Friday Reads 1.10.25
Snowpocoylse Reads Are The Best Reads
To start, my deepest sympathies go out to all our friends in Southern California — these fires are horrifying. I hope you and yours are safe, and you will let us know if you need anything.
And, of course, wild Santa Anas translates to wild weather everywhere. As in… it’s… SNOWING here! Like, for real. Right now. POURING down. Not just white rain, the real deal. (Can you tell how thrilled I am? ☃️)
When it might snow in Nashville, we like to make fun because even with the tiniest threat of flakes means they close schools. Growing up in Colorado, where it took a foot or more to even make a dent in anyone’s day, I find this hysterical. But when we get real snow, accumulating snow, it’s not as funny because that means the entire city shuts down. We’re completely locked in place for days at a time.not enough winter weather infrastructure. And to top it off, we’re on a hill, and the cars don’t like sliding down them. I, in particular, don’t like being in said car whilst it slides out of my driveway.
So I am parked today. Wrapping my copyedits with a tidy little bow, then transitioning to cozy mode.
We had a storm like this last year, and I took full advantage—movies, cocoa, quiet reading time by the fire, lots of birdfeed for homemade ASMR rooms. It set the tone for the year, and I’m happy to have a day or two of quiet now to remind me how much I enjoy this. The best gardens come from rested soil, right?
Last weekend, I read a scary near future speculative fiction book that won’t be to y’all’s taste, and am very happy to be back in the realm of fantasy again. I’ve almost finished my book for this week, a galley of V.E. Schwab’s BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL. It’s insanely good. V has been telling me about this one for a long time, and it lives up to its promise. It does have a sense of the voice of her mega-hit, THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, but utterly unique at the same time. V’s mind is a fertile place. Happy to have spent the week in it. Plus, she signed the entire first printing. Unbelievable…
Next up is another galley, Lisa Jewell’s DON’T LET HIM IN. I am almost done with my copyedit, and this will be my reward.
And also, Jayne Ann Krentz’s last book in the Lost Night Files trilogy, SHATTERING DAWN, came out. Tuesday and will be winging its way to me from Poisoned Pen. On January 17, Jayne and I will be chatting on Facebook Live on her page, talking about her new book, my new book, and whatever else fun stuff pops up. Always love our chats. I’ll remind you next week, too.
More Book Birthdays
A few more books came out this week that I want to read. Liv Constantine’s MY SISTER’S DAUGHTER — an audio original — is in my queue. I always enjoy these stories.
Also, Adrienne Young’s SEA OF UNSPOKEN THINGS — there’s nothing Adrienne writes that I don’t love. I’m excited to get that one in my hands.
Adam Ross’s PLAYWORLD came out Tuesday too, and it is a tour de force. We talked for A Word on Words and believe me, this is a personal, heartfelt novel you won’t be able to put down.
From the Archives:
Lastly, I published another step in our ongoing series…
That’s it from me today. What are you reading this fine flurry-filled weekend?
“The best gardens come from rested soil, right?” Love this.
It’s snowing here in the Chattanooga TN area, too. The kids-my 26 year old daughter and her husband-stayed over last night. Because, just like Christmas Eve, she can’t bear to not be with Mom and Dad on a snow day.
Our hearts and prayers are with all those in California, as well. The devastation…I can’t even imagine.
The fires are awful and so so scary. My husband is heading out to Cali for a work trip next week, and I'm sure I'm going to hear some personal stories from his clients. Hopefully not. I hope this is the last fire for them during this Santa Ana period. *fingers crossed*
We're like you JT with lots of snow and no infrastructure to support it. My sisters were dumped on in Colorado, and their kids still had school but ours was cancelled. My youngest is to blame for all the snow. She's been missing it real bad the four years we've been here and has been praying for snow since October. (Sorry everyone.) She ran outside in her pajamas yesterday and danced in the snow and made a snowman that resembles Bob from Beetlejuice. I think that's his name--I haven't seen the movies. (Imagine a full-size body with a small, shrunken head.)
Still reading ATOMIC HABITS. I love the idea of habit stacking, which is where you put a new habit you want to create in between two habits you already have. Like in between brushing your teeth and your first cup of coffee. Things you already do instinctually.
I also read an old Harlan Coben book, ONE FALSE MOVE because I wanted to see the beats for the trope--one crime/mystery hides a much larger one. It was still good the second time which says a lot as I hardly ever read a book a second time. I also binged MISSING YOU on Netflix with the hubs. That was real good too. Different than the book, but still really good. I hope you stay warm and cozy and finish your copy edits quickly so you can chill.
**I'm doing good with the resolution to have still/quiet moments. To be present.