Five Things to Tell You Vol. 29
not-summery books, a must-read article, a new tattoo and more!
Well, hello there! I’m happy to see you today!
I’m … HOME this weekend for once ~ what a novel idea! But don’t worry, I won’t be home long ~ I leave for ALA Annual in Philadelphia on Thursday, and I’m excited about my first-ever trip to the city! I’m staying in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood ~ if you know of any must-visit places or bookstores there, please do let me know.
Now, go ahead and settle in with your favorite snack and let’s dive in …
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Today’s recent reads are both books I thought would be good fits for next year’s Backlist Summery Reads additions, but … weren’t actually very summery. Both had merit though, but just weren’t the exact tone I seek out for the collection.
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume released in 1998, and I FINALLY read it last week! There is definitely a summer storyline, but the overall novel is about so much more, and takes readers through many years and all seasons. This has a rather sharp and melancholy tone, so while it takes place partly on Martha’s Vineyard, the story doesn’t necessarily make me want to be there with the characters. I’m glad I checked it off my owned-shelf TBR, though!
Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver is a brand-new almost-closed-door romance set in the publishing industry that I was pleasantly surprised by. The unique storyline and mature characters were a treat, and while it wasn’t a summery story at all, I did really enjoy the read.
It has been almost a year since my very first tattoo, and now I have TWO! The oldest and I have been wanting to get a small matching design, but the timing just hasn’t worked out.
When I was in Madison last weekend, though, THE FATES ALIGNED. We walked into Forward Tattoo with zero planning, and walked out with an adorable little bird named Hubert on our arms… designed by the youngest! Hubert is just what she named her design off the top of her head ~ no other reference.
When I saw zero planning, I mean it. We had NO tattoo plans for the day. We literally were just walking by the shop on our way to our favorite bookstore from the botanical gardens, and saw they did walk-ins. We walked in. Deliberated a bit on design, and ended up going with the one the youngest doodled on a scrap paper. Simple as that. Jon Jenkins is amazing, and I’m hoping to go back in the future!
Hmmmm… what else happened last weekend ???
OH THAT’S RIGHT! NO KINGS! I cried watching this video - just trust me.
The march and rally in Madison were such empowering events, and I’m deeply glad that we attended. My niece BROUGHT IT with her signs, and made me and my girls rather sad that we didn’t make any. Next time!!
If you’re wondering about how to stay up to date (in a sane and empowered way) with political events, I am going to recommend, yet again, the newsletter Chop Wood, Carry Water. Also, sign up for the Indivisible newletter to find events and ways to make a difference in your own community.
We have a choice, my friends: sitting in despair (or ignorance - even worse) scrolling on social media. OR DOING SOMETHING. Using ResistBot is doing something. Calling and emailing legislators is doing something. Going to rallies is doing something. Donating time or money is doing something. Telling friends about important issues is doing something. Do something, anything. Any bit of action helps us rise up.
I have long been a fan and follower of Angela Watson, an education writer, podcaster, consultant and … guru, I guess? When her latest email popped into my inbox, I read it immediately and then clicked through and read the transcript of her audio interview with Jonathan Haidt. I then shared it far and wide because YES YES YES. It’s not just about phones at home ~ tech in schools is part of the problem. Give it a read / listen!
From Angela’s description:
We explore the sharp rise in anxiety, attention fragmentation, and developmental delays—and how much of it traces back to the early 2010s, when tech flooded both kids’ lives and classrooms.
We also discuss:
Why screen time is now the real equity issue
How schools became dependent on EdTech
What phone-free, distraction-free classrooms look like
Why recess and unstructured play aren’t luxuries—they’re necessities
How educators can lead the way in restoring connection, confidence, and joy
While you may have heard Jonathan Haidt speak elsewhere about his book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, this conversation was different.
EXCITING NEWS!!!
My lifelong sister-friend Suzanne wrote a BOOK!
The Sober Shift releases on September 30 and is now available for preorder!
I am so very proud of Suzanne, and it has been so fun to be along for the entire publishing journey: from her deciding to write a whole damn book, to the big book deal, to the months and months and months of writing and revising, to the cover reveal, and now the PR blitz leading up to pub day!
Did you know that we both stopped drinking within a month of each other without even planning it??? It’s been ~ 5.5 years for both of us now!
I do hope you check the book out! Tell your friends …
A Modern-Day Guide to Living an Abundant Sober Life
Too many of us are taught not to question or examine our relationship with drinking until we’re addicted, or until we experience an intervention or another life-shattering consequence. We’re encouraged to enjoy this highly addictive substance “responsibly.”
The Sober Shift is about finding true abundance—as a better partner and a more present parent, and as the architect of a life you love—without buying into the lies of “wine o’clock.”
Yes, there will be an audiobook, and Suzanne gets to record it herself! Yay! You can preorder the audio format as well.
Want to learn more before the book arrives? You can explore Suzanne’s podcast, The Sober Mom Life, and her Sober Mom Life Cafe ~ a community for moms exploring and living in sobriety.
That’s all for this week ~ thanks for reading! Please feel free to reply to this email or use the link below to leave a comment to chime in about any of these things, or to share one of your own things ♡
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Katie! Happy Summer! I loved seeing your No Kings experience in Madison!
Also, thank you for adding your almost-closed-door comment on Slow Burn. I'm currently not into explicit novels right now so I like it when I know there's one that will fit the bill.
Regarding Philadelphia, if you like mussels at all, Monk's Cafe on 16th St is a must stop. Belgium mussels and fries - the absolute best. Many years ago, I worked in Philly for about 3 years and my regular hotel was in Rittenhouse Sq. Monk's was a weekly dinner for us. Have a great trip!
Hellooooo!
Congrats on the tattoo and No Kings in Madison? Amazing.
I am almost done with Slow Burn Summer and while I love it--it has NOTHING TO DO WITH SUMMER. Or really Slow Burn.
Right, Nina?? It's like they used an AI generator to come up with a name that would work well with algorithms (rolling eyes intensely). I'm glad the name sucked me in, though, because I liked the book itself!