Howdy, folks. It's been a rough week at Chez Ellison. Jameson and Jordan lost their cousins Miraj (on Saturday) and Jamocha (on Wednesday) so we've all been quite sad. There's nothing harder than saying goodbye to your beloveds. And strangely, our fifth anniversary of losing Jade was last Sunday. So there have been a lot of tears, and candles burnt, and donations to animal shelters made. Isn't it amazing how a creature who can't actually talk can become such a bosom buddy? I don't know that we're ever the same after such a loss. 

And then Mr. Ellison and I were felled by the flu. I don't know that I've have the real flu since my U.K. tour in 2010, and we picked up swine flu on the train to London. That was bad. This is about the same. I am a wreck. I am on Tamiflu, and Sudafed, and cough syrup with codeine, and hot toddys, and I'm still wrecked. (As you can tell, I do sick well. Wah!)

Suffice it to say, with all the grief and illness and other unmentionable insanities this week, there wasn't a lot of work done. But... Lent starts Wednesday, and that means I'll be sneaking off on my annual social media sabbatical. I even have a full-fledged writing retreat scheduled during this time, and I fully expect to report back April 13 that I have a finished manuscript. That's the goal, anyway.

So. Even sadly, we march ever onward. It's the only way we can function, yes? 

Here's what happened on the Internets this week:

Y'all know I'm a sucker for productivity tips. In honor of Presidents' Day, Lifehacker ran a special article with productivity tips from leaders who have sat in the Oval Office.

In "I'll take 'Sobering Thoughts' for $600, Alex": using the time you spend on social media each year, you could read 200 books instead. 😳

Watching HBO's adaptation of BIG LITTLE LIES? Maybe you're not into TV, just the actual novel (I get that). At any rate, here are 16 novels you'll love if you enjoyed/are enjoying BIG LITTLE LIES. (spoiler alert: along with some books from kickass writers like Megan Abbott and Clare Mackintosh, NO ONE KNOWS is on this list! 🙌🏻)

And speaking of adaptations: these are 10 things you'll relate to if you prefer the book to the movie.

And closer to home:

If you got the BookBub email this morning, you may already know this, but... THE FINAL CUT ebook is on sale for only $1.99! Get it while it's hot, y'all—this is the best time to start reading A Brit in the FBI if you haven't already, since #4 is coming out in a couple of weeks.

Newsflash: a wine-distributing purse exists, and it's amazing. We at The Wine Vixen aren't telling you how to use it or anything, but... it may help out during your next family reunion.

And if you're looking to expand your vino-horizons this year, here are four ways to make 2017 your best year of wine ever.

You like thrillers. I like thrillers. Here's a giveaway with 50+ thrillers up for grabs! Say hello to your next binge read... or fifty.

That's it from me. Y'all enjoy the first days of March (in like a lion, you know), hug your furry friends, and we'll talk again soon.

xo,
J.T.