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What are your weekend plans? I intend to catch up my reading journal, go to the ballet and <\/em>a high school play with my kiddos, and take Daisy on a nice long walk now that the ice has mostly melted off the sidewalks. (We\u2019ve both been cooped up for weeks and have many miles to catch up on!)<\/p>\n This weekend I\u2019ll also be contemplating what I\u2019ll share in my upcoming \u201cWhat\u2019s Saving My Life?<\/strong><\/a>\u201d post. For over a decade now, we\u2019ve gathered here at the midway point of winter to share the things, big or small, that are saving us. I\u2019ll put my post up on Monday, February 3. Consider this your invitation to write a blog or social media post of your own, or get ready to simply list the thing or things that are saving you in the comments section. <\/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 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 Live Out Your Pride and Prejudice Dreams During Jane Austen\u2019s 250th Birthday Party in England This Year.<\/a><\/strong> (Afar<\/em>) \u201cEach year, Austenites flock to locations all across southwest England, where the novelist spent most of her life. From Hampshire, where she was born, to Bath, where she spent time in her young adulthood, Austen left a legacy with an indelible mark.\u201d<\/p>\n Reasons Your Password Was Rejected.<\/a><\/strong> (McSweeney\u2019s<\/em>) \u201cWhile you\u2019re here, can you tell us which of these are motorcycles?\u201d This rings too true!<\/p>\n Good Dirt<\/a><\/em><\/strong> by Charmaine Wilkerson is our February 2025 selection for MMD Book Club<\/a><\/strong> and a 2025 Spring Book Preview<\/a><\/strong> spotlight title. I cannot wait for the author to join us for a live discussion on February 27! If you\u2019d like to have a sense about what our author talks are like, this week we shared our February 2024 conversation with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray about their co-writing debut The Personal Librarian on What Should I Read Next<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n Will whipped up this Cranberry Orange Bread<\/a><\/strong> last weekend and we DEVOURED it\u2014so good! <\/p>\n Meet \u2018Freida McFadden\u2019, the doctor hiding her secret life as a bestselling author.<\/a><\/strong> (The Times<\/em>) \u201cShe took, as her pen name, the acronym for the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database, which helps medical students to find hospital placements.\u201d<\/p>\n The Joys of Being a Regular.<\/a><\/strong> (The Atlantic<\/em> gift link) Wise words from Xochitl Gonzalez: \u201cJust as writing a novel takes patience, focus, commitment, and a strong sense of curiosity, so does becoming a regular.\u201d<\/p>\n Why Simon & Schuster\u2019s Flagship Imprint Won\u2019t Require Blurbs Anymore.<\/a><\/strong> (Publishers Weekly<\/em>) \u201cIt takes a lot of time to produce great books, and trying to get blurbs is not a good use of anyone\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n Cheery Clothes for Dreary Weather.<\/a><\/strong> (New York Times<\/em> gift link) Street style shots of colorful outfits, that bring to life my mom\u2019s favorite tips on dressing for the dreary days.<\/a><\/strong> (The short version: bright colors!) <\/p>\n How Black and White America Reacted to Maya Angelou\u2019s\u00a0I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings<\/em>.<\/a><\/strong> (Literary Hub<\/em>) It\u2019s always fascinating to learn about the context around when a book was published. This piece includes lots of interesting details on the book\u2019s release, including that the initial print run was a jaw-dropping 350,000 copies. <\/p>\n How malls became cool again.<\/a><\/strong> (Business Insider<\/em>) \u201cIf the malls of old embraced sameness \u2014 you could always count on a Victoria\u2019s Secret and a Cinnabon \u2014 today\u2019s retail meccas want to stand out from the crowd. To succeed today, the mall has to be a\u00a0destination<\/em>\u00a0for young shoppers, something they\u2019ll go out of their way to experience.\u201d<\/p>\n 17 recommended reads for those traveling to Ireland.<\/a><\/strong> (MMD<\/em>) For anyone planning a trip to Ireland or looking for some armchair travel.<\/p>\n This month\u2019s empties I couldn\u2019t replace fast enough: this inexpensive e.l.f. Power Grip Primer<\/a><\/strong> from Target and the Kosas Brow Pop Nano Eyebrow Pencil<\/a><\/strong> (in Soft Brown).<\/p>\n Can Influencers Predict the Next Big Thing in Books?<\/a><\/strong> (Elle<\/em>) So many interesting takeaways. <\/p>\n I braved winter camping and so can you. Probably.<\/a><\/strong> (The Minnesota Star Tribune<\/em>) I\u2019m shivering just thinking about this!<\/p>\n Mini Matchmaking: Spring Book Preview edition.<\/a><\/strong> (What Should I Read Next<\/em> patreon) It\u2019s time for Mini Matchmaking in today\u2019s new Friday bonus episode! Our readers tell me three books they love, one book they don\u2019t, and what they\u2019re hankering for right now, and I suggest what they may enjoy reading next\u2014this time, from our Spring Book Preview<\/a><\/strong> selections.<\/p>\n 10 books by authors with a pen name.<\/a><\/strong> Pen names are a storied tradition in the writing life.<\/p>\nMy favorite finds from around the web:<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t miss these posts:<\/h3>\n