just finished: a couple of kids’ books, a picture book called The Big Day, about women voting for the first time. It’s short, but extremely moving and important. And the follow-up to And Then I Turned into a Mermaid. This one is Don’t Tell Him I’m a Mermaid, and it’s just as charming as the first.

currently reading: I’m closing in on the end of The Project, and I’m hoping to talk about that one tomorrow. And I’ve started a couple of books coming out Tuesday, The Echo Wife, about a scientist who is winning awards with her work in cloning. I’m not very far in yet, but it’s fascinating. And All Girls, about a boarding school where young women are trying to figure out who they are as the administration struggles with accusations of rape against a faculty member. Again, I’m not very far in yet, but I’m so hooked! I also started reading another book last week, and believe me you are going to be jealous when you hear about it. Andrew McCarthy of Pretty in Pink, Mannequin, St. Elmo’s Fire, Weekend at Bernie’s, etc etc etc has finally written his story of being a young actor in The Brat Pack. It’s a short book (less than 200 pages), going all the way back to some of his childhood experiences, but it’s fascinating! I think the only thing better than reading this book, aptly named Brat, would be to get it on audio, read by the man himself. I can’t promise that happening, as it doesn’t come out until May, but I am hoping. What an amazing experience it would be to have McCarthy himself read his own experiences! But seriously, if you were an ‘80s kid, you’ll want this book as soon as it hits stores! It’s so good!

up next: I have also been lucky enough to score an early copy of the new Leslie Jordan memoir, How Y’all Doing? I know he became a big Insta star during shutdown, but I’ve been a fan of his for years. Hearts Afire, Boston Legal, The Cool Kids, and guest spots on almost everything else (his IMDb page goes on and on). I love him in Call Me Kat, which is slowly growing on me. And I can’t wait to dig in to his book, out in late April (btw, his book is already available for preorder on Audible, and it too would be wonderful to hear in his own voice!). Also, I got a review copy of Blind Spots, about what students need and how science can help them. I’m not in school anymore myself, but I love learning, and I’m fascinated to hear what author Kimberly Nix Berens PhD has to say on the topic! Also, coming out soon is the new Irish cozy from Carlene O’Connor, and you know I’m excited to head back to the Emerald Isle to find out what kind of trouble Garda Siobhan O’Sullivan has gotten herself into now!