Links & Lit: A 5 Star ⭐️ French Classic

Plus, thoughts on my creative break and was the And Just Like That series finale a disaster?

Aug 17, 2025

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 collecting interesting articles!

I also include a couple favorite archived posts you might’ve missed—because a good book rec has no expiration date.

Hello! I’m back from my two week creative vacation and happy to be here, I’ve missed writing and talking with you all. The break was exactly what I needed to give my mind some breathing room and to refill my creative cup. I didn’t do anything exciting in my time off, but that wasn't the point. My intentions were to take a much needed break from screens and to fill that time with relaxing activities and perhaps some mindless tv.

Relaxing activities included walks in nature with Vinny and watching sunsets. Isn’t that sunset no-filter perfection?

I will say, the first couple of days were hard because I had been spending hours a day on my laptop and a good amount of time on my phone. I found myself starting to open my laptop or pick up my phone, habits that are ingrained when you do the type of work I do. But I consciously replaced that time with reading (not audiobooks, actual sit down and read time), journaling, and something new to me—monochromatic coloring.

Monochromatic coloring sounds fancy, but it’s simply coloring a picture using only one color. I’d never heard of this, but it popped up in my Instagram feed with the caption—perfect for: overthinkers, anxious minds, people who just want a quiet moment. Well, that was me! The company that showed up in my feed was Still & Slow, and I ended up ordering their monochrome coloring book and pen set (this is not sponsored and I have no affiliate link).

You might be wondering why this appealed to me? I love to color and in the past I’ve bought various adult coloring books and so many varieties of markers, watercolor pencils, etc. But then I’d spend entirely too much time choosing which colors to use because I wanted the picture to look “right” or pretty. The no choice simplicity1 of monochromatic coloring came to me at the exact right time—also it’s very visually appealing. I’ve been coloring while watching tv or listening to an audiobook and finding it very relaxing.

This is the exact book I got. I’ve been hopping around to different images so when I have an entire one completed I'll be sure to show you

What I’ve Been Reading Lately

I’ve been all over in my reading and that’s just how I like it. Per usual, I’ve been gravitating to under the radar new releases and backlist books. I’ve also continued with my summer mood of French translated books and one in particular was a recent huge hit—and I read it in print—and it’s from my print tbr shelf at home! I don’t know about you (I’d love to hear if you have similar feelings) but when the summer began I had very high hopes for many new release books. So many sounded SO GOOD. It turns out, not many of them have been successes for me. Quite the opposite. I would say I’ve had more DNFs (didn't finish) with new releases this summer than I’ve had with backlist in the last few months. I’ll be sharing those new release DNFs in an upcoming podcast episode.

Recently Read

Bonjour, Tristesse by Francoise Sagan Bookshop.org

A 1954 French novel that has become a contemporary classic. Set against the translucent beauty of France in summer, Bonjour Tristesse is a bittersweet tale narrated by Cecile, a seventeen-year-old girl on the brink of womanhood, whose meddling in her father's love life leads to tragic consequences.

This is the print book I pulled off my tbr shelf at home. It’s very short and was the perfect book to read in two sittings by the lake one weekend. I was intrigued by the setting, the fact that it’s described as bittersweet and I needed to know what the tragic consequences were. And it didn’t disappoint.

The author wrote this when she was 17 and from what I’ve found from reading the fantastic end notes which included interview questions and commentary from critics, it seems the story was a bit autobiographical. I won’t give anything away, but I found her writing to be quite conversational, almost breezy, yet literary at the same time. There were sentences that made me stop and highlight and a rhythm to the story that had me rapidly turning the pages. Since Cecile narrates, it was easy to get pulled into her often narcissistic, yet also heartfelt yearnings. I liked her, but I often wanted to tell her to stop and think for just one second.

I thought that Sagan’s writing was atmospheric and she nailed quietly simmering tension. The story surprised me too. For being such a short book (160 pages) it packed a punch. Five stars, I loved it! Side note, I took 5 years of French in high school and college, but I had to look up tristesse. What a fitting title.

Abscond: A Short Story by Abraham Verghese

It’s a New Jersey summer in 1967, and thirteen-year-old Ravi Ramanathan has the makings of a tennis prodigy. His surgeon father encourages his ambition, while his mother dreams of their only child following his father’s path. Fate will challenge Ravi to figure out his place in both his family and the larger world

This is my first read by this author and I found his writing to be beautiful. Not in a fancy sentence with flowery words kind of way, but in a way that cut right to my heart. I was drawn in by this family and immediately felt like they were real people. It’s a heartbreaking story with characters I’m still thinking about. Reading this I kept asking myself, why haven’t you read this author yet and why don’t you read more short stories! I will be doing both. The Covenant of Water is on my fall tbr and I’m excited to dip into more short short stories—if you have any recommendations let me know in the comments. Five stars, I loved it!

What I Watched

And Just Like That - The series has ended, I watched all episodes and I have to say….I was super disappointed by the series finale. I’ve watched the show since the beginning, both movies and this entire reboot and that finale is what they decided to say goodbye with??? I don’t get it. I thought this entire third season was a bust2, so maybe it was time. But you know what, even though I didn’t love this third season, I still eagerly anticipated sitting down and watching every Thursday night. I will totally and completely miss Carrie and Miranda (kind of Charlotte) and if they ever make another return I’ll be watching every minute.

- I went on a Google deep dive and read many of the opinion pieces—have to say I agree with quite a few……

‘And Just Like That’ Finale: This Isn’t an Ending — It’s a Disaster - very dramatic title, but also, they’re not wrong - Indie Wire

And Just Like That Was a Total Disaster- and I’m Heartbroken - The Independent

On the flip side , Sarah Jessica Parker on “And Just Like That’ and Carrie’s Legacy - NYT Gift Link

Links & Listens

11 little ways to fall back in love with reading - number 5 just might be the most important of all for me personally - Self

At 94, I’m still worth looking at - Allure

I will read or watch anything Suleika Jaouad puts out -"Why live every day like it’s your last is terrible advice”. - YouTube

On the creative power of walking - yes to this, it works every time for me. - LitHub

Walkouts, feuds and broken friendships: when book clubs go bad - The Guardian

7 novels about women over 40 love love love The Idea of You - Electric Literature

In other news

Speaking of over 40, this week I was a guest on Amy Allan Clark’s wonderful podcast Book Gang and we discussed being in midlife and I shared 5 of my favorite midlife and beyond books. Give it a listen on your favorite podcast app! I enjoyed chatting with Amy so much, I’m grateful to have wonderful book friends like her to chat about life and reading:) You can find podcast episodes and other great content from Amy on her website, Momadvice.