Happy Friday Links

6-9-23

Happy Friday, readers,

I had another wonderful three-day last weekend and checked a few things off my list of things to do before I retire and move. A big sigh of relief as I’ve found an apartment, and it will be available around the time that my current lease is up. I’m so excited; it’s beginning to feel real now.

I finally finished Who is Maud Dixon? and I’m not sure what I think about it. It was slow getting started; there could have been half as many of the 150 pages of backstory and setup, but once it started down the first freefall, it kept me glued to the page. It goes to show you that all is not what it seems, and what it seems is not all. Cryptic, huh? Those who read the book will know exactly what I mean. If you like a thriller and try to figure it out as you go, this one will have you guessing multiple times throughout. The last week has been so good for finding great bookish links; I hope you think so too! I can’t wait to drop them in this newsletter, so let’s get started.

• I believe Mel at Strong Sense of Place shared this link a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to share it with you in case you don’t already subscribe to SSoP. This LA Review of Books article is about the world of audiobooks and is such a great read. While you’re at it, check out SSoP and be sure to subscribe.

• When you meet new people that are readers, use one of these conversation starters to talk about a subject near and dear to your heart, books.

• This movie is one of my all-time favorites and it was just the beginning of so much more. The storyline, the actors, and the music made all the teenage girls like myself swoon. I know, pretty silly, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

• Something that, at first glance, appears pretty useless might actually help you solve every reader’s problem of what to read next. If you can’t choose your next read, put a few books in and spin the wheel.

• I am a fan of cooking competition shows, and my favorite is Top Chef. Read this Food & Wine article about twelve restaurants and check a few out for your dining pleasure.

• I’ve been a fan of this author for a while; I wrote about him here. I enjoyed this article about his latest book. Husband Byron Lane has a new book out also, The Big Gay Wedding. I haven’t read any of Lane’s books, but I might try this one.

• With the smashing success of her first novel, I find it hard to believe that it was rejected by agents this many times before becoming a runaway bestseller. I bet some of those agents are kicking themselves in their “you know what” for missing out on this one.

• I’m a huge believer in instilling a love of reading in a child at an early age; I can remember going to the library all the time when I was a kid. This Libby article tells five ways to keep kids reading during the summer.

• Look at these beautiful libraries! I’ve got several road trips on my retirement bucket list, and I’ll add a few more to visit all of these.

• I have no words. I’ll let this speak for itself.

• Do you remember the Pillsbury Bake Off? Do you remember some of the dishes that came out of the yearly competitions? Here is a great look back at the competition that paved the way for today’s reality cooking shows.

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I’m excited that the weekend is right around the corner; how about you? Are you doing anything fun? What is on your TBR for the weekend? My weekends for the foreseeable future are filled with going through the stuff I’ve accumulated over the last 10+ years and only taking with me what I need. If I haven’t used it in all these years, it doesn’t sound like I need it anymore. The Little Free Libraries around me are in for a windfall of some really great books I’ve received as ARCs or won in Goodreads giveaways.

I hope your weekend is filled with fun, relaxation, and everything you desire. Happy reading!