The Run of His Life

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 30 or so years, you most likely know who O.J. Simpson is. Prior to his infamous acquittal for murdering (his ex-wife) Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in 1994, Orenthal James or “The Juice” was known for being a professional running back and actor, among other things.

Even if you don’t know who he is, you’ve probably heard the most infamous line from the trial “if it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” This witty phrase uttered by lead defense attorney Johnnie Cochran has stuck around for all these years.

I was only four years old when the murders happened, but looking back, I can pinpoint this case as my first exposure to true crime. I can even remember taking trips to the grocery store and seeing O.J.’s face plastered on the front pages of the tabloids. And, maybe, years later, this is what would lead me to ask everyone and their mother if they thought he did it.

Title: The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson
Author: Jeffrey Toobin
Rating: An Extremely Detailed Account
Genre: True Crime/Red-Collar Crime
Page Count:  496 (18 hours, 46 minutes via audiobook)
Published: 2015

Although I am fascinated by this case, it took me a while to get started on the book – it’s a mammoth. At almost 500 pages, this narrative is intimidating, at best. Ultimately, I ended up downloading the audiobook and listening to it in the car and while doing housework. The book, written by lawyer and legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin is very objective as far as investigative accounts go. The only bias I found rested within the prologue, and even that could be disputed. Almost everything written about O.J. Simpson points to guilt, even though a jury of his peers found him not guilty.

Toobin’s account is the most thorough I’ve ever heard and I mean that in the absolute sense of the word. Not only does he describe O.J., Nicole, and the entire investigation and trial in detail, but he also takes time to discuss the secondary players like Faye Resnick and Kato Kaelin, who both became reality TV stars in later years. We also learn more than we probably ever wanted to know about the main lawyers – Robert Shapiro, Johhnie Cochran, Robert Kardashian, Marcia Clark, and Christopher Darden, among others. In fact, the story probably could have been cut in half just by removing this information. But, it’s all relevant when you connect behaviors to background info, so that could be appreciated.

There were, however, a few times I felt disinterested. That wasn’t the fault of the author, but rather of the mundane trial proceedings. Did I really need to know that one of the questions on the juror questionnaire was – Did you ever have and amniocentesis? No, I don’t think I did. Sometimes less is more.

If you want ALL the details, you’ve picked up the right book, because Toobin spares absolutely none. I’ve listened to podcasts, documentaries, and other sources, and none have been so thorough and complete. This was like a college course taught by an engaging lecturer.

If you’re looking for more books by the author, Jeffrey Toobin has also famously penned titles such as The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court and True Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Investigation of Donald Trump.

Need to know more?

Download/Listen: Crime Junkie Podcast Episode from 1/2/19 where you’ll hear all about the murder case and also a conspiracy theory from one of the hosts
Watch: The Docuseries: O.J. Made in America (in 5 parts) AND The Dramatization: The People v. O.J. Simpson
Read: If I did It: Confessions of the Killer. Most of the proceeds for that book go to Ron Goldman’s family to satisfy the $33.5 million awarded in a wrongful death civil suit against Simpson

Blogger’s Note

Dear Reader: I agonized over this post, rewriting it a handful of times. Each time I read through it, I found something to add or tweak, but alas, I’d never post a word if I kept that cycle going.

There’s not much more to be said about the case, but the thing that strikes me about O.J. is that he’s very charismatic – always smiling with a jovial nature. (Yes, still – he’s in his 70s and can be found making jokes and videos on Twitter.) The same, however, could be said about Ted Bundy, and we know he committed “extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile” crimes. There’s just something that draws you to him, and I have to stop and wonder if it was this, in part, that lead to his acquittal.

Of course, so many things about this investigation and trial were botched. From the handling of evidence to the blunders of the prosecution. Back in 1994, DNA technology wasn’t nearly what it is today. And so, you have to wonder, if the murders had happened in 2021, would O.J. still have been acquitted?

So, what do you think? Did he do it?

This Close to Okay

It’s rare for me to get so lost in a book that I feel compelled to stay up past midnight just to finish it. But that’s exactly what happened here. This Close to Okay is uniquely written, has a powerful storyline, and leaves you wanting just a little bit more.

I’ve loved reading since I was a child. Back then, I enjoyed the escape to other worlds in A Wrinkle in Time, the magic of Harry Potter, the choose-your-own endings in Goosebumps. As an adult, I reach for the books that let me escape for a bit, forget the bad things in the news, unwind after a bad day. My first inclination is to select a thriller because it’s so easy to get lost in the drama, the mystery, the edge of your seat cliffhangers. But sometimes I enjoy the not so subtle life lessons that only Contemporary Fiction can provide.

Title: This Close to Okay
Author: Leesa Cross-Smith
Rating: A Story of Hope
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Page Count: 320
Published: (February) 2021

The majority of the book takes place over a long weekend and follows the story of two troubled adults – Tallie and Emmett. As the first chapter unfolds, Tallie finds Emmett standing on a bridge in the pouring rain, ready to jump. She coaxes him down and into her car and takes him home for a hot meal and some dry clothes. A million things could probably go wrong here – he could have a gun in his backpack, he could have robbed her blind. At least those are the things that spring to my mind.

As a woman in her thirties who lives alone, I can’t say that I would have made the same choices as Tallie. But, fortunately for her, a beautiful friendship begins to blossom over the weekend. Emmett stays with her from Thursday to Sunday, cooks her a wonderful meal, meets her family, and shares bits and pieces of his life and background. But everyone has secrets, and once Emmett is exposed for who he really is and what he’s done, things will change forever.

This Close to Okay is a wonderful story of love, friendship, and the power of grief. It’s about two people who need each other more than they’d want to admit. It’s the book you need to add to your 2021 reading list.

TL;DR
This is the book you need when when you’ve lost all hope in the world. It’s a beautiful story of love and friendship that will keep you reading well into the twilight. A perfect read for 2021.

If you liked this book, you might enjoy: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. The writing style is vastly different, but it has the same strangers coming together vibe that will leave you feeling fulfilled.

The Flight Attendant

Until a few weeks ago, I had no idea that this book existed. That wouldn’t be unusual because there are so, so many books out there – but this genre is right up my alley. My friend introduced me to the book – and series on HBO – and I knew I had to check it out.

There are some books that come to life on the big screen – Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games. And then there are others that faceplant for whatever reason – casting, deviation from the script, or trying to drag out a 368-page book into a full season show. Fortunately, I don’t review cinema, so I won’t bore you with the unpleasantness that is The Flight Attendant series on HBO.

Title: The Flight Attendant
Author: Chris Bohjalian
Rating: Maybe Skip the Ending
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Page Count: 368
Published: 2018

The story starts with a woman waking up in a hotel next to the dead body of her one-night stand. That should be the beginning of an interesting and wild ride, but what follows next is a series of unrealistic events. Cassie, the protagonist, makes one unbelievable misstep after another – much to her lawyer’s chagrin. It’s the story of an alcoholic flight attendant and her troubled past. It’s the story of deception and mob violence. It’s the story of…well, too much going on all at once that culminates in one pretty weird ending that will leave you scratching your head.

Several of the reviews on this book were pretty terrible. I’m not going to say that it’s great because that would be a lie, but there’s potential. I found the beginning to be pretty slow – other than the dead guy in the bed thing. It was a pretty fast read that definitely distracts from all of the crap going on in the world, so there’s that. It’s also much more believable than what’s portrayed in the HBO series, but I digress.

I would be interested in reading more of Chris Bohjalian’s works before I pass judgment on his writing style. I prefer my thrillers to be a bit more realistic, but that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

TL;DR
If you’re looking for a book to distract you from all of the s&*t going on in the world, this will do. If you want something super realistic with a great ending, find something else. There’s also an accompanying series on HBO in case poor casting and a few hours of torture are your thing.

If you liked this book, you might enjoy: The Stranger by Harlan Coben. That one also has a crappy series that can be found on Netflix.

January Bites

Goodbye dumpster fire that was 2020! We were all dealt a pretty rough hand last year, and I’m glad to finally put it in the past. Plus, it felt like 2020 was about 20 years long! Anyone else?

I’m grateful for a new year, a fresh start, and the hope that is 2021. I have a stack of books that I’m practically dying to get through. So, let’s do this. Check out everything I’m Reading, Loving, and Sipping. I wish you all a wonderful New Year!

What I’m Reading

What Would Frida Do? by Arianna Davis. I’m expanding my repertoire with a biography – I don’t read nearly enough of these because I’m always afraid that my heroes are going to disappoint, basically by being as flawed as the rest of us. I’m about 90 pages in, and while Frida’s life is very interesting, I’m finding the writing a bit underwhelming and tough to get through. Hopefully, my thoughts will change by the end.

The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian is about the wild adventure of Cassie, a flight attendant who wakes up in a Dubai hotel room next to the dead body of her one-night-stand. The drama that unfolds after she decides to clean up the crime scene and flee back to the U.S. will keep you on the edge of your seat. My friend and I are teaming up on a special project to discuss this in more detail. More info to come, but for now, be sure to check out her blog for good book recommendations.

This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith. It takes place on one long October weekend in Kentucky and follows the story of Tallie and Emmett’s emotional first encounter on the edge of a bridge. Everyone is going through something, everyone has secrets, and everyone can use a little healing. Lately, I’ve been choosing books out of my reading comfort zone, and this is one such novel.

And last, but certainly not least:

Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. I’ve been putting this off for way too long, but the 400+ page count and heavy topic has kept it collecting dust on my shelf. But, it’s an important book that explores how racial hierarchy has evolved over the decades. We need this understanding now, more than ever, so I’m committing to read and deliver a review just in time for Black History Month.

What I’m loving

Rocketbook Panda Planner. It combines the structure and goal setting format of the Panda Planner with Rocketbook’s erasable technology, and is so, so awesome! I prefer paper planners to digital, but I’m anything but consistent and it drives me crazy to skip dates or make mistakes in the planner. I’ve tried Erin Condren, Commit30, and a few others, but without fail, every year, I end up giving up on them mid-year. The Rocketbook is different. You write in it with Pilot Frixion pens or markers and can erase the pages with a little water and a microfiber cloth. Use the Rocketbook app to scan your pages and send them to your email, dropbox, or other apps. There are regular notebooks available too with lines, dots, or grids. If you’re a paper lover (like me), just think about all of the trees you’ll save with this reusable notebook. I love it! It’s so 2021.

What I’m Sipping

Tea; all types of tea. My nanny got me a sampler last month for my birthday and I’m slowly making my way through it. I’ve always enjoyed a nice cup of hot tea in the morning or evening – even in the summer. It’s like a hug in a mug; so comforting and warm. Right now my favorites are peppermint and apple spice, but the caffeinated blends give a great boost in the morning.

Until next month…

Bonus Bite: In a Holidaze

I thought I’d do something a little special (and extra) for Christmas. I’m a sucker for traditions and found a book that’s cute, fun, and super light for the holiday season. I think the decorations, scented candles, and homemade cookies are softening me a little bit – because I’d love to have the fairy tale ending this book delivers.

Title: In a Holidaze
Author: Christina Lauren
Rating: A Fairy Tale Ending You’ll Want
Genre: Romance
Page Count: 336
Published: 2020

Christina (Hobbs) and Lauren (Billings) are the clever duo behind many a romance book. Their latest centers around a young woman, Mae, who makes a wish that pretty much upends all her holiday plans. Think Groundhog Day meets Sophie Kinsella’s My Not So Perfect Life. While I did find Mae to be a bit juvenile and immature for a 26-year-old, I’d still recommend this book for being a cutesy holiday read that’s sure to uplift your spirits. By the end, you’ll be rooting for her and hoping she lands the love of her life. Shouldn’t we all be so lucky?

Grab this book, a bunch of mistletoe, and make a wish. Merry Christmas to all!

This Time Next Year

Let me start by saying that I wouldn’t categorize this book as a Romance, which I find to be pretty off-putting. When I think of romance, I picture a Danielle Steel drugstore paperback with little substance. Or one of Nicholas Sparks’ books that’s sure to put you to sleep mid-page. Or even one of those syrupy sweet Hallmark Christmas movies that has the same ending with different actors. No, I’d say this is more of a Rom-Com or Contemporary Fiction. It’s like A Series of Unfortunate Events meets something akin to a Sophie Kinsella book.

I read This Time Next Year in one evening and found the storyline and characters to be very relatable. By the end, I was rooting for Minnie to end up with Quinn and get the happily ever after she deserved. This is the story of love, elusive friendships, and the real-life events that plague even the best of us. Sophie Cousens shines in her very first novel.

Title: This Time Next Year
Author: Sophie Cousens
Rating: A Relatable Rom-Com
Genre: Romance
Page Count: 352
Published: 2020

Minnie Cooper (yes, it’s an unfortunate name that plays into the whole story) is jinxed. Every year on her birthday something awful happens – a broken bone, a missed flight, getting locked in a bathroom at a club until the next morning. She was the second baby born in 1990 and missed out on a large chunk of change and the name she was supposed to have by mere minutes. The real New Year’s Baby – Quinn Hamilton – won 50 thousand pounds. stole her name, and all of her luck.

The story spans three decades in a non-linear timeline and details the encounters of Minnie and Quinn over the years. Minnie thinks their lives couldn’t be more different – he growing up wealthy, lucky, and privileged without a care in the world; she struggling, unlucky, and unhappy. But we quickly learn that money isn’t everything and behind the privileged facade, Quinn is struggling with bad luck and issues of his own.

There are triumphs and setbacks, family and friend drama. But in the end, at least the end of the novel, things do work out. And that’s true about real life as well – at the end of the story or even the chapter, good things do happen. Real people do get happily ever afters too. And, as This Time Next Year shows, life isn’t always perfect; it’s beautifully flawed and sometimes unfortunate, but things do tend to come together, which makes the struggles even more worth it.

So, where do you want to be this time next year?

TL;DR
This isn’t your syrupy sweet romance novel, not at all. If we’re sticking with the holiday theme, I’d liken this more to the movie Elf. Sure, the romance between Buddy and Jovie is there in the background, but it’s really much more than that. This is the perfect late December read if you’re looking for a little holiday sparkle.

If you liked this book, you might enjoy: My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

The Third Wife

The first thriller I ever read was Carrie by Stephen King, although that probably falls more in the horror/fantastical genre. I read through many of his other books and then branched out to Karin Slaughter, Kate White, Megan Miranda, Riley Sage, Lisa Jewell, and several others. They all bring a special flair to the table. When I like an author’s writing, I will read through all of their books. I have proudly read all but one of Jewell’s books, and that last one is on hold for me at the library.

I really enjoyed The Third Wife; enough to read it again. Imagine being a 33-year-old stepmother to five children between the ages of four and 22. And then add in the fact that your husband is still besties with his two exes. Not just civil relationships, but like everyone goes on vacation together relationships – four adults, five kids, two dogs, and a cat; one big happy family. Or are they? This is the story of fractured families, lies that can destroy, and one man at the center of it all who is just obliviously happy and “addicted to love.”

Title: The Third Wife
Author: Lisa Jewell
Rating: A Sad Story
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Page Count: 336
Published: 2016

By conventional standards, the Wolfe family doesn’t fit the mold. Adrian, the patriarch, has been married three times, divorced twice, and recently widowed. He shares two children with his first wife Susie, three with his second wife Caroline, and a cat with his late wife Maya.

The story alternates between the present and about 18 months in the past, leading up to Maya’s mysterious death. Was it an accident? Suicide? We learn that everything Adrian thought was just peachy, was anything but. His children miss him terribly and are each battling their own private issues. Maya wasn’t happy with her current life, the 14 year age gap between her and her husband, the time split with the younger children, the distance from the older ones. It was really just a sad situation everyone was trying to make habitable.

One day, a mysterious blonde enters the fold and sheds some light on Maya’s last moments – before she stepped in front of a bus and tragically lost her life. If you like closure (like I do), you’ll find peace in the ending. “It will all be okay in the end; if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

TL;DR
Perception is everything. Here you have a patriarch with two ex-wives and one who recently past, who views life through rose-colored glasses. He falsely thinks he’s created a big happy family, but soon learns that they are anything but. This is the tragic story of love, loss, and what it takes to make a family whole again. You’ll find comfort in a well-tied together ending.

If you liked this book, you might enjoy: The Family Upstairs also by Lisa Jewell

The Rise & Fall of Theranos

The full account of Theranos and its founder Elizabeth Holmes is so intriguing and unfathomable to me and I really went down a rabbit hole with everything. Not for the first time, it made me wonder if my calling should be in investigative journalism instead of marketing. I was entirely impressed with the work of John Carreyrou and the reporting that helped expose the company for what it truly was: a fraud. This is a long and different kind of post without a TL;DR summary, but I promise you it will be worth it.

But first, some background

Theranos was a biotech startup founded in 2003 by Elizabeth Holmes, a Stanford drop-out in her late teens. At the peak of its success, the company was worth a whopping $9 billion – mostly due to prominent investors and board members such as Betsy DeVos, John Mattis, and Rupert Murdoch. The company prided itself on revolutionizing blood testing by only requiring a few drops of blood from a finger prick in order to diagnose diseases, conditions, and make real-time changes to prescription treatment plans. In theory, this sounds amazing and that’s what the investors, employees, and partners thought. Then, little by little, threads started to unravel, and the company – and its technology – was eventually revealed to be “false and exaggerated.”

I actually stumbled upon this whole story by accident. Audible used to let you choose one free Audible Original story to download each month, and Thicker Than Water caught my attention. I listened to it right away. The author, Tyler Shultz, also known as the Theranos Whistleblower, is an awesome storyteller. The download is more of a conversation with a friend than an ebook, and in it, Tyler talks about his experience with the company as an intern and then a full-time engineer. He details what it was like to come forward to a journalist and divulge some of the secrets after he resigned. Over the course of his turmoil with Elizabeth and Theranos, his parents ended up shelling out around $400,000 in legal fees. Tyler is the great-grandson of George Shultz, a very prominent economist, politician, and businessman, who was a true believer in Elizabeth Holmes. In his retelling, Tyler discusses how his relationship with his grandfather faltered and all but nearly collapsed during his entire ordeal. Fortunately for him, his story has a happy-ish ending; and George Shultz turns 100 years young on Sunday (12/13/2020).

Title: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

Author: John Carreyrou
Rating: A Wild & Detailed Account
Genre: True Crime/White-Collar Crime
Page Count: 352
Published: 2018 with an updated afterword in 2020

This book reads more like a thriller than true crime novel. Carreyrou did extensive – and I mean EXTENSIVE – research on this story, talking to former employees and their relatives, investors, health professionals who used the blood-testing devices, and many more. He was able to form a very well thought out and sequential account of the rise and fall of Theranos, founder Elizabeth Holmes, and her number two executive and boyfriend Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani.

Before, during, and after consuming this book within four days, I was so invested in the story that I researched as much as I could to learn about the company and its investors. It was just so hard to believe that a young college dropout with virtually no medical experience could deceive so many people, and encourage them to invest millions of dollars into her fraudulent technology.

You’ll learn about what it was like to work at the startup, the rally-type meetings where f-you chants were common, the firings that happened very frequently, and the lies that consumed the top-level executives. So much money, so much drama, so many coverups. This account is WILD.

Carryrou ends by saying he believes that Elizabeth started the company with the best intentions, but got caught up in everything she wanted it to be, not what it actually was. Elizabeth Holmes has been charged with fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison for her misdoings. Her trial, which was pushed back several times due to the coronavirus, is now set to begin on March 9, 2021, in a socially distanced courtroom. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out – you know I’ll be watching.

Need to know more?

Download/Listen: Thicker Than Water by Tyler Schultz on Audible
Watch/Rent: The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (available with a monthly subscription or 48-hour viewing)
Read: Bloomberg timeline of events
Follow: The trial beginning on March 9, 2021

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

I first learned about this book when I saw Melissa Urban (co-creator of The Whole 30) post a photo of it on her Instagram. The subtitle intrigued me, yet it took me over a year to actually borrow it from the library and six weeks to finish all 432 pages. This is one of those books that I think you need to discover and read at the right time in your life – and for me, this past summer was perfect. On top of COVID wreaking havoc, I had a lot of personal shit going on, and Lori Gottlieb showed me that SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE. In a sense, it was comforting.

Title: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Author: Lori Gottlieb
Rating: A Triggering Read
Genre: Non-Fiction/Self-Help
Page Count: 432
Published: 2019

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is a highly relatable read that triggered a lot of my emotions – sadness, anger, happiness; at times I even laughed out loud! The author, who is a therapist, talks about how the breakup with her boyfriend led her to seek out a therapist of her own. Boyfriend, as he’s referred to, threw her a curveball when he said he didn’t want to be tied down by kids – and, well, she has an eight-year-old. Boyfriend also had kids, but they were grown up now and he just wanted to live a life of freedom without extra baggage. Yikes.

This isn’t your typical self-help book; Gottlieb is a skilled storyteller who alternates between tales of her disastrous relationship, her therapy sessions, and a sneak peek into the lives of her own patients. Even so, many of the topics covered are heavy, and I didn’t really get into the flow until the halfway mark. If you (like I normally do) tend to give up on books when they fail to “hook” you, I’d recommend giving this one a longer chance, because once it picks up speed, you really won’t want it to end.

You’ll learn about the sessions she had with her therapist, Wendell, and how she ends up Google stalking him, and then admitting said stalking after awkwardly trying to hide it. How one of her patients is preparing for her celebration of life after a terminal cancer diagnosis. And how another is kind of an a-hole on the surface, believing everyone he comes in contact with is an idiot, but deep down has a shattered heart. You’ll hear the stories and you’ll feel the emotions that go with them.

Gottlieb does a really nice job tying up the end, so you’ll have closure – but may need to grab a box of tissues! Oh yeah, and you’ll find out why that tissue box is on the front cover too. Good storytelling and closure. What more could you really want?

TL;DR
This book should come with a trigger warning because it will trigger all of your emotions. The stories are well thought out and highly relatable – everyone is dealing with something: a breakup, a cancer diagnosis, a death in the family. A good read if you’re feeling lost or alone.

December Bites

2020 has for sure been something out of a science fiction novel. When strolling through the bookstore, you might even come across a handful of books discussing COVID-19, and to that, I say: too soon. Check out everything I’m Reading, Loving, and Sipping. I wish you all peace, love, and happiness this winter season. Happy EVERYTHING!

What I’m Reading

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou, a true crime novel that reads just like a thriller. It’s such a wild ride; something so crazy and intricate, it can only be real life. I first learned about this book from Tyler Shultz, the Theranos whistleblower who ended up detailing his account of events in an Audible Original called Thicker Than Water. I’m about 100 pages in and definitely can’t wait to share my full review upon completion.

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens, is, GASP, a romance. In case you don’t know, I’m not a big romance fan. I find the subject super fluffy and, to be honest, usually boring. Since 2020 has been anything but kind, I’m making an exception because I could use a little holiday sparkle this year. Will the book be worthy of a review? We shall definitely see.

The Third Wife by Lisa Jewell, a psychological thriller to get back in the groove after reading the aforementioned fluff. I’m a fan of Jewell – her stories are cleverly crafted and entertaining, with different points of view. This one goes back to 2015, and I’ve actually read it before, but it’s not fresh enough to write anything remotely detailed.

And last, but certainly not least:

The Run of His Life: the People v. O.J. Simpson by Jeffrey Toobin. There’s just so much to unpack here – both author and subject under scrutiny for very different things almost three decades apart. I’d be remiss if I didn’t devote one of my weekly posts to discuss further. Stay tuned.

What I’m loving

Book of the Month (BOTM). I’ve been exposed to so many great books thanks to this awesome company! For as low as $12.50 a month* you can get a book of your choice delivered right to your door each month. You’ll also have the option to add up to two add-ons for just $9.99 each. You won’t find hardcover deals like that ANYWHERE else. Their app is so easy to use – select your BOTM on the first of each month, ship your box, and rate your reads all in one tidy place.

Become a BFF after you ship 12 boxes. You’ll get a free welcome tote, free add-on during your birthday month, and an option to choose one “Book of the Year” finalist for – you guessed it – FREE!

You can also refer friends, and earn free stuff. Cool right? Sign up here**:

What I’m Sipping

I know we’re basically done with fall right now, and gearing up for all of the wonderful winter things – like snow! But I am still hooked on apple cider – hot or chilled, I’m sipping it daily. While you can make your own, I prefer to get mine the easy way – at a local farm stand. So crisp, so lovely, so fall-like.

Until next month…

*Account billed annually at $149.99. Prices accurate as of 11/29/2020 – check website for current pricing and membership options.
**This is my unique referral link. You won’t be charged for clicking. Should you purchase a membership, I’ll get a “credit” on my account.