What Caught My Eye Online #52
291 new books, journaling, a great song, and more
Welcome to this week’s roundup! If you’re new here, my Wednesday posts consist of articles, videos, essays, recipes, or whatever else caught my eye over the past week. I also include two or three things I’ve been enjoying recently, such as:
Soup. I always like soup, but I appreciate it even more during the winter months. I just made a beef and vegetable soup with potatoes, carrots, peas, and other yummy veggies. It was delicious! I don’t have a recipe for it. Just measure with your heart.
A new journal. I keep several different journals at once because I love a paper good. My latest one is this One List a Day book. I don’t always feel like writing much every day, but I love the list format.
New books. The last thing I needed was more books, but I got several bookstore gift cards for Christmas. My friends and family certainly know their audience. I cut back on my book-buying last year, so it was a delight to shop for books after the holidays. I can’t wait to read the ones I picked up.
And now for this week’s links!
Kelly Jensen shares 56 small tasks we can do to be proactive against book censorship in 2025. I’m thankful for Kelly’s hard work on this topic.
NPR shares the most borrowed books from public libraries in 2024.
Here are 291 books the Lit Hub staff is excited about this year. I like to go through this list with my book journal and write down the titles that excite me. This is my version of partying.
A new book by Zora Neale Hurston was published yesterday. I hate to admit this, but I’ve yet to read anything from her. Here are some ideas of where to start with her work.
CrimeReads shares six trick novels that play with form.
If you’re a writer, check out these eight craft books to inspire your New Year’s writing resolutions. Bird by Bird is an all-time favorite for me.
Goodreads has offered up a month-by-month guide to 2025’s biggest mysteries and thrillers. I’m always excited for new Lisa Jewell books.
Max (@welldonebooks) has been a longtime favorite book reviewer on social media thanks to his thoughtful take on literature and the reading life. I was excited to see him start a Substack. Give him a follow!
If you enjoy presidential history like I do, check out this list featuring books by and about President Carter.
Here are some tips about starting and keeping a journal.
I got goosebumps and teary-eyed watching and listening to this beautiful rendition of “She Used to Be Mine” by Sara Bareilles and Rufus Wainwright. They’re both such gifted vocalists.
Vulture recommends 37 albums coming out this year.
I absolutely loved this video about what it’s like to work as a barista in Grand Central Terminal. The subject is Arnaldo Hernandez Mundo, a Puerto Rican immigrant passionate about coffee and people. What he says at the end about success stuck with me.
Madeline of Mad About Food continually shares yummy and easy recipes. I get great lunch ideas from the meals she packs for her wife. You can follow her on Instagram here.
If you have an iPad and enjoy coloring, check out the Lake Coloring app. I’ve written before about how coloring has become a hobby, a relaxing ritual that often includes an audiobook, podcast episode, or music. While I’ll always prefer paper and pencils or markers, I’m happy to have a digital option that looks great and offers cool features.
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What has caught your attention lately? What have you been loving? Share in the comments!
Thank you for sharing that link for Lit Hub's anticipated reads!
I so appreciated the barista video. He made my morning! Thank you.