What Caught My Eye Online #36

Back to school, annotation, bestsellers, and more

Photo by Greece Newstart on Unsplash

Welcome to this week’s link roundup! I didn’t realize it then, but I published my 100th Substack post last week. I’m enjoying this platform more and more every day, and I’m thankful for the support I’ve found here and the creativity it’s inspired.

Here are some other things I’ve been loving this week:

• Lemon cake. I’m a better cook than I am a baker, so I don’t bake often, but I was craving something sweet over the weekend, so I made a lemon cake with cream cheese frosting. It’s perfectly light and delicious and exactly what I needed.

• Choosing what book to read next. I’ve finished a couple of books recently and relished standing before my bookshelves as I wondered what to start next. I love that feeling of excitement I get when scanning my shelves or my Kindle library.

• Not setting an alarm. I return to work at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, so my alarm-less days are dwindling. I’ll always cherish the memories my bed and I have made together this summer break.

And now for the links!

• Since I’ll be heading back to school on Monday, I appreciated this advice offered by elementary through high school students. Lucy, a second-grader who won a kindness award, says, “You can have lots of friends if you are kind.” So true, Lucy.

• Over the weekend, I read James by Percival Everett, which I loved. I annotated throughout the book, which I rarely do in novels. This YouTube video about annotation popped up in my feed the other day, and it’s a nice introduction for readers who want to annotate for fun. I’m content with underlining, but the video is a good place to get ideas if you want to embark on a more intense annotation journey.

• Check out the UK’s 100 bestselling books of the past 50 years. There were more diet books than I would have hoped.

• SheReads shares the most anticipated YA books of Fall 2024. The Night Owls cover is a delight.

• SheReads also features a list of the most anticipated contemporary books for fall. I didn’t know Louise Erdrich had a new book coming out, and I’m upset with all of you for not telling me. I’m also excited about the new Sally Rooney and Rachel Kushner novels.

• I always enjoy seeing what Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy has been reading.

• If atmosphere matters to you as a reader, check out this book list called A Feast for the Senses: Books That Wine and Dine.

• I’m a big fan of short stories. Electric Lit talked with three short story writers about the stories and authors they keep returning to. My beloved Flannery O’Connor was mentioned.

• Here’s a super cute reading log for 2024-25.

• Take a look at Jack Kerouac’s hand-drawn cover for On the Road.

• This article from Refinery29 is an interesting look at celebrity beauty brands and why some succeed while most fail.

• Here are five signs you might need a digital detox. I especially like point #3, fear of missing out. I relate to that pressure of needing to be in the know about all the things.

• I adore Steve Martin and enjoyed this new interview with the multi-talented legend.

• At the start of the summer, I started a Pinterest board called Summer Mood, where I could add any images that made me think of summer or things I wanted included in my summer. I absolutely loved filling up the board and plan to make new ones for each season. Living seasonally helps keep my anxious mind tethered to the present moment, which is a gift.

• I wrote a guest post for Pocketful of Prose that went live on Sunday. Check it out and give my friend Mary a follow if you like thoughtful writing about the beauty of the ordinary.

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What caught your eye this week? What have you been loving? Leave your thoughts in the comments! Thanks for being here!