What We're Reading, Listening to, and Watching This Week (8/23/2026)
Linda-Marie Barrett / Executive Director:
Reading: I’m reading two very different kinds of books this week: a lovely friends-to-lovers romance, Her Life in Ruins by Cynthia W. Gentry, about an archaeologist trying to save her PhD thesis by recovering a stolen antiquity. The other read is for my book club: A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin. I’m excited to get started.
Listening: To the sound of cicadas flexing their abdomens to make a buzzing sound, and the occasional birdsong or squawk.
Watching: Just finished the first season of Best Medicine and fell in love with it. When the whole town sings their high school’s alma mater to calm the police officer freaking out because he’s impaled on thick wire, or screams in unison with the pregnant woman giving birth to help her along, I tear up. Though this is a comedy, it also underscores the importance of community, and how when we’re there for each other, we make life bearable, sometimes even joyful.
Candice Huber / Membership:
Crafting: Summer camp is almost over, so my goal is to try to finish off all the projects I've started!
Helping: I'm really excited to have launched "The People's Library," a mutual aid effort to give away free books as part of our "People's Distro." The Distro was founded in 2025, and we give away free fresh produce and other food items and clothing in various local neighborhoods. The People's Library is an extension of that to give away books as well!
Watching: For those who have been following along, I'm FINALLY caught up on both WWE AND Big Brother, which is a true cause for celebration! I also have tickets to see WWE in person for the first time on Friday, and I'm excited to yell my favorite chants and to see wrestler Oba Femi's entrance in person!
Nicki Leone / Communications:
Reading: An Arrow in Flight by Mary Lavin, and Penelope's Bones by Emily Hauser.
Listening:Gaining Ground by Joan Barfoot.
Watching: 9 to 5, for about the hundredth time.
SP Rankin / Website Administrator:
Reading: Discovering books I forgot I had as I pack for my upcoming move to my new house.
Listening: Sam Cooke and Etta James, who are surprisingly good packing companions.
Watching: Items get checked off my moving to-do list, which is extremely gratifying.
Andrea Richardson / Sales:
Reading: Kerr Smith, who played Jack McPhee on Dawson's Creek, has a new book coming out about the making of the show—I Don't Want to Wait: My Life on Dawson's Creek—and I am loving it.
Listening: All the Dolly Parton, of course. May she rest peacefully and may we all aspire to do as much good for others as she did.
Watching: I think I'm due for a viewing of 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias this weekend.