Writing to You From Cape Cod
...with sharks, seals, and a stack of books
Hello friends,
Last night we drove to Cape Cod.
After dropping our bags, we raced to the beach to catch the sunset (passing a large BEWARE OF SHARKS sign; they like shallow-swimming seals), sunk our feet into the smooth perfect sand and let out a long exhale…
This amazingness has occurred after an incredibly crazy May (I know you can relate) because a few weeks ago, my friend Lindsay, sat next to me with her phone calendar open and said, “I want you and G to go to the cape June 3-7. You’re going to stay at our house.”
She was very serious and began sending me long texts of where the keys were located, what the wifi password was, and where to get the best fish and chips.
My first reaction was hesitation. Lindsay looked me in the eye and said, “Listen. If you can’t go when this is literally being being handed to you, that’s a problem.”
Don’t you love blunt friends?
SO WE DROVE AWAY, leaving three teenagers, two young adults, one grandfather, and two miniature schnauzers at home…(I have a good hunch that those teenagers and young adults are thrilled with the arrangement.)
I left a big calendar on the fridge, but I am not the mom that plans ahead and leaves frozen casseroles in the freezer. I’m more of a toss-those-kids-in-the-deep-end of the kitchen and let them cook. This skill, my mother repeatedly told me growing up, is how one truly gains self-esteem “being capable and knowing how to do things!”
While leaving, the darlings yelled after us,
Don’t look at your phone while driving! Drive slowly! Don’t speed! Wear sunscreen! Eat an apple!
They mock me in the best ways.
And so we are here, where the most pressing question of the day is: what will I read?
I’ve never read an Emily Henry book and Beach Read seems an obvious ocean escape choice. Lief Enger’s Peace Like a River is one of my most favorite books of all time, I Cheerfully Refuse comes highly recommended. One of Us is Lying is a good comp title for my latest work-in-progress, while Righteous Warriors will aid my spiritual study. I’m super psyched to read Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s new release The New Menopause (NY Times Bestseller the last four weeks), and I brought the picture book The Boy Whose Head Was Filled With Stars, a story about Edwin Hubble and the telescope. I have since encountered a beach house full of books including a large collection of Dog Man by Dav Pilkey who has the best author bio ever:
What should I choose and what are you reading? I always love to hear.
Whether by sand, train, or a house full of kids and dogs…may you find some reading time this week. And may we be and have the most generous friends who give you their house keys (thank you, Lindsay and Mel!)
Yours in reading by the seashore with seashells, sharks, and seals,
Amy 🏖️
p.s. The tongue twister “She sells seashells on the sea shore” was inspired by Mary Anning, who lived in Dorset and collected shells and fossils from the beach, which she could identify, and sold to make a living.
p.p.s. In two months, THE MCNIFFICENTS releases in paperback! Get your copy now.
What an awesome, awesome friend. I’m so glad you went, and your reading list intrigues me. One of Us is Lying is def a good comp for Bennie. Also check out the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson. I’ve recently read two books by David Joy, Appalachian author, because he is speaking at our annual Arts Festival later in June. Those We Thought We Knew and When These Mountains Burn are both adult thrillers/ mysteries, but I think they would be helpful too. I have also allowed my children to fend for themselves with cooking - I think I’ve called it “on your own” or “in the wild” or something like that. I’m guilty of not making the youngest fend for himself as much - but have warned him, as he will be a senior this year, that he needs to become more independent and it’s happening starting NOW.
Ah, Cape Cod! Scenes of significance in my lengthening life - ocean-going research out of Woods Hole in which I learned from three weeks of sea-sickness in the Gulf Stream that I was not a good candidate for an oceanographic career; and a first time dalliance with a young lady in Provincetown from which I learned ... well, never mind.