Guess what's almost here?

This is the time of year when I start to get delusional. With Daylight Saving Time starting on Sunday, it makes me almost think that spring is actually here (reality check: the weather in New York would disagree). But I am an optimist, even while the world continues to bombard us with wild news. And I think the trick to maintaining that is to focus on the small stuff. So: breathe a sigh of relief with me that the sun will soon set later, and maybe go read a book or take on a cooking project in order to ignore the things we can’t change. Because spring is almost here. Let’s celebrate that.

Aside from impending spring, I have some fun news of my own: my next book is coming in November! You’re probably thinking: but Ali, you just released a book a month ago. And my only response to that is, see above, the world is insane, so I like escaping into happy stories. And that benefits everyone, dear readers! The book is called The Apparent Trap, and it’s a romantic comedy set behind the scenes of a Today Show-esque morning show, where a producer accidentally introduces her widowed father to his new girlfriend—who is younger than she is—and so she teams up with the only person equally invested in covertly breaking them up: the girlfriend’s father, a charismatic celebrity chef, only to find herself falling for him instead. It’s fun. It’s a lot of hijinks. And they all go to northern Sweden so there’s a fun travel angle too. I’ll have more on that in a few months, but wanted to let you all know ❤️.

But now, onto more important things, like happy books you can get right now!

If you’re not as optimistic as me about spring and still want something cozy, I highly recommend Tanya Bush’s Will This Make You Happy. It’s part culinary memoir, part cookbook, all a gorgeous meditation on slowing down and getting some sugar under your fingernails. If you want to break out from cozy and find easy ways to host again without all the effort, I’m also loving Jerrelle Guy’s We Fancy. Jerrelle really knows how to imbue recipes with joy. And if you want a comfort-food, Italian-inspired recipe from me, you can find one of my recipes from The Slow Burn—the Pork and Beef Ragu over Polenta! Win-win-win on new recipes to get your going.

Two of my all-time favorite books are out today, and I cannot be chill about it. I got to read an early version of Juliet Izon’s debut novel The Encore and it is a necessity. Think of Daisy Jones and the Six meets Gossip Girl—fun, a page-turner and a true ode to music. If you want to hear me gush more about it I’ll be at the UES Barnes and Noble tonight with Juliet to discuss it! Join us!

I’m also on record as being a rabid fan of everything Cara Bastone does, and her newest book No Matter What is everything I love about her writing. It’s about a marriage falling apart after a tragic accident. It has angst and hardship but somehow affirms life and living all in one stroke. Pick it up!

I think I am, like many of you, still living on the fumes of Heated Rivalry. So what a gift it was to watch the pure joy of Connor Storrie hosting SNL this weekend. We really need kind people who seem like they’re having fun, and he truly fits that bill. My personal favorite was one of the silliest— a man’s proposal is being rejected, but he gets distracted by a group of men having the night of their lives ice skating.

Also, if you’re an environmental nerd like me, this one is pretty great: one of the islands in Galapagos is being restored and bringing back their giant tortoises. I went to Galapagos last year and was so inspired by the work being done there to study and breed these beautiful animals. It definitely gives a lot of hope!

I’ve had a little bit of time now to reflect on the release of The Slow Burn and I want to say thank you again. I can’t believe this book that I love so much is a bestseller. I’m still totally humbled. If for some reason you haven’t gotten it yet, you can get signed copies from The Strand, or order it in paperback, audio, e-book or on KU.

I hope some happy books give you a little joy this week!

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