Lindsay Emory's Blog, page 2

Women With Books - The Christmas Spirit, Actually

A new episode of the Women With Books podcast is up!

Women With Books Podcast featuring USA Today bestselling authors Teri Wilson, Caro Carson and Victoria Schade.

Here’s a quick episode I threw together to celebrate the release of my USA Today Bestseller Christmas Actually! Many thanks to Teri Wilson, Caro Carson and Victoria Schade for contributing their Christmas Spirit to this episode!

Make sure you check out their other latest releases!

Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson

For This Christmas Only by Caro Carson

Lost Found and Forever by Victoria Schade

Happy Holidays to everyone! See you in 2020!

Click here to listen or download from your favorite podcast app.

Sharing a little Christmas Spirit from my family, my writing friends to you. Happiest and Safest of Holidays.

Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which means I could receive a few coins for posting them. As always, thank you for your support and encouragement!

Socially Distanced Dance Party!

A Socially Distanced Holiday Activity for the Whole Family

Maybe everyone has already done this in 2020 but… I feel called to bring it out one more time for the holidays.

MAKE A GROUP PLAYLIST!

My family did this earlier in the pandemic and we got the idea from some friends of ours.  It was a lot of fun AND created something that the whole family can enjoy all throughout the year.

Step 1:
Gather together your list of family/ friends in a group chat.

Step 2:
Explain the Rules.

Step 3:
The Rules:
Each person gets [X] number of song picks. (I recommend starting with a reasonable number, keeping in mind how many people are in your group. Also be aware that this gets addictive so you may want to bump the number as you reach the end.)
The picks will be made in a Snake Draft.  Youngest person to Oldest person, then Oldest person again, back down to Youngest, REPEAT, until everyone has made [X] number of picks.
*You may want to give people a certain amount of time to make a choice so that everyone’s not sitting around waiting for Aunt Ethel to decide on her favorite Doobie Brothers song.

As songs are selected, one person should be inputting the songs into a spreadsheet or a playlist of some kind.
When all the songs are selected, everyone gets 24 hours to make final changes.
And then share the final list/ link to the playlist with everyone!

 

Like I said, we did this earlier this year with extended family and our guidelines were “BEST SONG EVER.” Each person had to pick a song that THEY thought was the best song ever. Their criteria could be objective, or subjective. We had family members from 9 years old to 71 years old so there’s quite a variety of music in our playlist, but it was really fun to discuss and reminisce (and okay, argue a little bit) and spend socially distanced time together in a way that everyone can enjoy. And we can all listen to the Spotify playlist while we’re apart and think of each other; “Oh yeah, Aunt Ethel sure picks some crappy music, I miss her so much.”  And hopefully, the next time we are all back together, we can listen to it as a family, too.

For the holidays, we’re going to do a “FAVORITE HOLIDAY SONG” one and I know once again it will be a fun way to connect during the holidays when we can’t be together.

 If you do this with your family or friends over the holiday, I’d love to hear all about how it goes! You’ll find me on Instagram mostly. Or subscribe to my Inner Circle newsletter!

If you need some ideas for Christmas songs, I have a Christmas playlist that you can check out that I put together while writing my novella, The Matchmaking Christmas Spirit, available NOW in the Christmas Actually anthology.

My Favorite Things of 2020

My 2020 Favorite Things

All year long I’ve been trying to look at the bright sides of things. I’ve done a lot of “counting blessings.” My kids have heard it at least a hundred times now. Some days I’m giving thanks for the internet, even. Or for clean water, fresh air, sunlight.

2020 has definitely made me appreciate the essentials in life; health, food, safety, loved ones. I hope I never forget the lessons I’ve learned.

But let’s be real. I also acknowledge the privilege of all this. Of having the safety and security that leads me to be able to count my blessings.

As of the date of this post, only one member of my family has been stricken with SARS-COV-2.  In no way do I ever want to minimize this year to something trivial or petty when there have been such hardships for so many.

But I also can’t deny that some things have made my life better this year. So, know that I make this list from the very best place of my heart. These are some of the things that brought me joy, peace or sanity this year  and maybe you’ll find something that brightens your day too…

Music

Folklore – Taylor Swift. This probably won’t even end up being my “favorite” Taylor Swift album but it has rocked my world. The fact that she created such a beautiful, haunting album in the middle of a pandemic. The audacity of her creativity was like an arrow to my heart and deeply inspiring to this author.

Gaslighter - The Chicks – I’ve always been a fan of The Chicks, and their unapologetic return to music in a new divided political era was also inspiring on so many levels. I think MARCH MARCH will be a time capsule of 2020 and TEXAS MAN… well. It immediately went onto a writing playlist for me.

Chris Tomlin & Friends - On a different note (and going back to the counting my blessings thing), this album was what I put on when I needed to reset and remember how to do that. In some of the most stressful times this year, the song Tin Roof brought me back to a place of peace. (And Thank You Lord is another great track for Thanksgiving.)

 Books

I’m going to do a longer post on my reading in 2020, which wasn’t normal in any way. But just as a quick note, these are the books that I kept thinking about all year long, as a human, a reader and an author.

Atomic Habits – James Clear

Her Last Flight – Beatriz Williams

The Splendid and the Vile – Erik Larson

A Most Extraordinary Pursuit – Juliana Gray

Manhunting – Jen Crusie

Where the Lost Wander – Amy Harmon

Your Body is Not an Apology – Sonya Renee Taylor

 

 

Podcast

Because it’s 2020, my podcast listening changed A LOT but this one I gobbled down and still haven’t stopped thinking about it: Winds of Change. It’s about the CIA, the Cold War, and rock and roll.

 

Television/ Movie

I was pretty strict with myself about shows I would watch this year. But again, these are the ones that inspired me, got my creative juices running or just made me HAPPY.

Schitts Creek - a story about love and loving others, despite their flaws. At least, that’s my take.

Ted Lasso - a positive story about living a joyful life that’s not naive or shallow. So much to love here I blogged about it separately here.

Sweet Magnolias - a cozy series about family, friends and a perfect small town was a tonic for my soul in 2020.

#Relatable

Songland - a show about creativity and the creative process. LOVE.

My imaginary best friend Shane.

Enola Holmes - I love a good intrepid heroine and historical mystery. Add Henry Cavill in period clothes? Damn right I’ll be thinking about it.

Succession - amazing writing that makes you simultaneously hate and feel sorry for each one of these awful characters.

Oh Cousin Greg.

The Great - great performances and writing and a historical political satire. Something unique and smart that didn’t get enough love.

Knives Out - honestly a perfect film.

Miss Americana - a Taylor Swift documentary. Y’all know I’m inspired by her process.

Personal Items

The things I couldn’t have lived without.

Peppermint oil – became part of my soothing nighttime ritual. Just worked for me.

Silicone straws + Yeti cup + True Lemon – to help me drink ALLLL the water

This Boots Mascara – it’s a tubing mascara so it really holds up to crying jags/ late night doomscrolling and all the makeup I need while wearing a mask

Airpods / good headphones. For walks, zoom calls and drowning out all the people in my home.

Breville coffee maker – this was a Christmas present last year and it seemed over the top but little did we know that my husband and I wouldn’t go to a coffee shop for 8 months and would enjoy this hardy machine multiple times a day. Plus, there was something so soothing about the ritual of making an Americano ourselves everyday.

And that is my list of things that helped me get through this trying year.

I hope we’ve all survived 2020 the best way we can and that 2021 will bring us joy, peace and security.

 

 Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which means I could receive a few coins for posting them. As always, thank you for your support and encouragement!

 

Introducing... my 2021 Hobonichi

Planner people are really the ultimate optimists, right?

Look at us all, buying planners after 2020 showed us that we can’t always plan what life is going to look like.

But there’s something that I’m always going to enjoy about it. There’s a ritual to selecting a new planner. To setting it up and carefully inscribing birthdays and holidays. There’s a beautiful faith that life goes on, that we’re going to be here to enjoy it, that we want to honor these days with purpose and distinction.

Or maybe we just like stickers and washi.

Or both. Definitely both.

I still used my Hobonichi Cousin almost daily in 2020, even when I had no outings or appointments or anything to look forward to. This is because I use the daily pages as my journal so that meant this sturdy, beautifully designed book was in my hands a lot.

I did an unboxing video for those who are curious as to what a 2021 Hobonichi looks like: (Don’t judge. I am not a videographer, obviously.)

I’ll do another post in January with how I’ve decided to personalize this but ICYMI, here are some past blog posts about this year’s set up and previous years’ as well.

My 2020 Planner Line-Up

My 2019 Planners

And… that’s all for now. If you want my blog posts sent straight to your inbox, subscribe to my Inner Circle Newsletter here. Or follow me on Instagram to see my occasional weekly spreads.

You Need to Watch Ted Lasso

We Need to Talk About Ted Lasso

This is the number one thing I’ve been telling people to watch lately. (And I’m NOT alone)

It’s a story about an American football coach who moves to London to coach an English Premier League football (soccer) team.

It’s a comedy, but it’s got the heart of Schitts Creek, the community of Parks & Rec and the quick wit of The Good Place.

It’s got incredibly supportive female friendships.

It’s about sports, but without the toxic masculinity. 

It’s about the culture clash between the UK and the US but without any false superiority.

It’s about relationships, platonic, romantic, community.

It’s about joy.

It’s about finding a new way to look at life.

It’s my favorite thing right now.

Watch it.

It’s on Apple TV. and you (all of us) deserve something this good in 2020.

Here’s a podcast about it because Brene Brown agrees with me (OF COURSE SHE DOES).

 

And when you’re done watching it, come find me on Instagram and let’s talk about how much you love it.

 

A Story About Pie

Let’s talk about pie.

Yes, pie.

The dessert, not the mathematical number.

I have a friend, A, who is a phenomenal pastry chef.  I have been able to sample her creations on numerous occasions, but I have never pressed my advantage. Our children were in the same class in first or second grade and that was the first time I heard about A’s cream puffs.

You see, it was A’s child’s birthday and instead of bringing in store-bought cupcakes for the class, A brought (per her child’s request), homemade cream puffs.

My child informed me that they were delicious and could she also have homemade cream puffs brought to school for her birthday?

My child asked me for cream puffs for years. The memory of those delicious cream puffs haunted my poor, underprivileged child saddled with a useless mom who was not even going to attempt homemade cream puffs.

Yet. I became friends with A anyway, even though she showed me up in the cream puff department. And the tartlette department. And the macaron department.

She is a trained and accomplished pastry chef, after all. I accept that I cannot compete in these arenas.

But like I said, I’ve never asked for special favors or samples. I would never presume. Baking is hard work and can be expensive and I respect that this is her job.

Then one day last week, A posted a photo of a new recipe she was developing.

It was a completely new type of pie.

A described it in loving, intricate detail, using elevated vocabulary that only true foodies would appreciate.  Panna cotta. Sweet milk. Chocolate ball.

Okay, even I understood that last one.

I get a text soon after from A: Do you want to try this new pie?  

Um, yes.

I dropped by A’s house and she had a miniature sized  pie waiting for me. It was perfect. Perfect shape, perfect dollop of whipped cream on the top, sprinkled with just the right amount of chocolate garnish. Not a crumb out of place. Not a scorch mark or over-brown spot to be seen.

“I’m trying it out,” A said. “I want to know what you think.”

“It looks perfect,” I said.

“Eh,” she said.

EH?

And right then, I saw it.  The tangle of emotions that a creative person gets when they’re trying something new. The excitement, the uncertainty, the passion, the perfectionism.

To me, that miniature pie was perfection. If I had made up the recipe – from scratch, mind you – then created eight sample-sized pies that all looked like they could go straight into a Parisian patisserie’s display case, you would not be hearing “eh” from me.

I would be jumping on top of couches and demanding an excessive amount of praise for creating something amazing from nothing.

For A? It was simply the first draft of a new pie.

Which is something I recognize. My first drafts… well, yes, they’re amazing. But I know they can get better.

I told her then – she was inspiring to me. (And I’m telling her now.)

The fact that she has a new idea – and then uses her skills and talents – to create something that people will gobble down (with pleasure) in five minutes?

It makes my heart ache a little. Humans want to create things. We want to bring smiles to faces. We want to impact days, if not lives.

Whether it’s pies or hand-knitted sweaters from artisanal-dyed yarn or bold paintings or fun stories about falling in love and solving mysteries, so many of us want to share little expressions of ourselves with others. We want them warm, fed, smiling, inspired.

If you’re a creative person, thank you. You make the world a better place.

You know what else makes the world a different place?

A new pie, every month.

That’s right. My friend A has a pie of the month club.   Which is where this story goes to a whole new level.

While I was appreciating A’s new, never been created before pie recipe, and seeing the connection between her culinary creativity and my literary efforts, I remembered the Pie of the Month Club.

“Why don’t I do that?” I asked myself.

I really hate when I do that.

But I have spent the last seven months having lots of deep thoughts about life, work and creating. (#pandemic) I’ve asked myself a lot of uncomfortable questions.

If A can create pastry recipes from scratch EVERY. SINGLE. MONTH…

Could I do the same?

No, not pies, obviously. We’ve established that’s not my oeuvre.

Stories.

Could I put myself out there and go a little crazy? Try new things? Update old things? Write boldly, write unapologetically, write whatever it was I wanted to read that day? Add the fiction equivalent of cardamom when people expect cinnamon?

I think I want to try.

Maybe?

When you start writing commercially, you start to let other people’s opinions get inside your head. And it’s time for me to knock some of that out.

There’s a song that I’ve been loving lately that sort of sums this all up – my words and A’s baking.

If it ain't familiar, it's 'cause you ain't had it yet
Even if you don't like it, I bet you won't forget
There's always one or two pushing on the envelope
So I'ma raise a glass to you if you're one of those

- Maren Morris

So. Who’s in for Story of the Month club?

If you’re interested in following along with this new development, make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter. I haven’t thought through all the details yet but whatever they end up being, the Inner Circle will definitely be the first ones to know!

 

 

Best Books to Read Now - May 2020

Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!

Welcome to the Best Books to Read Now Book Club! My (hopefully) monthly blog featuring my reading list, my TBR pile and the books I think you and your best friends should be reading. 

If you’re not sure whether you’ll agree with  my recommendations, check out my blog post on My Reader Wheels and my podcast, Women With Books . Those should help you decide if you’re going to be into my recommendations.

The best book club recommendations for you and your friends!

We’re all still stuck at home, hopefully healthy or recovering. Because we need books now more than ever, I’m still doing this.

My book recommendations for May….

Untamed - Glennon Doyle
Amazon || Apple Books

I’ll be honest. I bought this book.

Yes, I know I’ve been on a book no buy this year but my book club wanted to read this and what, exactly was I supposed to do in the middle of the pandemic?

WAIT for it to become available on the CloudLibrary app???

Dear reader, I hate to wait for books.

I mean, I do it all the time, but I don’t have to like it.

I recommend this book, a selection of essays mostly written about the last few years of Ms. Doyle’s life, for anyone who’s reached their 40s and are rediscovering who they are supposed to be or wondering why they are the way they are. This book won’t necessarily explain it for you, but you’ll definitely walk away with new insights about how we’re all still growing up even when we’re supposed to be adulted already. I highlighted a bunch of parts that I need to go back and re-read so I’m really glad I bought it.

Say Yes to the Duke - Eloisa James
Amazon || Apple Books

I did NOT buy this book. Instead, it was graciously sent to me by my good friends at Avon/ Netgalley. (Thanks guys!) I’ve read the entire Wilde series now and jumping back into the pages with this fictional family meant this was an extremely comforting read. I felt like I used to feel, back when I could see friends in person. Remember those days???

Manhunting - Jennifer Cruisie
Amazon || Apple Books

I DID buy this book… a long time ago. It’s from my TBR pile! Look at me! I think I bought it a long time ago because a friend told me it was her favorite Jennifer Crusie book. Now, I’ve loved and read Ms. Crusie’s romcom classic, Bet Me, at least five times but I’ve never dug into her other books and let me tell you, I LOVED THIS. Another comforting, funny, easy read during my stay-at-home days. It was published in 1993 (I think) which somehow added to the 2020 comfort. Why? No one had cell phones or internet or email in this book. It’s set at a resort and everyone there has to basically TALK TO EACH OTHER THE WHOLE TIME. What a concept. I can’t even imagine.

I saw some reviews that stated that the book was dated for another reason: The female main character keeps getting grabbed on dates/ in bars. Unfortunately, I’m not sure I can say that this is what dates the book as this kind of behavior does still happen, and often. I will say that it is done for comedic effect and the female main character is in NO WAY a victim. In fact, she handles each of the offenders efficiently and on her own, which is very au courant.

The Forbidden Rose- Joanna Bourne
Amazon || Apple Books

Another one from the TBR pile! This one is a prequel/ sequel to a book I included in my uber popular Swooniest Book List: The Spymaster’s Lady. (I think it’s officially the first book in the series if you go by events but it was published after The Spymaster’s Lady so it’s listed as #2). A Joanna Bourne book is like a box of expensive, dark rich chocolates. Exquisitely crafted. Meant to be savored. Extremely satisfying.

If you’re looking for EVEN MORE comfort read recommendations, I made a separate list (along with everything I’ve ever recommended, practically) here: What To Read During a Pandemic.

As always, I’ll be talking more about the books I don’t finish and why I think they didn’t connect with me in my newsletter this month.

Do you like books on sale?
Make sure you’re following me on Facebook because that’s where I post great books on sale!

And what about you?
I’d love to hear what you’ve read and loved while stuck at home or what you’re looking forward to reading next!  If you want these book recommendations (and a sneak peek at my TBR list and advanced reading copies) sent straight to your inbox, remember to sign up for my newsletter where I’ll be including all the best book club recommendations throughout 2020!

Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which means I could receive a few coins for posting them. As always, thank you for your support and encouragement!

Women With Books - Amy Harmon - A Pioneering Book for a Stay at Home World

A new episode of the Women With Books podcast is up!

Women With Books Podcast featuring bestselling author Amy Harmon.

Amy and I recorded our conversation in two parts. The first time we talked, we had extensive internet issues probably due to the earthquake in Utah that had just happened. So we paused, rescheduled and then came back for round two. And I decided to keep that in – the break is around minute 18– because I wanted to show our pioneer spirit and show future historians what it was like trying to do podcasts during the Covid-19 quarantine era.

In this interview, you will hear what’s been on my mind a lot recently – a new kind of survival, homesteading, etc. and reading Amy’s book, which is about a family on the wagon trail in the 1850s, was so impactful. Not only is it a great book (I couldn’t put it down), but for me it was a great book at the right time, which is such a gift. And I’m so glad I get to share the book and this fascinating conversation with a thoughtful, talented author with you.

Press play to listen or download from your favorite podcast app.

Amy Harmon and I discuss the pioneering spirit, classic books that we enjoyed and whether my children would have survived the wagon trail.

Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which means I could receive a few coins for posting them. As always, thank you for your support and encouragement!

Best Books to Read Now - April 2020

Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!

Welcome to the Best Books to Read Now Book Club! My (hopefully) monthly blog featuring my reading list, my TBR pile and the books I think you and your best friends should be reading. 

If you’re not sure whether you’ll agree with  my recommendations, check out my blog post on My Reader Wheels and my podcast, Women With Books . Those should help you decide if you’re going to be into my recommendations.

The best book club recommendations for you and your friends!

We’re all still stuck at home, hopefully healthy or recovering. Because we need books now more than ever, I’m still doing this.

My book recommendations for April….

Such a Fun Age - Kiley Reid
Amazon || Apple Books

This was an interesting read for me and I 100% recommend it for book clubs because I think that everyone can pull something different out of it. But it’s not a usual read for me, as it’s not a mystery, romance, etc. It was a page turner because the author did such a good job twisting and turning the characters until you weren’t quite sure how or if you should root for anyone… which is probably the point. So no HEA but definitely worth your time.

Where the Lost Wander - Amy Harmon
Amazon

LOVE.
LOVE.
LOVE.

Already one of my best books of the year. You can hear my full gush on the Women With Books podcast soon but here’s an abbreviated version:

WAGON TRAIL.
HISTORICAL FICTION.
ADVENTURE!

ROMANCE!

CHOLERA!

Okay, that part might not be alluring, but y’all. If you’re part of the Oregon Trail generation especially (See here if you don’t know what that is), you need to pick up this book ASAP.

The Virgin and the Rogue - Sophie Jordan
Amazon || Apple Books

I knew I had to read this book as soon as I saw that cover, that deliciously old-school romance cover. I knew the plot involved a love potion trope but here is a content warning for anyone who might want to know about consent issues. The female main character is under the influence of a love potion when she first… ah… puts the moves on the unsuspecting male main character. Trying not to spoil this, but I want to give fair warning that there’s a fine consensual line, on both their parts.

Anyway, I felt that the love potion plot made for a topsy-turvy romance book, one that was very enjoyable and easy to read. It’s mostly in the heroine’s voice, as she untangles what her feelings are, which are due to the love potion, and why she’s never known her true self before.


Feels Like Falling - Kristy Woodson Harvey
Amazon || Apple Books

A great read for your Mother’s Day gifts or just a quiet quarantine day or your book club! I’ve included Kristy Woodson Harvey books multiple times on the blog (and had her on the Women With Books podcast here) and as soon as I saw she had a new release, I requested an early copy. This one is set in a new beach town in North Carolina and has alternating stories of two very different women who soon become best friends. It’s a story of friendship, but it’s also a story of how women can mother each other, their friends, their siblings - which is why I’m recommending this for Mother’s Day! Get this for all your friends who are also willing to set you up on dates/ hold your hair back/ let you come live in their guest house on the beach. (And also I would like to be that person’s friend, thanks).

If you’re looking for EVEN MORE comfort read recommendations, I made a separate list (along with everything I’ve ever recommended, practically) here: What To Read During a Pandemic.

As always, I’ll be talking more about the books I don’t finish and why I think they didn’t connect with me in my newsletter this month.

Do you like books on sale?
Make sure you’re following me on Facebook because that’s where I post great books on sale!

And what about you?
I’d love to hear what you’ve read and loved while stuck at home or what you’re looking forward to reading next!  If you want these book recommendations (and a sneak peek at my TBR list and advanced reading copies) sent straight to your inbox, remember to sign up for my newsletter where I’ll be including all the best book club recommendations throughout 2020!

Women With Books - Laura Lovely: Living and Writing Under the Sea

A new episode of the Women With Books podcast is up!

Women With Books Podcast featuring bestselling author Laura von Holt aka Madame de Boudoir aka Laura Lovely

Many thanks to Laura Lovely for inviting me to interview her on The Mermaid Podcast!

Thank you for asking, Kim Kardashian! Laura Lovely is an expert on mermaids!

If you love hearing about mermaids and fairy tales, you MUST hear the premier mermaid expert talk all about them on this episode!

Press play to listen or download from your favorite podcast app.

Laura von Holt / Laura Lovely and I discuss the impact of fairy tales on society, culture and the unity of the world itself.

Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which means I could receive a few coins for posting them. As always, thank you for your support and encouragement!