It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about what we’re reading!
Beware the Ides of March!
It’s been quite a week. From missing princesses to—oh, who are we kidding, that’s all I’ve been doing this week. I think the internet needed a scandal that wasn’t political, and everyone was comfortable talking about. I haven’t seen the zeitgeist this tuned up in years, and I readily admit I am here for it. Considering the prophetic day, what’s going to happen next?
I poke fun, but I am quite concerned for Catherine, Princess of Wales. I wish her all the best for a speedy recovery, and hope the rest of the world can get out of her way to do so.
If you’re interested, here are some excellent reads that are not positing that aliens have eaten HRHCPOW. (Jump ahead if you aren’t interested; there are plenty of books ahead, too.)
by Anne Helen Peterson is wonderful in general, but her piece on the actions of the Royal Family was well-reasoned and smart. (Stick around for her take on the ACOTAR phenomenon, too.)
(possibly the best Substack title ever for the content) had a few great pieces this week, including this one on why the Royal Family’s PR is failing them, and why now, in particular.
who has kept a level head and still done some legitimate speculatingon what’s been going on behind the scenes.
The BBC Sounds podcast When It Hits The Fan has a 30-minute deep dive from a couple of palace insiders explaining the mentality of the two palaces’ comms teams and how to decide whether you are in a PR crisis or not.
Now, to the books!
All the above said, it’s ironic to start with a book based on a reality TV show gone wrong, but her, que sera, sera. EVERYONE IS WATCHING by Heather Gudenkauf is tight, and smart, and an utter page turner.
I’ve mentioned this one before, but I finally got started on Kemper Donovan’s THE BUSY BODY and it is awesome. I love the characters, the topic (ghostwriter to a politician), the setting, the snark… it’s great.
I also started THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Stuart Turton (this is a Netgalley score) Wow. Speculative literary fiction is having a real moment, and I’ve read a few books in this vein this year (see THE OTHER VALLEY) and it is one of those you have to just go with and assume you’ll be let in on the whole picture later on. I can’t wait to see what the real story is.
I grabbed THE IDEA OF YOU by Robinne Lee based on the movie trailer featuring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine (who played Prince Henry in Red, White, and Royal Blue, which I adored). A May-December romance that starts at Coachella, when a mom takes her daughter to see her favorite boy band and finds herself in a relationship with one of the band members? OK!
newest, WATCH IT BURN, drops on Tuesday. Kristen’s got a great voice, and the book simmers with malice! A great cover, too.
In full disclosure, I DNF’d a book I was excited about reading. I just didn’t connect with the characters, and 100 percent recognize that I am not the target audience. Instead of grinding my teeth, I moved on. The reviews are sparkling, so clearly it was just me. I don’t like to share the names of these books, because I don’t want to color other readers’ experience with it. If I DNF for cause, I will not be shy.
We also have been totally obsessed with the new Apple series Masters of the Air. I can’t say enough good things about this show. It’s set in the 100th Airborne Squadron in WWII and showcases the boys who fly the B-17 bombers. I’m ridiculously invested. Plus, Austin Butler and Callum Turner. And their characters’ friendship is dynamite.
We watched a distressing documentary called THE PROGRAM: Cons, Cults, and Kidnappings. It was hard to watch, and heartbreaking, but I’m glad we did because as the filmmaker and former “student” Katherine Kubler says, now you know.
And last, but not least, my new novel, A VERY BAD THING, went up on Netgalley! For those of you not familiar, that’s where reviewers and librarians and booksellers can get an early copy. I will definitely have galleys closer to release date.
That’s it from me. How about you? Good week? What are you reading this weekend?
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I just read Culture Study Goes Full ACOTAR. As a huge Sarah J Maas and ACOTAR fan, I had to read it....and I thought it was very interesting.
Slower reading week for me as I'm transitioning back into working from the office. Plus I started watching The Gentlemen on Netflix and I'm hooked!
I read Deadly Trap by Barbara Freethy. It was set mostly in Rome and it was good!
I also started Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross. I read Divine Rivals a few months ago and I finally got back to read the second book. It's really good so far.
We had a bunch of rain the other day which was desperately needed here in southeast Nebraska. Last Fri we had snow and today it'll be 60. Spring is always an adventure here!
Totally with you on the fascination with Catherine. Great take that we needed a non-political scandal to dig into. And I'm concerned for her, too. I think she took the fall on this one.
I'm reading The Search, by Michelle Huneven, and I have been for what seems like forever. It's a good book, so well written, but it is long. The novel is about the search committee for a new minister at a Unitarian Universalist church in Altadena, California. Anybody who has ever served on any kind of board will recognize the goings-on.
I’ve never read any Lisa Unger, but your last newsletter led me to put her newest book on hold. I borrowed “Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six” in the meantime and was so completely hooked.
I finished “The Last One” by Will Dean right before that and was frustrated by the ending (but happily along for the ride before the last page). I’m about a third of the way through “Look Closer” by David Ellis and reasonably invested.
It’s been another crazy week. But I’m having dinner and drinks with a former coworker I love dearly! I’m reading Ed Aymar’s When She Left this weekend. I also kinda sorta love Ed to. Well I like him a lot. 😏
Was not expecting the great LGBTQIA+ aspects of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven. Also fascinating discussion of transgender people and whether they can be witches or warlocks and if it’s based on gender assigned at birth or chosen gender. Lots of great complexities there. Glad it has a sequel.
I highly recommend Blown Away on Netflix. Blown glass competition with amazing contestants and incredible works of art. 3 seasons available.
I'm reading Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum. And just started Murder Road by Simone St. James. I read all her other books and always enjoy them a lot. So, I have high expectations.
With spring break all week long my reading was light, but I managed to read Lisa Regan's FACE YOUR FEAR, and I started ONE STEP TOO FAR by Lisa Gardner, which I'm loving so far. I love hearing about the royal family. I'm not sure what the fascination is with me, but I can't seem to get enough. It must've been because my mom and aunt woke me and my sisters up to watch Diana and Charles wedding. I was/am a huge Lady Di fan. She was so kind to so many people.
I just went to hell and back with Galaxy Stern (Ninth House and Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo). Scary and fun.
I also finished The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen. Loved it and glad this will be a series.
Just picked up Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner. I love love love Frankie Elkin.
Can’t wait for A Very Bad Thing.
I just read Culture Study Goes Full ACOTAR. As a huge Sarah J Maas and ACOTAR fan, I had to read it....and I thought it was very interesting.
Slower reading week for me as I'm transitioning back into working from the office. Plus I started watching The Gentlemen on Netflix and I'm hooked!
I read Deadly Trap by Barbara Freethy. It was set mostly in Rome and it was good!
I also started Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross. I read Divine Rivals a few months ago and I finally got back to read the second book. It's really good so far.
We had a bunch of rain the other day which was desperately needed here in southeast Nebraska. Last Fri we had snow and today it'll be 60. Spring is always an adventure here!
Totally with you on the fascination with Catherine. Great take that we needed a non-political scandal to dig into. And I'm concerned for her, too. I think she took the fall on this one.
I'm reading The Search, by Michelle Huneven, and I have been for what seems like forever. It's a good book, so well written, but it is long. The novel is about the search committee for a new minister at a Unitarian Universalist church in Altadena, California. Anybody who has ever served on any kind of board will recognize the goings-on.
I’ve never read any Lisa Unger, but your last newsletter led me to put her newest book on hold. I borrowed “Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six” in the meantime and was so completely hooked.
I finished “The Last One” by Will Dean right before that and was frustrated by the ending (but happily along for the ride before the last page). I’m about a third of the way through “Look Closer” by David Ellis and reasonably invested.
It’s been another crazy week. But I’m having dinner and drinks with a former coworker I love dearly! I’m reading Ed Aymar’s When She Left this weekend. I also kinda sorta love Ed to. Well I like him a lot. 😏
Still working on the same books from last week.
Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
The City of the Living by Nicola Lagioia
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
Was not expecting the great LGBTQIA+ aspects of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven. Also fascinating discussion of transgender people and whether they can be witches or warlocks and if it’s based on gender assigned at birth or chosen gender. Lots of great complexities there. Glad it has a sequel.
I highly recommend Blown Away on Netflix. Blown glass competition with amazing contestants and incredible works of art. 3 seasons available.
I'm reading Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum. And just started Murder Road by Simone St. James. I read all her other books and always enjoy them a lot. So, I have high expectations.
End of Story by AJ Finn
With spring break all week long my reading was light, but I managed to read Lisa Regan's FACE YOUR FEAR, and I started ONE STEP TOO FAR by Lisa Gardner, which I'm loving so far. I love hearing about the royal family. I'm not sure what the fascination is with me, but I can't seem to get enough. It must've been because my mom and aunt woke me and my sisters up to watch Diana and Charles wedding. I was/am a huge Lady Di fan. She was so kind to so many people.