Weekend Reading 06.20
A NYC apartment filled with art and books, an interview with author Megan Abbott, the 100 best mysteries and thrillers of all time, and more links for your weekend.
Hi friends. How has your week gone? Are you part of the summer heat wave? Reading anything good? Here’s a little of what’s been going on with me...
Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and for some reason, I’ve become fascinated by the fact that for the next six months, each day gets a tiny bit shorter, and then the whole thing reverses again. I know, I know. I’m late to the party.
My baby is turning 30(!) on Sunday. Impossible. By the way, he wrote beautifully about something really hard this week if you’re interested.
I’m in the middle of Murderland and completely freaked myself out by reading it late at night while Tom was out of town.
Tom and I taught Madeline to say “I did it!” after she did something hard, and Lindsey told me that she said it unprompted this morning after retrieving her pacifier from under her crib. The way we screamed.
Speaking of Madeline, I impulse bought her a toy from my IG feed, and it turns out it was being sent from IRELAND. My tracking updates said things like “the shipment is being inspected at the customs of Ireland” and “the shipment arrived at the customs of United States.” Kind of charming, really. Lol.
And here’s what I saved to share with you this week…
This 120-year-old NYC home’s design was inspired by Gertrude Stein’s Paris apartment. “I saw this apartment online the day it was listed, visited it the same day, and made an offer that evening,” Chelsea explains. “And in the 120 days we were in contract, I never saw another listing I would have visited.”
Author Megan Abbott on criminal conspiracies in the fallen suburbs. Her new book, which comes out next week, is one of my summer reading picks.
TIME Magazine enlisted the help of seven mystery/thriller/suspense authors to come up with a list of the 100 best thriller and mystery books of all time.
I’m so intrigued by these beautiful paper cocktail napkins that come on a roll.
I didn’t think I was interested in the new movie Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, and then I watched the trailer. I’m in! It’s in theaters now.
6 daily habits to help you live longer. Tom practices #4 regularly, and I’m a huge fan of #5. Surely I’m not alone.
I’m not usually one for practical jokes, but the moms at a church in Texas pulled off the best Father’s Day prank.
Why the French don’t obsess over purpose. How good is this part? But what if your purpose is simply to build a good life? To raise kind children. To cook a little better each year. To read a few excellent books. To notice the seasons. To build meaningful relationships. To help others. To give time - and money if you can - to causes you care about.
Here’s what we talked about in the paid version of the newsletter this week.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
P.S. If you’ve ever thought about leaving a comment on a post, it would make my day if you hit the button below and did just that. I love hearing from you.
Grant’s essay is thought-provoking—— much here for reflection. His caring heart is so needed. And as a former English teacher, his writing thrills me!
Julie, keep writing. You're so very good. Mj