What are you up to this weekend? I’m looking forward to Friday pizza night and seeing my oldest college kid do his sports thing tomorrow. And to start a new audiobook to go with the heaps and heaps of laundry waiting for me! Thankfully, I don’t mind sorting and folding nearly as much when I have a good story to keep me company. (Any recommendations?)
Will and I are also newly energized to tackle some house stuff we’ve been putting off for ages. Fingers crossed we can keep this momentum going for at least the next few days!
I hope you have something to look forward to this weekend, 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:
Here Is Every Book Banned in America. (Harper’s Bazaar) Banned Books Week is October 1-7.
We were never supposed to see our own faces this much. (Dazed Digital) “From mirrors to Zoom calls and TikToks, we are constantly faced with our own reflections – and it is completely changing the way we conceive of ourselves.
Remember how last week I said I was way too excited for my new lazy susans to arrive? They are here and they are GLORIOUS. After much searching I landed on The Everything Organizer turntables from The Container Store, because the reviews were solid (I concur) and the 11″ size perfectly fits my cabinets for maximum storage.
20 books by authors who have appeared on What Should I Read Next. (MMD) In honor of our 400th episode: 10 fiction and 10 nonfiction books we love written by our WSIRN author guests.
The Liberty London 2023 Beauty Advent Calendar is here! If you want this unapologetically luxurious gift for yourself or a friend, get yours now because they sell out every year. I just ordered mine for the third year running: the full size products from Augustinus Bader, Sunday Riley, 111 Skin, and Dr. Barbara Sturm made it (a little too easy) to justify.
Being There. (New York Times gift link) “At each new stage of life it was easier to say no to a friend than to say no to work, to a spouse, to one’s kids. And while each individual no can be understandable and even justifiable, the accumulation of noes suffocates friendships.”
I Baked the Internet’s 6 Most Popular Chocolate Chip Cookies and Found the Best I’ve Ever Had. (The Kitchn)
Hakim’s Bookstore, the city’s oldest African American bookstore, receives state marker after 64 years in business. (The Philadelphia Inquirer) What an amazing legacy.
Lisa Frank, My Little Pony, Caboodles. The ’90s called, and they’re coming for your kids. (Los Angeles Times) This took me right back!
I am loving J.Crew Factory’s fall staples, like this adorable tweed Schoolboy blazer that my whole family loved and told me I had to keep. I also tried the Schoolboy in the antique navy houndstooth, which is very nice-looking but lacks the WOW factor of the tweed. I like the longer line of the Herringbone wool-blend Holland blazer (still available in some sizes); I’ve been looking for a piece like this for forever (but I sized up to a 10 per some of the reviews and wish I hadn’t). The prices are GREAT right now, especially if you sign up for their free Passport rewards program. If it helps, I’m 5’9″ and my regular size in J.Crew blazers is an 8, which allows a bit of room for layers.
Librarians on the Front Lines: A Reading List for Library Lovers and Realists. (Longreads) Great collection of essays. Librarians need our support now more than ever.
10 Truly Easy Meals From Trader Joe’s. (Bon Appétit) I’m making a note for the next time I’m at TJs.
More shopping: my 16-year-old just picked up these Extra High-Waisted Pleated Taylor Wide-Leg Linen-Blend Trouser Pants at Old Navy and now I want my own pair. They are DARLING and such a great fall basic, and the price is sure right with now with their online sale. I’m also eyeing this LBD—as in Long Black Dress—while I’m at it.
These 183,000 Books Are Fueling the Biggest Fight in Publishing. (The Atlantic gift link) Have you seen authors sharing screenshots showing their books were used to teach AI? As this article explains, “AI-training practices are secretive and fundamentally nonconsensual.” I was dismayed to learn my first book Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything is one of those books.
Don’t miss these posts:
20 banned books I find myself recommending all the time. Banned Books Week is October 1-7.
20 historical mysteries featuring feisty female protagonists. I love this list!
10 of my favorite books to read over and over again. There are so many good reasons to revisit a favorite book.
Have a great weekend!
33 comments
I have an audiobook recommendation! I just finished The Last Devil to Die from the Thursday Murder Club series, and as with all the books, I loved it and the narration. Funny, tender, smart. Five stars.
The library has my hold in place! Hoping for a cozy weekend soon to listen to this one too.
Thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t read this series installment yet, but I loved the first one on audio!
Have a great weekend, Anne and team! I just listened to Foster on audiobook whose narration was lovely. I know it’s been on your best of lists but it’s a short 90 minute listen.
I adored this book in print, and I love to reread my favorites in a different format. Thanks for the suggestion!
I’m going to bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies. And while they’re still warm I will take them to the library to thank the librarians!
That sounds like a terrific start to EVERYONE’S weekend!
“Tom Lake”, as narrated by Meryl Streep, is all that and then some!
Claudia I agree! I’m in the middle of it and I hope it never ends!!
I loved that one on audio!
It was SO GOOD!!!
I’m listening to North Woods and it’s so interesting! Such a unique format!
I just finished that in print! I’m happy to hear that the audiobook is good as well.
That Sunday Riley Luna night oil (that is included in the advent calendar) is the one consistent in my skincare routine for the past several years! So good.
I’m also a fan!
Not sure if you’re really into fantasy, but I fell for the hype of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, and I’ve not been disappointed. Dragons are the coolest, especially when done well. I haven’t been so exhilarated by a tale since I read Percy Jackson. The audiobook narration is fantastic. It’s 20ish hours and they are just flying by (pardon the pun).
I can’t understand authors being annoyed at AI.Why not be flattered?Why not realise your work will offset the misinformation,the rubbish literature,the outright lies that have also been hoovered up?The sentiments being expressed seem almost anti-progress!
These companies used authors’ books — without their permission — to train AI. This is copyright infringement. They’ve used unauthorized copies of authors’ books to train AI. Infringement upon infringement. There has been no compensation for any of this.
Audio book – Mrs Plansky’s Revenge by Spencer Quinn- delightful
I recommend Bloomsbury Girls. Great on audio.
Does anyone ever suggest “A Prayer for Owen Meany”?? Fabulous book!
I’ve got a book on the Books3 database, too.
I’m so sorry to hear that.
Sorta related to topics of libraries and banned books:
https://lapl.org/libros-fest/authors 3 hours long Sept 29 virtual event may later be available on LAPL’s Youtube channel. Shows some of range of Hispanic culture thru authors & musicians from many Spanish speaking countries . Loved “Yunior y la magia de son jarocho” with Cesar Castro giving brief demo on how he learned to make stringed instrument that can’t be ordered online or bought in stores, only custom made for future owner. Cesar then plays one he made, with 2 musician friends–one playing on jarocho he made for especially for her.
Tho aimed at children and teachers, found very moving presentation by picture book author ANDRES LOPEZ. What was shown of their books seems to draw from personal experiences of feeling they didn’t fit into the world, trying to find community & friends. Adults may intuit reason for theme not explicitly given in books. I don’t recall titles but one was about a panther, and another a giant for whom “normal people” built a cello of doors, tables and other pieces of wood patched together.
Don’t know if their feelings expressed about Covid isolation in Spain are mentioned in their own books, but that’s another reason to try watching Festival de Libros event on Youtube.
Alex Sanchez also writes on related theme of Rainbow Boys. These and other featured books are likely to available from LA bookstore LA LIBRERIA, specializing in books for kids in Spanish.
I wanted to comment on the first link; the list of banned books, and the call to action to buy and support these books.
My reaction was this: just because I am a subscriber (and have been for 3 or 4 years), is there an assumption that my personal outlook on banned books matches those of all subscribers?
And stepping back, I have the same questions I ALWAYS have when someone talks about banned books. Banned where? In elementary schools? In high schools? In college libraries? In public libraries? And by who? Teachers, administrators, the school systems themselves? The alumni, the city council? The lack of specifics is frustrating.
I’m not going to get into my personal viewpoint of banned books; I think we all know exactly how that would turn out. I will say that, based on the first amendment of our constitution, no book should ever be totally banned. But I also believe that guard rails should be placed around libraries in schools, especially elementary schools. As for college libraries and the adult section of a public library, being over the age of 18 makes you an adult with adult freedoms, including the right to read whatever you please.
My point is this; please be careful of widespread assumptions. I personally get so much out of your emails; I have a folder in my email where I keep them all. But if you imagine I (and perhaps other subscribers) am in lock-step with the personal opinions of other subscribers, that is an error. You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. I am as well.
I’m not a subscriber or member of Patreon (I’d love to join the book club here but fear my dissenting opinions would be unwelcome – I disliked The Downstairs Girl oh-so-much). But I would like to thank you, Kristine, for your post; and tell you I feel the same way.
Hi Kristine, thanks for reading (and for that special folder!).
Of course there’s no assumption that every subscriber here is in lock-step on their opinions, beliefs, and assumptions! Links I Love highlights “interesting” reads and favorite things; these topics are often nuanced, complex, and highly discussable. They couldn’t possibly reflect the views of every reader, and are not meant to do so.
Thank you for responding, Anne! The folder is helpful when I want to go back to re-read posts for recommendations or other reader’s comments!
Banner on library catalog homepage https://www.lapl.org/banned contains this link to American Library Association https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship/faq
Just to add my 2¢ about banned books. I work in elementary school libraries. I finally got around to reading Gender Queer, which is one of the most-banned books lately.
I would not have this book in this current form in an elementary school library. That doesn’t make me a book-banner. It makes me an adult trying to do the responsible thing and protect younger kids from information they probably are not ready for. If the author wanted to create a version for younger readers, with less detail, that may have a place in a school library. But even then I would have the parents of kids wanting to read it sign a “mature book” permission slip.
The author of this book was clearly working through some very complicated and painful episodes while growing up. I have no idea how many other people have faced the same situations. This book would have value to older (high school students) in the original form. Those kids at that age are better prepared to digest all that information.
Banned books are such a huge buzzword, and actual banning does happen. But let’s not let responsibility and censorship be confused. That benefits no one.
A Couple of books I have reread more than twice — The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben, Devotions by Mary Oliver, Simple Abundance by Sarah Breathnach, Our Town by Thorton Wilder, Vein of Gold by Julia Cameron, Queen of the Desert by Janet Wallach, Night Circus by Erin Morganstern, Spell of the Sensous by David Abram, The Outermost House by henry Beston, Seedtime and Harvest by Mary E. Pearce, Reflections on Riverwalking by Kathleen Dean Moore, Twenty Years a-Growing by Maurice O’Sullivan.
I just learned from the Washington Post’s weekly books newsletter that Ken Follett has a new book out. The reviewer reviews audiobooks and she really liked it. I’ll be grabbing that for my Kindle for sure.
Just finished the audio of Beth Moore’s memoir, All My Knotted Up Life. She reads it herself, and explains the accents at the beginning. Highly recommended!