Welcome to your 50s 🎉🥂 I'm loving this decade and what makes it even better is getting to talk with other women who are going through midlife and beyond. I'm really brainstorming how I can dive into it more weather with podcast conversations, regular reading of different types of books- all of the above haha. I think you'll love that short story
I’m 65 and have been dressing for myself for many years. My friends were freaked out when I got tattooed eyeliner but it does make your eyes pop and it’s really hard to apply on the old, jiggly eyelids! Stuff like that-I hope I keep doing!
Yes to doing the things that make us feel good about ourselves! I can totally see the appeal of tattooed eyeliner. Ever since I started working from home doing Book Talk Etc and then Substack, I rarely wear makeup during the week but I would love to look a bit more like I have some on if that makes sense.
Totally. I don’t wear much unless a special occasion. Just a bit of blush. With the eyeliner, looks pretty good. I was nervous doing it. It is completely unlike a body tattoo. Super fine-I hardly felt it.
Renee, you must must read Abraham Verghese's; Cutting For Stone. Maybe before you read Covenant of Water. I loved both books, but CFS is astounding.
I also want to mention that I have been on a Don Winslow kick these last several months. Reading a lot of his non-cartel books. They are a blast. I did read Power of The Dog. Holding off on The rest of that trilogy until late fall.
I haven't read any other books by Verghese but I'm noting that Cutting For Stone seems to be a favorite of many of you. I was planning on reading The Covenant of Water this fall but who knows maybe I'll read CFS first
Love hearing your on a Don W kick, what others have you read and enjoyed ? I loved The Force and his most recent series City on Fire. I've got a couple others dowloaded on my kindle as well
I liked City On Fire. So far that was the only Danny Ryan book I read. I also read: Broken(that book crushed me,)While Drowning In The Desert (Neal Carey#5.) The audio was fantastic. I want to start that series from the beginning. Audible has a bunch of DW short fiction. Of those I listened to Free Billy, Deep Hole, The Heron, Dietrich, Oregon, and Downward Facing Doug. I have Dawn Patrol on loan from my local library and will read that after I finish The Nowhere Man (Orphan X #2.)
Newly turned 40 and can’t wait to check that link out! I loved your podcast episode with Amy just what I needed in this new season. It was refreshing. Thank you and I’m so happy to have found your substack and IG! I currently finished Bees in June and really enjoyed it. I just started Sandwich and can tell I’m really going to enjoy it.
Hi Brittney, welcome to Substack, I'm so glad you enjoyed the episode. I'm grateful for Amy having me on to discuss midlife books. I look forward to chatting books and more with you:) I loved Sandwich when I read it last summer. I have her fall release Wrecked on my tbr
Yay! You're back! I know it wasn't very long, but I'm glad to see your post. I also enjoyed your episode with Amy. My reading this past week has been very meh. I have DNFed a ton of audiobooks and can't seem to get into anything that is holding my attention. Maybe I'm just mentally preparing for the school year to start and having diminished capacity. I had put a book called MAY THE WOLF DIE by Elizabeth Heider on my TBR several months ago and have no idea where I heard about it, but I listened to that last week and it was pretty good. Here's a snippet of the summary from Amazon: "For readers of Jane Harper, a gripping mystery set in Italy, following a female detective haunted by her family’s past and tasked with untangling the city’s organized crime and the modern U.S. military presence there."
I started reading SPECTACULAR THINGS by Beck Dorey-Stein yesterday and hopefully it will work out for me. I'm only 60 pages in and just not sure. I'm thinking about picking something from my Battle of the Backburner that might hold my attention better - maybe a Wendell Berry book that I've been wanting to read for a long time. I have both HANNAH COULTER and JAYBER CROW. Any opinions?
Hi Kristin, thanks, I love your enthusiasm:) I told my husband yesterday that I miss my people and need to hear what everyone's been up to and reading. You've had epic travel this summer, I would love to hear your favorite memories of your trips. I'll be thinking of you as school gets started- this week? I'm sure the beginning of the school year is nuts. Funny you mentioned May the Wolf Die, I have that on my tbr and remember that I wanted to read it because it's set in Italy. I've never read Wendell Berry but I want to so I'm interested in seeing if anyone gives you a recommendation. I have Crossing to Safety on my tbr
Hmmm maybe we heard about the wolf book in the same place? If you remember where, let me know! I loved Crossing to Safety and have read several of Wallace Stegner's books. I think I'm going to try Jayber Crow first from Wendell Berry. I go back to work on 8/25. We start later on the west coast, I think.
Welcome back, Renee! Sounds like your break was just what you needed to relax and refresh. I tuned in to your guest appearance on Book Gang, which I greatly enjoyed, and have added the podcast to my library (like I need another bookish podcast to listen to!). So much fun to go through the “backlist” of the show (like I need another source for my out-of-control TBR!).
I just finished Wild Dark Shore which is so far my best read for 2025. What a powerful book! I will definitely need a palate cleanser after that one.
Looking forward to seeing your posts and podcasts again.
Thank you Carol! Out tbr's are always expanding aren't they😅 I'm glad you enjoyed my episode with Amy, I would love to expand on midlife and beyond conversations sometime. So glad Wild Dark Shore was a huge hit for you
Hahaha! Book Gang is problematic- as the host, I feel I must warn you. Seriously, thank you so much for jumping in and I'm so happy to have you as a new listener.
Are you surprised that i was on my phone listening to a book when your post came in? So I am once again first. Needed to tell you that I finished THIS MUST BE THE PLACE and if i were to give it a star rating, it would be 4.5. It is a messy and complicated love story with multiple timelines that at times was difficult to keep straight.i did love the book. Again, it might make for easier reading if you do a combination of print and audio. I created a list to track nonfiction book that i have read in my Reading List app. I was shocked that i have 10 nonfiction books so far this year. That is 9 more than last year. ☺️ i flew through ASK NOT it’s a book about the Kennedys and the way they destroyed their women. Also THE MOTHER NEXT DOOR which is about Munchausen disorder was fascinating. I read ABSCOND LAST MONTH AND LOVED IT. I have read everything by this author except his nonsiction autobiography. I loved THE COVENANT OF WATER AND CUTTING FOR STONE equally. Can you tell that i missed discussing books or rather chiming in with my two cents? Haha
Hi Kathy! I’m glad the Maggie O ended up being a winner overall for you. You’ve read a lot of nonfiction, I think i’ve heard of the one about the Kennedy’s, that sounds interesting. I’m happy to be back chatting books:)
This is another vote for you to try Cutting for Stone next. It’s definitely my favorite of his that I’ve read! I also enjoyed listening to you and Amy and have another midlife recommendation. Catherine Gilmore recently recommended The Next Day by Melinda French Gates. It’s all about living in times of transition and I would definitely describe midlife as one of those times! Having just sent my youngest off to college/becoming an empty nester and my oldest starting her last semester and getting ready to go out into the real world, I definitely feel like I’m in one of those times! A good deal of the last third of her book in particular really struck me! It’s actually good for anyone going through any major transition at any age, but definitely at this point. It’s very short and she does a good job narrating the audiobook.
I’m also so happy for you that your time off was rejuvenating and I’m so glad that you allowed yourself that time and space.
I love hearing that you also loved Cutting for Stone, I will be reading it for sure. How’s the first days of being an empty nester going? I remember when my youngest left for school, it was so surreal to not have any kids at home anymore. We love being empty nesters though:)
I agree about AJLT - This season was the worst and the finale was a letdown. Bizarre to me that they didn’t have any scenes with Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte all together.
I enjoyed listening to your episode on The Book Gang!
Yes exactly, I was still thinking about that finale today and thinking about just what you said, there was minimal scenes with all of them together and that felt like a rip off. Considering in the original show they were ALWAYS together, I think that was a big aspect they were missing the entire reboot. Such a bummer. And I don't want to give any spoils for anyone reading but you'll know what I mean when I say we deserved to see more of what happened with Miranda's storyline
Thank you, Renee, for sharing Book Gang with your readers. It meant so much to share your voice on this show and to celebrate midlife books with you. I always love the backlist gems you bring to my reading life and thrilled to partner up more in this year ahead, my friend! xx
I'm grateful to you for inviting me. I didn't realize how much fun it would be talking about that topic so I'm glad I got to do it with you. Looking forward to our future conversations:)
Welcome back! And thanks for those links. I listened to the Suleika Jaouad on the way to work and it was so moving. Look forward to hearing more about the books that didn’t work for you this summer. I also have found the new releases I have read to be pretty meh.
Sounds like you had a relaxing break! So great to have you back with all of your suggestions and input! I agree that “And Just Like That” was super disappointing. I’m not surprised it was cancelled… I will miss it though 🤷♀️
I loved listening to you on Book Gang podcast!! I just turned 50 this year, so midlife books are my jam right now 😂.
I absolute love Abraham Verghese books! I didn’t know about this short story so I’ve immediately added to my TBR!
Welcome to your 50s 🎉🥂 I'm loving this decade and what makes it even better is getting to talk with other women who are going through midlife and beyond. I'm really brainstorming how I can dive into it more weather with podcast conversations, regular reading of different types of books- all of the above haha. I think you'll love that short story
YAY!! So happy you tuned in, Katherine!! Cheers to the midlife season!
Oh man! I loved that article about being 94 and still caring about how u look!!!🥰🙋♀️🧑🎤😉
I’m 65 and have been dressing for myself for many years. My friends were freaked out when I got tattooed eyeliner but it does make your eyes pop and it’s really hard to apply on the old, jiggly eyelids! Stuff like that-I hope I keep doing!
Glad your time off was rejuvenating!
Yes to doing the things that make us feel good about ourselves! I can totally see the appeal of tattooed eyeliner. Ever since I started working from home doing Book Talk Etc and then Substack, I rarely wear makeup during the week but I would love to look a bit more like I have some on if that makes sense.
Totally. I don’t wear much unless a special occasion. Just a bit of blush. With the eyeliner, looks pretty good. I was nervous doing it. It is completely unlike a body tattoo. Super fine-I hardly felt it.
Me too, that was a delight to read
Renee, you must must read Abraham Verghese's; Cutting For Stone. Maybe before you read Covenant of Water. I loved both books, but CFS is astounding.
I also want to mention that I have been on a Don Winslow kick these last several months. Reading a lot of his non-cartel books. They are a blast. I did read Power of The Dog. Holding off on The rest of that trilogy until late fall.
I haven't read any other books by Verghese but I'm noting that Cutting For Stone seems to be a favorite of many of you. I was planning on reading The Covenant of Water this fall but who knows maybe I'll read CFS first
Love hearing your on a Don W kick, what others have you read and enjoyed ? I loved The Force and his most recent series City on Fire. I've got a couple others dowloaded on my kindle as well
I liked City On Fire. So far that was the only Danny Ryan book I read. I also read: Broken(that book crushed me,)While Drowning In The Desert (Neal Carey#5.) The audio was fantastic. I want to start that series from the beginning. Audible has a bunch of DW short fiction. Of those I listened to Free Billy, Deep Hole, The Heron, Dietrich, Oregon, and Downward Facing Doug. I have Dawn Patrol on loan from my local library and will read that after I finish The Nowhere Man (Orphan X #2.)
I didn't realize he had another series, I'm going to check that out. And I had totally forgotten about Broken
Newly turned 40 and can’t wait to check that link out! I loved your podcast episode with Amy just what I needed in this new season. It was refreshing. Thank you and I’m so happy to have found your substack and IG! I currently finished Bees in June and really enjoyed it. I just started Sandwich and can tell I’m really going to enjoy it.
Hi Brittney, welcome to Substack, I'm so glad you enjoyed the episode. I'm grateful for Amy having me on to discuss midlife books. I look forward to chatting books and more with you:) I loved Sandwich when I read it last summer. I have her fall release Wrecked on my tbr
Yay, I'm so glad the show brought Renee into your reading life, Brittney. I love that you are in this milestone with us, my friend!! xx
Yay! You're back! I know it wasn't very long, but I'm glad to see your post. I also enjoyed your episode with Amy. My reading this past week has been very meh. I have DNFed a ton of audiobooks and can't seem to get into anything that is holding my attention. Maybe I'm just mentally preparing for the school year to start and having diminished capacity. I had put a book called MAY THE WOLF DIE by Elizabeth Heider on my TBR several months ago and have no idea where I heard about it, but I listened to that last week and it was pretty good. Here's a snippet of the summary from Amazon: "For readers of Jane Harper, a gripping mystery set in Italy, following a female detective haunted by her family’s past and tasked with untangling the city’s organized crime and the modern U.S. military presence there."
I started reading SPECTACULAR THINGS by Beck Dorey-Stein yesterday and hopefully it will work out for me. I'm only 60 pages in and just not sure. I'm thinking about picking something from my Battle of the Backburner that might hold my attention better - maybe a Wendell Berry book that I've been wanting to read for a long time. I have both HANNAH COULTER and JAYBER CROW. Any opinions?
Hi Kristin, thanks, I love your enthusiasm:) I told my husband yesterday that I miss my people and need to hear what everyone's been up to and reading. You've had epic travel this summer, I would love to hear your favorite memories of your trips. I'll be thinking of you as school gets started- this week? I'm sure the beginning of the school year is nuts. Funny you mentioned May the Wolf Die, I have that on my tbr and remember that I wanted to read it because it's set in Italy. I've never read Wendell Berry but I want to so I'm interested in seeing if anyone gives you a recommendation. I have Crossing to Safety on my tbr
Hmmm maybe we heard about the wolf book in the same place? If you remember where, let me know! I loved Crossing to Safety and have read several of Wallace Stegner's books. I think I'm going to try Jayber Crow first from Wendell Berry. I go back to work on 8/25. We start later on the west coast, I think.
Thank you so much for tuning in, Kristin!!!
Welcome back Renee! Your “break” sounds idyllic ❤️. Verghese’s Cutting for Stone is on my top 5 books of all time list <might just be #1>
Thanks Michelle:) Did you read The Covenant of Water? I'm not opposed to reading Cutting for Stone too, his writing was so so good
Yes! I loved Covenant of Water AND his non fiction book The Tennis Partner 💗💗
I didn't realize he had a nonfiction, will check that out
Welcome back, Renee! Sounds like your break was just what you needed to relax and refresh. I tuned in to your guest appearance on Book Gang, which I greatly enjoyed, and have added the podcast to my library (like I need another bookish podcast to listen to!). So much fun to go through the “backlist” of the show (like I need another source for my out-of-control TBR!).
I just finished Wild Dark Shore which is so far my best read for 2025. What a powerful book! I will definitely need a palate cleanser after that one.
Looking forward to seeing your posts and podcasts again.
Thank you Carol! Out tbr's are always expanding aren't they😅 I'm glad you enjoyed my episode with Amy, I would love to expand on midlife and beyond conversations sometime. So glad Wild Dark Shore was a huge hit for you
Hahaha! Book Gang is problematic- as the host, I feel I must warn you. Seriously, thank you so much for jumping in and I'm so happy to have you as a new listener.
Are you surprised that i was on my phone listening to a book when your post came in? So I am once again first. Needed to tell you that I finished THIS MUST BE THE PLACE and if i were to give it a star rating, it would be 4.5. It is a messy and complicated love story with multiple timelines that at times was difficult to keep straight.i did love the book. Again, it might make for easier reading if you do a combination of print and audio. I created a list to track nonfiction book that i have read in my Reading List app. I was shocked that i have 10 nonfiction books so far this year. That is 9 more than last year. ☺️ i flew through ASK NOT it’s a book about the Kennedys and the way they destroyed their women. Also THE MOTHER NEXT DOOR which is about Munchausen disorder was fascinating. I read ABSCOND LAST MONTH AND LOVED IT. I have read everything by this author except his nonsiction autobiography. I loved THE COVENANT OF WATER AND CUTTING FOR STONE equally. Can you tell that i missed discussing books or rather chiming in with my two cents? Haha
Hi Kathy! I’m glad the Maggie O ended up being a winner overall for you. You’ve read a lot of nonfiction, I think i’ve heard of the one about the Kennedy’s, that sounds interesting. I’m happy to be back chatting books:)
This is another vote for you to try Cutting for Stone next. It’s definitely my favorite of his that I’ve read! I also enjoyed listening to you and Amy and have another midlife recommendation. Catherine Gilmore recently recommended The Next Day by Melinda French Gates. It’s all about living in times of transition and I would definitely describe midlife as one of those times! Having just sent my youngest off to college/becoming an empty nester and my oldest starting her last semester and getting ready to go out into the real world, I definitely feel like I’m in one of those times! A good deal of the last third of her book in particular really struck me! It’s actually good for anyone going through any major transition at any age, but definitely at this point. It’s very short and she does a good job narrating the audiobook.
I’m also so happy for you that your time off was rejuvenating and I’m so glad that you allowed yourself that time and space.
I love hearing that you also loved Cutting for Stone, I will be reading it for sure. How’s the first days of being an empty nester going? I remember when my youngest left for school, it was so surreal to not have any kids at home anymore. We love being empty nesters though:)
I agree about AJLT - This season was the worst and the finale was a letdown. Bizarre to me that they didn’t have any scenes with Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte all together.
I enjoyed listening to your episode on The Book Gang!
Yes exactly, I was still thinking about that finale today and thinking about just what you said, there was minimal scenes with all of them together and that felt like a rip off. Considering in the original show they were ALWAYS together, I think that was a big aspect they were missing the entire reboot. Such a bummer. And I don't want to give any spoils for anyone reading but you'll know what I mean when I say we deserved to see more of what happened with Miranda's storyline
Thank you, Renee, for sharing Book Gang with your readers. It meant so much to share your voice on this show and to celebrate midlife books with you. I always love the backlist gems you bring to my reading life and thrilled to partner up more in this year ahead, my friend! xx
I'm grateful to you for inviting me. I didn't realize how much fun it would be talking about that topic so I'm glad I got to do it with you. Looking forward to our future conversations:)
Welcome back! And thanks for those links. I listened to the Suleika Jaouad on the way to work and it was so moving. Look forward to hearing more about the books that didn’t work for you this summer. I also have found the new releases I have read to be pretty meh.
Thanks Abra! I loved that video with Suleika, I'll read/watch anything she does. Summer releases sure have been interesting to say the least
Happy to have you back! I didn't know this book, sounds captivating. And I watched Stick thanks to your rec and it was lovely 💕
Hi Ani, thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed Stick, I'm still missing that show, it was so good.
Welcome back! Good to have you here again ☺️
Thanks Lauren:)
I hope you remember to give yourself breaks more often. I’m always so quick to forget and get sucked in all over again.
I will friend:)
Sounds like you had a relaxing break! So great to have you back with all of your suggestions and input! I agree that “And Just Like That” was super disappointing. I’m not surprised it was cancelled… I will miss it though 🤷♀️
Thanks friend:) We will just have to go back to the Sex and the City beginning and rewatch!