What Caught My Eye Online #74
High school novels, Beach Boys lit, ultimate summer reads, and more
Welcome to this week’s roundup! Here’s what I’m loving right now:
Summer break. Today is my last workday of the 2024-25 school year! I’m happy to have finished year 14. I’m so excited about the extra margin summer break allows me. I have a lot of hobbies, and getting to luxuriate in them for a season is a blessing.
Instapaper. I’ve been a loyal Pocket user for many years, but since that website is going away, I needed to switch. I turned to Instapaper. So far, I’m loving it. I use it to save articles and other media. You can download the app or use the website.
Ami Colé blush stick. Sometimes I’m drawn to brighter makeup in the spring and summer months, so I’ve been using this long-wearing lip and cheek stick from Ami Colé in the shade Hibiscus, which is a beautiful berry. I’ve had this product for a while and have used it a lot, and there’s still a ton of it left.
And now for this week’s links!
Anthony Aycock, freelance writer and librarian, unpacks how a single court case could determine the future of book banning in America.
This is a great essay from Dr. Yarimar Bonilla about the subversive joy of BookTok.
Over half of Americans have listened to an audiobook. I was once an audiobook skeptic, but I've since found the light. A good narrator makes all the difference.
I work in high schools, and I also love reading books set in schools. If you do too, check out this list of high school novels for adult readers.
This headline about James Frey caught my attention: "Oprah Shamed James Frey. He's Back Anyway." Based on this interview, he doesn't seem like a particularly enjoyable person to be around.
Here are some book ideas for fans of Only Murders in the Building.
Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden speaks out about her recent firing by the Trump regime.
I'd never heard of The Common, but I love the magazine's minimalist cover designs.
The Guardian recommends the best books for children about refugees.
Susan Choi, author of the new novel Flashlight, is the latest By the Book subject.
Megan Abbott, one of my favorite suspense writers, is interviewed by Lit Hub and talks about her upcoming novel.
This is an interesting look at why Gen Z might be buying more Bibles than ever.
To honor Brian Wilson, who recently passed away, Lit Hub offers a Beach Boys-inspired reading list that features 11 books to fuel a weird, beautiful summer.
Kim Ho-Yeon recommends five of the best 21st-century Korean novels. All of them are available in English.
Here are eight books about the quiet power of libraries and museums.
Lit Hub has compiled the Ultimate Summer 2025 Reading List.
TIME has chosen these 14 books as the best of 2025 so far.
And Paste shares the 40 best albums of 2025 so far.
Barnes & Noble talks with Amanda Montell about her book Cultish, which I read and liked.
Here are 10 minimalist challenges to help simplify your life. I like #10, set a digital curfew.
The original company of Hamilton reunited at the Tony Awards for the show's 10th anniversary. I've watched this video so many times.
YouTube suggested this video of boygenius singing a cover of Shania Twain's song "You're Still the One." I had no idea I needed a cover of that song, but I'm so glad I listened to this one. It's stunningly beautiful, and their harmonies healed something deep within my soul. (If you want another '90s cover from boygenius, here's "Cowboy Take Me Away.")
Some of the recipes in this Quick Weeknight Summer Dinners post from Smitten Kitchen sound delicious.
I loved this recent interview between good friends Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers on Poehler’s podcast. You can listen or watch.
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What things have caught your eye lately? I’d love to hear! Let me know in the comments.