Friday Reads 6.19.25
The Only Way Out Is Through
Friday again, my friends, and boy, did this week fly! I’ve had my head down working, writing up a storm, and feeling deep pangs whenever I see posts about Thrillerfest. Because of the grand swaths of time we’ve lost this year to familial and personal illness, my looming deadline, and upcoming book tour and fall travel, it was just not in the cards this year (nor is Bouchercon), but I am bereft not to be seeing everyone and hanging out. Thrillerfest is always such a blast. Next year, for sure.
The good news is I’m making headway on the book at last. I had one of those moments when I looked at the story and decided the only way out was through, and shoved myself through the door. I’m finally starting to feel like it’s one step back, two steps forward, which is my usual writing method, instead of what it’s felt like—three steps back, one sideways—so HURRAH!
I’m starting to realize I might have become more of a plotter than a pantser (autocorrect kept making this PANTHER, which honestly is fantastic, and I am now searching for a good metaphor for this. Like… PANTHERS wing it, stalking the savannahs for their meal, and SPIDERS plot, building their webs with concentrated precision. Ha!) Without a more structured plan like I had with LAST SEEN, I got a little lost. I’m going to plot out the seonc dhalf of the book so I can get it wrapped up faster. This is undoubtedly my own version of outlining, which is not constrained, but brings a little more structure to my previous method of just winging it.
We started Department Q on Netflix, too, and it’s so so good!!! Really great crime fiction!
Now, on to the books!
I am reading THE GHOST WRITER, which is as great as I anticipated. Superb plot, really great characters, family secrets—all the things I love.
I took myself on an artist date to Parnassus this week, where I picked up Mel Robbins’ THE LET THEM THEORY, Carly Fortune’s ONE GOLDEN SUMMER, and Ruth Reichl’s THE PARIS NOVEL (which was the working title of LIE TO ME for a very long time…)
Allison Brennan’s got a new book out this week, always a reason to celebrate. BEACH READS AND DEADLY DEEDS looks fantastic, a slight departure for her into a lighter subject.
Liv Constantine’s DON’T OPEN YOUR EYES came out, too, and man, what a cool story. I too am a prophetic dreamer, so this feels very close to home!
And finally, Allie and Sam Conway’s debut, HOW TO MAKE A BABY: Everything LGBTQ+ Families Need to Know About IVF and Fertility Treatments, came out this week. I’ve been following their journey since I started doing research for IT’S ONE OF US. I spent a lot of time on Instagram, tapping into Olivia’s (and my) feelings about seeing other women get pregnant and have children, or lose them, and came across Sam’s feed. She and Allie were just starting their journey, and they were so sweet and engaging, I couldn’t help but root for them. They now have twin boys, and a new book geared toward same sex families, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. So proud I actually blurbed the book!
“Open, frank, touching, and informative... Allie and Sam Conway are the perfect couple to write this groundbreaking book. Their journey is remarkable. I wish I'd had it when we went through IVF.”
In news closer to home, A VERY BAD THING is on sale this weekend!
Also, I had a lovely conversation with
on her podcast, Dear Whole Writer.
Over on the Craft side of things, I did a deep dive into ways to break a bad Writer’s Block.
The June Newsletter will drop on Sunday, full of musings and news. Going forward, I will try sending that on Sundays, so I can split up the emails I send to you all.
And one more programming note—
is rescheduled out for a couple of weeks… I will let you know when we get that one on the books!Also… as requested…the purple island…
That’s it from me this week. What are you reading this weekend? Would love to hear your recommendations for us!
And stay safe out there. It’s a wild, wild world.
I love the whole idea of PANTHER...lol
I had a busy reading week....at least for me:
HER FIRST MISTAKE by Kendra Elliott. This is a spin off of another series of the authors. All the series are in the law enforcement realm. This was a great first book in the new series! It delved into the main characters past and how she ended up where she is...and solved an old mystery from her past.
THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH by Rachel Gillig. This book is very different, a little weird and a little slow to start, but stick with it. Wow...I just loved it! Thanks for the reccomendation.
SOUNDS LIKE LOVE by Ashley Poston. All of this authors books have a little bit of magic in them and this new one does as well. 2 strangers meet and can all of the sudden they can hear each other's thoughts. This was a great book!
Second wedding is in the books. It was lovely but a long day. We left our house at noon and didn't get back until after 8 pm. No more weddings until Aug.
On tap for this weekend, we're having a few couples over just for the heck of it. Plus they haven't seen our new kitchen that we renovated 2 years ago...so it was time for a get together.
We're supposed to have 3 days in a row here in Nebraska with temps over 100....going to try to stay cool!
The island is gorgeous! I also loved Dept. Q and hope they do more seasons. I might have to look up the books. The cast was fantastic. Lots of my favorites.
If you’re a panther, you have a deep rumbly purr!
Not looking forward to the upcoming heat wave. Luckily I have lots of good reading to distract me.
This week’s list:
Anima Rising by Christopher Moore
The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins
Last Seen by JT Ellison
Letters from the Dead by Isabella Valeri
Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers by Caroline Fraser
Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon