Friday Recs: Book adaptations, The Odyssey, and summer hero piecesThe weekly roundup of things to read, watch, do
Welcome back to Recs, the weekly download of books, culture, and other delights. These weekend installments are exclusively for paid subscribers. To celebrate three years on Substack (!), I’m running a 30% off sale, which works out to 87 cents a week for a spot of joy in your inbox that’s written by a real human, not AI. Please consider upgrading if you’ve enjoyed the newsletter over the years and want to support the work that goes into producing it. I’d love to continue writing for many years to come and expand Downtime this year and next, but I need more paid subscribers to achieve this. If this sounds a little bit like begging mixed with a smidge of guilting, it’s because it is! Can AI do THAT?? Thank you so much for directly supporting the newsletter. Hi readers, I hope you find a watermelon to slice into this summer because doing so brought me a bit of needed joy this week:
Speaking of summer, it’s solstice on Sunday. Enjoy the extra hours of gorgeous light, and if you’re in D.C., the Smithsonian is keeping all their museums open until 11pm on Friday and Saturday. Thinking about museums at night will always give me From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler vibes. :)
What I’m currently reading: Land by Maggie O’Farrell. I’m listening to this on audio, which has gorgeous narration (by an Irish narrator, I’m assuming), but I think O'Farrell's prose deserves my full attention — I suspect it will be better experienced on the page. Relatedly, I enjoyed this podcast in which the author shares some of the inspiration behind Land; her great-great-grandfather was a mapmaker, just like the protagonist. I always find it fascinating how authors decide what to write about, and when. O'Farrell shares that the idea had been brewing for a few years until, on a train ride from Belfast to Dublin, the first line came to her: "He was ever a man of few words."
What’s new to my TBR: Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer, a new release that sounds like a great summer read, and Famous Men by Julia Buntin which, tbh caught my eye because of that striking cover. (It’s out July 17.) What are you reading this week?
A book podcast ep I lovedI’ve been enjoying the Zero to Well-Read podcast from BookRiot, which deep dives into classic books (e.g. The Great Gatsby) and makes them more accessible— and doesn’t make you feel bad if you’ve never read it. I especially recommend the recent episode, How to Tackle Intimidating Books, with guest Emily Wilson, an esteemed classics professor. Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey is a fan-favorite (and I didn’t realize she is the only woman to have translated the work). Clare Danes narrates the audiobook version of the translation, in case that sells it for you - thanks to reader Elizabeth E. for the tip! You can’t help but sponge up all of Wilson’s excitement for Homer; her passion positively oozes through the mic into your ears. Don't miss her recitation of the opening passage in ancient Greek toward the end of the episode. I learned it's performed in “dactylic hexameter,” a six-beat rhythm built on dactyls, where one long syllable is followed by two short ones, the meter Homer used for both the Iliad and the Odyssey. You can feel the performance come alive a bit.
Crossing the Wine Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature by Emily Wilson will be published in September 2026 and she describes it as a sort of classics 101 for the everyday reader. I learned Wilson did not get a screenwriting credit in Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, though he allegedly referenced her translation for the movie. I hope she was, at least, invited to the premiere because she is clearly a treasure.
A perfect wear-with-sneakers sockBombas has been in my sock drawer for many years, and their Modern Rib quarter sock + my sneakers is basically my uniform. The cushioned footbed and built-in arch support are thoughtful details that just make a really comfortable sock! Also, these new beachy embroidered styles just dropped for summer - the ankle embroidery is so sweet. Use code ALISHAR21 for 21% off your first purchase.* *sponsored mention
Upcoming book-to-screen adaptationsNetflix recently sent me this hefty box of books below, which are all titles coming to the streamer later this year. You can also now browse Netflix titles in a new curated “book-to-screen hub.” Further proof that books run the world—or, at least, Hollywood. I’m most excited for East of Eden starring Florence Pugh, and I’m glad to have Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth added to my library. More book-to-screen news: A first-look at the Klara and the Sun adaptation by Taika Waititi and a first-look at the God of the Woods adaptation at Netflix (gave me chills!). A film adaptation of Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It is in the works to be adapted at Netflix.
Blending my two loves: reading and shopping. Beach Books & Looks is a summer series styling outfits paired with books. See part one here and part two here. The Book: 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand. My favorite Hilderbrand romance set on the beautiful island of Nantucket. Let’s lean into the preppy, nautical vibe of the setting…
The Look: White swimsuit | Raffia hat | Tote bag | White beach pants | Earrings | Summer Fridays sunscreen | Margaux sandals (gorg!!) | Green beaded necklace. See everything I’m saving in one spot on my Shopmy.
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