This is the MMD team stepping in for Anne with an update. Anne’s mom died unexpectedly earlier this week. She’s stepping away for a bit to spend time with her family.
We postponed our Spring Book Preview event that was previously scheduled for yesterday. We sent out the Spring Book Preview PDF booklet as planned on January 25 (and those who sign up now will receive it immediately), but the new date for our live event is February 6. If you are a member of MMD Book Club or What Should I Read Next Patreon or you purchased an a la carte ticket, please check your email for more information.
We’re also postponing our traditional What’s Saving Your Life? post that we had internally scheduled for February 1, as that happens to be the day of the first of two memorial services for Anne’s mother. Our tentative date for this is now February 8.
Because we are often in need of distraction during times of loss, Anne asked that this post run as usual. We hope it will prove to be a good distraction for you as well, wherever this finds you.
My favorite finds from around the web:
Lauren Groff on Opening a Bookstore in Florida. (Literary Hub) Good news for the denizens of Gainesville and beyond.
How Octavia Butler Told the Future. (The Atlantic gift link) “For Butler, story emerged from the inner and outer drama of her characters, a drama steeped in the collective past of humanity. In order to understand her characters, and the human character writ large, she needed to understand social history.”
The Trader Joe’s boxwood wreaths weren’t widely available this year, so what’s a plant lover to do? Snap up a gorgeous preserved boxwood wreaths on Etsy, of course.
It’s Time We Acknowledge That Older Sisters Are The Backbone Of Society. (Huffington Post) Relatable.
A few of Anne’s audiobooks are on sale at Chirp: Don’t Overthink It is just $1.99. Or get a bundle deal: Don’t Overthink It, Reading People, and I’d Rather Be Reading for $7.97.
17 Parchment Paper Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner. (TastingTable) Helpful tips.
A Whale of a Time. (Slate) “For the vast majority of human beings, 25 uninterrupted hours of Moby-Dick might sound like hell on earth. I was there to understand the tiny fellowship who call it paradise.” (Psst—Moby-Dick features prominently in Dayswork, one of Anne’s best books of 2023.
Michael Storrings puzzle fans, check out these brand new Dog Park in Four Seasons blank notecards featuring his artwork. (Prefer the puzzle version? It’s right here.)
9 books to read before (or after) a cruise vacation. (MMD) Stories of maritime adventure and mystery for anyone thinking about going on a cruise.
Billie Jean King Still Has a Lot to Say. (The Cut) The former tennis player in me really enjoyed this interview.
The L.A. Public Library is getting into book publishing. Why it makes total sense. (Los Angeles Times) Unexpected but it makes sense.
For our readers of a certain age: several members of our team are big fans of Peepers reading glasses. Will Bogel is the newest member of the fan club; we have it on good authority he just added several new pairs to his collection (read: coffee table, nightstand, work bag).
7 ocean mysteries scientists haven’t solved yet. (Vox) Fascinating.
Keanu and co: how celebrities became bestselling novelists. (The Guardian) What are your thoughts on celebrities writing fiction?
The Non-Alcoholic Fancy Sodas to Drink Right Now. (Eater)
Don’t miss these posts:
12 favorite Book Club selections that have stood the test of time. These Book Club picks have incredible staying power!
16 jigsaw puzzles to brighten up your winter days. We are very pro-puzzles around here.
15 propulsive literary mysteries that balance plot and prose. It’s hard to beat an unputdownable mystery combined with a beautifully written literary novel.
Have a good weekend!
41 comments
Sending virtual hugs, so sorry for your loss.
Hugs to Anne and her family. 🧡
Dear Anne, I am so sorry for your loss. This will be a sad time for you, a hard time, but also a time of remembrance and hope and love. Be strong, be with your family, and take one day at a time, one breath at a time. Be kind to yourself. Sending love, hugs, and prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Anne and your family🙏🏻💕
I think all of us in the MMD community are sending love, hugs, and prayers to Anne and her family in this very hard time.
Anne, I am sorry to hear of your loss! Prayers for you and your family.
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Anne. Losing a parent is heartbreaking. May your memories of your mother be a blessing to you.
I am so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. Just breathe and take one day at a time. Condolences to all your family. You are strong together.
So sorry for your loss Anne. My heart breaks for you.
Anne and family~
I’m so sorry for your sudden loss. Take all the time you need. We will be here when you come back
Sorry for your loss! Praying!
Peace be with you and yours Anne.
I’ll be praying for you, Anne, and your family. So sorry to hear of your loss.
Prayers for Anne and her family ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss Anne. I lost my mom to cancer in 2015 five weeks after her diagnosis. She was 63. I know how hard it is. I will say a prayer for you. 🙏
Anne, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! So very sorry for your loss. Please take all the time you need with your family before you return to work! We understand and want the best for you all.
Dearest Anne, sending love and prayers to you and your family. So very sorry for the loss of your mother. Take gentle care of yourself. X
Tell Anne, she is so loved and cherished. Thinking of her during this time.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Anne. May you be surrounded by love and comfort during this sad time.
Anne, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Dear Anne, my deepest condolences to you and your family. Sending a hug. Take the time you need and your community will be here when you get back. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss.
Oh Anne, I am so very very sorry.
May she rest in peace, condolences Ann.
You are a beautiful tribute to your mother.
So sorry for your loss.
My deepest sympathy to Anne and her family.
Losing your Mom-there’s nothing like that. It’s a special kind of hard. I lost my adoptive mom and my birth mother recently. My heart goes out to you Anne. Take care of yourself.
So sorry for your loss. Wishing you lasting peace and small sunbeams of unexpected joy even during tears.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry Anne. I can’t imagine losing a mother. Love and prayers to you and yours.
Anne, I also sorry. It is so hard to lose a parent, no matter how old we are.
So very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Losing anyone isn’t easy, but losing a parent leaves an extra large hole. As I’m sure all of your readers are, I’m sending you and your family prayers.
I’m so sad for you and your family, Anne. May you each have space to remember and grieve as you need. I’m joining this big community in sending love to you.
I am so sorry for your loss, Anne. Wishing you comfort and strength.
Deepest condolences to Anne and her family. What a horrible loss. 🙁
I’m sorry to hear of Anne’s loss, praying for peace and comfort.
I’m so sorry about your loss, Anne. Praying for you and your family!
My deepest sympathy to you, Anne. Mother/daughter relationships can be very complicated, but losing my mom left me feeling a bit like a ship lost at sea for a while as my mom always felt like a safe harbor. I am so very for your loss and the loss to your family.
Adding my prayers and condolences. I’m so sorry.
My deepest condolences, Anne and family. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself now and in the time to come.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family, I lost my mother mid-December it is such a great loss of our biggest cheerleader, friend, and “home”. Hugs and peace to you.