Four Fun Things
I love a period drama, so I was thrilled to discover My Brilliant Career on Netflix. Set in early 1900s Australia, the six-part series follows a rebellious teenager who dreams of becoming a writer, but thanks to her father’s debts, she’s expected instead to marry well and save her family. There’s a love triangle and thoughtful plot points about race and sexuality, but it’s also genuinely funny — I watched three episodes in one night and laughed out loud multiple times. Some reviews call it frenetic and silly, but maybe that’s exactly why I’m loving it?
This month, I also found myself smack in the middle of a reading slump — I kept starting books, then putting them down a couple days later, indifferent. But then I cracked an advance copy of Switzy, Emma Cline’s new novel about a retired executive with dementia (September 8th). OH MY GOD. I can’t stop reading full paragraphs to Freddie. Absolutely blown away. (We’re now planning an interview with the author, and I also went into the CoJ archives to re-read this relevant interview.)
What are you wearing these days? I’m into leopard print right now, like this easy dress. Three more pretty pieces: sweater, scarf, and shoes.
Now that they’re teenagers, my boys have gotten into making their own breakfasts and snacks. So, as we head into September, I’m keeping our kitchen stocked with healthy foods they’ll actually reach for. This year, I’ve become a big fan of Thrive Market — have you heard of it? The membership-based online grocery delivers snacks, cereals, ice cream, pantry staples, cleaning supplies, you name it — and they don’t have inflated grocery store pricing. (As someone who hates grocery shopping, I find that having it all show up at my doorstep feels like a small miracle.) If you’d like to try it, new Thrive Market members get $60 off their first three orders, plus a free gift. *sponsored mention
And, speaking of snacks, Anton and I just made watermelon juice!
Thoughts? What have you been into these days? I’d love to hear.
P.S. More fun things, and what are your favorite under-the-radar movies?
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Tags: fun things
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140 commentsURGH – now we are doing sponsored mentions within an “article” without mentioning the “Sponsored post” at the beginning? This is so underhanded. Please keep the “sponsored post/content” warning upfront so that we are not duped into reading an advertisement.
Genuinely curious – what about this structure makes you feel so frustrated? The rest of the post was lovely and the few sentences (that allow for the rest of the lovely post to exist) were benign at worst and informative at best. It doesn’t bother me to have this mentioned as part of the overall post so curious why this jarred you so.
thank you so much for your feedback! here was our behind-the-scenes thinking, in case it’s helpful to hear: the full post wasn’t sponsored, just the mention, so we wanted to make that clear when readers were going through the post. we’ve seem a similar approach on sites/newsletters like Gloria and What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking, so we figured readers might be accustomed that type of format, and it felt clear and straightforward in terms of disclosure. we’ll keep thinking, though! we, of course, always want our long-time readers to feel in the loop with everything they’re reading :) thank you again!! xoxo
Joanna, you are so gracious to provide insight into your decision making process, even though readers are not required *at all* to have the backstory to your decisions. Crazy to think that folks are interpreting your content as anything other than transparent! I think the sponsored mentioned was detailed perfectly. Also, I’m a long-time Thrive Market customer, and I am SO grateful for the easy and convenience behind their healthy options for my family. I am super budget conscious when grocery shopping for organic and grass-fed options, and Thrive Market is a great source for someone seeking both of those factors in their shopping process.
I appreciate your explanation on the thinking behind the decision, Joanna. Really, I do. But it feels that the Thrive Market was deliberately chosen as one of the 4 things so that it could be worked into the article. This is the part that feels underhanded to me. I think I am in for a neutral revelation of four fun things but in fact I’m being set up for being advertised to. I don’t know if I’m explaining myself well. If I see “sponsored post” or “sponsored item” upfront, I can prepare myself. I feel that this is akin to product placements in films – catches you off guard and feels “icky”.
I read My Brilliant Career after reading The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion and missing the characters — very similar energies! The show is such a fun adaptation.
After reading this I binged my brilliant career in 2 nights. I loved it. I may look for the book now !
Thrive market is great but beware – I found it difficult to cancel.
second this! made me want to never sign up again…
yes, agreed. I canceled bc somehow my account kept being used by someone else bc of a data breach and it was a HOLY NIGHTMARE. Thrive wouldn’t help, and the address was local to me so I went and confronted the people (this was not a good idea but I was big mad)
I really wanted to like My Brilliant Career – it has all the elements that should make it my jam. However, the main actress, as gorgeous as she is, is not believably a teenager to me and it throws me off the whole time! (She’s 31.) I’ve reached that point in life where actual teenagers look like children to me, and she definitely looks like an adult. Alas.
So funny the way we interpret this – I am 36 and I thought she looked about 30ish. I assumed that was part of the story…time to get married cause you’re 30! I thought it was interesting when Joanna referenced her as a teen.
I LOVE grocery shopping. It’s a solitary, reflective exercise for me – except for those days where I ask charming strangers to reach things for me. (I’m really short, so it’s a bit of a safety issue to do it myself, honestly.) I know people who don’t feel the same way at ALL, though, so I love the fact that Thrive Market exists for them! (Not that there aren’t plenty of valid reasons to skip the grocery store.) The variety of cool brands would be enough to get my consideration, though!
Online grocery shopping where each week a new box is delivered is on my radar. Another blog I read posts about the service. Her experiences have been great. It creates a different, and I believe, healthier way of eating. I’ll check out Thrive Market.
I’m glad to hear you’re loving Switzy. I was not a fan of her previous novel, The Guest (though I know many people love it), but this one sounds intriguing. I will definitely give it a try. I already mentioned how much I loved The Calamity Club (Katheryn Stockett) in a previous comment. I also really loved Whistler (Ann Patchett) and enjoyed The Shampoo Effect (Jenny Jackson)—a great summer read. I’d also recommend Yellow Pine (Claire Vaye Watkins). I’d never read her before, but this novel is a wonderful mix of deep consideration of serious topics, humor, love, passion, anxiety, and more.
Emily, I feel the same about The Guest! I don’t know how better to describe a certain genre of books that just leave me feeling… bad? Sally Rooney is like that for me, too; I’ve tried a few of her books. I do have a copy of Switzy, though, so I’ll try it. I was in a BIG slump and am reading The Calamity Club right now, which got me out of it. Favorites this year have been The Maidenheads, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and Almost Life–coincidentally (or not!) all queer books :-)
Just finished The Midnight Train…highly recommend it! Matt Haig has such a way with words! School starts next week, in what will likely be my last year teaching…this will be year 41! I’ve gone about setting up my classroom with care….and am super lucky to be in a new building with tons of natural light…really makes the work day more pleasant. I recently discovered a mobile bookstore.called..TBR. Locally, women owned business, focus on female authors. It’s a tricked out trailer, with cool decor! Was at a local brewery as part of a “Silent Reading Hour”, and the brewery had different beer flights that went with different genres of books. It was a fun afternoon…my husband broke his ankle 2 months ago so his mobility has been impacted…it was nice to get out of the house and read in the sunshine…beer and books! A great combo!
Reading Midnight Train now! I’m also really enjoying it!
41 years! Thank you so much for your hard work through the decades! Enjoy that natural light and may your students and parents appreciate you.
Does the cover of that novel remind anyone else of the trippy children’s book Mickey In the Night Kitchen?
That was my first thought as well!
FRIENDS!! consider this video on the ORIGIN OF “LOREM IPSUM”!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL1PDqzqhM4 I cannot describe the delight this brought me. Just good research, good people, and a surprisingly human investigation of placeholder text we must have all seen a million times. So fun and pure!!
A fun thing: pick out something you have always wondered about and go down the research rabbit hole. I have always been interested in how humans started to measure time. A couple of weeks ago I went online and started reading. I am now officially underwater…but having a wonderful time and learning so much.
Where is that fabulous room located?? I would read all day in a room like that!😍😍😍
I am re-reading Big Little Lies in preparation for diving into the newly-published sequel, Big Little Truths (I am hoping to start it this weekend, eek!) – and eyeing up this excellent leopard dress from a Canadian brand for a fancy party this fall: https://elizafaulkner.com/products/maria-dress-blue-leopard?variant=47904447889633. I am also all alone at a friend’s country house for two whole days while my family is back in the city and it’s been so long since I’ve had any solo time that I don’t even know what to do with myself (take a long walk or swim? Rearrange the furniture? Stare into the middle distance?), but whatever happens, I am HERE FOR IT. Wishing everyone a perfect weekend.
Gone on Britbox is 6 episodes about the headmaster of a fancy English boarding school. There’s a murder is all I’ll say. so good! Also, just started The Beast in Me, a thriller with Clare Danes on Nexflix. Also good! Eight episodes. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders documentary is pure escapism. On Netflix.
Yes to Gone! Totally binged this in one night!
Take that watermelon juice and make sherbet in your ice cream freezer! I grew up making this with my grandmother. Can also make small frozen scoops and add to your glass of white wine or champagne :)
Here to recommend Gliff and Glyph (two different books!) by Ali Smith. I devoured How to be Both when it came out and was pinging around on Libby looking for something new to read when I looked her up to see if she had any new books, and lo and behold, TWO! I finished Gliff last night and started Glyph. They are a highly digestible 267 pages each.
I can’t wait to read these!
I ended my reading slump in the past year by slyly taking up whatever my teenager was reading (for fun, not school), which turned out to be mostly queer romances. I think genre books are a little more low-stakes to get into, and the bonus was surprising my kid with some reference from a book and then getting into gossipy but also deep conversations with an otherwise eye-rolling, snarky teen. It also got me back on track with my own more adult reading so it was win-win. Highly recommend!
Would love to know which queer romances you’re reading!!
love this. my niece, cara blaine, has become an author of this genre. we’re so proud of her!
I recently purchased the first book of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and asked if my 12th, 10th, and 8th grade boys if they would let me read it aloud to them (we haven’t read before bedtime in like 4.5 years) and they agreed! Reading before bed was always my favorite part of the day when they were little, so I am “into” the return of it!
This is everything. Sending blessings to you if you’re the kind of bedtime reader that “does voices”. Donut’s gonna be a good one.
I loved the cozy mystery series Grantchester. It is about a vicar and a police detective who solve murders in a small English village. There are many other characters who are thoughtfully developed and the crimes are not gory. The series has the hot priest facto;, touches on the hypocrisy of the church; addresses equality of same sex relationships, women’s rights, racial equality; menopause in one episode; intriguing story lines about the main characters alongside each mystery all while being in the beautiful English countryside. I found it a relaxing and thought provoking series. The first 4 seasons are on Netflix and the remaining 7 seasons are in PBS, which you need to separately subscribe to.
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I just discovered that the first 4 seasons are available for free for me in the public TV ARD Mediathek in Germany right now – even in OV alongside the dubbed version, which is not the norm! Sadly, the first 3 episodes have already been depublicised, so it seems I need to hurry up to watch it!
This is one of my favorite shows! My kids make fun of me for watching it, but I don’t care! It is a balm for me, a true comfort show. Best Medicine, which premiered on Fox last year and is now on Hulu, scratches a similar itch if you haven’t checked it out.
Watched the first episode of My Brilliant Career last night on this recommendation and loved it!
I’ ve been reading short stories of Lucía Corbin every other day because they are so good I must linger on each. I was stuck after reading Martyr! (Brilliant) short stories are good for that. Also started watching The pitt (I am late I have no suscription to any channel so I wait for the internet pirates to share). Went to see the work of swedish painter Hilma af Klint and can’t get enough of her. Life is good lately I cherish it. I am always terrified that sthg big is going to ruin it. Love from Paris Love from Paris
I’m still working to follow my own advice here… Make plans so that if something terrible happens, it’s not even worse because you and/or your family were completely unprepared. Then relax. Big bad things find all of us, sooner or later. The only thing we can control, at least somewhat, is how much we reduce the potential chaos. Hugs, if you want them. *Get a will, pre-plan your funeral, update the what-if-I-die legal arrangements for your children or pets, if you have either
Thanks Rachel, i’m definitely making it my september goal now… bravo for doing it.
I started Thrive Market a few years ago at advice of Kids Eat in Color. I get the Hu Chocolate Covered Cashews in bulk. Teen snacking – here for it. My dude is only in 3rd, but soccer and flag football are already intense. I need to refill those calories! I’ll take any ideas because otherwise he’s going to be 20% Goldfish Crackers by the end of the season.
We love the Soley dried fruit strips — delicious and nutritious! Trail mix is always a go to. My son also loves Chomps meat sticks, which I think look gross. Pretzels with peanut butter inside have good protein. Hummus and veggies or pita chips are great snacks too. Good luck!
I recommend “Sophie, standing there.” By Meg Mason. So good! Also enjoyed Mty Brilliant Career. Also embarrassing to say but I’m also a bit proud that Australian shows get liked elsewhere!
Can I just tell you that Australian comedies are my new favorite thing? Colin from Accounts, Fisk, and Upper Middle Bogan are some of the best, funniest shows I’ve ever seen. They’re now all lunchtime comfort watches for me. (I work from home, lol.)
I read “Sophie Standing There” a few weeks ago and I’m still thinking about it. I’m almost done with Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams, and it has similar themes and feelings. I recommend it!
I watched Offspring when I was pregnant with my first and it was the perfect combination of rom com, funnily offbeat, and heartwarming. Every time I watch now, it makes me nostalgic for that time.
Fellow Aussie here and I totally agree. It always feels so nice to be “seen”. Kerry – have you tried Rosehaven?
Kerry, I feel so seen as both a Fisk lover and a WFH lunchtime tv watcher
This summer I’ve making watermelon with mint leaves’ juice almost every day. Love it.
hi jo! completely off-topic and hopefully not too weird, but i love the freckles on your legs. actually, i love freckles period, and would love to have them but it seems my genie wish has been misundestood and i now have a HUGE amount of freckles on my back (which i obviously don’t see) and i joke that i have freckles on my brain too (because i have MS – luckily super controlled, no one would know if i didn’t tell them :) i’m 42 and i still hope to have freckles one day :D these days i’m really into lego building (i bought the xfiles set a few weeks ago – it’s my favorite tv show EVER), watercolor painting and FRIENDS. i’ve watched the show multiple times, but now i’m watching it again from the beginning with my boyfriend, who has never watched the whole show (whaaaaat). it’s always so fun :) lastly, and i understand if it’s too personal (and obviously none of my business), but i always find it strange that you refer to alex as “the boys’ dad” instead of just “alex”. it feels so detached, but maybe that’s the way you cope with the last few years? i always find myself wondering how your relationship is post-divorce. would you consider talking about it here? (maybe it’s only a big salad kind of post) thank you for everything you do! XXX
hi joana (great name), thank you for your sweet note! I love freckles too :) tarte actually makes this funny freckle stamp, fyi! https://amzn.to/4gsXO1G re Alex, semantics are a weirdly hard thing to navigate! of course I refer to him as Alex to our families and mutual friends, but online I don’t want him to worry that I’m writing about him actively, so I usually refer to him just as the relationship to my kids, as part of their stories/activities. hope this makes sense! I’d say we are well-connected co-parents. :) joannaxoxo
hi jo! it’s nice that you love freckles, most of the people around me who have them don’t like them and i feel it’s such a shame :) thanks for the rec, i might give the freckle stamp a try one of these days! :))) as for alex, thank you for your reply and for being so open :) i’m happy it’s just a question of semantics and respect, it makes perfect sense. you’re a very thoughtful person :) (not a surprise, but still) have a great week! joana :)
I have been waiting for more tomatoes to ripen in our community supported agriculture farm so I can make some sauce for this winter. But alas, it’s a bad tomato year. I’m also dipping my toe back into the dating pool, but I’m TERRIFIED. The relationship with my daughter’s father was emotionally abusive and it made me scared to even try to dat again. Now I have a date coming up and it is taking a lot of willpower to not just cancel. At the same time I am craving some positive vibes and affection from a guy. Help?!!
Rose, you got this! This site has all the dating advice a girl could want. Fingers crossed for you!
You can do it! Just remember that you are the prize to be chased, and that you are evaluating the guy to see if he can meet your needs and expectations. As women, we are taught to want to be picked and it’s hard to undo that mindset. Getting back out there after divorce was SO hard but it can be so refreshing. Enjoy!
I don’t have any words of wisdom to share but please know this internet stranger is rooting for you and sending you all the good luck on this big step you’re taking ❤️❤️
Maybe not the response you are hoping for, but it’s also okay to NOT date! At it’s best, dating is a fun, exciting, interesting way to meet more people and learn about other humans. Some of those humans you’ll get to appreciate and know better, and some will continue living their lives, and both are fine! But sometimes when it feels like you are dating because there is a need to fill, it can also be interesting to sit with those feelings and explore other ways of getting them met if dating is too intense. YMMV, but when I’m single and needing affection or touch, I find massages, group dance classes (ballroom, swing, line, etc.), and new fun social activities (rock climbing, volunteering on a campaign, joining a club!) can scratch a lot of the itch that society tells me only comes from “dating”.
Good for you! If nothing else, you’ll get a nice drink or a meal and some conversation practice. And maybe a good connection! Tuck some good questions in your purse in case the conversation slows down. Hold onto your heart, it’s not for everyone, and enjoy yourself!
you can do it! a witch cousin of mine recommends burning a white candle in your front window to attract good partners. worked for me. lol
I’ve been trying to approach scary things in life as lightly as possible. I tell myself I am playing and lower the stakes as much as possible. I wonder if you can do the same in your approach to dating?
As others have said here, you’ve got this! But I have two more reactions: 1. Reassurance: Ttrust your instincts. They are accurate and important. 2. Resource: Check out the book “Burn the Haystack: Decode Dating, Torch the Duds, and Make Room for Men Who Matter” by Jennie Young, PhD. She also shares her information on Facebook group and her free-subscription Substack. Basic idea, short version: If you’re looking for a needle in a haystack, burn down the haystack because needles don’t burn. Basic idea, long version: Dr. Young is a professor of rhetoric and writing at University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. She applies her skills in critical discourse analysis to mens’ posts on dating sites. (Why does he say that? Could he have said it differently? What’s his underlying meaning? Do you reach out, or block him, so the algorithm won’t recycle him back into your feed?) Dr. Young and her methods are smart, funny, reassuring, and empowering. Her method can’t promise you an ideal match, but you’ll waste less time and energy, and feel less demoralized, while searching.
Two things: pay attention to how your body feels with the person on the date. I think we tend to overthink things and get caught up focused on something that doesn’t matter, but your body won’t lie to you. Second- I was talking to a friend recently who was dating and she was very focused on what she “wants” in a guy…excluding a ton of possibilities if they didn’t check the boxes but I think real connection can be a bit more haphazard and mystical! Give people a chance, and notice how you feel in their presence ✨
My book club selected “The World According to Garp” which I never would have thought to pick up and it led to such a great discussion. We have been reading best sellers from the year that each member was born and it’s really gotten us out of our comfort zones in a good way! Also not a new book but am part way through “Cutting for Stone” and it’s excellent!
Oh, I haven’t read that in years! The movie was also really well done. I think I need to get my book club into reading “older” books.
Just wrapped up Cutting for Stone last week and WOW, what a saga of a novel. Loved it!
I’m trying to check out Thrive Market – what they sell and their prices and delivery options, etc. – and I don’t think I can without signing up and giving them a credit card. Am I missing something?
Same. I feel very weird about paying for something before I can even see the details of what I’m buying?
Please, please, if you love to read. Also read My Brilliant Career. Miles Franklin is a bad ass, she is one of Australia’s best loved early writers and wrote this progressive content at the turn of last century. As a gal from the bush, the prose resonated big time both in feminism and in landscape.
I am in a huge reading slump, is it just me or are a lot of the buzzy books quite similar? They’re either elder millennials reminiscing on their time in university, closely observed miserable marriages or boomers feeling lonely in their lives and revealing a great secret about themselves.
I’ve been reading older books – this started because I had put a hold on the newish book ‘Whistler’ by Ann Pachett and while I was waiting read ‘This is the Story of a Happy Marriage’ and ‘Bel Canto’ I’m not sure what kind of books you enjoy, but these were both great IMO.
I just thought through my recent books and many do fit those descriptions, ha! BUT I am slowly reading Land and loving every moment. Does not fall into any of those categories
oh my god this is so true and this observation made me laugh
Highly recommend the Correspondent. Although it may fall in your last category, the writing is excellent. It’s funny and heartbreaking and insightful at the same time. For something completely different: I am currently reading the Grace Year. A highly addictive cocktail of the Lord of the Flies and the Handmaid’s Tale with some romance mixed in.
Sounds like the cure is genre fiction! Fantasy Romance: Swordcrossed by Freya Marske, con man, fake relationship, and some excellent intrigues with parties/marriages/a family business Swordheart by T Kingfisher: hot man in a sword by magic is now oathsworn to protect a woman whose relatives are trying to marry/kill her Historical romance: The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan has my favorite heroine ever, Chloe Fong and her clipboard! In an enclave of Asian immigrants in early 1800s England, and half Chinese duke Jeremy Fong is pretty sure everyone’s going to be mad when they find out he’s a Duke. The whole series is great, and Jeremy is so funny, and I reread it twice a year. How to Fake it in Society by KJ Charles, my gold standard for lovable disaster heroes and intricate historically accurate plot points Vintage historical romance: Laura Kinsale’s absolutely off the wall “For My Lady’s Heart.” Sports romance: The Prospects by KT Hoffman made me care about baseball Thriller/mystery/??? Historical romance: Copper Script by KJ Charles is dark and twisty, there’s a hero who can magically read emotions from handwriting and he realizes someone important is a serial killer, and realizes that the upright police detective bringing him this info is realllllly repressed and oh hey, kind of cute? Aliette de Bodard is some kind of genius and all her books manage to wrangle with colonialism and the future and fairy tale, In the Vanisher’s Palace really stuck with me and features “A woman, betrayed, terrified, sold into indenture to pay her village’s debts and struggling to survive in a spirit world…A dragon, among the last of her kind, cold and aloof but desperately trying to make a difference.” It’s like apocalyptic Sleeping Beauty and the dragon is a lesbian? Excellent. But much darker than everything else I listed. My forever favorite Celia Lake writes magical tales over a hundred years of historical England, but they’re not ever really just about that! Pastiche is about a marriage in trouble and about living with fibromyalgia, and there’s a satisfying mystery. Anything TJ Alexander has written but especially Second Chances in New Port Stephen which reckons with hometowns and parents and career and our expectations for ourselves. Old West Romance: I’m not usually one for this time period but I always make exception for the great Beverly Jenkins (who has a huge backlist so you have a lot to get through if you love her!) and Breathless is my favorite meetcute ever—the heroine accidentally shoots the doctor hero. Sci-fi: Martha Wells’s Murderbot Diaries have long been my favorite palate cleanser after a book slump.
Spot on, Nicola, ha ha… Add to it, a hot mess of a young woman voicing very honest thoughts. Then, I discovered The Cazalet Chronicles earlier this year and it’s just so good, comforting with a touch of bleak and bite.
hi nicola! a few suggestions if it’s helpful (of books that don’t follow the guidelines you just mentioned): – a thousand splendid suns (khaled hosseini is just AMAZING, i keep hoping he’ll write a new book!) – the correspondent (it’s recent and buzzy but absolutely wonderful) – the girl with the louding voice (a beautiful and heartbreaking book) – there are rivers in the sky (elif shafak is one of my greatest discoveries) – project hail mary (if you like science fiction) – anything by fredrik backman, who is a genius :) – the thursday murder club – perfect for a slump because they’re easy to read and so funny :) i hope this helps :)
I hear you on the samey-ness! My suggestions: go back a few years & see what you find (I asked a few older people in my life for books they liked when they were younger & it was fun checking them out) or try a new genre even if you hadn’t previously liked it. More specific ideas/ suggestions: • my parents are re-reading the whole Donna Leon Inspector Brunetti series in order & have enjoyed seeing the characters change over the years • I haven’t done this yet but intend to give A Court of Thorn & Roses series a go & see what i think of romantasy (I am very resistant but want to try!) • My great aunt recommended David Lodge’s campus trilogy & it is peak 1970s satirical comedy (complete with all the casual sexism you’d expect of the era) & is a fun read (disclaimer: i’m not finished yet so hopefully i won’t encounter anything that makes me regret this reco!) • A more serious literary book I read recently which I thought was kind of a throwback in style (in that it was a sweeping epic i feel you don’t get much of recently) though it was shortlisted for this years’ Women’s Prize was Flashlight by Susan Choi. Good luck!
I agree! Publishing is a business like anything else and when something works it becomes a formula for success (remember all the book titles starting out Girl with/from/on).
Do you like fiction? Not sure any of these would suit you, but I recently read The Other Bennet Sister, Fellowship Point, Whistler, the Maisie Dobbs series, and am in the middle of the Emma M Lion series. I can’t stand the things you’re describing and feel similarly about a lot of what’s out there, and I loved all of these! maybe worth a try if you like fiction? Hope you find something good soon!
Nicola, what a great observation – I wouldn’t have been able to articulate it myself, but you’re right! A few novels I’ve read in the past year-ish that do NOT fit those descriptors: North Woods Buckeye Isola Mother Mary Come to Me (memoir)
If you like a story that follows multiple generations, I recently finished The Mountains Sing and really liked it. It’s told from the perspective of a North Vietnamese family in the decades leading up to and during the Vietnam war. It’s not “light” but it drew me in!
There are definitely trends in publishing! You could also make an argument that everything is romance or fantasy or a combination of those two. I’m reading “The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson and it’s extremely creepy (about a serial killer), but a page turner. Getting me out of a slump! Do you live near a library? They can help you find some great reads!
I second Kelly’s Celia Lake rec! So fun, echoes of Dorothy Sayers’s Lord Peter Wimsey series, but with magic. They’re great; fast reads; and there are a million books in the series so always something new to explore in a very well-crafted setting.
A few years ago I challenged myself to read (and finish!) all of the Pulitzer prize for fiction winners over the last 25 years. Such a wide variety of topics and styles from year to year and it was nice to not have to make any decisions about what to read next!
This made me laugh so hard.
Ahahahaha spot on observation. My recommendation would be Kevin Wilson’s book, Nothing to See Here. It’s so funny and weird but also great lit fic
Love, love, LOVE your summary of many recently publised books! But there are others out there! Look in unusual places or wander the public library and see what the librarians have put out on display, either near the main entrance or propped up on a shelf with the front cover (not the book spine) facing out. Many of my best reading experiences began with a random library encounter.
Kelly – seeing as how I’ve read half the books you’ve recommended just this year, I added the other half to my tbr pile. Thank you!
SO true. I also find that many buzzy books are…. really over hyped. Theo of Golden, Road to Tender Hearts, Heart the Lover, James, The Hearts Invisible Furies, North Woods, Sandwich, The Vanishing Half, Cloud Cuckoo Land, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow – I found all of these books to be anywhere from downright bad to just very simply good. I feel like I seem like a real book snob, but people seem to lose their minds these days for certain books that are simply churned through a marketing machine very effectively. Even Educated is so overhyped (she wrote that book way too young IMO – trauma barely felt processed…) I just finished Famesick by Lena Dunham and was extremely impressed. Highly recommend. This is pretty niche, but for anyone into high fantasy, highly recommend getting on the Brandon Sanderson train. He recently made a big deal with Apple TV, so I feel like it’s going to be the next Game of Thrones. I’m two books into The Stormlight Archives, and they’re EXCELLENT. First one was legit really hard to get into, but WORTH IT.
Ohhh, I would really appreciate a pantry staples for teens article!
Ditto! My tween daughter suddenly needs two breakfasts and two dinners. It’s insane.
All I’ve wanted to do in my free time this week is consume all the Dolly Parton appreciation. The online song tributes, the old video clips of her performing, and the writings about her life and story. Nothing else has felt relevant! I’m especially enjoying the trio music of her harmonizing with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. So beautiful.
Me tooo!! Dolly is worthy of reverence 😉 I’m really inspired by her self-acceptance and courage and joie de vivre and philanthropy.
My mother used to play the Trio record (still albums back then!) so often she wore it out. I need to revisit it. My teenaged self didn’t really pay it proper attention.
Oh, I love the Trio music (“Wildflowers”!). My mother had the record when I was little, and I loved looking at it b/c the liner was printed with paper doll versions of the three singers and various outfits. (Remember paper dolls?!) It was VERY obvious which outfits were meant for Dolly’s particular shape ;).
Flags are at half staff through Sept. 1 — that brought me so much joy. I hope my grandpop finally gets to meet her now :) Here’s a fave. https://youtu.be/yn55-xvyBh0?is=P8TewP_3lCapFknU
Oh my gosh, I am LOVING My Brilliant Career. It is really reminding me so much of My Lady Jane. Which I’m still upset about.
Yes – same!!
Maybe Joanna’s friend (Gemma?) who wrote and/or was involved with Lady Jane had a hand in My Brilliant Career. I thought the same!
1. A guy I know was making fun of me and my book group—“as long as you’re not reading don’t ready The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” or something” and I found it the next day at the thrift store, and we’re gonna read it! I kind of want to blog about it… 2. Grilled roast beef and cheese sandwiches with garlic powder mixed into the butter. 3. My oldest son said “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you about that, you were right.” 4. The slightly unhinged and lovely feeling of comfortable touch between two people who keep their cards firmly to their chests until they don’t.
No. 4 wants me to read a book about this story. It sounds beautiful and i am rooting for them.
Thanks Ava, I’m rooting for us too. It’s slow to the point of madness…
Wait, I’m days behind on CoJ so just reading this comment now but I’m dying to know more! Are the card still firmly to the chest or no? Am I asking because I don’t know how to NOT keep my cards firmly to my chest? I am! haha. Glad you have a slowly unfolding love story in your life, Evenings Free!
That wallpaper! source please
Gorgeous, right? It’s Erfoud by Mind the Gap!
If I remember correctly, it looks like the room wallpaper at the Haymarket Hotel in London
I discovered Thrive last year and it has replaced my Costco membership (mad respect if you like Costco, it wasn’t for me). I have started filtering my browsing by what is on sale and goodness gracious do they have good deals! These days I just go to the actual grocery store every few days to buy fresh produce or one of ingredients and it’s so nice!
I’d love to save some money on food. Our grocery bills are getting out of hand. How long does your order take to get to you?
Ooh is My Brilliant Career family-friendly (can watch with a tween girl)? Always looking for stuff that doesn’t feel too childish but also doesn’t have anything too sexy yet.
it’s preeettyyyyy sexxxxy
Hmm I’m not done yet, but so far a large plot point is her orgasming from (assumedly) getting fingered (is there a better way to say that??) in a field…but its quick and not super explicit…If that helps..?
And don’t forget the self satisfaction scene in the bath – something every young woman should know, but maybe not too young? I loved My Brilliant Career and The Other Bennet Sister and their feminist lean. I remember loving the movie of MBC (1979!), but I also love how a six part ltd series can get so much more in-depth than a movie version of a great book. Another example of that is Presumed Innocent, the terrific series with Jake Gyllenhaal v. the old Harrison Ford movie.
Question for the COJ hive mind! Any outfit recommendations for attending an October wedding in London? The venue is a chic, moody restaurant and dress code is semi-formal. I am very petite, run cold (aka prob want to avoid sleeveless dresses), and have a budget of about $150. Thanks in advance!
Satin bias-cut midi skirt with a monochromatic sweater to top?
If you’re open to renting, Rent the Runway Tate Gown by Et Ochs comes in petite sizes, black long sleeves, interesting chocolate skirt, well reviewed and stunning!
Hey Mak! Park & Fifth might have some options that fit what you’re looking for? I recently wore a dress from there to a wedding and I’ve basically never felt more glam in my life. https://parkandfifthco.com/en-us/products/sonora-dress-7 https://parkandfifthco.com/en-us/products/mara-dress ^These feel chic/moody/semiformal to me! Maybe bring a wrap for layering?
This would be so cute! https://www.nordstrom.com/s/selene-ruched-long-sleeve-dress/8508033
I *love* Thrive Market and have shopped there for years – they regularly have really solid sales on great things – I get Ghia (the fun NA apertif) for halfprice time to time, as well as great tea, oats, kid snacks, crackers, all the things. We’re re-watching Schitt’s Creek right now, and just, I love it. It’s like a warm funny hug from a friend. I’m also really into tomatoes on all the things right now, preferably really soft sourdough. No animal prints for me, but i’m the squishy phase of summer where I just want flowy dresses and oversized T’s and the loose shorts. A few years ago I started buying all my shorts one size up and gosh darnit if that wasn’t one of the best choices ever.
“A few years ago I started buying all my shorts one size up and gosh darnit if that wasn’t one of the best choices ever.” = love this
I’m glad to hear this about Thrive! I was thinking about trying it recently and some Reddit threads full of haters talked me out of it lol. And I love Ghia!! Seems like a good alternative to Sprouts, which has gotten eye-wateringly expensive in the past few years.
Always one size up. Shorts are the worst.
I love Thrive too and have been using it forever. I did NOT know about Ghia though! Great tip.
YES. Also, bought a whole set of undies one size up for the first time two years ago, and I am a changed woman. And most are black, because thank you CoJ.
Hi Mel! I buy my underwear one size up too. Be free!
I love the four fun things posts! There’s usually a trailer to watch which feels like a mini-break, and I just placed an alert on Switzy for when my library gets copies!
Don’t mind me, just gibbering in the corner about the 1990s as a period drama. Ahhhh!
I think that was a typo! It’s been fixed. ;)
hahah sorry my mistake!!
Typo alert – My Brilliant Career is set around 1890. Ok so I seriously and with the best intentions … just can’t watch this version. The original with Judy Davis and Sam Neill was simply perfect. In fact it totally provided the foundation for what I expected romance too look like (turns out, pillow fights aren’t really a thing). I tried to watch it, but they cleaned up her poverty too much – Australia wasn’t clean. And she was vital. Now it is sort of mills & boon syrup, instead of feisty and brilliant. Honestly, please try to track down the original it has aged well.
oh want to watch it! thanks for the rec :)
I searched through all of the comments to see if anyone else mentioned the original!!!! It’s beautiful and raw and perfect. But this is such a good reminder that I never read the book and always meant to :)
I am trying to read all of the books that have been longlisted for the Booker Prize, of which Switzy is one, but it’s not our in the UK yet either. I’ve managed 5 so far, and my favourite has been The Renovation by Orhan Pamuk. I’m also really enjoying a show called Ludwig which stars David Mitchell (British comic actor, very funny and awkward!) as a puzzle setter who ends up being a crime consultant. It’s very funny and has great crime puzzles! I don’t like gory crime but it’s perfect for me.
Totally agree re Ludwig and love seeing it mentioned. Did you see the trailer for Season 2? We enjoyed watching Season 1 with our teenagers. They loved it too. Then we went on a David Mitchell ‘Would I Lie To You’ rabbit hole but that’s another story…
Loved Ludwig! Death Valley is slightly less dark and gripping but similarly good. And who can forget the king of the cozy crime genre, my beloved Death In Paradise.
interesting tidbit if you read The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny is that the abusive bf (hated him so much) was apparently based on Orhan Pamuk, with whom Kiran Desai had a years-long affair!
Death in Paradise! Still watching it every Sunday night with my husband, after his parents recommended it years ago. That opening theme song!
Yes Shari, we have started season 2! It’s out in the UK already. Only 2 episodes in but it’s excellent so far
Came back through all of the comments just to thank you for recommending Ludwig! Enjoying it so much and never would have found it in the streaming algorithms…