Novels from acclaimed authors, a book to remind us that optimizing can go too far, a holiday decor book to inspire your vintage wintery season, a Gothic comedy to shake a classic Christmas story into a new era, many Black Friday sales that have already begun, clothing to keep you warm and stylish, the return of a fun British mystery series and still, so much more.

Books

~A note about the books chosen each week for T&T, and where to find the books that Shannon loves, recommends, and is reading: T&T books are chosen based on new releases for the coming week that look to be of interest to TSLL readers. In the monthly A Cuppa Moments with Premier Members, she shares in detail the books she loves and is recommending and the books she is currently reading and enjoying. Be sure to explore all of those books in the A Cuppa Moments posts and videos in the Archives.

—The Brightness: A Novel by Chris Harbach

I happened to catch an interview with the author, Chad Harbach, earlier this week on NPR, and it was the setting of the book that piqued my curiosity. Set in 2015, Harbach’s follow-up to his successful novel The Art of Fielding is The Brightness. Centering around two young women (his first novel centered around young men), this novel explores the aftermath of a political prank the two women were involved in while in college in a small midwestern town, and its aftermath. An exploration of the naivete of youth, the realization of loss and the error of assumptions about life’s trajectory.

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—Don’t Stop Snowing: A Novel by Gabriel Bump

Another novel that finds us with a recent college graduate. Living in Michigan, David is struggling, and his parents are worried. So, he heads to Buffalo, New York. Staying with his cousin, who David soon realizes needs him more than the other way around, his life takes on a new meaning, and what he most appreciates is unexpected as well.

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—How to Be Less Useful: The joy of inefficiency by Priyanka Mattoo 

At first glance, it might be easy to want to dismiss this title, but then, upon exploring a bit further, I think we might appreciate this exploration by Priyanka Mattoo’s, How to Be Less Useful. Earlier this week here on TSLL blog, Monday’s Motivational post focused on keeping life optimization in check, and that is exactly what this book aims to encourage us to do as well.

Mattoo is a screenwriter, and this is actually her second memoir. This title was inspired by her discovery in her mid-40s that she needed to have one of her ovaries removed. In this moment, she shares, she realized “that her obsession with control had cost her more in happiness than it had bought her in security.” Comprised of essays, discover thoughtful prose that ponders what we choose to overlook and what we give our attention to, and so much more to remind us how to really live well.

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—More Than Just a Plant: How to Care for Your Plants as They Care for You by Krystal Duran

I will confess, I don’t grow any houseplants. Not because I don’t like them, but because I have enough to care for outside, but perhaps someday I will welcome a few to care for throughout the year. Currently, I do delight each winter in growing amaryllis bulbs, but that is the extent of my indoor green thumb.

With all of that said, this book piqued my curiosity, because as the author points out, our plants do so much more than we may realize for our well-being, and having them indoors makes it so all the more when we cannot be outdoors as much as we would prefer.

British Finds

—Aspinal of London, 50% off Black Friday sale (going on now)

The Black Friday sales are happening, and it really is just a matter of knowing what is at the top of your priority shopping list. Earlier this week, the 11th part in the 13-part Signature Style series was posted here on the blog. Exploring handbags, lifetime handbags at that, one of the many brands shared that was worth shopping was Aspinal of London. And so I am tickled to share with you that beginning earlier this week and running until November 29th is a pretty awesome sale.

And it must be noted that they sell far more than just handbags – clothing, accessories, travel, and even stationery (journals and planners too). I have my eye on this refillable journal because I think it would be perfect to wrap around my yearly planner – Moleskine’s Pro). You can personalize all of their leather good as well, which makes these great gifts.

the A4 Refillable Journal, other colors (22% off)~

~SHOP THE SALE:

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—Death Valley, season 2, AcornTV

A second season has finally come to BritBox! Premiering officially on Tuesday, November 17th (BritBox Premier can stream all of the episodes now), return to Wales with semi-retired TV detective, widower John Chapel and determined, yet kind, while being unintentionally comical DS Janie Mallowan. I had the opportunity to watch the full series this past summer on BBC, and quite enjoyed how the bond between these two deepened even further. Have a look at the trailer below.

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—I Escaped to the Country, 10 seasons, (9 on BritBox)

Many TSLL readers thoroughly enjoy Escape to the Country where city dwellers in the UK search for their dreamed about home in the country, and the ‘spin-off’ series of it is the one I especially enjoy. I Escaped to the Country is the series where the show follows up with folks who have purchased their dream country abode, and now have had a few years (sometimes months, but usually years) to settle into their new life. I watched the first two episodes of season 9 on BritBox recently, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing each of the couples that were spotlighted appear genuinely more at ease, calm, and happy in their new life. Season 10 already premiered in the UK earlier this year, but for those of us in the States, season 9 is available on BritBox. Have a look at the trailer for one of the past seasons.

Cookbooks

—The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cooking for One Cookbook: 175 Healthy, Easy, and Delicious Recipes Made Just for You by Kelly Jaggers

While released a few years ago (2023), this cookbook is one of the four books in Kelly Jaggers’ Ultimate For One cookbook series. As the title reveals, it focuses on eating Mediterranean fare and making only as much as one person would need or want. Full of more than 175 recipes, straightforward and complete with helpful photos, I have the first book in the series and find it very simple and offering worthwhile options for great flavor.

Films

—Ebenezer

Johnny Depp makes his return to the screen in Ebenezer, and perhaps this is the best role to take on – one in which we dislike the character when he is introduced but see him have to struggle in order to learn necessary lessons. Be ware, this is not your Disney-version of Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol, even though following the same storyline. Rather, it is darker, spookier, and is being described as a Gothic dark fantasy and black comedy. Have a look at the trailer below and look for it in theaters beginning today.

Francophile Finds

—Eric Bompard’s Cashmere cable knit hat, three colors

French brand Eric Bompard’s cashmere brings the luxury, and having one of their cashmere stocking caps for many years now, I can promise you will love how soft it feels as well as appreciate how well made it is with sturdy cashmere.

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—French Film Festival London

If you will be in London starting next week and through the end of the month, their French Film Festival takes place November 18th through the 29th. Explore all of the films that will premiere here, and the one I look forward to watching will be included in next week’s This & That. It looks absolutely delightful.

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—Sessùn’s Farawa Maystreet handbag

A different type of handbag, but one that really can be paired with far more than a traditional solid color design. A piece for autumn and winter most definitely.

Holiday

~TSLL’s Annual Holiday Gift Guide for Francophiles and Anglophiles will be posted here on the blog Saturday November 21st. ~

—A Vintage Noel: The Art of Creating Christmas Charm by Leben Riebe 

Since many are already planning and preparing their decorations for the Christmas season, I wanted to bring this new book to your attention. It was released this past month in October and speaks to anyone whose predilection is more vintage and classic English Christmas-inspired.

Shopping

—Anthropologie’s Aster Portuguese Dinner Plates, Set of 4 (two colors available)

Hosting Thanksgiving or any of the many holiday meals this season? For under $100, get a set of 4 and have beautiful plates for the rest of the year as well. The detail is subtle, but present, and not holiday-focused, yet still creates that ‘vintage’ vibe without the antique price tag.

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—Evereve Sale

Another sale to check out for ready-to-wear and holiday attire. I have shopped a few items below, but be sure to check out their entire sale here.

~SHOP THE SALE:

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—Lovevook’s Laptop Tote, many colors

This brand was brought to my attention recently, and while not an investment handbag, Lovevook’s handbags are ones that will go the distance for functionality when the budget is slim, yet we still want to create a sharp look. Have a peek at all of the organization inside, and with the cup carrier positioned outside of the bag, more space is available inside. For under $70, this is a great bargain.

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~Marine Layer’s Aprés Crewneck sweater, navy

This cotton-wool blend sweater is fun, versatile, and looks quite cozy as well.

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—Sur la Table, Friends & Family Sale, 20% off your order

Bakers, cooks, it’s the busiest time of the year, and if there are any tools or supplies you need, Sur la Table’s sale is one to take note of. Use coupon FRIEND20 at checkout and save on the items to brighten your table and ease your mind while in the kitchen.

~SHOP THE SALE:

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—Vivi et Margot, 50% off sale

Vivi et Margot is redoing their entire online store, so they are clearing out everything in their shop. Be sure to stop by and see what is still available, because literally everything is 50% off. I found a few fun items below.

~Bon Appétit Linen Napkin, $12~

Television

—The Altruists, Netflix

A new limited series coming to Netflix next Wednesday is one that starts with two young, idealistic, and uber-intelligent people. With their original intention to do good in their tech creation, it turns out that money can more easily corrupt than they realized. Inspired by the true events of the rise and collapse of the cryptocurrency FTX and the relationship between the co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison, have a look at the trailer below and enjoy eight episodes in the series.

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Little by little, progress is made. Even when it may seem that things refuse to change, ironically, when we stop looking, stop examining endlessly, we come to realize that, yep, positive change is happening.

Such moments occurred this week in various moments unexpected, and I suspect, in your own life, you too are making progress in ways you may not notice at this moment, but indeed, it is happening.

Speaking of small changes, a new annual tradition is going to take place this December, and your responses in the end-of-the-year survey deserve the credit. TSLL’s Cooking Show will return for a once-a-year seasonal episode, sharing a recipe (maybe two) perfect for savoring the winter holiday festivities. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 21st.

And now, all of a sudden, the middle of November is just around the corner. Hopefully you have found a pace that keeps you energized rather than overwhelmed and grateful to be grounded enough to see all the beauty and goodness around you. Now to the weekend and a few weeks and a few videos for you to enjoy as we dip our toe into the holiday season’s beginnings. Until Sunday, bonne journée.

~If you too enjoyed Charlie Mackesy’s book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse as well as film adaptation that received Oscar and BAFTA nominations, then be sure read this interview with him. And if you are in London, be sure to visit the newly opened exhibit featuring Mackesy’s drawings at Dulwich Picture Gallery through February 7th.

~Last spring, here in Bend, the community received a new library, and it is grand. It truly feels like a library you would find on a college campus. And it turns out, it opened at a time when people are breaking out their library cards and heading to check out a book more than every. [NPR]

~Oprah’s Favorite Things Lists, 2026 was just released yestrday.

~Last weekend, I took my time before sitting down to watch what would be the final episode of Gardeners’ World, hosted by Monty Don. This article in The Guardian shares more about just that episode and what makes Don so endearing. He will be missed.

~Lots of thoughts on this remake. Or maybe… actually, just one – is it necessary? Why not just make another great rom-com that centers around books! We’ll have to wait and see, but You’ve Got Mail, a remake has the green light. [Variety] And an opinion piece from The Guardian on the reboot.

~The great British Pudding Map: 24 regional treats to try. [CN Traveller]

~The life changing effect of traveling slowly and often. [1000 Libraries]

~Where to find Britain’s magical Christmas markets in 2026. [Britain magazine]

~Because we’re a Francophile community as well! The best French Christmas markets – where to go, what to eat and drink, and what to buy. [French Daily News]

~The ultimate guide to the best pies in the US [The Michelin Guide]

~More food, and this time specificlaly in Paris – 5 Grand gourmet luxuries and all under 40 € each. [Do It in Paris]

~December 24th, the final season (6) of Emily in Paris premieres. Check out the trailer here.

~The Brits, you all have fun with your holiday ads, and this one carries on from Part One that was shared last year by Waitrose. Part Two was just released earlier this week. Keira Knightley stars as herself and comedian Joe Wilkinson plays “Phil”. All sorts of rom-com nods. Have fun watching, and check out Part One here to get all caught up.

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~Explore last week’s edition of This & That: November 6, 2026

~Please note: TSLL is supported by you, readers who take the time to stop by (merci!), peruse, and sometimes welcome into your life the mentioned and recommended finds. Affiliate links are present in this post and may earn commissions for TSLL when you make a purchase. View TSLL’s full Privacy Policy here.