Joyful Summer

The Pod is on Hiatus

On the Pod This Week:

(This photo is from Unsplash, but it is an accurate representation of me for the rest of July and August.)

Just a quick episode today to let y’all know that the podcast is taking a brief hiatus.

Unlike last time, there’s no big family emergency! I just realized that I am tired and not taking good care of myself right now. If I don’t slow down now, I’m going to go from “tired” to “exhausted” to “literally cannot function.” And then I thought - what if I take a break now, instead of waiting until I collapse?

Did you know it’s possible to rest BEFORE a collapse? I did not.

Here’s what I’ll be up to during the break:

• I’m elbow deep in my next book, which is due to my editor mid-September. I am madly in love with it, and looking forward to giving it my full attention, instead of dividing my days between writing and podcasting.

• I’ve been in a reading slump most of this year, and the only significant reading I’ve done is for the podcast. Which has been great - I love reading other people’s favorite books. But I am just not myself if I’m not reading my own books, and I think an extended break will help me get my groove back. (See below for the book that already seems to have jumpstarted my reading mojo.)

• I still have teenagers at home this summer, and I won’t have them here for too many more summers. I want to say yes to every beach trip, afternoon movie, pool party, kayak around the lake, and bonfire.

• I am going to the library. I normally go once or twice a week, but for the last year or so, I reserve books online, and then run in to grab them. I’m in and out in five minutes. It’s been ages since I went just to hang out, browse, chat with the librarians, and lose track of time because I’m reading in one of the big squashy chairs. I miss it.

• I am going to sleep. A lot.

• No, seriously. A LOT. I want to sleep so much that my husband starts checking on me to make sure I’m still breathing. I want the kids to be genuinely surprised when they see me out of my pajamas. I want my mom to say things like, “Maybe you should see a doctor. You have some form of narcolepsy, or something.”

Episodes will resume Monday, September 4 (already have that one ready to go. It’s a really good one!) Make sure you have subscribed to the pod on whatever podcatcher you use so you don’t miss anything.

I’ll continue to send out my usual weekly emails and monthly 5 Books Curated Lists.

Paid subscribers: whether you are monthly or yearly, I’m taking a 2 month break from recording, but I have extended all of your subscriptions for an extra 3 months at no cost to you. As I say every week, your financial support keeps the candles burning over here in my reading cave. I am so grateful for you.

As always, I look forward to hearing what you are reading, listening to, watching, cooking, drinking, and thinking about. I hope you are also finding time for rest in this culture that convinces us we have to constantly work ourselves to the point of collapse. I hope you are resting your precious selves, in large and small ways.

Julie’s Current Read:

In last week’s ACOTAR episode, Fareya recommended Whalefall by Daniel Kraus. We saw each other at dinner a few nights later and she brought me her copy of the book (which happened to be an ARC, but it comes out August 8th, so you can pre-order now, or request it at your library.)

Y’all, this book is bananas. A young diver goes to explore the spot in the ocean where his own father died, and a sperm whale swallows him. He has one hour of oxygen left in his tank and has to figure his way out of the massive digestive system of the leviathan.

Okay, yes: the metaphor is a teensy bit heavy handed. But the chapters are super short, it’s fast paced, exciting, and absolutely beautifully written.

Bonus: I learned so much about whales in this book that from now on, if anyone asks if I’ve read Moby Dick, I’m just going to lie and say yes, I have. Because Whalefall, like Moby Dick, is a book about whales and obsession and masculinity, but it is a million times less boring.

Julie’s Current Listen:

Still enjoying The Secret Place by Tana French. I think Tana French’s books may be the only ones I don’t speed up on audio. They are lush and elegant, and I don’t want to rush through a single word, even though the plot is gripping and I really, really want to get to the whodunnit.

Julie’s Current Obsession:

Waterfalls Restaurant in San Pablo City

We are taking a family vacation later this summer, but unfortunately not to the Philippines. Still, I’m adding this place to my bucket list, and making a note that eating a meal (or a snack, or sipping a cocktail) is always more fun when your feet are in the water.

(Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links. If you shop using my affiliate link on Bookshop, a portion of your purchase will go to me, at no extra expense to you. Thank you for supporting indie bookstores and for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)