Friday Features

Summer reading, interesting links, and a fun summer movie

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Well it’s officially Friday but with the holiday this week it truly feels like a Wednesday. I hope you had an enjoyable 4th of July. We had family over for a cookout at the lake and watched an amazing fireworks show. Glitter and sparkler like fireworks were abundant this year and I loved them. Plus, lots of purple fireworks which from my color scheme here you can tell I’m a bit partial to purple. Fun fact: there are artists creating those fireworks shows we love and they’re official title is “Pyrotechnic Designers” which, after all these years of watching fireworks, I’m wondering why I didn’t know this sooner? If you’re like me and would love to know more about these firework artists, check out these 15 secrets of fireworks designers….now I know why there were “new” fireworks this year.

My reading this past week has been a bit sporadic, and audiobooks have saved me once again. I recently loved this memoir on audio (you can hear my full review on Book Talk Etc ).

I would love more memoir recommendations, so feel free to drop any you’ve loved in the comments

Overall, my summer reading has been surprising because I typically LOVE thrillers in the summer, but they’re not really working for me this summer. This upcoming release by a trusted author was a huge disappointment (my review is in this episode of Book Talk, etc). What has been working for me is backlist, I especially loved this backlist book which may be one of the best audios I’ve listened to so far this year.

Let’s get to Friday Features , a post in which I simply share or “feature” a variety of things I’m reading, enjoying, purchasing, watching etc. I’d love for you to share something you’d like to feature this week!

A THOUGHT PROVOKING -BUT NOT PERFECT- RECENT READ

Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Two top women gladiators fight for their freedom within a depraved private prison system not so far-removed from America's own.

This book was a brilliant concept and very easy for me to get invested in- the opening scene is a death match so yeah he doesn’t mess around with any lengthy set ups. I listened and I will say this was hard to follow at times (especially the ending) due to the many characters and abrupt shifts in time and perspectives. But the various narrators themselves were fantastic. This is one of those books best read with others or for a book club, in my opinion, because there are a lot of themes and you’ll want to talk about all of them. The author explores racism, our criminal justice system, our prison system, justice, solitary confinement and the death penalty, love, sacrifice…and more. I read this with our patrons for BTE Patreon Book Club and the conversation was engaging and helped me see the book in a different light. Some people absolutely loved it and others felt that it was ok- and that made for a great bookish discussion! While I struggled at times with the execution of the story, the premise and themes were memorable and extremely thought provoking and sometimes that’s just what I need in my reading life

IN THE NEWS

• The Threads App launched - have you joined? What are your thoughts on another “Twitter” like platform- or just another social media platform in general? I joined but I’m not sure if I have the capacity for another social media platform. That being said, on the few minutes I’ve spent checking it out, I’ve loved seeing all the book talk, as well as some of my favorite Twitter follows (i.e.Roxane Gay) already on there chatting- wondering if Stephen King will venture onto Threads😅

• 83 Year Old Becomes Oldest Person to Sail Solo Across the Pacific - I love seeking out good news stories - I think we get enough doom and gloom when we turn on out TV’s - so on my Substack I plan on sharing stories that delight, inform, inspire, and entertain:)

PRODUCTS I’M LOVING

• I love a comfortable wide leg crop pant in the summer and Athleta has several varieties

• My go to summer drink - Ice cold Perrier with fresh limes- it’s crisp and refreshing and in the evening also great with a splash of Pinot Grigio

WATCHING

• The Bachelorette returned and I’m loving Charity as the lead. Not sure about her choice for first impression rose but I highly doubt they end up together. I think her group of guys are great for the most part- I’m sure there will always be people “there for the wrong reasons” (insert eye roll) and you gotta love how ABC just keeps bringing this tired, old storyline back. Sometimes I really long for the less drama filled days of this show from WAYYYY back in the beginning. But, on the flip side, I will take a drama filled beach so you can bet I’m eagerly anticipating the return of Bachelor In Paradise later this summer

• We had a fun movie night seeing The Flash with my 2 grown sons. It was super entertaining and fun to watch on the big screen with extremely over priced but delicious popcorn. I will always spring for that but absolutely sneak in the bottled water! My husband and I are big movie goers, and I love the AMC Stubs Program. If you go to movies regularly it really does end up paying for itself in rewards

INTERESTING LINKS

15 Mysteries and Thrillers Set at Sea

Holly Gibney is coming back! Read an excerpt from Stephen King’s upcoming book Holly

LitHub’s Most Anticipated Books of 2023, Part 2

What Attachment Styles Teach Us About Our Friendships

Fake Drinks That Don’t Taste Fake: The Rise of the Mocktail

What would you feature this week?

Have a great weekend!