What are you up to this weekend? I’m in Nashville for WriterFest, where I’ll be speaking tomorrow morning. I’m looking forward to meeting new people, meeting up with old friends, and hearing writers of books, songs, and screen discuss their craft.
I hope you have something to look forward to this weekend, and that this collection of interesting reads and favorite things helps ease you into that weekend frame of mind.
My favorite finds from around the web:
I offer gift links for articles whenever possible (you may still need to create an account with the publication); if there’s no gift link and you’re not a subscriber, check to see if your library carries the publication or use a service like Pocket.
De Léon, Everett, Safadi, Tuffaha, Yáng Win 2024 National Book Awards. (Publishers Weekly) Winners and news from this year’s 75th National Book Awards ceremony, held on November 20.
Notre-Dame de Paris Prepares to Reopen After a Monumental Reconstruction. (Architectural Digest) “Where there has been an unquestioned camaraderie and goodwill has been at the cathedral itself. ‘Normally, a construction site that size would be noisy,’ Smets said. At Notre-Dame, ‘there is a kind of bliss. Everyone is aware of where they are working; we have this common cause, and we are getting there. It’s quite special.’”
My go-to sweaters. (MMD) Favorites for sweater weather.
Percival Everett, 2024 National Book Award winner, rereads one book often. (Orange County Register) You know I couldn’t resist finding out what it is! (I’ve never read it, have you?)
These Cranberry-Orange Muffins from NYT Cooking (gift link) were easy and delicious. We did the optional glaze because I cannot resist a citrusy flourish.
20 favorite gifts to give and receive. The answer to the question we hear every year after publishing our gift guide for book lovers: But Anne, what’s on YOUR wish list?
Inside the Improbable Rise of Say Nothing, One of the Year’s Best Shows. (Esquire) “I had actually resolved not to shop the book in Hollywood, because I thought that most producers and studios would struggle to get any version of the story made—much less one that managed to preserve the tricky tone, which was something I had really labored to get right.” A fascinating look at how one particular show got made plus how a nonfiction writer might approach translating their book into a different medium.
Ann Patchett on Annotating Her Award-Winning Novel Bel Canto Twenty Years Later. (LitHub) The annotated edition is so cool! I love how this piece shows you a few pages so you can see Patchett’s handwritten marginalia.
12 histories and biographies for every nonfiction lover. (MMD) Engaging nonfiction for all kinds of readers, from nature lovers to history buffs to English majors.
Look, if we’re going to the same holiday party, I call dibs, okay? But this Metallic Plisse Top is absolutely fabulous and I must tell you about it. I also have the coordinating skirt, which I considered returning even though I love it because I wasn’t sure I had anywhere to wear it … but Will and my 17yo convinced me it was too good to send back and I’m not mad about it. (Available XS–XL; I’m a Small in both. I find Evereve sizes tend to run on the large side.)
More party options in extended sizes: Old Navy’s High-Waisted Sequin Maxi Skirt is similar to the above skirt, and their Taffeta Midi Swing Skirt is similar to the Boden style I shared last week. (Both XS–4X.) If sparkles are your thing check this J.Crew Factory Sequin V-Neck Shell, or this Sequin-Embellished Tee. (Both XXS–3X.)
The Death of Search. (Atlantic gift link) We are definitely feeling the impact here at MMD. “The change will be the equivalent of going from navigating a library with the Dewey decimal system, and thus encountering related books on adjacent shelves, to requesting books for pickup through a digital catalog. It could completely reorient our relationship to knowledge, prioritizing rapid, detailed, abridged answers over a deep understanding and the consideration of varied sources and viewpoints.”
This week’s new-to-us easy and delicious weeknight dinner: Balsamic Chicken Thighs With Burst Tomatoes from NYT Cooking (gift link). We served ours with polenta.
100 stocking stuffers that will actually be appreciated, don’t feel like a waste of money, and won’t be broken/forgotten/destroyed by New Years. (MMD) The title says it all.
The 25 Most Important Recipes of the Past 100 Years. (Slate) “A century of American braising, baking, and imbibing, in one nation-spanning list.” This is such a fun round-up—and I was delighted to see I’ve already made ten of them!
Don’t miss these posts:
25 family sagas that will sweep you away. With the holidays approaching, now is the perfect time to pick up an engrossing story about complicated families.
Split the loaf with a stranger. A neighborhood story about errands, perspective, and a good loaf of bread.
24 winter holiday romances that will make your season bright. These winter holiday romances will take you from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve!
Have a great weekend!