Links & Lit
Reads that took me to NYC & Paris, readerly guilt, a binge worthy tv show & more
Hello! Welcome to Links & Lit, a mix of the books I’ve read recently, plus a curated batch of links, podcast episodes, movie/tv shows, and random enjoyments for the week. That’s the basic format, but since I create content like I read (mood dictates), you’ll find random bits thrown in here and there:) Expect plenty of under the radar books to be featured and some great links- I LOVE researching, reading, and curating interesting articles!
I also include a couple favorite archived posts you might’ve missed—because a good book rec has no expiration date.
Weekly Spotlight
Something I love to do is scour the internet for interesting articles and essays. I keep a running word document titled “online finds” with links, quotes, and random tidbits that caught my eye and that’s how I choose the links to share as a batch. This is a fun niche hobby for me1 and I’ve been missing sharing links with you on a regular basis. However, sharing a roundup of links means there’s usually quite a few and if you’re short on time you might not click on all of them. Hence, this spotlight section.
This week, I came across this NYT article—He Read (at Least) 3,599 Books in His Lifetime. Now Anyone Can See His List (gift link) about a man named Dan Pelzer who kept a list of all the books he read starting in 1962. Dan died this month and for his funeral his children wanted to honor his love of reading and make his list available for others to enjoy so they created a website—what-dan-read.com— and uploaded his lists.
The lists are a bit hard to read, but Lauren Hagan, the CEO of The Columbus Metropolitan Library (small world that Dan was also a Columbus resident) said they’re working to digitize his list for library patrons to enjoy. I’ll look forward to that!
Recent Reads
Open City by Teju Cole Bookshop.org from Random House
This book found me at just the right time. I was in between reads and looking for something different. As I often do in the summer, I started Googling under the radar books set in New York City and I eventually came upon this title. Side note: I’m a huge seasonal reader and in the summer I really love reading books set in NYC, if you have any favorites drop the titles in the comments.
Set in Manhattan, this book is about Julius, a young Nigerian doctor doing his psychiatry residency and who regularly wanders aimlessly. He starts walking as a way to relieve stress, and as time goes on and the walks get longer, they give him the opportunity to process his relationships, his recent breakup, his present, his past. I liked Julius and I loved getting a chance to walk around NYC with him. This was a philosophical slice of life story where not much happens, so if you’re a reader who loves plot this might not be for you. I’ll admit there were times I felt a little bored and would’ve liked a bit of plot, but all in all I enjoyed this story.
Just a Little Dinner by Cecile Tlili (translated by Katherine Gregor) from Foundry Editions
In tired, hot Paris at the end of August, a group of friends, who'd rather still be at the sea, meet for a dinner in one couple's apartment. What starts as just a little dinner ends up having monumental consequences for everyone. This book was shortlisted for the 2024 Prix Goncourt du Premier Roman (France’s most prestigious literary award)
In my quest to read some of the print books I own this summer, I grabbed this little book off my shelf last weekend and spent a delightful few hours reading on my patio. The stifling humidity we were having here in Ohio mirrored the hot, humid evening in Paris when the dinner party was taking place. Let me start by saying I love a Paris setting and I love reading translated literary fiction in the summer so this book fit my reading mood perfectly.
This little gem of a novel (155 pages) starts by introducing us to Claudia, the younger live in girlfriend of Etienne and the person who’s been nervously making a very elaborate dinner for Etienne’s best friends Johar and Remi. From the opening pages I could feel her dread as she labored over the food and the heat in the kitchen intensified (in more ways than one). Combine that with Johar’s early thoughts as she begrudgingly makes her way to the dinner party and I was fully invested in finding out how the tensions would play out among these friends.
I found the story highly literary, yes, with beautifully worded sentences, but it was also razor sharp in characterization. I felt these characters come alive through pitch perfect dialogue. Their conversations teetered between casual small talk between friends and insinuations between people who know what secrets hide behind said small talk. I felt the simmering tensions and couldn’t wait to be a fly on the wall to see how the dinner party unfolded. I’m going to leave it there because going into a story like this as in the dark as possible was so fun.
I kept thinking reading this story reminded me of going to the movies, grabbing some delicious, over-priced popcorn and settling in to be entertained for a few hours. I loved it! If you like literary fiction and/or friendship stories where all is not what it seems you might like this. I found this on Blackwell’s - the cover caught my eye
Current Read
Heart the Lover by Lily King (Sept 20, 2025) Bookshop.org
A story of desire, friendship, and the lasting impact of first love
I’ve been so excited to start this and finally decided to jump in. There’s something special about how Lily King brings characters to life and I feel it again with this new story. The vibes are definitely fall so if you enjoy character driven love stories make sure this is on your fall tbr. I’m enjoying this so far and trying to keep my expectations under control because I really loved Father of the Rain and Writers & Lovers.
What I Watched
Bachelor in Paradise - The Goldens are making the season in my opinion. I do love the new location in Costa Rica and the much upgraded hotel, pool etc.
Untamed (Netflix) - The opening scene with was breathtaking and stunning. I loved this murder mystery starring Eric Bana and set in Yosemite National Park. I LOVE stories set in the woods, national forests, etc!
If you enjoyed Untamed like I did, give one of these books a try
Links & Listens
I enjoyed listening to the NYT best books of the year so far - I also loved the nonfictions mentioned -NYT Book Review Podcast
This post on readerly guilt was spot on. Guilt is not something I need or want in my reading life! - Literary Merit on Substack
One nightstand with Sarah Jessica Parker. I’m reminded that I want to read The Bee Sting and A Place For Us! - Bustle
Zillow is just gossip with a floor plan. What a great title, I’ll admit, I love looking inside beautiful houses on Zillow - Bustle
I quit Instagram. This is what I lost - The Observer
What happened to the idea of “middle age”? - Allure
22 Highly Anticipated Book-to-Screen Adaptations Coming Later in 2025. I’m very excited about Hamnet (loved the book) - BookBub
The 21 Best Books of 2025 (so far) - Esquire
In Case You Missed It
What interesting reads or highlights stood out to you this week?
and a side reading hobby because I can spend hours reading articles and going down tangent rabbit holes on a variety of topics, people, and/or places.
Renee I do want you to read A Place For Us! I would love to know what you think!!
That cover on JUST A LITTLE DINNER reminded me of BRANDY SOUR and sure enough, they are the same publisher, FOUNDRY EDITIONS. They only have 8 titles published to date, all set around the Mediterranean and the covers are all coordinated. What a find @Renee. This has grabbed my attention. Also, none of them are available here in Ireland either so I feel a campaign coming on. I think I'll go down to the library tomorrow and bend a few ears.