Friendlier

A quick note: We recorded this at the beginning of the month, before all of our lives were upended by COVID-19. We will be recording a bonus episode (out next Tuesday) about how we are coping. May you all stay safe and healthy in this uncertain time. -S&A

Prioritizing reading

We discuss when we find time to read, why we have read more after having kids than before, what gets us out of a reading slump, and our favorite places to find reading inspiration and recommendations.

• Instagram follows with good book recs: @katejbaer @catherinenewman, and @v_solesmith
• Newsletters from Molly Westerman and Feminist Midwife
• Modern Mrs Darcy
• Hot and Bothered podcast

Life lately

Abby and Sarah share a birthday surprise Neil planned.

Reading lately

Abby read Motherwit: An Alabama Midwife's Story by Onnie Lee Logan and Sarah was inspired by Being Your Best When Your Kids Are At Their Worst by Kim John Payne.

Eating lately

Sarah made a chocolate cheesecake (but substituting this crust) in the Instant Pot using this pan.

Abby is making a bold claim: this pasta bake is the most delicious thing she has ever made at home.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We share our ideal holidays along with what we are doing (and not doing) to make the holidays special this year. Links mentioned in the episode:

• Lego advent calendar
• Vanderbeekers of 141st St by Karina Yan Glaser

Life lately

Sarah recommends the This Land podcast.

Abby got into nursing school!

Reading lately

Sarah read Kate Bowler’s new memoir No Cure For Being Human.

Abby enjoyed the Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner.

Eating lately

Abby is treating herself to chai lattes made with half and half, while Sarah has plans to make these pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Things we hate, media edition

We spend a portion of every show talking about what we love in the books we read, but what about what we hate? We share our dislikes in books, favorite and least favorite romance tropes, books and shows other people loved but we couldn't get into, and what we don't enjoy in movies we watch. Links mentioned:

• Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
• Gold by Chris Cleeve
• Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
• The War That Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
• One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
• The Power by Naomi Alderman
• Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (and the newest book in the series Court of Silver Flames just came out in February)
• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
• Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
• Gilmore Girls
• Fleabag
• Arrested Development

Life lately

Abby ticked a box on her pandemic bingo card: rearranging her house.

Sarah created new shelves on Goodreads for her family's read-alouds and Friendlier reads (including specific shelves for books recommended by her and Abby).

Reading lately

Abby read the YA fantasy novel Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko and Sarah read KJ Dell'Antonia's novel The Chicken Sisters.

Eating lately

Sarah made a new kitchen purchase and Abby had a failed grain bowl experience.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How we're doing in the time of COVID-19

We wanted to check in with each other and listeners to see how everyone is doing two weeks into being at home. We talk about our mental state, how we're coping, and resources for kids that we've found useful. Links we mentioned in this episode:

• Gourmet Makes
• Schitt's Creek
• Audio books through Libby and Hoopla
• The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
• Storytime Durham
• Wonderlab Science Museum
• Sparkle Stories
• Art/Lab at Home with Ms. Kady

We are thinking of you all and hoping you are staying safe and well in this uncertain time.

Reading lately

Sarah read (and loved) The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay and Abby finished the second book of a young adult series, The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord.

Eating lately

Abby stocked up on her favorite granola and Sarah made this chocolate banana bread.

If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk about how we get around now and how our transportation situations have evolved over the years. Sarah is part of a car-free family and bikes where they need to go, while Abby's is a one-car family who loves to walk and bus.

You can learn more about the gear, books, and recipes we mention in this episode in our show notes: http://friendlierpodcast.com/how-we-roll/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.