Friday Reads 8.29.25
Welcome to Friday, friends.
Wow. It’s been a week of superb highs and devastating lows. When I sat down to write this piece, the Elvis Costello song popped into my mind. You know the idealist, who has promised a safe place for you each week, has many thoughts. I’m going to focus on the week’s highs here today, but I’m sending love and peace to everyone hurting this week.
I will say this. Sometimes it feels like we’re barreling headlong into a brick wall, about to crash as a society. It happens every generation (you kids get off my lawn), but this moment in time feels especially ominous. I hope we can find a way to mend the schisms, extend grace, and recognize that there is no one right way to live this life we’re given.
OK, on to happier things. Best news first — the Mister and I celebrated our 30/33 anniversary! (We married on our third anniversary, so we get a double celebration.) We took the day off, hung out at the pool, had a nice meal, and a yummy bottle of champagne. Then we watched MY OXFORD YEAR, based on Julia Whelan’s book. It’s such a poignant story, a good reminder to always seize the day.
And…I finished the first draft of YOU KNOW WHY! It was a rough slog, but the end finally came. After the hyper-detailed writing of LAST SEEN, I was determined to return to my pantsing ways. Except… I am apparently not a pantser anymore. I vowed to my agent this week that I will never again set off into uncharted waters without a compass.
I’m editing the book now. This first pass through of the first draft is actually one of my favorite parts of the process. I’ve got enough distance to be surprised by some of the things I’ve written, and not judging it too critically yet. That will come, soon enough. But it means I will make my original deadline, and that is a huge relief.
September is going to be a bit hectic, actually, between travel and deadlines, so heads up now: I may miss a few Fridays, especially toward the end of the month. Next week I’ll be at Bouchercon, so I’ll be reporting in from the Big Easy. I have two panels, one on Thursday and one Friday, and I’m excited to see everyone! I hated missing Thrillerfest, so this is a nice reward for the summer of slog.
Another wonderful something happened, but I can’t share yet. Soon. Trust me when I say it fills me with such joy. 🥹
PSA: Regarding the Anthropic settlement… For any authors out there who are reading this, it has come to light that some publishers have not been registering copyright with the copyright office. Courtney Milan has a very extensive thread on BlueSky about all of this. You definitely want to check it out. And here is a link to check if your books have been registered.
Book-wise, I am deep into Sarah A. Parker’s WHEN THE MOON HATCHED. Wow. While (so far) it falls into the familiar romantasy tropes of stories that have come before it, especially SJM’s earlier works, the writing and world building are simply breathtaking. I am always humbled by the imagination of my fellow authors.
It’s a big book, and with all the excitement and editing, that’s all I’ve been reading this week.
I know I’m missing some new books. Fill me in! What are you reading this weekend? As always, recommendations are welcome!
Wishing you Peace and harmony…
JTx
