I wrote a post last week about how finding interesting stuff has become a challenge in recent months. In these moments, I turn to books. If we can agree that streaming options have been mediocre of late, we can also agree that when you and I haven’t scratched the surface of all the books we’ve been meaning to read, we really have no reason to complain. But why am I not living my truth and immersing myself in the truth of multiple books at the same time? I have some ideas.
In December, I quit a reading challenge I had been participating in for two years. Aim to read one book per week, with each book corresponding to a specific category, such as “a book recommended by a celebrity book club” or “a book in a genre you usually avoid.”
This challenge was exactly what I needed in 2021: I had read two books in six months when a friend asked me if I wanted to join. The literary appetite is excited. I like having homework every week. I have the pleasure of joining a lively Facebook group in which participants—all friends and friends of friends who have become a loving family over the years—come together to exchange reviews and recommendations.
Sometime during my second year, I became arrogant. Why do I need homework when I regularly complete a book or two each week? I’m starting to get annoyed with these categories. What if I want to read something that doesn’t match any of them? Of course, my own curiosity was enough to keep me reading this clip! If I were freed from the constraints of the challenge and allowed to read whatever book interested me, I’d probably read more, right?
You know where this is going. There are many books there. I’ve started most of them. In order to finish books, I need a plan. I needed a system, even a loose one, that would allow me to binge read (why isn’t that a more popular term?), one book after another.
I’m thinking of a framework for summer reading that will get me back on track and not feel too restrictive. Should I commit to reading only my pile of books, the books I long for stacked on my nightstand and coffee table, intending to always read them next, but never making any noticeable progress? Should I give myself some books to finish before Labor Day and let my interests run free? Did I read all of Henry James this summer, or just the Nobel Prize winner?
Our colleagues at Book Review have a tantalizing suggestion: 19 works of nonfiction and 33 works of fiction will be released this summer. Even at my most athletic, I wouldn’t be able to read 54 books in 11 weeks, but maybe choosing one book from these lists each week would be an enjoyable but rigorous schedule.
I’ve started reading Griffin Dunne’s “The Friday Afternoon Club,” a memoir about his famous family (his father is the crime writer Dominic Dunne; Joan Didion is his aunt) , this book is very interesting. “Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV,” by TV critic Emily Nussbaum, looks irresistible. If Tanya Smith’s “Never Saw Me Coming” “How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System—and Made $40 Million” sounds so exciting that there’s hope for attention from all over the world, even those who are as slutty as me.
Summer novels also sound very appealing. Two-time Booker Prize finalist Chigozie Obioma’s new novel tells the story of a student trying to rescue his brother during Nigeria’s civil war. After enjoying The Need, I will read anything by Helen Phillips. Her novel “Buzz” is a techno-dystopian thriller that sounds both painful and delicious. The Book of Elsewhere, written by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville, also looks interesting – it’s based on a comic about an immortal warrior who would rather be mortal. I’m not sure I can identify with this motivation, but I’m still fascinated by the idea.
cultural calendar
🎭 Tony Awards (Sunday): Broadway’s big night of television, airing on CBS at 8pm ET, 5pm PT, will give fans the Oscar-level anticipation and give people an idea of what to expect in the coming months. What tickets should people in Manhattan buy? Want to see if you can predict the winner? We’ve got you covered. You can also see who our top critics think will and should win.
🐉”Dragon House” (Sunday): The Game of Thrones prequel returns for its second season, bringing back dragons, vengeance, platinum blond hair and (let’s face it) incest for another summer. The only thing is, the season premiere starts…with the opening hour of the Tony Awards. Do what you have to do.
Recipe of the week
bowl of chocolate cake
Tomorrow is Father’s Day. Dad doesn’t like cake? Genevieve Ko’s one-bowl chocolate cake comes together quickly and easily without a mixer, but tastes bittersweet like you’ve been baking all day. Genevieve recommends flavoring it with oolong or black tea, but mixing espresso or bourbon with some boiling water works just as well (use a quarter cup each of water and espresso or bourbon). Sprinkle some powdered sugar on top or go all out and top with Genevieve’s two-ingredient fudge frosting. Either way, Dad will love it.
Excellent value for money: This summer, American travelers will find that their money can buy more in some unexpected countries, including Japan and Australia.
Ambition Monster: A writer had a difficult childhood. This makes her an excellent employee.
Internet troubles: The term “brain rot” describes the final online state.
Advice from wire cutters
Your summer listing is for sale
What are our tips for making the most of this summer? Make a little preparation now. Wirecutter’s experts have spent hundreds of hours testing everything you need for a successful season—whether your plans involve a cross-country flight, a trip to the beach, or homemade ice cream on the porch. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite essentials with some really great discounts. Some of these great products include a set of crisp linen sheets to help you get a better night’s sleep on those hot summer nights, a mosquito-proof gadget (throw away the citronella candles; they don’t work), and a bed that will last a lifetime ‘s iconic beach tote. — Britney He
Game of the week
Euro 2024: The European Championship, one of the world’s greatest football tournaments, has kicked off in Germany, with 24 countries vying for continental glory next month. England are the oddsmakers’ favorites and have the most star-studded squad, although history is not in their favor – they haven’t won a major tournament since 1966. Fighting as a country that has not won the European Cup in its homeland for 40 years. Perhaps the safest bet is France, which has a strong squad and has enjoyed recent success. The Fox Network airs games weekly at 9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
