Happy Derby weekend! This is Louisville\u2019s weird little holiday weekend: the kids are out of school, the grocery stores are overflowing with strawberries and mint, the traffic is terrible, the parties many. At my house we mostly care about the food: I intend to make a traditional \u201cDerby\u201d pie<\/a><\/strong> because why overlook a pie-baking opportunity? (I\u2019ll be honest, that doesn\u2019t happen often at my house.) Other than that Will and I intend to plant herbs in pots and maybe hit up the botanical garden for the first time this season. <\/p>\n I hope you have something to look forward to these next few days, and that this collection of interesting reads and favorite things helps ease you into that weekend frame of mind.<\/p>\n Buckle up, it\u2019s almost time for summer reading! The 14th annual Modern Mrs Darcy Summer Reading Guide<\/a><\/strong> and Unboxing event will be here on May 15!<\/p>\n There are four ways to get the guide:<\/p>\n Our road trip-themed offerings are ready to roll! (Pun totally intended, ha!). Check out our new Bookstore Tour concert tee, Well Read hat, and fresh sticker designs right here.<\/a><\/strong> If you want a print copy of the 2025 Summer Reading Guide, save on shipping by adding that to the same order. We\u2019re taking preorders now with most items shipping mid-May right around Summer Reading Guide day (May 15). <\/p>\n Happy browsing! <\/p>\n I offer gift links for articles whenever possible (you may still need to create an account with the publication); if there\u2019s no gift link and you\u2019re not a subscriber, check to see if your library carries the publication or use a service like Pocket.<\/em><\/p>\n Why We Turn to Detective Fiction in Times of Upheaval.<\/a><\/strong> (CrimeReads<\/em>) \u201cLife is so much simpler in a whodunnit where everyone knows their role and where the story \u2013 while it may be new and exciting \u2013 will always feel ultimately familiar and comforting.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s How the Kentucky Derby Menu Feels Fresh After 150 Years.<\/a><\/strong> (Food & Wine<\/em>) \u201cThe famed fashion of the Derby \u2014 high-end sundresses, suits, and hats \u2014 plays into culinary choices, as chefs want to keep guests tidy, especially when fine motor skills may dip after a day of drinking.\u201d<\/p>\n 28 slightly rude notes on writing<\/a><\/strong>. (Experimental History<\/em>) \u201cWriters are addicted to the particular kind of pain you feel when you\u2019re at a loss for words, and to the relief that comes from finding them.\u201d Pithy takes from Rilke, Stein, Lamott, and more. <\/p>\n The 24 Best Feel-Good Movies to Rewatch Now.<\/a><\/strong> (Vogue<\/em>) Just reading through this list made me happy.<\/p>\n 7 mysteries and thrillers set in a cabin.<\/a><\/strong> (MMD<\/em>) Last year\u2019s \u201cbook camp\u201d Summer Reading Guide<\/a><\/strong> theme really got our team thinking about this niche! <\/p>\n How to Declutter an Overflowing Book Collection (and Where to Donate Them).<\/a><\/strong> (Real Simple<\/em>) A great spring cleaning project.<\/p>\n Does Your Plant Need a Nanny<\/a>?<\/strong> (New York Times<\/em> gift link) Golly the photos with this piece are gorgeous. My takeaway: I definitely want a plant nanny\/therapist\/whiz to come help me prune my Audrey ficus! (It\u2019s not gonna happen, folks.)<\/p>\n R.I.P. M.M.P.B.<\/a><\/strong> (Inside Agenting<\/em>) On the death of the mass market paperback. \u201cIt is not merely the configuration of these books that will vanish but the robust culture they represent. At its zenith in the second half of the twentieth century the market for original westerns, mysteries and thrillers, romance, action-adventure, horror, fantasy and science fiction was insatiable.\u201d<\/p>\n Help for a fiction lover who wants to read more nonfiction.<\/a><\/strong> (What Should I Read Next?<\/em>) The comments here are great! <\/p>\n These Boden linen shorts<\/a><\/strong> (0\u201320\/22) bring me so much joy\u2014I had a gingham pair almost exactly like these in 1990! (If you are with me in drooling over this print they have a few more options on offer<\/a><\/strong>.)<\/p>\n This Is How Meta AI Staffers Deemed More Than 7 Million Books to Have No \u201cEconomic Value\u201d.<\/a><\/strong> (Vanity Fair<\/em>) As someone whose books were pirated by LibGen and subsequently torrented by Meta, I\u2019ll be paying close attention to this lawsuit. <\/p>\n Everyone wants to smell like a doughnut.<\/a><\/strong> (Vox<\/em>) \u201cWhether it\u2019s sweet vanilla fragrances, Arabian perfumes featuring tonka beans, or a growing number of pistachio scents, Gen Z\u2019s most visible beauty obsession at the moment is smelling like a bakery.\u201d<\/p>\n I do not remotely need this but how cute is this radish beaded bag<\/a><\/strong>? Or this red checked floral one<\/a><\/strong>? On a more practical note, I love this chile pepper tee<\/a><\/strong> and this ballpark food one<\/a><\/strong> (both XXS\u2013XL). Clearly I am HERE for happy patterns right now! <\/p>\n How a LEGO Designer Creates Sets That Adults Can\u2019t Get Enough Of.<\/a><\/strong> (Good Housekeeping<\/em>) Fascinating! \u201cLEGO building for adults falls into the larger trend of the rise of cozy hobbies (sometimes called \u2018grandma hobbies\u2019): pursuits that help the hobbyists enter a \u2018flow state\u2019 where they can unwind and just build.\u201d<\/p>\n 20 backlist reads from your favorite Summer Reading Guide authors.<\/a><\/strong> What to read while you\u2019re waiting for this summer\u2019s buzziest new releases!<\/p>\nThe 2025 Summer Reading Guide is coming!<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\nNew merch is here! <\/h3>\n
My favorite finds from around the web:<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t miss these posts:<\/h3>\n