Greetings from Alabama, where temps are expected to reach 101 this weekend and I am expected to enjoy a cold beverage indoors with my book. I’m excited to start Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. I know, I’m a little behind the curve here.
I’m glad to be sharing Links with you all this week in Anne’s stead. I’m Chief of Staff at MMD and EA to Anne, which really just means I’m that person on the tarmac waving those orange wands in different directions. I wish you all a wonderful weekend and a happy July 4th!
My favorite finds from around the web:
The Best Books of 2023 (So Far). (Barnes and Noble) I had fun perusing these offbeat categories, like “The Best Books Starring Octopi” and “The Best Novels to Read While Patiently Waiting for the Next Thursday Murder Club Novel From Richard Osman.”
USA TODAY Best-selling Booklist is back: How to find the list made for book lovers. (USA Today) After 6 months off, USA Today’s best-selling booklist returns.
I’ve been on the hunt for affordable, not-too-tight and not-too-loose, linen pants for summer since April, and (after a failed Amazon purchase and 3.5 hours in dressing rooms) I finally found them. Let me introduce you to the Old Navy high-waisted linen-blend pants.
I read two thought provoking pieces after Cormac McCarthy’s passing, which are perhaps best consumed in conversation with each other: The Reader in Mind Is Me (Biblioracle Substack) and The Final Triumph of Cormac McCarthy (1933-2023) (The Honest Broker Substack). I think these writers ask good questions about the literary canon and the purpose of art, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in response!
The Science of Procrastination—and How to Really Get Stuff Done. (The Ringer–Plain English Podcast) I enjoyed this episode of the “Plain English” podcast and can very much relate to opening 17 tabs and clicking between them instead of completing a single task.
Seeing the Light on Religious Fiction. (Publisher’s Weekly) I appreciated this take and it prompted me to peruse previous Christy Award winners. (Becoming Mrs. Lewis by recent MMD Book Club guest Patti Callahan Henry is a favorite around MMD land.)
When summertime rolls around, I want easy makeup staples I don’t have to think about. I’ve loved this Thrive Causmetics lipstick for years now, largely because 50% of the time, lipsticks inflame my lips and this one doesn’t! It’s great for sensitive skin and easy to wear.
The Booker Prize announced their all-new podcast, launching July 6, which will feature deep dives into previous Booker winners, interviews, and a segment prescribing books as remedies to listeners’ dilemmas.
Summer is for hodgepodge charcuterie board lunches, and I can’t emphasize to you enough how you need these Strawberry & Jalapeño Crisps from Trader Joe’s to go with your fave cheese.
Don’t miss these posts:
10 captivating memoirs about life’s ordinary (yet extraordinary) moments. Need a dose of comfort or encouragement?
Sweet treats for the summer heat. Let’s talk about ice cream!
17 sparkling and suspenseful novels set on the stage or the screen. Looking for the perfect drama to sweep you away?
Have a great weekend!
About the author
Baylee Pendleton is our Chief of Staff and Anne’s Executive Assistant. Her go-to genres are compulsively readable literary fiction and mystery.
17 comments
I bought the lipstick and accompanying lip liner! Thanks!
I second the rec on the Old Navy pants. I bought the tapered linen blend ones. Love them!
You have to be a subscriber to access the articles on Cormac McCarthy. 😭😭
No, you actually don’t. Just click “keep reading”….the font is subtle. I was here to comment how much I appreciated these articles. I read both The Passenger and Stella Maris and was BLOWN AWAY. I was very interested in learning more about Cormac McCarthy and his thought process in writing these books, but there isn’t much out there. The interview for the high school students gives a lot of insight into the man.
Tina, you should be able to click “continue reading” where it asks you to log in. I was able to read both articles that way.
Thank you, Baylee. I am putting those TJ crackers on my list.
I hope you enjoy!!
What a great assortment of fun things – thanks, Baylee!
So cool that Booker is doing a podcast! I really miss the Guardian books podcast, hopefully this will help satisfy the craving for good, literary British literature discussion. Thanks for sharing 🙂 stay cool, this weather is no joke!
I appreciate the article on Religious Fiction. It has come a long way over the years as seen by the authors mentioned and the Christy award winners. Thank you for including this.
Thank you for the great links and the ice cream discussions. Have a great weekend everyone.
I am just starting Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow now too!! Loving it so far!
Blue bunny ice cream. Who could resist an ice cream called bunny tracks from a line of ice cream called blue bunny? It got me hooked! And good tasting, too. And I like the looks of those pants too, but why or why can’t they do sizes by numbers? What does a size 18 (I know it’s large, but just how large is large?) translate to? XL? XXL?
Aaargh!
Just a shout out to the MMD website. I love Friday links! Thank you for not removing all your content and putting it in a Substack newsletter. Everyone I follow seems to be going behind a Substack paywall for what is basically blog content. Thanks Anne for keeping this community open for everyone.
Baylee, are you in any past episodes of WSIRN?
P.S. I LOVE your hair!
Stephanie, that’s so kind! I am not as of now…maybe one day 😉
Thank you for the blog post. I loved reading the articles about Mcarthy and his work.
The linen blend pants from Old Navy look great! I love linen as well.