I’ve been meaning to do a post like this for a while, but I never manage to actually get around to doing it!  I figured now might be a good time to share some of the really interesting (and weird, in some cases) things I’ve stumbled across the last few months.

• This post about life going on really resonates with me.  I can definitely relate.
• I also really liked this post about autism representation in books.
• Speaking of representation in books, I liked this article about LGBTQ diversity in YA.
• As someone who loves nail polish, I loved seeing what this blogger considers part of her nail polish essentials.  I really need some nail polish thinner for some of the older bottles in my collection.
• As much as I love YA, I don’t know if I’d consider myself a YA expert.  It’s interesting to think about.
• I never thought about love triangles as slut-shaming, but I think there are a lot of really good points in this blog post.
• I can’t begin to imagine the pressure diverse authors and reviewers/readers must be under, but it makes sense.
• I love seeing how people budget for their grocery shopping.  This is part of a series, but the one I link to is probably the closest to how I personally budget.  I kind of wish we saw a longer period of time- say, a month- because I feel like we don’t see a lot of grocery shopping.  It’s much more snack-buying, eating out and eating left-overs, which is fine.  I guess I just wanted to see a little more.
• I liked seeing people’s opinions on books, and this post about unpopular opinions was fun to read.  I actually agree with a surprising number of them.
• I agree that Goodreads needs to add half-stars to their rating system.  I also like the idea of being able to customize their yearly reading challenge.  One can only dream of new Goodreads features.
• On another Goodreads note, it is fun to see why people rate things the way they do.  I feel like my ratings have changed a lot since I started blogging.
• As someone who likes audio books, I loved reading what it’s like to be an audio book narrator.
• And speaking of audio books, I love this list of non-chore things to do while listening to audio books.  As a crocheter, audio books are a great way to both read and craft at the same time!  I don’t know why I don’t listen to more books, but I’m trying.
• I love cookbooks, and I’m intrigued by the idea of a cookbook book club.
• A couple of cool photography things: photos from under breaking waves and photos from the summer of 1978.
• Here’s what it’s like to have a prop food company in Hollywood.  They have to go somewhere, I suppose.
• I loved these scenes from Harry Potter that never made their way into the movies.  Drawing/painting/sketching, etc is not something I’m good at, but the artist is definitely talented!

And here’s a few things that I would definitely file under “This Week In WTF:”

• A grocery store is coming up with packaging so people can slide raw meat into the pan without having to touch it.  I get being squeamish about touching raw meat, but…maybe don’t cook it if it grosses you out that much?  That, or 1- get over it, and/or 2- eat out.  Plus, how would you season or marinate it if you’re not actually touching raw meat?
• It would never even occur to me to not drink water that’s been sitting on my bookshelf all night.  It’s WATER, why wouldn’t be okay to drink when it’s sitting out overnight.  It’s not like we’re eating a casserole that’s been sitting on the kitchen counter all night.  Are these the things we’re asking ourselves now?  Also, I can’t believe I’m linking to this article, but whatever.
• If people want to put their baking soda in a salt shaker, that’s fine, I guess.  To each their own, but I have to say, it would never occur to me to do that.
• I really wish this was a joke…but it’s not.  Considering I always have both mayo and ketchup, I think I’ll stick to making my own, should this ever appear at my local grocery store.
• People can shop however they want, but I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to shop…especially at Trader Joe’s.  Seriously, please don’t tell people they’re shopping wrong because they’re not doing a thing you do.

This one definitely went longer than I thought, but hopefully, I’ll do another one of these soon!