So much to share! Books on the past, a better tomorrow, eradicating burn-out, a unique British mystery, books about books! A new app I want to introduce you to, a new series on Apple+TV that looks quite addicting, a new movie that is a must-watch, a cookware sale, clothing items to up the style and the functionality in our wardrobe, a brand new British cosy mystery that is sure to make you smile and hold your attention, and still, yep, there is more.

Apps

—Entourage..

I am quite excited to share with you a new app, designed to eliminate ‘doom scrolling’ and instead offer something of value to add to your entertainment exploration — Entourage... This app is also quite special because I personally know and taught the three developers during their junior year of AP Language. They are each extraordinarily hard workers, curious and kind human beings, so when I learned of their app, I promptly downloaded it and began exploring.

They were very kind to recommend TSLL’s podcast, as users recommend music, podcasts, movies and tv shows, and I immediately found their app to be a great source to stay in the know for staying as apprised as possible of what younger generations are enjoying and why.

The developers, Andrew, Alexandra and Matthew, are currently seeking organic interest in their app. They are all seniors in college, and I happily offered to share with you TSLL readers. Here is a link to an introductory video to check out how to use their app which is user-friendly and akin to other apps many people use on a daily basis.

Books

—The Awesome Human Project: Break Free from Daily Burnout, Struggle Less and Thrive More in Work and Life by Nataly Kogan

Being released on Tuesday February 8th is a book to help you tap into and embrace the truth that has always been with us but is often neglected – we are human and humans have emotions! Author Nataly Kogan “wrote The Awesome Human Project in response to her own journey. A refugee who achieved tremendous success, she had come to see struggle as a way of life. But her burnout taught her a powerful lesson: you can’t give what you don’t have. She writes, ‘Strengthening your emotional fitness is an essential investment in your success and leadership, and an act of love to everyone you care about.’ Filled with simple, science-backed practices and Nataly’s contagious energy, The Awesome Human Project will teach you how to strengthen your emotional fitness skills, create a more supportive relationship with yourself as well as your thoughts and emotions, reduce self-doubt, and cultivate more honest and meaningful connections with others.”

—The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Eva Jurczyk

Just released last week, may I introduce you to a book involving books and a mystery as well. The perfect combination for my reading pleasure and perhaps yours as well. Here’s the premise – “Liesl Weiss long ago learned to be content working behind the scenes in the distinguished rare books department of a large university, managing details and working behind the scenes to make the head of the department look good. But when her boss has a stroke and she’s left to run things, she discovers that the library’s most prized manuscript is missing.” *Dadadaaah . . . * Cue the dramatic music and let the sleuthing begin!

—The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel H. Pink

I thoroughly enjoyed, appreciated and found great value in Daniel Pink’s book When, regarding how the body’s energy ebbs and flows during the day and how to honor and tap into a biological truth that when we ignore, we only do ourselves a disservice (his book was the Petit Plaisir in episode #194). So when I read a profile of his new book The Power of Regret in The Washington Post, I immediately took a serious look. Released this past Tuesday, Pink “draws on research in social psychology, neuroscience, and biology, and debunks the myth of the ‘no regrets’ philosophy of life. And using the largest sampling of American attitudes about regret ever conducted as well as his own World Regret Survey—which has collected regrets from more than 15,000 people in 105 countries—he lays out the four core regrets that each of us has.”

—Small World: A Novel by Jonathan Evison

Already a New York Times Editors’ Choice, just released on January 11th is a story about American history, California, the gold rush, the transcontinental railroad and the lives lived and promises made.

—Twyford Code: A Novel by Janice Hallett

A Sunday Times bestseller in Britain, finally available in the states, described as the “the murder of the century… Forty years ago, Steven Smith found a copy of a famous children’s book by disgraced author Edith Twyford, its margins full of strange markings and annotations. Wanting to know more, he took it to his English teacher Miss Iles, not realising the chain of events that he was setting in motion. Miss Iles became convinced that the book was the key to solving a puzzle, and that a message in secret code ran through all Twyford’s novels. Then Miss Iles disappeared on a class field trip, and Steven has no memory of what happened to her.”

I learned of this book from a favorite follow on IG – Jo Rodgers, and frequently, she has introduced me to books I thoroughly enjoyed. I have a feeling this book may be another.

British Find

—Sister Boniface Mysteries

A new British mystery series is coming to Britbox February 8th and it involves as the lead a nun on a moped. Sounds like fun to me. Sister Boniface Mysteries is a spin-off from Father Brown. Lorna Watson plays the sleuthing nun – Sister Boniface. Set in the 1960s, enjoy the 10-part first season, set in the Cotswolds. I could not find a trailer, but I think all that we need to know to decide whether to tune in or not begins and ends with English countryside cosy mystery and sleuthing nun on a moped. Yep, I’m interested. 🙂

Film

—The Worst Person in the World

I mentioned this film back in December and promised to remind readers when it came to theaters in the states. Today is that day! Winner of Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival (2021), Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve stars in a script that was written for her as was shared in an interview with the actress and writer and director Eskil Vogt Joachim Trieron NPR Sunday Edition. The Worst Person in the World also won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

The film follows the life of Julie (Reinsve) who is a thirty-something woman navigating love and life and career ups and downs. Focusing on the relationships she has with two different men, it is a modern relationship-and-life tale that is quickly becoming the favorite of critics. Look for it locally today in theaters and enjoy. Check out the trailer below.

Shopping

—Adèle middle dot noir, Sézane

—COS Cashmere V-Neck Sweater, cream

—Le Creuset Square Bakers, Set of 2 (five colors options), on sale

—Oui the People, single-blade razors

—Theory cashmere fold-back gloves, camel (on sale)

Television

—And Just Like That, the Documentary

If you have been enjoying And Just Like That, today is a day of knowing next Thursday will not debut a new episode – *humphff*. But, hopefully there will be a second season, and if you didn’t see this new documentary on HBO Max, you can now watch behind-the-scenes captures and a close look into the making of this reboot of SATC and their approach for presenting the characters and the storylines as women of a certain age have rarely, if at all, been portrayed on television. I will have likely watched it immediately following the final episode Thursday night, but I haven’t watched it yet as I write this. It sounds interesting. Here is the trailer.

—Suspicion

A new suspense-series on Apple+TV stars Uma Thurman and may just be the show to watch if you enjoyed The Americans and Homeland. With four suspects (each British) accused of kidnapping Thurman’s only child (Thurman plays a powerful US CEO), the plot has many twists and turns and will no doubt keep viewers returning each week to watch a new episode. The series begins tonight with two episodes for a total of eight, a new one airing each Friday. Have a look at the trailer below.

---

Hello February! And hello to the patiently waited for news of how to preorder TSLL’s 3rd Book. This post shares all of the many details, and if you want a signed bookplate, you can order it now and you will be able to directly order the hardback and paperback versions on Tuesday March 1st. And I am excited to share, that if you want an eBook, you can preorder that now. All will be available to begin reading on Tuesday March 22nd.

This week, the launching of the pre-ordering news has held my attention, but now that we have all of the necessary details posted, the book manuscript has been polished, reread and reread again and then a few more times, I am excited to focus on new content for the blog (on the business side of life) and hosting my first dinner party at my house (on the personal side of life) in a few weeks time. As this will be the first gathering of more than 4 people, I am making sure all feel comfortable, communicating expectations of vaccination, so that we can all just relax and enjoy a good evening of conversation, food and drink. Something I think so many of us are longing for at the moment, especially having been stuck inside with the inclement weather in many parts of the country and world.

Norman and I discovered a new trail to take our morning constitutional upon as we begin each day outdoors. It was fun for the mind to see something new, and I returned home more refreshed and ready to work than I expected. One of the two sets of curtains are now in place in the primary bathroom (my neighbor is no doubt more than grateful – eek!), and I heard good news that the remaining wallpaper I have been waiting for will be shipping sooner than expected. Gradually, gradually, the project comes to its completion.

A post on IG that captured readers attention was shared this week about making our way through our transition to a new, preferred schedule, and this month’s A Cuppa Moments was posted on Tuesday inspiring so many beautiful comments expressing gratitude to those who extended love without expectation of anything in return. As well, an excerpt from TSLL’s 3rd book was shared as well as a detailed look at the contents, books I recommend, walks with Norman and still much more. If you have been contemplating becoming a TOP Tier Member, between now and February 14th is a wonderful time to do so as you can receive two free gifts when you sign up for your free signed bookplate (a $22 value, yours for free). Learn more about this limited time opportunity in this post.

On Monday evening, for the first time in far too long, I enjoyed dinner out at a new restaurant in Bend with a dear friend. To say I enjoyed myself would be a grave understatement as it was truly a treat to sit down, enjoy wonderful food and wine as well as be tended to by a waitstaff who knew how to simply let the guests enjoy themselves without rushing them. The conversation kept stretching into the evening. It was a wonderful way to begin the week. I hope you too are beginning to step back into the activities you love and missed enjoying over the past two years. Life is quite extraordinary when we savor such simple everyday pastimes we may have mistakenly taken for granted not too long ago. We really do have an abundance of awesomeness at our fingertips. Once we open ourselves to this truth, life becomes amazingly enriched.

Below are a few articles I thought you might enjoy this weekend at your leisure. Thank you for stopping by today, and if you are celebrating and partaking in the Lunar New Year activities, wishing a festive and joyous time. Until Monday when a new episode of the podcast will air, bonne journée.

~A great article to prompt a check-in with ourselves – Why Confidence is silent and Insecurities loud [Pick the Brain]

~For those gardeners here in the states that love watching Gardeners’ World but find the climate hard to parallel, read this article that was shared with me by my mother – A Guide for US-based cold-climate gardeners [Cold Climate Gardening]

~Here is a spring garden tour in the Cotswolds to perk up the gardener within! [House & Garden UK]

~Why it’s okay for Introverts to keep to themselves at work [Introvert, Dear]

~Even though there are headaches being an introvert in an extrovert-world, there are many perks as well – Why I feel grateful to be an introvert [Introvert, Dear]

~Intriguing food for thought. Being honest with ourselves can set us free – Was I an overachiever or really trying to prove my worth? [Tiny Buddha]

~How to make a career pivot [Jess Ann Kirby]

~We are getting soooo close to being back outside in the garden! Here is Monty Don’s February To-Do list!

~For my fellow classical music lovers – 5 Classical music albums you can listen to right now [The New York Times]

~More books you may want to read – 7 Books Set in Bookstores [Electric Literature]

~It never hurts to be reminded again – A path to well-being: embrace the basics [Shondaland]

~With plans for a trip to France this year, I am keeping a close eye on the expectations for travelers – here are all of your questions answers currently. [French Government site]

~And this is some great news out of France – France could scrap Covid vaccine pass before July [The Local]

~9 cozy French Dishes to get you through the winter [Frenchly]

~Mark your calendars, February 18th – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel returns and they have a new trailer to check out!

~And one more video, a clip from 1998, but it is timeless and worth remembering . . .