It’s been a week over here. The last week of school for my daughter, juggling a bunch of work things, turning in edits for my 2026 book, getting ready for a trip. I am rather scattered, but here’s my best attempt at a roundup.
Quote of the week:
“Here’s an idea: All emotions start out as love. Later, that love is worked on by the forces of luck and suffering. Hate is just soured love. Fear is wounded love. Longing is homeless love. Love, not pain, is the mother. Love is the taproot.” —Amity Gaige, in Heartwood
What I’m reading:
I read Heartwood by Amity Gaige earlier in the week and it was fantastic. Now I’m reading Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors and really enjoying it.
What I’m listening to:
I finished Hello, Cruel World! Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times by Melinda Wenner Moyer—highly recommend. Now reading Yiyun Li’s sad and beautiful memoir, Things in Nature Merely Grow.
What I’m watching:
Still making my way through Season 3 of Vikings on Netflix. Finished The Four Seasons on Netflix. Watched Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster on Max… riveting!
Writing news:
Just a reminder that Woman on the Verge is an Amazon First Reads pick for June. You can download it for $1.99 or get it free if you have Prime. Official release date is July 1! I turned in edits for my 2026 novel this week—should have a title and cover to share in the coming weeks!
Interesting things I learned this week:
- When Claire Danes starred in “My So-Called Life,” she was only 14, while Jared Leto, her love interest in the show, was 21. Would this happen today??
- New York was the last state to allow no-fault divorce (as of 2010). Related: The Philippines and the Vatican still don’t allow it
- 64% of mothers have experienced a “substantial decline” in mental health, according to a new study of nearly 200,000 mothers. In 2016, 1 in 20 mothers reported her mental health was poor or fair. By 2023, that share had shot up to 1 in 12. By contrast, in 2023, 1 in 22 fathers surveyed reported fair or poor mental health
- International students contribute $44 BILLION to the U.S. economy
- On average, single women are happier than single men: 32% of single women (but only 20% of single men) scored in the highest range of satisfaction with their singlehood
- APA’s Consumer Survey found that 51% of Americans aged 18+ have listened to an audiobook
- M&M’s were the first candy that eaten in space
What I’m grateful for:
- A great end to first grade for my daughter. We are ready for summer (sort of… adjusting to the new routine is always a thing)
- My oldest nephew’s middle-school graduation. The time, it flies
- Finishing a hefty round of book edits for my 2026 novel. Editing takes a lot out of me
- Leaving on a jet plane soon. Can’t wait for sun (we are getting some heavy June gloom in So Cal)
- Ongoing love between our pets. They are such a cute little family
- A fun event last night at The Noble Path Foundation, talking to people about what it’s like to be a writer
Snapshots:
Top to bottom: Talking writing with young people last night; raindrops on flowers (#junegloom); pet cuteness.
