeed curtailed. Also: I love and value our comments section, but the number of first-time comments we receive here from readers who only enter the comments section to criticize and not for the purpose of connection or deeper understanding is wearying. I am a real person on the other side of the screen, and my team is made up of real people, too. I appreciate that you identify yourself as a longtime reader and not a first-time visitor to our community but do wish you had chosen a different way to enter the comments section for the first time.
Anne, I apologize, it was not my intent to offend or discourage you in any way. Please forgive me.
Hi Anne! If anyone is looking for a cozy quick read for all ages, I recommend “Things to Look Forward To” by Sophie Blackall. She wrote it during the pandemic and her illustrations are lovely, and the hopefulness if delightful.
https://www.sophieblackall.com/books-for-grownups
A Scotland book I recommend is “ The Bookstore on the Corner”.
Hooray for the daily nap article! Glad science backs up what I want to do. 😂
I have the Chom-Chom pet hair remover and it is outstanding. This weekend I will be finishing the last 100 pages of The covenant of water. I don’t want it to end. Whe I received it I decided to read 50 pages a day – patience to get through the 700 pages. I will use this method for future tomes
I love the daily nap article lol! I am also a big fan of hot cherry peppers!