Friday Reads 3.14.25

When Life Comes At You Fast

Happy Friday, all! And a warm welcome to you new subscribers who’ve joined up in the past couple of weeks. Thrilled to have you join the crew.

It’s been a busy work week at Casa Ellison, and it looks like a scary weekend of bad weather ahead. Like most, I am not a fan of tornadoes, so my anxiety is heightened. Since there’s not much I can do to control the weather, getting comfortable with this heightened state is paramount. It might sound silly, but preparation, nutritious food, and calming activities are the best course of action. That means the laundry room is already prepped with essentials: boots, bike helmets, pillows, cat crates, food, and meds. If we get a warned storm, my backpack with purse, laptop, and meds goes into the dryer. And then we take cover, breathe deep, and pray. I think Nashville is in slightly better shape than areas west and south—I’m worrying for you, too. Be prepared, be safe, and stay weather alert!

Speaking of the cat, she’s currently rolling on the floor in a small pile of catnip. She doesn’t seem worried. Granted, she’s super high right now.

So the busy week: We did the cover reveal yesterday for LAST SEEN, my new book that’s coming out August 1, and the one I’m in the process of live-writing for the 22 Steps series. (For the newbies, this is a paid series of posts that’s been following the writing of this book from concept to publication day. If you’re interested, you can find the introductory post here. I’ll have Step Fifteen: The Cover for you Tuesday.)

Also on the docket: the kickoff PR meeting for LAST SEEN, the monthly newsletters, several contracts, some health tests (I’m seeing a functional medicine doctor, and we’re getting baselines), an orthopedic massage (this is not a soft music and warm oils type experience, as it involves putting joints back in alignment and hitting hard-to-reach internal spots. I tore something in my shoulder last week, and she somehow has put it back together. Being out of pain is a very good thing.) Plus, publishing stuff with Jayne, and of course, drafting the new book. Oh, and A VERY BAD THING is on a big special this month… Juggling the writing of one book and PR for another and the publication of a third makes for a busy week.

All that means I didn’t have a lot of downtime for pleasure reading, but I am deep into a new research book that anyone who has any kind of anxiety, depression, or mood disorders should read immediately: Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind: A Powerful Plan to Improve Mood, Overcome Anxiety, and Protect Memory for a Lifetime of Optimal Mental Health, by Dr. Georgia Ede.

It’s a superb analysis of the science behind metabolic health, and as a devotee of the keto diet (I’ve been on keto for a year now), I can’t recommend it enough. I love learning how the brain works — or doesn’t work — because of our diet.

But it’s a complicated book and needs close reading. That’s not a bad thing, actually. I was hoping to break my year into quarters of study — I’d planned to do a deep dive into Ceasar (for reasons 🙃) but it seems health and wellness superseded that.

I did get a ton of book mail this week, though! Several books I blurbed last year are coming out, including THE SPLINTER EFFECT by Andrew Luddington (OMG, y’all, this book is incredible. Think Indiana Jones meets time travel) and a superb entry in the Louise Rick series by Sara Blaedel, A MOTHER’S LOVE. It’s hard to keep a series fresh and exciting, but Sara manages without breaking a sweat.

A beautiful copy of CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO TEN by

Lisa Unger

arrived—I can’t wait to read! Also, the stunningly elegant KAUA’I STORM by

Tori Eldridge

, the first in a new series from her featuring a Hawaiian park ranger. It's a really pretty cover and looks great on the shelves.

And I want to get ahead of the game and let you know

Patti Callahan Henry

newest, THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND, comes out Tuesday! Another spectacularly gorgeous cover housing a brilliant story from one of our finest historical writers. Her tour makes me want to crawl into bed and sleep for a year, but I know she’s going to have a total blast meeting up with all of you. Congrats in advance, Patti!

Lastly, Paradise, on Hulu. Go in blind and prepare to have your socks knocked off. My jaw hit the floor. We’re five episodes in and think we know what’s going on right now (I do hope so—it’s one of my all-time favorite philosophical themes) but I’ve been surprised again and again. Great stuff.

I need to go write what I’m calling the “weird” chapter in the new book, so that’s it from me. What are you up to this weekend? Any good book recommendations?

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