Weekly Reads & More
This week in books, listens, tv, links
**This post is long, email may get cut off so it’s best to read it in the app or web browser
Two years ago I took a chance on returning to writing about books on Substack, a platform that I had found my way to by chance. Writing, creating content, and making connections with others here on Substack has been a true joy for the past two years. I thank you for taking the time to read my newsletters and'/or listen to my audios— I hope I’ve provided you with enjoyable content. I’ve been excited to brainstorm ideas for future newsletters and audio content! I have some fun stuff planned in 2025.
I started the new year with the goal of streamlining my newsletters and audio, really figuring out what types of content I like to write about, as well as what posts and audio you seem to like the most too. I’ve landed on what I think will be a more consistent content calendar. And I’ve decided on the types of newsletters/audio that bring me the most joy, creativity, and excitement, plus are also the ones that have the highest views/engagement so they’re your favorites too.
This Week….
Recent Reads….
Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall Bookshop
A love triangle unearths dangerous, deadly secrets from the past
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for my free copy and audiobook. Something I will always be drawn to in my reading is a love triangle! I prefer them to fall into the bittersweet, messy, or complicated areas and this story delivered and then some. The main characters are Beth and her husband Frank and Gabriel, her first love who crosses their paths in the opening scenes in a tragic way that perhaps signifies what’s to come. I don’t always love alternating timelines and at first I felt impatient when the author took us back to the past when Beth and Gabriel first met, but those parts are shorter than the present and once I got into the flow of the story I was invested in every timeline. There’s another aspect of the story which is very much a mystery and made the story all that more propulsive, but I’ll let you find out about that for yourself:) I flew through this book! I found it to be bingeworthy and loved having my buddy readers Tina (from Tbretc and Book Talk Etc) and Katie from
to talk about ALL THINGS! There’s a lot to discuss, and while I loved this book, I had a few issues with how the plot unfolded in certain parts. Highly recommend and think this one’s worth the buzz. The audio narration was excellent! Hattie Morahan narrated and her light British narration set the perfect tone to tell the story. Her use of voices was great and her pace kept the story flowing.Twist by Colum McCann 🎧 Bookshop - out March 25
Anthony Fennell, an Irish journalist and playwright, is assigned to cover the underwater cables that carry the world’s information. The sum of human existence—words, images, transactions, memes, voices, viruses—travels through the tiny fiber-optic tubes. But sometimes the tubes break, at an unfathomable depth. When Anthony and John Conway, the chief of mission on a cable repair ship, are sent up the coast to repair a series of major underwater breaks, both men learn that the very cables they seek to fix carry the news that may cause their lives to unravel
Thanks to PRH Audio for the complimentary ALC. This is my first read by this author and what intrigued me the most was the premise above. I find that things going wrong on or under the ocean is a particular aspect to a story that makes me want to find out that happens. The author narrates the audio and he brought the Irish characters to life and created the perfect rhythm, tension and pace to pull me in and keep me riveted. I’ve went down so many Google rabbit holes with respect to things I learned in this story and that, for me, elevates a novel. I’ll be giving my full review of this at the end of the month in my March Surprise Reads Episode because this is one I don’t feel I can adequately review without literally talking about it. I loved it and I need to tell you more about why:) If there’s a theme to this novel it is the opening line of the publisher’s synopsis “Everything gets fixed, and we all stay broken.” I feel like this might end up being an under the radar new release, but it definitely deserves buzz. If you enjoy literary fiction that’s more on the faster pace add this to your March tbr!
Current Read… Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
A debut collection of stories that charts the emotional journeys of characters seeking love beyond the barriers of nations and generations.
My first read for my Pulitzer reading project is also one I’ve had a print copy of on my own shelf at home so win win. I’m about 40% and I really like her writing. I’m learning that reading short stories can be challenging for me because I typically like to sink into one long story, but I’m interested to continue exploring how she’ll tie in threads/themes and build on every story until the end.
Book I Bought or Borrowed
I thought it might be fun to share a recent book purchase or one I just picked up at the library- I check out a lot of library books! A mood reader can never have too many options:)
The cover of The End of the Ocean by Maja Lunde caught my attention at Barnes and Noble recently so I grabbed it on Libby. It sounds like it could be in conversation with Twist
A captivating story of the power of nature and the human spirit that explores the threat of a devastating worldwide drought, witnessed through the lives of a father, a daughter, and a woman who will risk her life to save the future.
Recent Listens…
Scamanda - I started the Hulu show first and then became impatient to know the entire story asap so I listened to the last several episodes of this and I was riveted. I think the podcast does provide a bit more detail, but the documentary added visuals so I’m glad I did a combo watch/listen. This was very well produced!
How to take back control of your life, career, and future - Ep 851 of The Goal Digger Podcast
10 Things to Tell You Podcast — Episode 258 with
and Liz Hein from at LizisReading_ on Instagram
Recently Watched….
Scamanda (Hulu) - Absolutely one of the craziest stories I’ve ever heard of. I still can’t wrap my head around the lengths Amanda went to create and live out her facade. If I encountered this type of story in fiction I’d say it was too far fetched to be believed.
Running Point (Netflix) - Starring Kate Hudson, we started this on Friday night, binged 7 episodes and then finished it last night. So good! Dysfunctional siblings who love each other, basketball, love drama, backstabbing, and plenty of humor. We loved it
The White Lotus (Max) - Another season of wackiness combined with delicious tension and vacationers behaving shadily. Parker Posey is just the best. I’m dying to find out what will happen with the three friends! I’m loving it, my husband says it’s ok 🤷♀️
Links I Loved
Curtis Sittenfield on the deep joy of midlife friendship (The Guardian)
Grief memoirs to make you feel alive from
(Substack)A Big Five published author goes Indie (Publishers Weekly)
The best cleansing oils (Glamour)
Which celebrity book club could (actually) change your life? (MSN)
28 Book-to-Screen Adaptations to Add to Your 2025 Reading List (Vulture)
Mike White’s mischievous vision for The White Lotus (New Yorker)
Spring pastas to make the most of the season (Bon Appetite)
Daniel Pink wants you to read these books (Bookbub)
From the Archives….
My first newsletter two years ago… and appropriate to celebrate Women’s History Month this month!
Thanks for making Substack a great place to create and hang out📚
That cover of THE END OF THE OCEAN is so pretty! I noticed it on someone's monthly roundup in one of the Facebook book podcast groups.
Congratulations on 2 years. Time is flying. I’m enjoying your Substack and all of your recommendations and have encouraged some of the people I met on reader retreat to join in the fun!