2.14.16 - Sunday Smatterings

Hi, guys! Amy here, trying my best to fill J.T.'s big shoes (metaphorical, of course) while she's on her annual Social Media Sabbatical for Lent. You may know me as the other half of The Wine Vixen, where I review mostly white wines (I'm a sucker for Riesling and Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc) and beg J.T. to come with me to review Nashville restaurants. It's a really tough sell, let me tell you. I also love Mexican food, NPR, and greyhounds.

I mean, come on, how could you not?!

They are also 45 mph couch potatoes that love to sleep.

ANYWAY. You came here for links, and links are what you're going to get. J.T. is still reading things while she's on sabbatical, so some of these links are hers and some are mine. We'll be dividing things up like this until after Easter. There will be lots about food, books, and dogs, just so you know.

And without further ado . . . 

Here's what happened around the Internets this week:

 

Here's something to stick in your back pocket: 9 Dates for Book-Loving Couples. (Boyfriend, take note: literary road trip!!!!)

You know what would be a great companion for your literary road trip? This literary road map, OF COURSE.

If you're in the Knoxville area and want a cheap, low-key Valentine's meal, head to Sweet P's BBQ. The original location is on the river, just off the Maryville Pike, but there's a downtown location, too. 3 courses (including wine pairings for each course!) are only $25. Just sayin', folks. And the regular menu is open, too, perfect for a Lady & the Tramp moment over a rack of ribs!

This is the book I'm obsessing over right now: Ariel Lawhon's FLIGHT OF DREAMS, which is coming out in a couple of weeks. An expertly-paced plot, intricate historical details, and a lovely romance against the backdrop of tragedy. This ain't your mama's historical fiction. 

If you've been hiding under a rock, you might not have heard that J.K. Rowling is giving us an 8th Harry Potter book . . . sort of.

Writers, take note: Steven Pressfield is discussing theme, and it will change your writing in the best possible way.

Fascinating article from the Nashville Scene: KFC Has Created the Luke Bryan of Hot Chicken.

Also, I'm a TV junkie who's a frequent binge-watcher. My latest binge-watch was Showtime's Nurse Jackie, which just came on Netflix. Oh my. It's dark, for sure, but has some spit-things-out-of-your-mouth funny moments (that, um, happened to "a friend"), courtesy of Merritt Wever's character, Zoey Barkow. Edie Falco is excellent in this, and while there are some plot points that raise my eyebrow, I thought it was an overall well-done series. I watched 7 seasons in . . . well, a shamefully short amount of time.

And speaking of TV, I know J.T. nearly shrieked with excitement when she found out that Deborah Harkness's All Soul Trilogy is being adapted for television!

Even MORE TV news: Outlander Season 2 will debut April 9, and here's a trailer (!). Even if you haven't read the books, the show is worth a watch. J.T. would call blasphemy on this statement, but I think the show may be just as good as the books (sorry, boss, just being honest . . . ).

And closer to home:

On The Wine Vixen, J.T. and I compiled some of our favorite wines for you and your honey to enjoy tonight, and I wrote about tasting the (supposedly) most cancer-fighting wine in the world.

Are you a fan of the book (or movie) THE MOSQUITO COAST? Then you need to catch J.T.'s newest A Word on Words interview with the unforgettable Paul Theroux! If you missed J.T.'s A Word on Words interview with Greg Iles (author of NATCEZ BURNING and THE BONE TREE), you can watch it here. 

If you're in the mood for creepy love stories, Two Tales Press has the MAD LOVE bundle on sale for $0.99!

And PS: J.T. still has a couple of Goodreads giveaways that are still live! You could win one of 30 ARCs of NO ONE KNOWS or one of 20 ARCs of FIELD OF GRAVES. Good luck!

Well, that's all I've got for you. Happy Valentine's Day, have fun with your loved ones, and I'll see you next week!

–Amy