June 2026
Vol. 283
Hello, friend, and happy summer. I hope this missive finds you well, happy, healthy, and full of vim and vigor for the rest of the warm months. Whether you have a vacation planned, are just chilling by the pool watching the kids have fun, or are working hard, this is a great moment to be outside, get back to nature, and let your system reboot.
We passed the solstice at the southern command, where we went for a 3-week work retreat. It did not go as planned; we had to return early, but constant program modification seems to be the drumbeat of our lives these days. I had to pull out of Thrillerfest at the last second, too, and boy did I miss seeing so many of you there.
One of my favorite sayings—don’t try to steer the river—has become a daily reminder. We are in a season, one of surprise illnesses and aging parents and shifting foundations, and there is absolutely no telling what’s to come day to day. For a couple of control freaks, it is an exercise in true humility. I’ve never been good at just rolling with it, but rolling with it I am. I still managed to get 10k on the new book while I was away, which moved the story forward, and solved several plot issues. A lot gained even if it was cut short.
On the way home, I was listening to Arthur Brooks talk about his new book on the meaning of life—or, I should say, how to find meaning in your life. I was interested in his hypothesis that the real issue isn’t that people don’t have meaning in their lives, it’s that we’re trying to use the left brain—technology, algorithms, swiping right—to solve right brain problems—love, mystery, meaning—and that’s impossible. An algorithm is never going to be able to recreate the true sensations of love and fulfillment: that joy when a friend calls without setting up a time first, when a partner drops a surprise kiss on the tip of your nose, when the cat jumps into your lap for a snuggle.
In Dopamine Nation, we learned that our body doesn’t care what sort of dopamine hit it gets; it will release the same amount whether you’re seeing something positive or something negative, and it’s very easy to get into the loop of seeking negative stimuli because your body will respond with dopamine and reinforce the behavior. It’s a solid theory, and makes a lot of sense to me.
But when you apply it to what Brooks is saying, I wonder if it’s true. We are healthier, happier, and have more meaning from the positive dopamine hits, right? I’m not a social scientist; I’m not doing formal research. I’m just bumbling around a life stage in which the negative tends to outweigh the positive, and I feel like I’m surrounded by a brown cloud drama bubble. I have to seek out the positive, the joy, the happiness, to override the sadness.
Sitting on the beach, staring at the water, ignoring my phone, and letting the waves lull me into somnolence gives me a much more satisfying dopamine surge than seeing an author canceled on Threads or reading about how AI is going to ruin my industry. Just sayin’.
All this hit me hard because I am on an internet sabbatical, and I’ve spent much more time in the open air than usual, letting the sounds and scents of nature replace the flashing lights and strangers’ siren calls on my screens. When Brooks talks about meaning, I see it in the sun, and the waves, and the sand. The seagulls and sand pipers. The tiniest crabs and swaying sea oats. I see it in the azure of my parents’ eyes, the soft texture of the cat’s fur, and the moment when I realize I can’t read another page and must shut my eyes for sleep. I even see it in the stupid squirrel who has decided that chewing holes in our porch screen is an acceptable pastime. Last night, while checking the traps we’ve had to set to have him relocated (I know, I know, I hate it, too), there were lightning bugs flickering around the yard. I stopped, and watched, breath held, counting the heartbeats between flashes of light.
Meaning in life. Is it not, at its most basic, finding beauty and peace in the mundane? Looking up, looking out, and allowing our tired minds a break? If I were a Doctor of Meaning and had a prescription pad, these are the drugs I would give to you: Take a drop of nature three times a day in a large glass of water; stand still and stare at the clouds; listen to a friend’s voice when they answer a surprise call. Revisit a memory that makes you happy, and one that made you sad. Play that song that makes you dance, and reread the book that made you weep. Forgive yourself.
Let your right brain take over. Feel, damn it. Feel.
Guess what comes out on Tuesday??? That’s right, Judas Kiss AND The Cold Room! I am so, so excited to get these gorgeous new editions in your hands, and to share these stories with new readers.
I’m going to toot my own horn here, because these two books represent some serious accomplishments for me. Judas earned my first-ever starred trade review from Publishers Weekly. I got the call as I was about to go into my launch singing at the old David Kidd here in Nashville for the previous book in the series, 14. My editor called, whooping in delight, and I burst into tears. It was SUCH a momentous occasion. Topped only by 14 hitting the Davis Kidd bestseller list that day, too.
There are moments in this publishing life that tell you to keep going. That was one of mine.
And then The Cold Room came out to a lot of buzz and was nominated for the ITW Thriller Award for best paperback of 2010. And y’all, it WON. I will never get over hearing my name called that night. I had a horrific case of laryngitis. I got up on stage and made a joke about being speechless, literally, both in not having a voice and not having anything written down because there was exactly zero chance I would win. Then I thanked Randy for the unbelievable amount of sacrifice he made so I could pursue my dream of being a writer, promptly started to sob, and barely made it off the stage.
Heh. I was, and still am, a very buttoned-up emotional person. When they hit me, they hit me hard, and there’s no stopping the river.
So go get them both, and tell me what you think!
And because it’s only two months away (😱) let’s talk about YOU KNOW WHY! I am over the moon to share that Booklist gave it a fantastic review, with this awesome pull quote: “Told in fast moving prose with a silky presence; readers will swear they can hear the pages humming.”
I have a few in-person events on the books, and I’m pretty sure the remainder will be virtual because if there’s anything I’ve learned from the past 18 months, travel and I aren’t on the same page right now. Here’s the current line-up.
Parnassus Books Launch Party (in conversation with Ariel Lawhon) (August 24, 6:30 pm). This is a free but ticketed event, so you must register here.
Linebaugh Library (September 19, 11:00 am)
Landmark Booksellers (September 30, 6 pm)
Southern Festival of Books (October 17-18)
Bouchercon Calgary (October 21-25)
So it turns out the vast majority of you do not take seasonality into account when choosing your reading material. Good to know! This month, though, I expect a broader array of answers…
This is a specialty of my brother Jeff's, who is the best chef in the family (no offense to Jay who is also pretty darn great) and when I say you will never make regular baked potatoes ever again, I am not exaggerating. This takes an extra couple of steps but the result is out of this world.
You can find all of my recipes on The Wine Vixen.
You can watch new episodes on Nashville PBS Sundays after Tennessee Crossroads, on the PBS app, or on our website here, and listen to the full interviews on our podcast here. Season 11 is fantastic and wrapped, and now we go to Season 12!
Time for this month’s chance at winning a $30 gift card!
Last month's giveaway winner: Congratulations to lehursey! Check your email...
Simply click the button below to be automatically entered in this month's drawing.
It’s been a pleasure chatting with you today. Let me know what’s moved you recently. Until next month…
xo,
Are you still here?
Here’s a summer kitten for your troubles!
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