I just finished RE-watching the first three seasons of Ted Lasso in anticipation of Season 4, which happens on August 4th!! And I just started watching Widow's Bay--I'm only one episode in, but I like it already. Thanks for sharing the good stuff!
I’m finally watching “The Wire,” which I’d resisted out of some mangled loyalty to “Homicide,” my favorite TV show of all time. It is everything everyone has said it is. And there is so much of it to look forward to.
And I recently read “Mother Mary Cones to Me” by Arundhati Roy. Consequential and gorgeous.
It’s all good in the woods—happy writing, Maggs! Living for the poet Dame’s novel. Thanks for the mention, friend. Hugs and happy Pride to you, V, and my king Rhett. ❤️
Thanks for reading ACCIDENTAL DEVOTIONS and the shoutout!
For TV, I loved THE FOUR SEASONS so much. Of course, HACKS and SHRINKING are favs. I just got LET THE MOON WOBBLE by Ally Ang (a Seattle poet) and I shoutout Gabrielle Calvorocessi's THE NEW ECONOMY whenever I can.
Favorite podcasts: Gretchen Rubin's Happier, her sister's podcast Happier in Hollywood, and of course, This American Life and also Heavyweight. Sending good summer vibes your way and so much gratitude! xo
Your new book is gorgeous, Kel—I love these poems so much. ❤️🙌 And The New Economy is astonishing, as G always is! I need to start the new Four Seasons episodes. Thanks for the nudge! xx
Oh my god. If you haven’t yet read It Lasts Forever and Then It‘s Over by Anne de Marcken everyone needs to read it.
I am the kind of person who hates fanatical recommendations and here I am giving one, but I promise anyone who has not yet read this will thank me. It is a miracle in a book.
I’ve been traveling for work recently, so the Good Stuff includes:
Books - recently finished “True Color” by Kory Stamper and “Raising Hare” by Chloe Dalton, picked up a few by Ada Limón from one of my favorite out-of-town bookshops, and was given free books by strangers at a restaurant while picking up dinner
New Old Friends - some I’d only emailed, and some I’d never met before
Music - appreciating that live music and creative collaboration is a central part of my job
The Sky - watching the clouds and colors unfold and transform over a 2-day/18-hour drive
Listening to the new one from The Milk Carton Kids—“Lost Cause Lover Fool”—gorgeous close harmonies and poetic lyrics. Reading Louise Erdrich’s new collection of short stories, “Python’s Kiss”—humorous!
Listening to Mon Rovîa’s Bloodline, catching up on Clarkson’s Farm (since hubs and I are piloting a narrow boat through the Cotswolds later this summer), and also lots of World Cup! Excited that we found a legit British pub in downtown Nashville near us to watch the match tomorrow. Also reading lots of Sharon Olds and Ilya Kaminsky.
Music - I’ve had I’m With Her on repeat lately and am eagerly awaiting Allison Russell’s new album.
Books - I tend to read poetry collections and nature nonfiction, but the second in the Amina Al-Sirafi series by Shannon Chakraborty was hard to put down. I’ll take the adventures of a 40-something mother and retired pirate any day!
Other Good Stuff - Leaving a life-sized cardboard cutout of Ron Swanson that we gifted our 14 y/o on his birthday in our front window while we camped the past couple weeks. AND slowly greeting the various plants and trees I tend upon our return … instead of unpacking.
I just finished RE-watching the first three seasons of Ted Lasso in anticipation of Season 4, which happens on August 4th!! And I just started watching Widow's Bay--I'm only one episode in, but I like it already. Thanks for sharing the good stuff!
Somehow I’ve never seen Ted Lasso! I think this is the summer to remedy that. Thanks for the nudge, Elisabeth!
I’m finally watching “The Wire,” which I’d resisted out of some mangled loyalty to “Homicide,” my favorite TV show of all time. It is everything everyone has said it is. And there is so much of it to look forward to.
And I recently read “Mother Mary Cones to Me” by Arundhati Roy. Consequential and gorgeous.
The Wire was a favorite of mine, Janet! I need to watch the whole series again. And yes, that book is stunning. Thanks for these!
It’s all good in the woods—happy writing, Maggs! Living for the poet Dame’s novel. Thanks for the mention, friend. Hugs and happy Pride to you, V, and my king Rhett. ❤️
Love from here and Happy Pride! ❤️
Thanks for reading ACCIDENTAL DEVOTIONS and the shoutout!
For TV, I loved THE FOUR SEASONS so much. Of course, HACKS and SHRINKING are favs. I just got LET THE MOON WOBBLE by Ally Ang (a Seattle poet) and I shoutout Gabrielle Calvorocessi's THE NEW ECONOMY whenever I can.
Favorite podcasts: Gretchen Rubin's Happier, her sister's podcast Happier in Hollywood, and of course, This American Life and also Heavyweight. Sending good summer vibes your way and so much gratitude! xo
Your new book is gorgeous, Kel—I love these poems so much. ❤️🙌 And The New Economy is astonishing, as G always is! I need to start the new Four Seasons episodes. Thanks for the nudge! xx
Oh my god. If you haven’t yet read It Lasts Forever and Then It‘s Over by Anne de Marcken everyone needs to read it.
I am the kind of person who hates fanatical recommendations and here I am giving one, but I promise anyone who has not yet read this will thank me. It is a miracle in a book.
On it! I’m here for a fanatical rec. Thanks, Caroline.
I am SO EXCITED to hear what you think. I devoured it, truly.
I’ve been traveling for work recently, so the Good Stuff includes:
Books - recently finished “True Color” by Kory Stamper and “Raising Hare” by Chloe Dalton, picked up a few by Ada Limón from one of my favorite out-of-town bookshops, and was given free books by strangers at a restaurant while picking up dinner
New Old Friends - some I’d only emailed, and some I’d never met before
Music - appreciating that live music and creative collaboration is a central part of my job
The Sky - watching the clouds and colors unfold and transform over a 2-day/18-hour drive
I think you’re doing summer right, Lauren. ❤️ Happy skying!
Listening to the new one from The Milk Carton Kids—“Lost Cause Lover Fool”—gorgeous close harmonies and poetic lyrics. Reading Louise Erdrich’s new collection of short stories, “Python’s Kiss”—humorous!
Two great recs! Thanks, Joyce.
Listening to Mon Rovîa’s Bloodline, catching up on Clarkson’s Farm (since hubs and I are piloting a narrow boat through the Cotswolds later this summer), and also lots of World Cup! Excited that we found a legit British pub in downtown Nashville near us to watch the match tomorrow. Also reading lots of Sharon Olds and Ilya Kaminsky.
This sounds like a banner summer!
Yes to Mon Rovîa!
Music - I’ve had I’m With Her on repeat lately and am eagerly awaiting Allison Russell’s new album.
Books - I tend to read poetry collections and nature nonfiction, but the second in the Amina Al-Sirafi series by Shannon Chakraborty was hard to put down. I’ll take the adventures of a 40-something mother and retired pirate any day!
Other Good Stuff - Leaving a life-sized cardboard cutout of Ron Swanson that we gifted our 14 y/o on his birthday in our front window while we camped the past couple weeks. AND slowly greeting the various plants and trees I tend upon our return … instead of unpacking.
I’m With Her and Allison Russell! 🙌 Yes, yes, yes. Also cracking up at the idea of the Ron Swanson cutout. Thanks for that!
Maggie,
A couple of records I’ve loved in 2026:
Kevin Morby’s “Little Wide Open”
Alela Diane’s “Who’s Keeping Time?”
Thank you for sharing!!!!
John
Ooh, thanks so much for these recs, John! I'm a Morby fan but am looking up the other record ASAP.