(opens in new tab) If you are a Peloton subscriber, the photo above should take you straight to the yoga class that inspired today’s post. If you’re not and want to try a free, two-month membership, let me know so that I can send you a link. Either way, you can read this post about…
“Why”…Wednesdays
NetGalley Review of Best Laid Plans
(opens in new tab) title: Best Laid Plans author: Mallory McKenna publisher: indie/self publication date: July 15, 2025 pages: 308 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: none summary: When Elle’s life implodes, she goes to her brother’s apartment to hide away and plan for what’s next. It’s perfect timing, because he’s going to be away…
NetGalley Review of Pugs and Kisses
(opens in new tab) title: Pugs and Kisses author: Farrah Rochon publisher: Forever publication date: July 15, 2025 pages: 352 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: pet death summary: Finding her fiancé cheating on her is problematic for Evie Williams because she works at his clinic. After leaving her job, she goes to volunteer at…
341. Why I Shouldn’t Have Assumed
When this post goes live, it’s probably very hot in New England, so I posted this photo to remind us that most things are cyclical…including my term as a dean. A month ago, my first class to shepherd through Hotchkiss graduated. In a little over a month, I’ll join my next class on campus and…
NetGalley Review of The Odds of Getting Even
(opens in new tab) title: The Odds of Getting Even author: Amanda Sellet publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin publication date: July 15, 2025 pages: 320 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: none summary: Working her job at a Hawaiian resort, Jean brings extra towels to awkward Charlie, who’s staying at one of the private cabins. Though…
340. Why I Ride (Guest Post)
(opens in new tab) When I recently got an email titled “Why I Ride” from a friend, I had the idea to ask her if I could post her missive as a Why Wednesday. Suzanne and I met at eighteen years old, thirty-eight years ago, when we were assigned to live in the same college…
NetGalley Review of These Summer Storms
(opens in new tab) title: These Summer Storms author: Sarah MacLean publisher: Random House publication date: July 8, 2025 pages: 640 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: parental death, manipulation, alcohol/drunkenness, bad parenting summary: Alice Storm managed to break away from her controlling, billionaire father and family (picture Succession) five years ago, but when her father…
NetGalley Review of Destination Weddings and Other Disasters
(opens in new tab) title: Destination Weddings and Other Disasters author: M. C. Vaughan publisher: Afterglow Books by Harlequin publication date: July 1, 2025 pages: 288 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: bullying, deceased parent (past) summary: After Julia earns her graduate degree in hospitality but before she finds a job, her flighty mother announces…
339. Why Pan
As is often the case (since I discovered that many photos on the internet are copyright-protected), the photo above has nothing to do with my topic today. It’s a picture I took of a flower I saw in California. I’ve been thinking about sleep, something many people struggle with. Little kids fight going to sleep…
NetGalley Review of The Summer You Were Mine
(opens in new tab) title: The Summer You Were Mine author: Jill Francis publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin publication date: July 1, 2025 pages: 352 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: parental death in distant past summary: Just before Emmie will leave NYC for Italy to attend her grandmother’s wedding, she accidentally tells the brutal truth…