Hi, it’s Donna Hetchler, the “spreadsheet master” at Modern Mrs Darcy (that mainly means I do metrics and reporting), and I’m honored to be here for my first Links I Love post! You might remember me from Episode 83 of What Should I Read Next where I talked about my “epic birthday bookstore road trip” which I have such wonderful memories from.
I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend. I know what I’ll be doing…listening to the new Taylor Swift release The Tortured Poets Department on repeat!
My favorite finds from around the web:
Ina Garten has a new memoir coming out October 1 called Be Ready When the Luck Happens (Bookshop). I love her cookbooks and TV shows (Be My Guest season 4 starts April 21 on the Food Network) and I can’t wait to read more about her life.
The Blurb Problem Keeps Getting Worse. (The Atlantic gift link) The most surprising thing I learned in this article is that blurbs are primarily written for “literary editors and buyers for the bookstores.” I admit that I have been swayed by author blurbs before but it often depends on the author that is writing them.
I think that every cozy reading nook needs a great blanket and I have found the perfect one! Garnet Hill’s Plush-Loft Throw is just the right size and weight, and it’s super soft without having static cling. If you don’t believe me, I’ll note that it was also The New York Times Wirecutter top pick as well.
What I’ve been reading lately: the new and the notable. (MMD) Anne’s short and sweet book reviews.
I had a wonderful time attending the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival earlier this year and fortunately, they have many of the sessions on their YouTube channel including this fabulous discussion with James McBride and Abraham Verghese.
Doris Kearns Goodwin Wasn’t Competing With Her Husband (The New York Times gift link). I’m looking forward to reading her new book, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s (Bookshop), which came out this week. This “By the Book” interview with her gave me a little insight into that release and her reading life.
I had so much fun with team member Ginger Horton on a WSIRN Patreon bonus episode talking about upcoming book adaptations, partly because it brought together my love of books and movies/TV series. I recommend things to watch to people all the time and the first question I usually get is, “where is it streaming?” That’s when I point them to JustWatch where you can enter the title into the Search and get all of the information you need. And I love using Letterboxd to track what I have watched.
Book Riot’s Read Harder 2024 annual challenge (Book Riot). I like seeing their categories every year because they often introduce me to terms that I hadn’t heard of before. This year that includes “manhwa,” which is Korean manga, and “whydunit,” which is a mystery that focuses on motive. If you have any suggestions for these categories, I’d love your recommendations in the comments.
I couldn’t resist these Pixar socks from Bombas. The adult sizes are mostly sold out but they still have Youth and Toddler sizes. So adorable!
A small joy that makes getting up in the morning so much better. (MMD) Our MMD Book Club Community Administrator Brigid Misselhorn shares the cool treat from her morning routine.
Columbia Pictures Takes Teddy Wayne’s New Thriller Novel ‘The Winner’, Amy Pascal Producing. (Deadline) I have an unusual but reliable source for finding page-turning books. I follow entertainment news on Deadline and when I see an upcoming book release has already been optioned to be adapted, I add it to my TBR. The adaptation may or may not happen, but I usually find a compelling book in the meantime. The Winner by Teddy Wayne (Bookshop) is out May 28 and I will definitely be reading it.
Don’t miss these posts:
12 bookish mysteries about bibliophiles and bookstores. Lean in to your love of books and bookstores with one of these literary mysteries!
Our best advice for buddy reads. Because reading with a friend can be even better.
12 Feel-good fiction books you can read in an afternoon. If you’re leaning toward the lighter side of your reading tastes these days, this list is for you.
Have a great weekend!
About the author
Donna Hetchler helps out with our numbers, keeping a high level view of the business. Her go-to genre is mystery. You can find Donna on Instagram @dhetch.
17 comments
I impressed my husband with justwatch.com (which I learned about from you) when he wanted to see where A League of Their Own is streaming! It’s super handy.
It really is handy! I forgot to mention that it’s also an App if people prefer to access it that way.
The blurb. It’s so tricky. There have been a lot of changes since my first book came out in 2012. You used to only ask for blurbs (for children’s novels) with your first book. Now even really established authors are seeking loads of them — a signal that the lastest book is a significant one. The article is right in that they aren’t really for readers but for literary gatekeepers. I’d add to that list (at least in my world) that they’re for the mover and shaker teachers and librarians, too.
This is always one of my favorite posts we week. I find so many great articles and tips. The tip about Deadline is on the top of my list! Thank you
The blurb article was interesting. The blurbs that annoy me are the “the next ” or “[hot title of book or film] meets [hot title of book or film]”. For a while it seemed that every thriller was “the next Girl on the Train”, then any thriller/social commentary with a black protagonist was “the next Get Out” or “Get Out meets…”
Fans of Ina Garten might be interested in her interview with Julia Louis Dreyfus on Julia’s podcast “Wiser Than Me” in which Julia hosts various senior women whom she thinks have pocketsful of wisdom to impart. It’s a wonderful podcast and at the end of every episode Julia calls her own mother to discuss the content of that show—a gem!
That sounds delightful, I’ll definitely check out that episode! Thanks for the recommendation.
I’ve been looking for a new podcast to listen to and this one sounds perfect! I’m adding to Overcast now!
Thank you for pointing out the Blurb article in The Atlantic. It’s too bad advice to skip the blurbs for a year won’t be taken.
These really have changed over the years. In addition to the flaws that have been mentioned, I really dislike the word twist or others that reveal something I’d rather find out myself as I read the book. I tend not to read these anymore, at least until I’ve finished the book. I trust word of mouth thoughts from friends more than these professionals.
And I sometimes have the opposite complaint – when there are so many blurbs saying things like “an instant classic,” and “amazing read!” with no summary or indication at all what the book is about.
I did Book Riot’s Read Harder challenge a few years and while I don’t do it anymore, I like to look at it a few times a year to help me assess my current reading life. Sometimes when I’m in a reading rut, it reminds me of ways to step outside my box.
Thanks for the JustWatch link. It will come in handy for the Book to Movie book club I am in. I need to download the app.
I’m a big fan of Ina Garten’s also and have collected almost all her cookbooks. I can’t wait for her new book! I just downloaded the Wiser Than Me podcast so I can listen to her interview with Julia Louse Dreyfus. Thanks for introducing me to Justwatch.com! My husband and I are ever, always thinking of movies we haven’t seen for years and wondering if they might be streaming somewhere out there in universe. I’m definitely downloading this app!
Whydunit! Love it. You’re like a modern white rabbit! Keeping me up with the times!
Donna – great job on this post! I just downloaded the JustWatch app and will definitely make good use of it. I appreciate you sharing your wisdom! See you in November when I’m back in Palm Springs.
Recently, there was a link to a $30 jean jacket in the Links I Love, or one of the posts, and I can’t find it. At the time, I clicked on the link and it took me to Amazon, but I didn’t save the search. Can you help?
I feel like “The Secret History” is an all-time great whydunnit!