Happy Friday, readers! I am over the moon to be here today with my first ever Links I love post. As the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club community administrator, I often collaborate on our Sunday Book Club Dispatch, a lovely email we send to members that rounds up all our fabulous bookish chats each week. Getting to share all these great finds and favorites from the interwebs with you today feels like curating a super mega sized version of the dispatch.
Tonight I will be at our Book Club Member Mixer and I’m looking forward to yapping about current reads with fellow book clubbers. Then we have our hometown’s Heritage Festival this weekend and it is one of my favorite annual traditions. There is a parade our kiddos walk in with their youth orchestra group, fair rides, music, and so much fun with friends and neighbors.Think the Gilmore Girl’s Stars Hollow meets Back to the Future’s Hill Valley with a dash of Margaritaville and you have got our South Florida village vibes. I can’t wait to enjoy the celebration and to hopefully get some reading time in too.
What plans do you have this weekend? Are you reading, cooking, or watching anything good? Staying home or going out? Tell me all about it in the comments!
My favorite finds from around the web:
We offer gift links for articles whenever possible (you may still need to create an account with the publication); if there’s no gift link and you’re not a subscriber, check to see if your library carries the publication or use a service like Pocket.
Sale of Ellen Raskin Estate Reveals Unpublished ‘Westing Game’ Sequel. (Publishers Weekly) How exciting! Not one but TWO unpublished manuscripts by Ellen Raskin in the works over thirty years after her passing feels very on brand for her entertaining and puzzling mysteries.
You’ll Be Fully Booked With These Library-Themed DIYs. (Book Riot) How cute are these craft projects?! I have a very similar mini library kit I got for Christmas that I want to finally start building this weekend. We are so thankful that our family and community have access to some truly special local libraries. They do such important work. I am grateful for this list of ideas (Book Riot) and other ways to support our libraries (American Library Association) and places of learning.
My favorite not-so-basic tee is currently on sale! This Old Navy 100% cotton gem is slightly cropped, feels way more pricey than its actual cost, and fits so well. Team member Ginger also loves this style and we both have it in multiple colors. (We sometimes hop on Zoom and realize we are both wearing one. Great minds and all.) The style can totally be dressed up or down, they even had embellished ones in the same cut around the holidays that I snapped up. Fingers crossed they bring back a hot pink option for summer cause my old one got majorly stained.
What to Read When You’re a True Believer. (The Rumpus) What a fantastic and uncanny list of books that have inspired poet Jeff Kass. His new poetry collection looks perfect for April’s National Poetry Month and fans of the Marvel universe. I am going to request this one from my local library. Excelsior!
You Can Finally Stay at This Stunning Frank Lloyd Wright Home (Take a Look Inside!) (Apartment Therapy) A fascinating look into the history and construction of one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s final Usonian homes, which just finished being built in Ohio. This news has me dreaming of staying there with a stack of great books.
Before the internet, how the LA Public Library helped readers pick their next novel. (NPR) I remember my village library had some similar notations on the card catalogue files but nothing compared to this amazing collection! Don’t miss the link to the short video the Library made about the review cards.
He Dreamed Up Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer. It All Started With L.A. (New York Times gift article) Speaking of L.A., I enjoyed this article on one of my husband Chad’s longtime favorite authors Michael Connelly and the altered landscape both he and his characters are now navigating.
Spring may have just begun but it is already starting to feel like summer here in South Florida, which means I am restocking our sunscreen supply. We love these handy and affordable little face sunscreen sticks from Target that don’t sting on hot days in the ocean and pool. I keep one in every bag! I also keep reaching for my new favorite sunscreen lotion by Vacation (Target) every time we play outdoors, it smells like a 1980s tropical beach vacation and has cool retro packaging to match. I normally dread applying sunscreen lotion but this one easily absorbs and most importantly worked great on our spring break trip last week to Orlando area theme and water parks. (Take it from me and don’t bother with Vacation’s spray version; it is somehow both greasy and weirdly pills. If you are looking for a spray sunscreen, we like this one from Trader Joe’s.)
George M. Johnson and Leah Johnson Team Up for YA Rom-Com There’s Always Next Year — See the Cover! (People) Oooh, what a fun author duo!
Desk Tour: Chelsea Devantez. (Olivia’s Substack) I adore this ongoing series of desk tours on author/podcaster Olivia Muenter’s Substack, so I was particularly delighted to see this week’s features Chelsea Devantez. Team member Leigh recently recommended Devantez’s Glamorous Trash podcast to me, where Chelsea discusses celebrity memoirs. It is neato to see the space she creates in and the favorite items on her desk. (That lipstick trick!)
I am always on the hunt for cute bookish accessories (MMD) for reading and bookish clothing accessories too. Some dear friends gifted me this bold and unique Murder Mystery scarf from Heading recently and it is the perfect lightweight layer. And if I am out at an event or on a dinner date, you will most likely catch me wearing one of these ingenious book purses by Well Read. I have 1984 in small and Murder on the Orient Express in large and they are both wonderful conversation pieces.
The $2.49 Trader Joe’s Find I Can’t Stop Putting on Everything. (Simply Recipes) The author of this post took the words right out of my mouth. I have been using this on SO many meals lately. Move over, Everything But The Bagel seasoning, there is a new kid in town.
A New Study Reveals What People Are Reading in Each State—Did Your Favorite Genre Make the List? (Real Simple) Florida’s top pick feels totally correct but I was surprised by the mystery genre results! Do you agree with your state’s most popular genre?
Don’t miss these posts:
Fly away with these 9 books about birds. This niche topic is owl-some.
Our best advice for buddy reads. Because reading with a friend can be even better.
5 favorite poetry collections for National Poetry Month. These poetry collections are hospitable to beginners and seasoned poetry lovers alike, perfect for National Poetry Month or any time of year.
Have a great weekend!
About the author
Brigid Misselhorn is our MMD Book Club Community Administrator. Her go-to genres are mystery, romance, and sci-fi. You can find Brigid on Instagram @brigid_emily.