What are you up to this weekend? I am in the midst of the march of sending kids back to school, including getting one moved back into her dorm this weekend. In spare moments I’m very much enjoying my close read through Pride & Prejudice (this annotated edition) with MMD Book Club, and maybe Will and I will try and sneak in the new episode of Silo sometime this weekend? We’ll see how it goes.
I hope you have something to look forward to these next few days, and that this collection of interesting reads and favorite things helps ease you into that weekend frame of mind.
What Should I Read Next? news
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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 bookmarking service.
Who Is Emma M. Lion, and Why Can’t Readers Get Enough of Her? (New York Times gift link) “The word-of-mouth success of the Emma Lion books is largely thanks to the instantly likable titular heroine. Emma might share the sunny wonder of Anne Shirley, but her wit and modernity are pure Elizabeth Bennet.” Beth Brower gets the NYT treatment as the popular series is acquired by Bloomsbury UK.
A collection of books in translation. (MMD) Expand your literary horizons with these books in translation.
Your favorite TV show has taken years to return. How did we get here? (Washington Post gift link) “It speaks to streaming’s fluidity that a hit series can follow such an irregular release pattern. Nowadays, streaming is divided between the flash-cooked satisfaction of annually released shows and those cinematic series that may simmer for years between seasons.”
After years of white sheets, playful, colorful sheets continute to bring me joy these days. Along those lines: these happy sheets with little sun umbrellas and sunbathers made me smile from ear to ear. The goldfish are cute, too! Both are on sale right now, along with some more neutral prints and patterns.
What I Learned from a Close Read of All of Colson Whitehead’s Work. (Literary Hub) I love a good completist project. “Above it all, he’s a chronicler of New York City, crafting rhapsodies to that near magical machine that chugs and churns along despite everything, through a mire of impossibility.”
13 Summer Skin-Care Tips Dermatologists Swear By. (Time) Good advice. (At my recent visit to the derm, she sang the praises of basics like Cerave daily moisturizer with spf and Cerave night cream. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I definitely was.)
How ‘Ted Lasso’ found a love for women’s soccer in Kansas City. (The Athletic gift link) On Jason Sudeikis: “He’s part of a group of Kansas City people in entertainment who genuinely love the city…. Way before we knew him, he was already a huge women’s sports fan.’ That affection ultimately shaped the upcoming season of one of television’s biggest franchises.”
Classic novels ripe for discussion (and excursions to pair with them). (What Should I Read Next?) Creative ways to engage with the classics.
The Art of Indexing. (Group Life by Priya Parker) “An index is an act of meaning-making. What matters here? What does the reader need to turn to quickly? And who decides?” I found this fascinating. (I haven’t read it in 25+ years, yet Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle sprang immediately to mind. That can’t be just me … right?)
I picked up this Jaylin flutter sleeve top earlier this summer; whenever I wear it strangers comment on how cute and happy it is. (XS–XL, and on sale right now.) If you’re already looking towards fall, this leopard tee is the cutest (XS–XL).
The 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century. (New York Times gift link) “We sent ballots to writers of every kind of crime fiction, from legal thrillers to spy novels to cozy mysteries, as well as librarians, editors, critics and Bookstagrammers. What, we asked them, are the 10 best thrillers published since 2000?” Such a good conversation starter! I’ve read exactly half.
Your Style Isn’t Boring—You Just Need Zestier Wardrobe Basics. (Glamour) “When having doubts when getting dressed, always choose the silhouette that’s classic with a twist—the zestier basic, as I’ve come to call these. Like an extra squeeze of lemon on avocado toast and the tangy tease of hint-of-lime tortilla chips, an offbeat wardrobe essential elevates your style the same way citrus does to a dish.” My mom would have loved this.
Off-Leash and on the Waves: Scenes From the 2026 Dog Surfing Championships. (New York Times gift link) “The dogs are scored on tricks, the size of the wave they catch, how long they can stay on the board and how much they seem to be enjoying it all.” These photos will make your day better.
Romance Bookstores Are Surging Across the Country. (Publishers Weekly) “Behind this surge is a new generation of booksellers—nearly all women, many in small towns—who believe in the power of bookstores as third spaces (that is, gathering places outside of the home, workplace, or school) where like-minded people can forge connections.”
Buy it for life? (Living Small) “Choosing well is key, but maintenance is the second, less sexy part of the longevity equation.”
Don’t miss these posts:
13 “Unpausable” audiobooks for your listening needs. Once you start listening, you won’t be able to stop until you’re done.
Louisville City Guide. I might be biased but I think my town is pretty great. Here’s what to do on your next trip to Louisville!
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 comment section is a goldmine!)
Have a great weekend!
3 comments
So, what is your definition of a thriller? I found the New York Times list intriguing, but I am not sure that I would define all those novels as thrillers. For example, are mysteries a subset of thrillers or their own genre? Just curious how others feel about the NYT article.
Patty, were you listening in on the conversation Will and I had on this list last night? This is what we were saying!
If you are a Kansas City resident and a KU fan, you have to be thrilled with episode 1 of Ted Lasso season 4. I cracked up when Ted went to Daniel Manning elementary school (I wonder if our beloved Danny Manning got lots of texts?). The barbecue references….the KC Current stadium….the Plaza, Liberty Memorial, Monarch’s baseball shirt, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Jazz museum, the George Brett jersey…….I could go on and on. I plan to watch again to make sure I didn’t miss any. Jason Sudeikis rocks!