What are your weekend plans? I intend to catch up my reading journal, go to the ballet and a high school play with my kiddos, and take Daisy on a nice long walk now that the ice has mostly melted off the sidewalks. (We’ve both been cooped up for weeks and have many miles to catch up on!)
This weekend I’ll also be contemplating what I’ll share in my upcoming “What’s Saving My Life?” post. For over a decade now, we’ve gathered here at the midway point of winter to share the things, big or small, that are saving us. I’ll put my post up on Monday, February 3. Consider this your invitation to write a blog or social media post of your own, or get ready to simply list the thing or things that are saving you in the comments section.
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.
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 service like Pocket.
Live Out Your Pride and Prejudice Dreams During Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday Party in England This Year. (Afar) “Each year, Austenites flock to locations all across southwest England, where the novelist spent most of her life. From Hampshire, where she was born, to Bath, where she spent time in her young adulthood, Austen left a legacy with an indelible mark.”
Reasons Your Password Was Rejected. (McSweeney’s) “While you’re here, can you tell us which of these are motorcycles?” This rings too true!
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson is our February 2025 selection for MMD Book Club and a 2025 Spring Book Preview spotlight title. I cannot wait for the author to join us for a live discussion on February 27! If you’d like to have a sense about what our author talks are like, this week we shared our February 2024 conversation with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray about their co-writing debut The Personal Librarian on What Should I Read Next.
Will whipped up this Cranberry Orange Bread last weekend and we DEVOURED it—so good!
Meet ‘Freida McFadden’, the doctor hiding her secret life as a bestselling author. (The Times) “She took, as her pen name, the acronym for the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database, which helps medical students to find hospital placements.”
The Joys of Being a Regular. (The Atlantic gift link) Wise words from Xochitl Gonzalez: “Just as writing a novel takes patience, focus, commitment, and a strong sense of curiosity, so does becoming a regular.”
Why Simon & Schuster’s Flagship Imprint Won’t Require Blurbs Anymore. (Publishers Weekly) “It takes a lot of time to produce great books, and trying to get blurbs is not a good use of anyone’s time.”
Cheery Clothes for Dreary Weather. (New York Times gift link) Street style shots of colorful outfits, that bring to life my mom’s favorite tips on dressing for the dreary days. (The short version: bright colors!)
How Black and White America Reacted to Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. (Literary Hub) It’s always fascinating to learn about the context around when a book was published. This piece includes lots of interesting details on the book’s release, including that the initial print run was a jaw-dropping 350,000 copies.
How malls became cool again. (Business Insider) “If the malls of old embraced sameness — you could always count on a Victoria’s Secret and a Cinnabon — today’s retail meccas want to stand out from the crowd. To succeed today, the mall has to be a destination for young shoppers, something they’ll go out of their way to experience.”
17 recommended reads for those traveling to Ireland. (MMD) For anyone planning a trip to Ireland or looking for some armchair travel.
This month’s empties I couldn’t replace fast enough: this inexpensive e.l.f. Power Grip Primer from Target and the Kosas Brow Pop Nano Eyebrow Pencil (in Soft Brown).
Can Influencers Predict the Next Big Thing in Books? (Elle) So many interesting takeaways.
I braved winter camping and so can you. Probably. (The Minnesota Star Tribune) I’m shivering just thinking about this!
Mini Matchmaking: Spring Book Preview edition. (What Should I Read Next patreon) It’s time for Mini Matchmaking in today’s new Friday bonus episode! Our readers tell me three books they love, one book they don’t, and what they’re hankering for right now, and I suggest what they may enjoy reading next—this time, from our Spring Book Preview selections.
Don’t miss these posts:
10 books by authors with a pen name. Pen names are a storied tradition in the writing life.
20 extra-long audiobooks so you can get the most out of those credits. Stories so good you don’t want your listening experience to end.
15 propulsive literary mysteries that balance plot and prose. It’s hard to beat an unputdownable mystery combined with a beautifully written literary novel.
Have a great weekend!
