Happy Friday Links
2-23-24
Hi readers,
I’m back from the Savannah Book Festival last weekend, and almost 3k miles later and lots of sightseeing, I’m no worse for the wear. I was concerned about driving for hours and the effect of that on my sciatica and my knee, and neither of those hurt any worse from all the driving. However, my knee did cause me problems on festival day, and I’ll tell you all about that and the festival in a dedicated newsletter in a few weeks.
In my last newsletter, I indicated that I was working on newsletters to publish while I was gone; as you can see, that didn’t happen. I wish I could say I ran out of time, but that wasn’t the reason; I just didn’t feel like writing, so I didn’t.
It’s Friday, and it’s time for the links, so let’s get started.
There’s lots of awards for acting, directing, etc., and for audiobook listeners, the Audie Awards recognize the best in the audiobook industry. This BookRiot article tells you more about these awards that will happen in Los Angeles on March 4th.
Speaking of awards, check out the finalists for the first annual Libby Awards. These awards celebrate the best of 2023 and will be announced live on March 12th; there is a link to register, so you’ll be notified when it goes live.
Do you like buying books that have the “celebrity book club” sticker on the front cover? If not, check out this new company, born from a “bookish wish at the fountain” on the Currently Reading podcast. They are open to requests for sticker replacements they are not currently stocking.
This Today in Books article lists several book-to-TV adaptations in 2024 coming from Apple TV+.
I’ve been a fan of Jackie and Shadow ever since I learned about them from @sharonsaysso, and it’s exciting to see more people rooting for them and their clutch of eggs. You can follow along with the live camera outside of their nest here. The Friends of Big Bear Valley also have a website where you can keep up with the eagles' happenings and the expected hatch dates of all three eggs.
I don’t watch anything on QVC anymore, but there was a time when I liked to watch “In the Kitchen with David.” I found myself shaking my head and seeing myself in this NYT article (gift link) more than once.
I can remember laying in bed at night listening to this song while trying to fall asleep, trying to determine each voice in this compilation. I don’t remember there being a video of it back then, but I’m so glad there is now. Here is the trailer, and you can watch the documentary on Netflix.
After all the strife happening in the US and the World, I enjoy seeing “feel-good” stories like this one.
Old typewriters aren’t used much anymore for typing, but who said an old typewriter needed to be used for typing words on a page? The Boston Typewriter Orchestra makes music out of these old relics.
Cup of Jo readers commented on their “core library memories.” Lots of gems in the comments.
What a unique idea for a continuing series in a newsletter. Follow along on a book date with
.I don’t know if I’d want to or could do this in a day, but it sounds like it would be fun to do over several days, with a lot more sightseeing thrown in.
If you enjoy Kristin Hannah's books, you’ll enjoy this Hannah-focused February 2024 issue of She Reads. While you are there, check out all the other bookish stories.
Bookish Fun Fact
Next Monday is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day. Fairytales originated as myths, legends, and stories told around the fire, and traveling storytellers often used dramatic details so children would behave or teach a lesson. Many fairytales have a basis in the truth and, over time, took on a more magical quality, as the earlier ones were sometimes gruesome stories. The brothers Grimm collected and published some of these tales to preserve them as storytelling was dying off. The Grimm tales were darker in nature and written more for adults. Hans Christian Anderson brought to us children’s tales such as The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, and many others that are beloved by many. Fairytales are important for children and adults as they foster imagination and teach about the world we live in. Celebrate this day by telling children a fairytale. Create different voices for the characters, act out the story with inflections in your words and actions, and let loose and have fun, and the kids will reward you with laughter and smiles.
What does the weekend hold for you and your reading life? Do you have any fun plans? What are you reading this weekend? The weather in my neck of the woods has been in the 70s and looks to stay like that through Tuesday, so I will take advantage of it and get back to walking every morning. Besides being good exercise, it also allows me to stay caught up on all the podcasts that I listen to. I had gotten so far behind and spent all my driving hours to and from Savannah catching up; I don’t want to get that far behind again.
I hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend that fills your bookish self to the tippy top. Happy reading!
"I wish I could say I ran out of time, but that wasn’t the reason; I just didn’t feel like writing, so I didn’t." Perfect!!
You ask if we like “celebrity book club” stickers. No. In fact, sometimes I won't buy the book if it has a sticker on it, mostly because I don't choose my books based on celebrities. I also really dislike book jackets that show a picture of an actor who was in the movie about that book. There are books and there are movies, two different things, two very different experiences. And don't get me started on blurbs!
I'm currently reading two very good books: The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo, and The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez. Thanks for your Friday links, Gayla, and happy reading!
Happy you had a good trip. Will all good intentions the best laid plans of mice and men... I'm nursing a pinched nerve in my neck so all traveling is at a standstill until fully healed... gives me plenty of time to read!