Happy Friday Links

The links are back and I have some good ones to share

Hi readers,

Some of my most favorite and anticipated weekly emails are the ones I receive on Friday that have links to all kinds of food, travel, and bookish fun and goodness. When I started this newsletter, I used to do a “links” issue every week, occasionally a day or two late, but most always weekly. As my day job became busier and more stressful, I didn’t have the time or desire to do these posts regularly, so they went by the wayside.

I’m happy to announce that the “links” posts are back, probably not every week, but at least a couple of times a month. I want to think that I can keep this pace during tax season, but time will tell if this holds true. I read so many interesting tidbits during the week, and I can’t wait to share them with you. I have quite a collection of links saved up, so get cozy, grab your beverage of choice, and let’s get started.

• I had NO idea that NPR releases a yearly “Books We Love” list. Beginning with 2013, there are lists for each year that you can sort by genre, age, and other fun topics. I can think of so many uses for these yearly lists.

• If you are a hardcore reader, a bookish Discord community might be a great place to be. This BookRiot article lists the “Best Bookish Discord Communities,” and there might be one right for you.

• I don’t remember where I saw this, but this new “Life Advice for Book Lovers” weekly newsletter is Dear Abby for readers. Great questions and thoughtful answers from reader, writer, and sympathetic listener Dorothea.

• I knew that libraries loaned stuff besides books, but I did not know the variety of things that some libraries loan.

• I love my Kindles, all three of them, and each has a different purpose in my reading life. I seldom read anything other than e-books. I enjoyed reading about the history of the Kindle e-reader as I was a late adopter, not buying my first Kindle until four years ago.

• Being an audiobook narrator sounds like a fun job; I’m sure it is hard work and requires talent to become a good narrator. Here’s a list of things that most people wouldn’t know about audiobook narrators.

• I’ve read several of Jasmine Guillory’s books, which are fun and entertaining romcoms. I enjoyed reading this NY Times article (gift link) about switching careers and finding her happily ever after.

• What a great story about a teen who opened her own bookstore. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the years to come.

• When I first heard about this book in 2021, I remember thinking, “what an interesting author duo.” After reading this article, it makes so much more sense now.

• A CrimeReads article looks at two of my favorite authors and how fun it is to write “relationship” thrillers. Their books have provided me with many happy hours of reading over the last several years.

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I’ve had an excellent start to my reading year so far, which gives me hope that I’ll be reading many good books in the coming months. I’ve completed two books, and I have a few more that I’m working my way through and should finish before the end of January. I’m excited about a couple of book clubs I’ve joined and the readers I’m meeting through those book clubs. Have a great weekend, and happy reading!