Links I love – Modern Mrs Darcy

What are you up to this weekend? I’m taking my first batch of Summer Reading Guide photos today, can you believe it? But I’m mostly excited about what’s on the other side of that—both my daughters will home from college this weekend for their respective overlapping spring breaks. I’m looking forward to lots of family time, starting with Friday pizza night.

I hope YOU have something to look forward to these next few days, and that this collection of interesting reads and favorite things helps ease you into that weekend frame of mind.

Don’t Overthink It Anniversary sale

Speaking of Friday pizza night (yes, really—and other rituals I love): My book Don’t Overthink It came out on March 3, 2020. In honor of its sixth anniversary, the paperback is on sale in our shop for $13. All copies in our shop are signed; I’m also happy to personalize it for you—just tell us how you’d like it inscribed in the special instructions box during checkout.

My favorite finds from around the web:

I offer gift links for articles whenever possible (you may still need to create an account with the publication); if there’s no gift link and you’re not a subscriber, check to see if your library carries the publication or use a bookmarking service.

‘She dared to be difficult’: How Toni Morrison shaped the way we think. (The Guardian) An excerpt from Namwali Serpell’s new release On Morrison: “Morrison has shaped the way we think about everything from literature to politics, criticism to ethics, to the responsibilities of making art. In 1993 she became the only black woman ever to win the Nobel prize in literature. But the facts remain: she is difficult to read. She is difficult to teach.”

March could be the best month for the northern lights for nearly a decade — if the sun stays active. (Live Science) “This month could be the best time to spot the northern lights for nearly a decade, as the combination of the “equinox effect” and supercharged solar activity will make auroras more likely.”

15 emotional and action-packed historical fantasy novels. (MMD) These historical fantasy novels make for a pleasurable reading escape.

Why Are So Many Women Getting ADHD Diagnoses in Midlife? (The Cut) “Some hyperactive children appear to grow out of ADHD as their brains mature, the physical symptoms giving way to internal ones. For many women, the opposite is true: Their ADHD symptoms can suddenly become less manageable, and therefore more externally obvious, in adulthood.”

I ordered these Kut from the Kloth jeans immediately after my friend raved about them. (Our Shannan is also on the record as a fan of the brand.)

Finalists From the 2026 Sony World Photography Awards Professional Competition. (Atlantic gift link) The divers! The penguins! The capybara!

What’s a good ritual for turning 50? (Instagram) “I would ask you, what does turning 50 mean to you? And then build a ritual from there. To me turning 50 means being in the middle, straddling caring for children and caring for parents. It also means the developing of wisdom.”

2026 Audie Awards Winners. (Audio Publishers Association) Lots of good stuff here for audiophiles!

Revealing the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist. (The Women’s Prize Trust) “Across a longlist that is international in both scope and setting, these sixteen books masterfully demonstrate the power of fiction to examine the messy business of being human.” Of the sixteen titles, I’ve read five and DNF’ed two; three are brand new to me.

I wanted a bright and fun swimsuit for summer 2026 and settled on the Bow Halter Swimsuit from Boden in multi-stripe. I’m 5’9″ and the 8 (long) fits great. I also really love every color and pattern of their Porto V-Neck Swimsuit and the Mykonos Deep V Swimsuit. Their cutest styles also sell out quick and I’m proud of myself for grabbing one before they’re gone! (All three styles available in size 2–22.)

BritBox Announces May 6th Premiere for The Other Bennet Sister in North America. (BritBox by BBC) I didn’t know this was in the works! “Based on Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed novel, the new drama brings Mary Bennet – the oft-overlooked middle sister in Pride and Prejudice – into the spotlight.”

The most important items in my travel tech kit. (MMD) Our most-traveled team member shares her favorite techie travel accessories.

I’m Surprisingly Good at Dealing With Customer Service Reps—Here’s How I Get Results Without Being Rude. (Real Simple) “I always take a deep breath before I get on the call so I can come in calm. I remember that the customer service rep isn’t the person who created the problem, but they could be the solution—and if I start out yelling, they’re not going to be super eager to help me out.”

Don’t overthink your buddy reads. (What Should I Read Next?) Enticing and discussable books for a long-distance book club of two.

I Baked 6 Dozen Chocolate Cupcakes and Found the Clear Winner That’s Better Than a Bakery. (The Kichn) “There are endless recipes online claiming to be the best chocolate cupcakes ever. But the ultimate chocolate cupcake should strike the perfect balance between moist and fluffy, with a chocolate frosting that complements the cake without overwhelming it.”