What are you up to this weekend? I’m looking forward to good weather, good books, and lots of family time—not necessarily in that order!
I hope you have something good 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:
I offer gift links for articles whenever possible (you may still need to create an account with the publication); if there’s no gift link and you’re not a subscriber, check to see if your library carries the publication or use a service like Pocket.
How Mr. Darcy Became One of Jane Austen’s Most Memorable Creations. (Literary Hub) “In the book Mr. Darcy startles Elizabeth by emerging from the stables just as she’s leaving his house, but the encounter with wet Colin Firth draws also from Heathcliff’s emergence from the shadows and of Jane Eyre’s first sight of Rochester, galloping into sight on his horse, his great white and black dog running with him. Firth’s Darcy is Austen out of the Brontës.”
With Joann fabrics closing, these thrift stores are building a new crafting economy. (Fast Company) “The concept is an elegant solution to a longstanding problem: Generally, traditional thrift stores don’t know what to do with half-used art supplies.” I gotta find one of these!
Why Is Everyone Reading ‘Lonesome Dove,’ an 858-page Western From 1985? (Esquire) I love considering how and why a book reenters the zeitgeist.
These Are the Pantry Staples Every Cook Needs from Trader Joe’s (Plus, the Ones You Can Skip). (Sunset) My kind of content.
Take yourself out to the ballgame with these 10 baseball books. (MMD) The best baseball books make you feel like you’re experiencing a game.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical that this recipe for Miso-Butter Chicken With Grapefruit would “work” even though I love all the individual ingredients. But I tried it anyway and WOW was it delicious! (NYT Cooking gift link)
Why Aren’t Women Allowed to Play Baseball? (The Atlantic gift link) “I never wanted to be a baseball player and my performance at baseball camp doesn’t matter. These games, however, were meaningful to women who, by playing them, were making peace with their childhood fantasies after many, many years.”
Don’t let perfectionism ruin your reading life. (What Should I Read Next?) A relatable request from a reader looking for more abundance and delight from her books.
Now that spring is here for real I’m living in these Kut from the Kloth Sienna High-Rise cropped jeans (00–18) and these Collette Wide-Leg Jeans by Maeve (23–34), which I have in full-length and cropped, and also in cotton because when I find something I love it seems I stick to it.
What I’ve Learned from 20 Silent Meditation Retreats. (Outside) “I’m sure there are many people who find retreat practice illuminating and nourishing right off the bat, but I was not one of those people.”
I’m looking forward to our April 2025 selection for MMD Book Club: How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told by Harrison Scott Key. The author will join us for a live discussion on April 29.
Brace Yourself for a Brutal Allergy Season, According to the Official Spring Pollen Forecast. (Real Simple) Oooof.
How an Audiobook Narrator Organizes Her Days. (Culture Study) Great behind-the-scenes. This reminds me of my conversations with narrators Adam Verner and Julia Whelan on What Should I Read Next.
Don’t miss these posts:
My favorite subgenre: emotionally resonant fiction. Realistic stories that hold moments of piercing insight into what it means to be human.
20 board games to beat the rainy day blues. When we tire of doing jigsaw puzzles, it’s time to pull out the board games.
18 fresh and flirty contemporary romance novels for your TBR. I’m not the only one who turns to romance novels for comfort and escape!
Have a great weekend!
20 comments
Indigo Hippo is an amazing craft reuse store in downtown Cincinnati. It has absolutely everything and the volunteers that work there are wonderful!
That’s not too far from me, I’ll have to visit!
If you’re ever near Oklahoma City, Trove Arts and Crafts is a great place to get gently used art & craft supplies – fabrics, patterns, quilting, embroidery, yarn, beads . . . the list goes on!
We’re in a snow storm right now so family time and good books are definitely in order !
My Old Navy tees just came in (thanks for the rec , they are soo soft) so I’ll also be cozy while I am reading – Thanks Anne!
always love reading this blog on Friday 🙂
Oh, rats. The Lonesome Dove article requires a paid subscription to read. That’s my all-time favorite book and it was my dad’s too. He would buy copies in used book stores and give them to friends, then bully them into reading it. (He was a GREAT dad!)
I wanted to read the article, too! I read Lonesome Dove last summer, had no idea it was getting so popular! I work at a library and saw our copy go out last week.
Thank you for sharing your memory of your dad’s love of “Lonesome Dove”, Barbara. My dad was also an avid reader [one of his favorite genres being Westerns] and having lost him just a few weeks ago, I am especially touched by your words.
Oh gosh. This makes me teary! I’m so sorry for your recent loss. My dad died June of 2016 at age 87, and every time I see that book or hear it referenced I think of him.
I was frustrated, too! I just read Lonesome Dove, and I can’t think why other people are reading it! I guess my inspiration was an Instagram post of some man’s 4 favorite long books, and Lonesome Dove was one I hadn’t read. It was so very well written, but I was disappointed in the ending.
My dad and I do not read similarly, but Lonesome Dove is one we both love as well. I’m so glad Lonesome Dove is having a moment – it is fantastic. Wish I could have read the article too!
Yes, I try to make everyone read it as well!
Mine too! I’m always trying to convert people.
I’m sure you have a secondhand craft store in the Louisville area, Anne. I read about these in a crafting newsletter some months ago. When I did a Google search, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my smallish city (Springfield, Illinois) has one that is run as a sort of employer for people with limited job opportunities. It has an interesting mix of merchandise, from old sports trophies to yarn to lots and lots of fabric. It also has occasional project-themed classes.
We did have a creative reuse store in Louisville years ago but it closed. I miss it and wish we still had one! It was very popular for teachers.
I am in the Louisville area too and I don’t think we currently have a secondhand craft store at this time. We used to, but it closed several years ago. I did a google search but nothing came up. I would love to have one in this area!
Richmond VA has a secondhand craft store called ScrapRVA. I haven’t been yet (I need to donate craft supplies, not get more) but friends who have love it.
I’ve always meant to read Lonesome Dove and picked up a copy last year. Now to get reading!
Shoot, I wanted to read the Lonesome Dove article, too! I remember devouring that book ages ago, never thinking I would love a Western.
Scrap it Up in Cincy is one of my favorites. http://scrapitup.org/about-us/
Recraft in Greenville SC is great! https://www.recraftgvl.org/
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