Links & Lit: Thoughts on Whistler by Ann Patchett
Hello!
Last week, a few days into my break from creating content, writing this newsletter, and learning book coach material, I found myself sitting outside on our patio with a book and a cup of coffee and thinking about absolutely nothing I needed to get done. Finally, I had the free time to read. I hate to say it, but it took me quite awhile to allow my mind to sink into a story. No family obligations, nowhere I had to be, no content I needed to figure out, no book coaching material I needed to learn. Just me, a book, my dog Vinny on his chair, and a quiet morning. It was so calming. Three hours later I had become lost in a story (Whistler) which is something that hadn’t happened in a couple weeks!
What’s surprised me the most about this break from content creation, writing, learning, and screens hasn’t been how much I’ve enjoyed immersing myself in creative rest, reading, and doing things like taking long bike rides and walks. It’s been my realization about how difficult it had been to give myself permission to take a break in the first place.
I had reached a point (due to a variety of reasons) of mental and physical exhaustion. And yet, despite knowing I needed a break, I kept finding reasons to postpone it. Maybe next month. Maybe after I finish this project. Maybe after one more newsletter. Maybe after one more Friday thread.
It’s made me wonder how many of us are walking around waiting for permission that no one else can actually give us. Permission to rest. Permission to change our minds. Permission to let go of something that’s no longer working. Permission to want something different than we wanted last year—or last week.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this. I’m not sure I have THE answer but I do know that the mental rest I’ve given myself has made a huge difference. I think I’ll write more about this in a future essay, but for now I’m so happy to report that I feel rested and reenergized! And in reading news, I’ve read two books over the last week and both have been winners….
Recent Reads
Whistler by Ann Patchett - Bookshop.org
This is probably the buzziest book of early summer and for good reason. It’s the story of Daphne Fuller, a 53 year old woman who’s living a happy life with her husband Jonathan when one day she runs into her former stepfather Eddie Triplett, and just like that, nothing will be the same. That’s a very basic premise because I don’t think it’s necessary to know a ton more details. This is a feel good story about fathers and daughters, enduring love, family, and something I personally love in my stories—how one consequential moment or choice can alter the trajectories of lives. I LOVE that and Whistler explores it in such a brilliant way.
I enjoyed getting to know Daphne, her sister, and Eddie, especially Eddie who will be one of my most memorable characters this year. Something that Ann Patchett does so well is write realistic dialogue and in this book she brings the characters to life via what they say and how they say it. It felt like being a fly on the wall of all their conversations (and they talked A LOT). At one point I realized that if I didn’t know who the author was I would’ve thought this was written by a screenwriter.
I did a combo print and audio and the audio narration by Ann herself was excellent. If you’re looking for a heartwarming story that is VERY character driven give this a try. My biggest criticism (and why this isn’t a 5 star read for me) is that I'm a reader who needs at least a bit of plot and I found this to be almost entirely character focused. Shades of plot were found when we were taken back to the past storyline, however, since we already knew how it all turned out the tension wasn’t there for me. Overall, I would say I (mostly) loved this.
Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier - Bookshop.org
I’ve always been an avid thriller reader, particularly in the summer. There’s something about sinking into just the right thriller at the pool, beach—or in my case patio—on a hot summer’s day. I found this backlist gem while scrolling in my Libby App, the gigantic ferris wheel catching my eye and then the fact that it’s a Jennifer Hillier thriller—I LOVED Jar of Hearts a few years ago.
Wow…this thriller! The story is set at Wonderland, a fictional amusement park located in the fictional small town of Seaside, Washington and it delivered thrills AND a great mystery. There’s something about amusement parks that scream nostalgia while also being a great setting for a serial killer thriller.
When I was growing up, I used to love going to King’s Island in Cincinnati. I can’t tell you how many times I rode The Beast roller coaster, standing in line for up to three hours some summers. Then when it got dark, I remember my cousins and I daring each other to go through the fun house called Fools House. This was the mid-late 80s and as a teen who grew up watching Friday the 13th and reading Stephen King, Fool’s House was NOT that big of a deal to me:)
Wonderland begins with a truly chilling opening scene of a free climber scaling that ferris wheel on the cover! It’s not long before the first dead body turns up and we meet newly appointed deputy police chief Vanessa Castro. I love a smart, no nonsense female in charge and I really enjoyed Vanessa’s character. I also love that we got details about her home life. She’s a widow who has a 14 year old daughter who’s just gotten a job at Wonderland and a young son.
Add to the mix a potentially psychopathic female CEO of Wonderland, a sketchy security guard, and the realization that there seem to be many past male employees of Wonderland who’re missing and/or dead and the question of a serial killer in the midst becomes front and center. I listened to this and then switched to my Kindle to read because I couldn’t put this down. Just about every person was a suspect so needless to say, I didn’t have it figured out….well played Jennifer Hillier. This was a total binge read and I loved it!
Current Read
My thriller mood continues so I immediately started Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier. If I had a copy of her upcoming August 25 release Heart of Glass which is set in Seaside during a time when Wonderland is reopening I would’ve jumped right into that. Fingers crossed I can snag a copy before pub day:)
Recent Addition To My TBR
Freyja by Margrét Ann Thors - August 4 - Debut
The unsolved case of a young girl's disappearance reopens after twenty years in this atmospheric novel of suspense set in Reykjavík and the Icelandic coast
I literally cannot resist an unsolved missing persons case, plus this setting sounds perfect for this type of story.
Links I Loved
Where to start with Agatha Christie - a great guide from The Misstery
The most anticipated queer books for summer 2026 Electric Literature
17 summer tv shows that will make your staycation worth it Elle
The 14 Best Sunscreens for Your Face & Body, According to Hundreds of Hours of Testing - I’ve been using the Kiehl’s Serum and I love it InStyle
I love reading translated fiction in the summer & this translated summer reading guide from was so fun to browse. Last summer I read and loved Just a Little Dinner so I’ve got my eye on her other Euro summer recs Martha’s Monthly
From Past Summers…
16 Books to Read If You’re In the Mood For Something Fun
What have you been reading, watching, enjoying lately?
