Weekend Reads v. 24.5.2025
Tributes and sales.
In America, this is a long weekend we look forward to with the caveat that we treat it with care. We don’t really do “bank holidays” here. No, our days off are packed with meaning. Memorial Day Weekend, for many, is the long weekend that kicks off summer. For others, Memorial Day is reflective and somber. Some of us are relishing a day off while others will pick up time-and-a-half by working on a holiday. There are a few videos making the rounds about how to acknowledge this weekend. Apparently “Happy Memorial Day” and “Have a good weekend” are out.
As for what’s OK to say, I think we can all agree – restful weekends are healthy for all, and gratitude is healing. Whether you use this weekend to share photos of a grandparent who boarded a ship for a war-torn land far away or to shop sales so you can save on your kid’s summer clothes, I hope the weekend shapes up to be exactly what you want.
Many (many) conversations at work are centered around the impact AI will have on jobs. This essay by Carmen Van Kerckhove tracks with what I am seeing across industries right now. Here’s a powerful excerpt; I highly recommend clicking through to read the entire piece.
“Shawn K has a computer science degree, 21 years of experience, and a resume that once opened every door.
Today, he lives in a small RV trailer and drives for DoorDash.
After nearly 800 job applications and a year of unemployment, he’s still hearing nothing back—from roles that pay half his former salary, and ones he’s wildly overqualified for.
You might be tempted to stop reading here. Maybe you think this is a story about software engineers. Or the tech industry. Or a niche disruption that doesn’t apply to you.
It’s not.
This is a story about all knowledge workers. Everyone whose job depends on reading, writing, planning, synthesizing, managing, creating, or communicating. The people we’ve historically called “white-collar.” The ones who were told that their degrees, careers, and salaries made them safe.
Shawn isn’t a fluke. He’s a forecast.
And he didn’t get here by making “bad choices.” He didn’t major in something obscure or impractical. He wasn’t flaky or unfocused. He did everything the conventional wisdom told us to do: Get a practical degree. Go into tech. Build a solid resume. Buy property. Do the responsible thing.
It wasn’t that long ago that “Teach your kids to code” was considered foolproof advice. Now ChatGPT can spit out functional code in seconds—and that bulletproof path is looking more like a punchline.
Because the jobs AI is coming for first aren’t the ones most people assumed. They’re not manual labor or frontline retail. They’re not cashiers or delivery drivers.
They’re the people with resumes like yours.
And if you’ve built your identity around being useful, impressive, or indispensable at work?
What’s coming next is going to hurt. (Source)
This.is.genius. How to frame large art for cheap and look rich “because nothing says ‘Daddy Warbucks’ quite like art that eats an entire wall for breakfast.”
Wise words for the graduate from Winnie the Pooh.
Accurate: the headlights are too bright. A member of Congress is doing something about it.
I’ve noticed I’m not the only lady at work sporting natural nails. After a mishap at a nail salon (still shudder to remember how paper-thin my nails were!), I’ve forgone polish for more than 6 months now. But maybe I’ll step back into the nail polish club by painting my own nails with this beautiful natural color and participating in the “soap nail” trend.
Ok, ok. I keep hearing about this book. Should we read it and have a virtual book club?
ElizabethW. is becoming one of my favorite brands – even if they spell my name wrong. Someone recently recommended their linen water, and I’ve really enjoyed their lavender sachets over the years.
Grace Atwood has an incredible list of Memorial Day sales. She also has a great post on friend groups as you move through college through your twenties, thirties, and forties.
I have a feeling you are all set for what to cook this weekend, but if you still need an idea or two here are 30 recipes from Chris Loves Julia that might inspire you. Many are friendly to people with food intolerances.
Amazon does not disappoint when it comes to their sale. If you still need a gift for a graduate, this might be the time to grab these noise-cancelling headphones. Or elevate your outdoor dining with these brightly colored plates safe for outdoor use. This inflatable pool lights up and is drastically marked down, but mark my word that it definitely does not hold as many people as the photo might lead you to believe. I’m using the sales to stock up on boring things like trash bags and batteries.
Wine.com is offering 60% off select bottles.
Mint & Lily has a buy-two-get-one-free offer that would allow you to build a collection of their delicate birthstone bracelets or rings to commemorate your favorite people.
Boden is taking 25% off everything this weekend. (Might get a new swimsuit!)
My favorite summer shoes from NISOLO are on sale. I’m going on three years with my beloved pair! Seriously considering their platform sandal as an option for this summer.
And if you ever had your eye on a pair of Rothy’s, now might be the time to get them while everything is on sale. I wore a pair of Rothy’s to work every day this week. They are pretty darn perfect!
Take gentle care of yourself, OK?!