a lifestyle blog for book lovers

My favorite finds from around the web:

Want to work in 18 miles of books? First, the quiz. Try your hand at the literary matching quiz all applicants to the famed Strand Bookstore in NYC have to take. (40 out of 50, here, and I’d never even heard of half the ones I missed.)

Why LaCroix sparkling water is suddenly everywhere. “In the 1990s, LaCroix was the favorite drink of Midwestern moms. How did it get so cool?” The authors’ reasons are so interesting.

What you read matters more than you might think. Fuel for the brain: poems and literary fiction. Do it.

Road trip | Savannah, Georgia. These beautiful pictures from Emily’s stop in Savannah during their epic family road trip have me drooling, especially because I’m heading there in September for Read Savannah. Our Saturday meet-and-greet is even at one of the restaurants she visits here. (She loves it.)

Favorite instagram:

new closet shelves with tieks, books, and wine

Two years, two months, and a week or two after moving into the second house of my adult life we finally installed shelves in the closet and it is glorious. (Follow me on instagram @annebogel.)

On the blog:

One year ago: From the trenches of parenting a highly sensitive child. “Once I knew what I—and my kids—were dealing with, we could make the appropriate adjustments. It’s made a significant difference in our family life.”

Two years ago: Angry cleaning. “I told my friend that I’m experiencing Delayed Moving Overwhelm: all I want to do is organize everything, immediately and non-stop. She nodded. “Yep, I call that angry cleaning.””

Three years ago: For an adult reader, the possible verdicts are five. “I love how this framework is completely devoid of snobbery and any hint of the word “should,” and I’m feeling more liberated these days to hate the occasional classic, or adore the occasional breezy novel. It’s freeing.”

Four years ago: Black, white, and grey. “My friend and I were recently talking about mothering, and work, and how our perspectives had evolved over the years. “I find that newer mothers tend to be more black and white in their ideals,” she said. Her words rang true: when I became a mom at 24, I lacked the experience to have a nuanced view of anything.” More experience lets you understand the grey.”

Five years ago: Eleanor Roosevelt’s best blogging tips. “As a blogger (er, columnist) Mrs. Roosevelt had phenomenal stats:  millions of raving fans and engaged subscribers. And the strategies she first employed to reach her audience 75 years ago have stood the test of time.”

Have a great weekend!

13 comments

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    • Guest says:

      YES! I finally bought a pair last year after reading about Anne’s for several years. I wore them for a month (at least 4-5 of 7 days per week) and realized they are absolutely worth the money! I now have a second pair and am strongly considering a third. 😉 My first pair was the cardinal red and my second are the black patent. The black patent are THE BEST. That said, if you do get the patent, I found they take a little bit of time to reach that “like butter” stage the non-patent had from the first time I wore them.

  1. Guest says:

    Everyone I know who drinks La Croix does it because it’s Whole 30 approved. Interesting article but my money is on the reason being Whole 30/Paleo. 🙂

  2. Donna says:

    I’m going to be in Louisville for the first time next week! Anything you want to recommend that I could do with either my husband or a few girlfriends?

    • Anne says:

      That really depends on where you’ll be and what you’re into. 🙂

      For books: Carmichael’s.

      Coffee: Sunergos, Vint (Frankfort Ave, not Northfield), Quill’s, Please and Thank You.

      For food: Seviche, Proof, Louvino (all spendy). Fast and cheap: Taco Luchador. Louisville has great Korean, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Thai as well.

      Cold stuff: Graeter’s and Comfy Cow both make fantastic ice cream in several locations. There’s a new popsicle shop on Bardstown Rd called Steel City Pops that I’ve been wanting to try but haven’t actually tried yet.

      Have a great trip!

  3. Susan says:

    Read Road Trip Savannah – great review. I haven’t heard of several restaurants and I live in Savannah. Going to have to check them out. Hubby and I visited Leopalds a couple weekends ago and I tried their Ginger ice cream. It was amazing!

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