What are you up to this weekend? It’s been an exhausting week here, and I’m hoping to carve out a little down time for baking, reading, and maybe even a fall hike.
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:
Michelle Williams’s Role of a Lifetime (Britney’s Audiobook). (The Cut) I’ve heard great things about her performance.
Informational nonfiction that made a real difference in my life. (MMD) “Not only have these titles indisputably enriched my life, they’ve brought me enjoyable reading experiences as well.”
“I don’t read. I don’t read any books. Every book is just the most words. It doesn’t let up. Every page is more words…. Put some blank pages in there. Let me get my head above water for two seconds.” We loved watching Nate Bargatze host SNL last week! The bookish part (if we can call it that) of his opening monologue (on YouTube) is great (and starts at 7:58); Washington’s Dream cracked me up even more.
I’m making my first batch of these Baked Apple Cider Donuts this weekend. (NYT Cooking gift link) These treats have quickly become a family tradition: they’re sooo good! We don’t have a donut pan so I bake mine as muffins and they turn out wonderfully every time.
Kiley Reid’s Real World. (Publishers Weekly) Great interview.
Protecting your mental health is not the same as looking away. (Shannon Watts substack) “Certainly, taking a break is not a privilege afforded to people who are in the middle of a humanitarian crisis, but what victims of violence actually need is for all of us to get engaged and to stay engaged in the fight for our humanity — not for a week or a month, but for as long as it takes… the only way to stay in the fight longterm is to protect both my mental and physical health.”
Confessions of a Pop-Tarts Taste Tester. (The New York Times gift link) I would have loved doing this when I was a kid.
The Author Fighting Back Against Book Bans. (Esquire) aka New Bookstore Alert! I’m finding myself in Indy more frequently these days and hope I get to visit soon.
We have a full puzzle roundup coming your way soon! In the meantime feast your eyes on this Michael Storrings Christmas in the City puzzle, the first (but not the last) jigsaw we added to our collection this season.
The Struggle Is Awesome. (Runner’s World) “‘It took me a long time to learn that it doesn’t matter what you look like or what pace you run,’ she says. ‘If you want to be a runner, you’re a runner.'”
Five Women Bringing New Life to Nonfiction. (Shondaland) “While fiction can include fantastic world-building — or at the very least, an alternative view of real-world events — nonfiction gives us a glimpse into how the world actually works. What is our shared history? Where do we find our joy? And how do we sand down the rough edges of society so more people can thrive?”
It’s good to remember: We are all on borrowed time. (Washington Post gift link) From Anne Lamott: “So many indignities are involved in aging, and yet so many graces, too. The perfectionism that had run me ragged and has kept me scared and wired my whole life has abated. The idea of perfectionism at 60 is comical when, like me, you’ve worn non-matching black flats out on stage.”
Inside Selena Gomez’s beauty juggernaut: The Rare Beauty founder on makeup, Gen Z, and navigating social media. (Fast Company) Impressive profile.
Speaking of Rare Beauty: the Sephora sale is on! I shared some of my shopping list in last week’s links. It goes through November 6 so I have a few more days to scoop up fun and practical items for holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. (Can I also say I am so bummed the Rare Beauty Blush & Glow set is sold out? If you have suggestions for what I should get instead, I’d love to hear them!)
The Makings Of A Literary It Girl. (Nylon) “What really makes them influential is the creative ways they stage and elevate their work — both on the page and in persona.”
Don’t miss these posts:
Build your kids’ libraries with these wonderful, beautiful books.
The little luxuries that make you feel pampered every time you use them. For something to feel luxurious it has to feel appreciated—by you.
12 adventure-filled audiobooks for your next family road trip. Happy travels!
Have a great weekend!
13 comments
HI. Love these posts. Do you know how we can read The NY Times articles you link to if we don’t have a subscription? Thanks!
Apologies, I initially published this with a regular link but swapped in a gift link—you should be able to read it without a subscription!
Our public library allows patrons to read the NY Times online and free with their library card – even when you aren’t in the library. You have to go through the library’s website and get a code. You will have to set up a NY Times account. Another great reason to use the library!
I just clicked on her link and was able to read the whole article. I don’t have a NYT subscription either but I almost always am able to read Anne’s gift links.
I liked that running article. I run. I run very slowly and do the Jeff Galloway run/walk/run method, and I don’t enter races or set big goals because I’m not interested. My only goal is to run every other day or at least three times a week for a minute of 20 minutes, and often I run much longer than that. I don’t use a tracker, don’t measure my distance, don’t time myself. I just love getting out there, going farther than I can with just walking, the feel of getting my heart rate up, and the time spent with a good audiobook or podcast in my ears. I’ve been doing this for several years and am getting better at resisting the “I’m not a runner if I don’t race or run fast or set goals” voices that sometimes pop up in my head.
(EDIT: …minimum of 20 minutes)
Deirdre – I love this. I have been looking to start running again but I’m so much older and slower now and it’s hard to get up the courage to get out there. I appreciate your approach!
Poison cookie shop on Etsy has some adorable cookie cutters with bookish themes you will love❤️
Thank you so much for sharing the story about Loudmouth Books and Leah Johnson’s inspiring efforts to ensure marginalized voices are not silenced! I grew up in Indiana and will be paying a visit next time I’m back.
Have a relaxing weekend, Anne and team. Thanks for the Anne LaMott gift link on aging and gratitude. She is a gem! I will be savoring the last audio chapters of The Last Devil To Die, of the Thursday Murder Club. This might be my favorite of the series so far. Fiona Shaw’s narration gives so much life to the numerous characters. And the writing about aging and life perspectives is beautiful.
Merit flush balms have been going in and out of stock during the Sephora sale, but I’m loving them! The shades are a little sheer, so they don’t look too harsh. I also am into the Makeup by Mario cream blushes (I believe they’re called soft pop blush veils).
Thank you for the link to the SNL monologue – so many good laughs in that!
Thanks for sharing the Anne Lamott link. I adore her and look forward to her next book!