Good Stuff for Your Weekend
Vol. 15
Some Good Stuff… Eight links and three mysteries
But first, some words from The Resistance:
“They will not use my tears for their entertainment.”
― Suzanne Collins, Sunrise on the Reaping
Haunting footage of the First Rain after the fires in Alta Dena, CA (LA Times)
Summer is fast approaching, and our toddler needs to learn to swim! This short doc from the LA Times about a veteran swim teacher had me in tears. “I can’t think of anything else that’s life-threatening that you can conquer at age two.” (LA Times)
Oh, San Francisco… the tiniest city that continues to baffle. (Cup of Jo)
Taylor Jenkins Reed put advanced reader’s copies of her new book, ATMOSPHERE, in random Little Free Libraries all over Los Angeles. I LOVE this!
In 1994, Rosanne Barr published a feminist memoir. (My, how times have changed.) Chelsae Devantes and crew talk about it on Glamour’s Trash Podcast.
It’s Cliff’s Notes, not Cliff Notes, and other Stuff You Should Know about the iconic cheat/study aid (Stuff You Should Know Podcast)
“I don’t really struggle with anxiety… I slay at it.” Ha!!
I love a good TBR challenge, but this one is ela-bor-ate!… Also, he is a fun follow if you like Bookstagramers.
Recent Reads
The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
I live in Santa Barbara, CA, and it was so cool to hear my corner of the world described, though it was a little distracting when she got things wrong, ie, as far as I know, Padero Lane isn't on a cliff, and the routes they took from Carpeteria to SB, LA, and Santa Yenez didn't make sense.
I liked the characters, especially the sibling dynamics. Some parts were underdeveloped, and the ending was too obvious. Overall, an enjoyable way to pass the time.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
If you write a true crime podcast thriller, I will read it, and I will like it. This one had some interesting twists that mostly worked. I would have liked a darker ending; it was a little too neat and tidy for me right now.
The grandma character was awesome!
I love a book with rich people behaving badly. Ruby McTavish is scheming and plotting even from beyond the grave, and I loved her for it. I would have liked more from Jules's character, but overall, this was a satisfying read.
The cover and theme are very in line with TJR's 7 HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
The best book of the series, in my opinion.
I listened to these books in rapid succession last summer with my teenage son, and we both devoured them. Since I didn't read them as a kid, I don't have nostalgia for any of it. The repetition of storylines and cameos of characters only entrenched my love for the books.
What I think this book does better than the others is the focus on found family and friendship. The first books focused more on romance, which I enjoyed, but also found annoying sometimes (too Twilight love triangle for me), even though we all know what happens to Haymitch. I liked getting to see him before the Capitol broke him. The relationship between Haymitch and Maysilee was particularly sweet.
In case you missed it
Don’t worry, you didn’t.
Last weekend, I ran a half marathon through the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley and then promptly contracted my toddler’s cold. I did PR and was very proud of myself, but just like that time I ran a marathon on a broken foot (Have I told this story here??), my body is telling me to lie down and take a nap.
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I love the TBR wheel - I’m afraid to count up my physical TBR list… the one(s) I have in list form are endless. But I might have to try this! And I was just thinking about Cliff(s) Notes - remembering working at Waldenbooks & kids would come buy those instead of the book. And I’d be annoyed haha. Is Spark Notes the same thing now? 😆I’m guessing AI is just taking over all of that.