Friday Reads 1.10.25
To start, my deepest sympathies go out to all our friends in Southern California — these fires are horrifying. I hope you and yours are safe, and you will let us know if you need anything.
And, of course, wild Santa Anas translates to wild weather everywhere. As in… it’s… SNOWING here! Like, for real. Right now. POURING down. Not just white rain, the real deal. (Can you tell how thrilled I am? ☃️)
When it might snow in Nashville, we like to make fun because even with the tiniest threat of flakes means they close schools. Growing up in Colorado, where it took a foot or more to even make a dent in anyone’s day, I find this hysterical. But when we get real snow, accumulating snow, it’s not as funny because that means the entire city shuts down. We’re completely locked in place for days at a time.not enough winter weather infrastructure. And to top it off, we’re on a hill, and the cars don’t like sliding down them. I, in particular, don’t like being in said car whilst it slides out of my driveway.
So I am parked today. Wrapping my copyedits with a tidy little bow, then transitioning to cozy mode.
We had a storm like this last year, and I took full advantage—movies, cocoa, quiet reading time by the fire, lots of birdfeed for homemade ASMR rooms. It set the tone for the year, and I’m happy to have a day or two of quiet now to remind me how much I enjoy this. The best gardens come from rested soil, right?
Last weekend, I read a scary near future speculative fiction book that won’t be to y’all’s taste, and am very happy to be back in the realm of fantasy again. I’ve almost finished my book for this week, a galley of V.E. Schwab’s BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL. It’s insanely good. V has been telling me about this one for a long time, and it lives up to its promise. It does have a sense of the voice of her mega-hit, THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, but utterly unique at the same time. V’s mind is a fertile place. Happy to have spent the week in it. Plus, she signed the entire first printing. Unbelievable…
Next up is another galley, Lisa Jewell’s DON’T LET HIM IN. I am almost done with my copyedit, and this will be my reward.
And also, Jayne Ann Krentz’s last book in the Lost Night Files trilogy, SHATTERING DAWN, came out. Tuesday and will be winging its way to me from Poisoned Pen. On January 17, Jayne and I will be chatting on Facebook Live on her page, talking about her new book, my new book, and whatever else fun stuff pops up. Always love our chats. I’ll remind you next week, too.
More Book BirthdaysA few more books came out this week that I want to read. Liv Constantine’s MY SISTER’S DAUGHTER — an audio original — is in my queue. I always enjoy these stories.
Also, Adrienne Young’s SEA OF UNSPOKEN THINGS — there’s nothing Adrienne writes that I don’t love. I’m excited to get that one in my hands.
Adam Ross’s PLAYWORLD came out Tuesday too, and it is a tour de force. We talked for A Word on Words and believe me, this is a personal, heartfelt novel you won’t be able to put down.
From the Archives:Lastly, I published another step in our ongoing series…
That’s it from me today. What are you reading this fine flurry-filled weekend?
