I’m happy to be back today to share my favorite recent reads and discoveries. As I’m writing this post, I’m sitting in our AirBnB in Paros, Greece, after making a last minute change to our trip due to a swarm of earthquakes around Santorini. This feels very on brand for 2025, to say the least, and I’m hopeful the earthquakes will fade without causing any major damage. While I’m on the road, I’ve been finishing up some reads for an upcoming book list I’ll be sharing here with you soon.
I think we can all agree it’s been quite a start to 2025. I hope you’ll find something here today that brings you a moment of joy, distraction, or discovery. Anne’s annual What’s saving your life right now? post came at just the right time for me this year—if you missed it, be sure to check it out. And if you’ve read, listened to, or discovered something you’d love to share with our reading community today, please let us know by leaving a comment below.
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.
‘Severance’ Self-Help Book ‘The You You Are’ Available to Download. (Variety) Like so many others, we’re currently fascinated by season two of Severance. I’ve been tempted to check out the real-life copy of the self-help book that the innies are obsessed with.
Katherine Arden on The Warm Hands of Ghosts and the Myths of the Great War. (Waterstones) I love Katherine Arden and her latest novel fills a particular bookshelf gap in my own reading life: World War One historical fiction. But since this story is from Arden, it also features a trio of old ladies who I interpreted as the Fates, a Faustian figure, and a fantastical take on one of the most tragic chapters of our shared history. In this essay, she writes about her creative experience and shares this line that feels especially resonant right now: “In times of change, especially of violent upheaval, humans have always resorted to mythmaking; myths are how we create meaning and narrative out events that are in fact random, arbitrary, indifferent to the desires and dreams of humanity.”
The Enduring Appeal of Magnificent Trees and Fantasy Forests. (Reactor) I feel like trees are having a literary moment (perhaps they’re more on my radar since hearing Ginger’s tree-related recommendations in WSIRN #454). I loved this article about trees and forests both real and imagined.
While we’re on the subject of trees, during a recent visit with family we played a multi-hour match of Botany (Amazon) and I now need to add this to my board game collection immediately. It was such a soothing experience and the art and story is delightful.
Bookshop.org launches new e-book platform that exclusively supports local bookstores. (NPR) In case you missed it, I hope you’re as excited as I am about this new way to support indie bookstores while indulging an e-reading habit.
While in Greece we discovered the Dakos Salad, a hearty yet simple main meal that I’ll be hoping to recreate once we arrive back in the U.S. this spring. I haven’t tried this specific recipe (Dimitra’s Dishes) but it looks close to what we experienced.
‘Little House on the Prairie’ Reboot in the Works. (Kirkus Reviews) This might make me re-subscribe to Netflix, finally, although I have a fresh perspective on this childhood favorite series after listening to the Wilder podcast (Apple Podcasts).
Inside a Collection of ‘Imaginary’ Books. (Atlas Obscura) Fascinating! I would love to wander through this collection.
SXSW Launches Book Publishing Imprint. (Publishers Weekly) I’ve never been to SXSW but I’m intrigued at this imprint that will “publish works by experts and innovators across creative industries with a mission to ‘encourage the production of ideas that can mold the future of tech, film, music, and beyond.’” I’ve paid much more attention to the imprints and publishers I enjoy since learning about this technique from Anne. The varied personalities of your favorite publishing imprints Patreon bonus episode is a great place to start.
I was absolutely a 90’s revival Swing Kid, and I’ve been to multiple Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Amazon) concerts to prove it. I loved this episode of Decoder Ring: Jump, Jive and Fail: The ’90s Swing Craze (Slate).
The Audie Awards Competition Names Its 2025 Finalists. (Publishing Perspectives) I’m thinking of adding Playground (Amazon) to my TBR—do you have any other audiobook recommendations based on this finalist list? I’d love to know!
As someone who has worked as a diplomat and has both family and friends working with the U.S. Agency for International Development worldwide, the cataclysmic and sudden shutdown of this organization has sent shock waves through my life and my personal and professional network. If you’re not familiar with USAID—many Americans aren’t—this article (The Querent Substack) from WSIRN-recommended author Alexander Chee has a great combination of information and actionable steps we can each take if we feel so called.
I spent a few short days in Dublin a few decades ago, but haven’t been back since. Anne’s recent literary tourism post (MMD) and this piece about an epic walk on Ireland’s wild coast (Afar) have me pushing this destination up my wish list.
Don’t miss these posts:
End your reading slump with these short novels and novellas. Short books that pack a big punch.
101 powerful books to celebrate Black History all year long. February is Black History Month! I hope this list helps broaden your TBR throughout the year.
10 contemporary love stories for bibliophiles. These bookish love stories will sweep you away.
Have a great weekend!
About the author
Holly Wielkoszewski is our What Should I Read Next Media Production Specialist. Her go-to genres are Fantasy and Sci-Fi. You can follow Holly on her Substack: A Liminal Life.