What are you up to this weekend? The high tomorrow is 79 degrees; almost 20 degrees lower than last weekend’s high so maybe I’ll spend the whole entire weekend outside? I just might. I’m thoroughly enjoying reading Jane Austen’s (annotated) Persuasion with the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club for Austen in August, and I love the idea of reading it on the patio with an iced coffee (or two).
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:
We just published our new meet the team page: go check it out!
Long Bright River Changed Liz Moore’s Life. Can The God of the Woods Do It Again? (ELLE) Such a great profile. (The God of the Woods is a 2024 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide selection: I loved it.)
Photos: See some of our favorite Olympics pictures, so far. (NPR) What’s your favorite Olympic moment?
We make Melissa Clark’s Gingery Grilled Chicken Thighs with Charred Peaches every summer, and every summer it’s FANTASTIC. 10/10 recommend. (NYT Cooking gift link)
Celebrity Coffee Is the Next Celebrity Tequila. (The New York Times gift link) Tom Hanks, Sofia Vergara, Mick Fleetwood? WHO KNEW. Will could not resist reading most of this out loud to us when he stumbled upon it the other night and we all cracked up at the tasters’ commentary.
7 memoirs read by the author. (MMD) There’s something special about hearing a memoir brought to life in the author’s own voice.
When The Collective Taste Doesn’t Include You. (Big Undies) “I love that people are talking about this because it’s true—very expensive clothes are recommended rather breezily in a lot of fashion writing. But can we also talk about how this inaccessibility intersects and overlaps with anti-fatness?” Laughing as I recall the vast number of links I’ve clicked on in fashion substacks, directing me to a simple blouse that turns out to be, whoops! $1,475.
Announcing The Center for Fiction 2024 First Novel Prize Longlist. (The Center for Fiction)
Our Illustrated Guide to Laundry Symbols Will Help You Decode Your Clothing Care Tags. (Martha Stewart) Bookmarking this.
Preorder Book Sales Are Key. (McSweeney’s Internet Tendency) LOLsob. “Honestly, it’s optimal if you are already selling books before you become an author. This kind of preorder is like a big arrow hanging over your head for publishers that says, ‘Keep an eye on this one: they’re going to write a book one day’ It can be tough to get preorder sales before anyone, including yourself, knows that you’re an author, but you know that the folks you do get to preorder will stick with you for a long while, or at least until you actually write something.”
These 12 Products Will Bring All the Birds to Your Yard. (SELF) If you remember this post about my hummingbird feeder, you know this is my exact kind of content.
Is AI the Bitter End—or the Lucrative Future—of Book Publishing? (Esquire) “The technology has clicked right into the publishing industry’s recent trend toward efficiency, consolidation, and reader service—and seemingly away from sustainability of human labor.”
I finally exhausted my stockpile of longtime favorite face sunscreen Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 Broad Spectrum Facial Sunscreen and decided to experiment with other options. So far I’m really liking the Naked Sundays Collagen Glow 100% Mineral Sunscreen; it’s different from the Elta but goes on easy and sits nicely under makeup.
Lucy Foley talks secrets, lies, murder, and mystery writing. (What Should I Read Next?) I’m delighted to share the audio from our live Louisville event; we discuss her new revenge thriller The Midnight Feast—and a whole lot more!
3 Reasons Your Neighborhood Should Start Throwing Block Parties. (Strong Towns) Does your neighborhood do this?
Book lists from our archives:
14 recommended reads for those traveling to South Korea. Whether you have a trip planned or you’re looking for some armchair travel.
20 notable novels featuring family secrets. Stories built around family secrets make irresistible reads!
16 series to read after you’ve run out of Louise Penny novels. All caught up on Inspector Gamache? Here’s what to read while you’re waiting for the next installment in the series. (The comments section is a goldmine!)
Have a great weekend!
15 comments
Thanks for the Louise Penny summary. I’ve wanted to dive into these and was wondering if I needed to go in order, so your advice is helpful! Her book State of Terror was fantastic.
Great list as always, thanks! I just learned if you have an iPhone your camera will interpret laundry symbols for you
Woah! Really?! I need to test this asap. Thank you.
Thanks for the article on books written by AI. I tried to read one and it was HORRIBLE. Just a variation on one topic, slightly changed every chapter. No character development, no plot line — really no narrative at all. I DNFed and have no intention of picking up another one.
I created an essay in AI, and I told my students that it was written by another student and asked them to critique it. They ripped it to shreds! Then, when I told them it was written by AI, they were shocked. I told them that this is why they shouldn’t use AI. The content lacks development and depth and will not pass an English class (or most any other class for that matter). Let’s hope that sinks in!
Regarding size inclusivity – I’ve learned not to bother clicking on MMD’s fashion links because no matter how cute they are, they absolutely will not fit me. Its just the way it is. I’m still a fan – I came for the book chatter, not clothes. 😀
Hi Karla.
Me too. I bought the largest size possible, and it was still too tight! I’m also a fan of the book talk and not the clothes, but I thought that was an interesting article to include. Anyway, I decided to make the t-shirt into a pillow to put on my reading chair 🙂
For what it is worth: I write summaries and papers for organizations and clicked on the “edit” assist. What I discovered is that it consistently wanted me to replace longer words with short ones. I was horrified! I’ve worked hard to develop a strong vocabulary over my lifetime. I’m darned if I’m going to let an AI send my writing back to middle school!
The fact that Self Magazine featured an article about bird feeders makes me giggle. The magazine is truly growing up with all of us. 🥹
The NYT ginger chicken with grilled peaches is AMAZING! It is a favorite at our house, too. Grilled peaches slathered with honey butter–what’s not to love??
I cannot remember the name of your team member who wrote about Waterton National Park, Alberta earlier this year, or late in 2023. Please thank her for the recommendation! We visited and stayed at the Prince of Wales and absolutely LOVED our time in the park. The views were breathtaking and calming and unforgettable.
Yay, Leigh and Irish Breakfast tea!!! Everything else is so much dishwater!!!Strong and hot and for a treat with milk and sugar (this is what we got when we were sick as children)
Gotta be careful that it doesn’t stew…fine line!
My block does host a block party every year, but I haven’t been able to go because it is always on the weekend of another annual event. Except for two years ago, when I wasn’t going to the event. That year is was changed to a week later when I was going to be out of town. It’s like my block doesn’t want me to attend!
Thank you for those Olympic pictures! They are the best I have seen, truly excellent. Also trying chicken recipe for dinner tonight.
Unsuccessful at NOT adding more title to my ridiculous TBR list, broken into 4 lists now which I thought would help but seems to have just added to the mess.
Thanks for the chicken and peach recipe. We are making it this week. It high peach time in southern New England!
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