Weekend Edition #1

Reading/Linking/Loving/Considering/Watching

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Hi friend,

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend. I’ve been looking forward to putting together this new featured post for you called Weekend Browse. Browsing - to survey in a leisurely or casual way- is something I love to do at bookstores, farmers markets, and my favorite shops, but one of my favorite browsing activities on weekend mornings is to have a cup (or 2) of coffee and browse news articles, other Substack newsletters, bookish websites, etc and I thought it would be fun to create my own “varied items” newsletter for YOU to browse.

I’ll be compiling a variety of things that have sparked something in me (books, articles, inspirations, products, delights, podcasts & more) for you to browse and enjoy- maybe you’ll even find that new favorite “something” for yourself. I hope so. Of note, I love links, so you can count on always having a link round up of some kind. As always, I would love your feedback about this type of weekend newsletter. Happy Sunday browsing!

• My fall reading has started with a bang, but has also surprised me a bit. Trusted author Lou Berney’s new book, Dark Ride , was a disappointment for me. I thought the main character’s motivation was an unrealistic stretch as far as motivation goes and that led to me not being as invested as I should’ve been considering the story. If you’re looking for great fall crime fiction I did love and recommend his previous two books - November Road and The Long and Faraway Gone (if you love duel mysteries, esp set in the 1980s give this one a try)

• The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff- the author whose literary writing has intimidated me so I’ve put off reading her books- is the book that surprised me in the best possible way! I listened to this on audio and January LaVoy (narrator) blew me away with her ability to bring Groff’s writing TO LIFE. This was incredibly atmospheric and I could see, taste, and hear everything the main character ( a servant girl who’s escaped her colonial settlement and must try to survive alone in the wilderness) was experiencing. I loved this audiobook so much and rushed to the bookstore when it was released last Tues to buy a print copy so I could revisit Groff’s writing- I’ve already re-read the last couple chapters twice!

• I’m still on a nonfiction reading kick- in particular I’ve been enjoying productivity books. A recent favorite (also great on audio) is Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy - If you have a favorite productivity/time management read be sure to leave a comment, I’d love to add to my tbr,

• We recently finished watching Special Ops: Lioness on Amazon Prime. This thrilling series is action packed and highly bingeable, I’m already eagerly anticipating season 2

• Sunsets! I enjoyed watching and snapping pics of so many amazing sunsets this summer. I’ve been loving scrolling through my camera roll and seeing all the colors of them

• I’ve been loving making my shower time smell like I’m at a spa with this awesome shower spray mist. I originally bought this for half price after seeing it featured on Good Morning America’s Deals and Steals and I’ve been debating about paying full price for a new one thinking do I “need” this and of course I don’t, but I love it and I find the scent of eucalyptus very relaxing so I splurged and just re-ordered a bottle. Bonus- this doesn’t make shower floors slippery

• A new to me podcast - The Drive with Dr Peter Attia . I’ve been listening to a lot of interviews with Peter Attia lately (thanks to my one of my sons for putting him on my radar) and I discovered that Dr Attia has his own podcast - I’ve been browsing his archive and last night I listened to and loved this interview with Ric Elias- Earning the Gift of Life. Rick was a passenger on US Air Flight 1549 that crash landed in the Hudson River. A riveting story and interview!

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about how to simplify the amount of information I’m consuming on a daily basis. I love to learn and to read other people’s essays, newsletters, tips, recommendations, articles etc. But when all of that is combined with social media feeds - namely Instagram for me, Substack, and occasionally Twitter (it sounds too weird to say X😬) PLUS the excessive marketing emails I’m getting in my email inbox - it’s really starting to feel like I’ve hit an incoming consumption wall. I think this is a topic for a longer post in the future, but I would love to know- are you feeling this information/content overwhelm too? I’m in the process of considering what makes me feel best, what brings me joy (Substack!), and what I can unfollow/unsubscribe to that no longer serves me….One thing that’s bringing me intense satisfaction is taking the time to unsubscribe (rather than just delete) from marketing emails. Yes it takes an extra couple steps but it’s leading to less frustration every time I check my email….I’m also going to REALLY think about whether that extra 10% off is worth the tons of marketing emails I will start to get. For your consideration - this article and this article on social media unfollowing.

• The psychology of how to get luckier - tell me more!

• Why Note Taking Apps Don’t Make Us Smarter

• Well this is some bit of research- The Jobs Most and Least Likely to Land You On the Bachelorette (yep I watch ALL of The Bachelor shows)

• I love a great Salmon Salad

• Cargo pants are back and these styles have caught my eye

• Entertainment Weekly with their picks for 41 fall books we need to read

• Substack newsletters are some of the best things to read on the internet in my opinion and I especially enjoy this one from Sara and this one from Dan

• Cozy mysteries with furry sidekicks

• 14 ways to skip the shallow small talk and have deeper conversations

• One of my most popular posts you might have missed

That’s all for today! Have a wonderful Sunday😊