What Caught My Eye Online #69
Classics, influencers, summer reads, and more
Welcome to this week’s roundup! Here’s what I’ve been loving:
A chocolate croissant. I had coffee with a friend over the weekend, and I enjoyed a delicious chocolate croissant. It was extremely messy. I had crumbs and chocolate all over. I somehow ended up with a smear of chocolate on my left shoulder, but the mess was worth it. It usually is. Pastries are our friends.
A new hand cream. I added this new hand cream from Nécessaire to my work bag. It works well and makes me feel fancy, and I love feeling fancy.
And now for this week’s links!
As always, Kelly Jensen is doing excellent reporting on what's happening with libraries in the face of the Institute for Museum and Library Services cuts.
Here are some highly anticipated summer releases. I'm excited for the new Lisa Jewell, and Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams sounds interesting.
Jill Lepore lists 100 classics to get her through Trump's first 100 days, saying, "Each morning, before the day’s decree, I turned to a slim book, hoping for sense, or solace."
When it comes to relationships in fiction, the spotlight seems to be on romantic or familial bonds. Friendships often get slighted, both in books and in real life. Here's a list of five books that explore and center female friendship. I love lists like this!
I read Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro in a college multicultural literature class. I was stunned by it, and understand how it's remained beloved all these years. Ishiguro reflects on his popular novel and its 20-year endurance.
This is an interesting article about influencer culture, and if children should be used to make money for their families.
Ocean Vuong talks with The New York Times about his upcoming novel and how it relates to his life. This is a deeply vulnerable and emotional story.
Samira Ahmed, writer and a leader of Authors Against Book Bans, talks with the Chicago Review of Books about resistance and the importance of literature. I love this part:
"Authoritarians hate art and they hate books for a few reasons. For one, art shines a light on truth. Books shine a light on truth. And when you ban books, when you censor books, when you control what information people are allowed to have, you can create an ignorant populace. Books and art allow us to be fully realized. Authoritarians want to oppress us. They want us to feel downtrodden. But art gives us hope."
CRB also has a list of 12 must-read books coming out this May. I'm excited about the new Kevin Wilson and, of course, Ocean Vuong.
The third-largest school district in Texas removed 13 chapters from state-approved textbooks that addressed topics including climate change, vaccines, and diversity.
Censorship isn't stopping with school and public libraries. Some in Texas want to punish bookstores for selling "obscene" books.
Writer Louise Hegarty looks at why we turn to detective fiction in times of upheaval.
Real Simple has tips for decluttering and organizing your book collection.
This is such a sad headline: "Most parents don’t enjoy reading to their children, survey suggests." Having access to books and being read to as a child shaped the entire course of my life.
This is the book list for you if you're in the mood for a long novel. (And here are three more recommendations from me: Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen, The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. All are well worth your time.)
My friend Mary (who recently wrote this popular guest post for me) reminds us that reading should be a love affair, not an obligation.
I don't read much in the self-help realm, but some of these titles intrigue me, especially Breathe Through It, Less Is Liberation, and In Defense of Dabbling.
Lit Hub suggests 10 great nonfiction books to read in May.
Goodreads shares 42 new and upcoming debuts to have on your radar. I'm looking forward to reading The Names and Among Friends.
Poetry and short story fans, take note of these upcoming releases.
This is a fun book list: What to Read Based on Your Pop Culture Obsessions.
Liann Zhang, author of the new novel Julie Chan Is Dead, which I'm reading now and loving, suggests seven books that turn social media into a plot twist.
James just won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, a well-deserved honor. I was thrilled to see Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel as a finalist.
Suleika Jaouad talks with Stephen Colbert. This is a beautiful interview.
Laura Tremaine shared this powerful Instagram post about decluttering. It really hit home for me.
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What resonates with you from this list? What else has caught your eye lately? Share in the comments!
Thanks for sharing the Colbert interview with Suleika, I missed seeing that and can't wait to check it out
What a fantastic list. I'm going to be spending ages following your links. Thank you.