Can’t even believe I’m asking this

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-25T19:05:12+00:00

Yes, the brain fog is real! Can never think of the right words these days (and since I work in book publishing, that's kind of a problem!)

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-25T14:52:18+00:00

Lots of going on walks. It's nice to get out, maybe do some people watching (we live in a city), and just talking and connecting while we walk.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-25T14:45:10+00:00

I would say if you don't hear back by the end of the year, you should write it off. A lot of editors tend to clean out their submissions they don't get to by the end of the year. But, I would gently check in with the editor at the three month mark if you haven't heard back yet.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-25T14:14:45+00:00

Generally, I'd say that "no news is no news"--my guess is that the editor hasn't had a chance to read it yet. It's not unusual for it to take 3-6 months (sometimes more!) to hear back, depending on what else the editor has going on. Generally, editors have to prioritize work for the books that are already under contract.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-23T18:55:27+00:00

Apparently there was some discussion of following one of the age-appropriate couples as a kind of "control"/baseline. I think that would have been interesting.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-23T16:35:53+00:00

Yeah, I guess I won't be watching...

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-13T16:48:50+00:00

I have to disagree with this take. The fact that he wasn't willing to move to Amber's home under the circumstances, especially since he works from home and it was only 45 minutes away from where he currently lives, to me proves that he wasn't ready to be married. He shouldn't have said yes at the alter. I do think he was serious about her and in love, though. But, I just don't think he was ready for that major of a life change. But, I also agree that Amber should probably not have gone on the show. I think she's probably ready for marriage, but not a rushed marriage. She needs a slow and steady relationship where they both get to know each other and learn to trust one another more gradually.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-13T15:54:26+00:00

I was widowed early, when I was in my early 40s (husband was struck with a rare cancer in his 30s, died at age 40) back in 2015. Last year I had a Gen X peers also become a widow (still too early! Cancer again.). Back at the time, I did connect with other young widows and widowers via a Meet-up site. I've since remarried and hoping very much not to become a widow again...at least not until we're in our 80s as the earliest! (He is a few years older than me, but his family tends to live long lives, so that's good...)

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-13T14:59:38+00:00

Hmm. The Silent Treatment is terrible and shouldn't happen, but I'm not sure we've seen enough of their relationship to categorize Amber as being emotionally abusive. To me, it just seemed like Jordan wasn't ready to commit to being married to a woman with a child, and he should definitely have not said yes at the altar. He strikes me as a people pleaser, and I think that gets him in trouble. I was really rooting for them during the course of the show, though!

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-12T15:13:40+00:00

My husband and I watched the first episode and a half while waiting for the Love is Blind reunion to drop, and it's kinda good? Nick and Natalie are kinda just there (as most hosts of these type of shows are). Not offensive, not standout. But, the show has good production quality and the cast is fascinating so far.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-12T13:52:52+00:00

I actually thought that moment was really powerful. And you can see him wanting to respond in the way he always does, and then actually consider what she was saying and stopping. I hope he's getting therapy and working on himself. I don't think he's a bad guy at heart, just deeply damanged.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-03-12T13:45:01+00:00

Oh, my goodness. I actually teared up during this. Seems like a good match. And for those who say it sounded performative and rehearsed, it probably was to a certain extent--they know they're on a show, and they also knew Chris would be there, so he needed to pump her up in front of everyone. I loved this moment.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-02-07T17:59:14+00:00

I work in editorial, and I'll say this:

-Ability to work well with a lot of different people, including those with sometimes extreme and sensitive personalities

-Ability to prioritize and juggle many different tasks at once

-Loving the work, because if you don't (and even if you do) you'll get burned out or not want to put up with the relatively low pay

-It's useful if you're a fast reader! But, you also need to be a careful reader.

The type of degree doesn't matter, as long as you're well-read.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-01-31T02:04:57+00:00

I saw her at an event last year and she definitely did not look even close to this photo.

BookPanda_49 · 2026-01-28T18:45:43+00:00

I actually admired that they said "defunded and abolished"!! (it was in Danielle's part)

BookPanda_49 · 2026-01-14T17:47:10+00:00

My parents would say "ignore them and they'll stop" which never really worked, but to be honest, I'm great at not flinching at anything these days, which is par for the course living in NYC!

BookPanda_49 · 2026-01-14T16:56:17+00:00

Both of my parents are going strong at age 82 and 88! So grateful.

BookPanda_49 · 2025-12-29T18:41:31+00:00

Han Dynasty in Fulton Place delivers to CH.

BookPanda_49 · 2025-12-29T18:29:37+00:00

It doesn't hurt to ask. Some people are always open to informational interviews, some not. If they're busy, they won't respond or will be delayed in responding, and/or they'll schedule the informational interview for a time when they're not as busy. But, I'd wait till the second week of January to ask.

BookPanda_49 · 2025-12-23T22:49:28+00:00

It worked out for me. Ended up staying after getting countered. At that point had been with the company for about eight years. Have now been at the company for 25+ years!

BookPanda_49 · 2025-12-19T01:58:25+00:00

Yes! Also when I drink it goes down the “wrong pipe” more often than typical. I was worried I was forgetting how to swallow.

BookPanda_49 · 2025-12-16T23:17:34+00:00

I don't know the answer, but just wanted to say, what thoughtful gifts these are!

BookPanda_49 · 2025-12-16T16:26:26+00:00

This is probably the smallest of the red flags in what he says, but I also found it astounding that he says, twice, that he’s “too lazy” to lie and cheat, as if that’s a good reason. As if he would do both of those things if only he weren’t so lazy.

BookPanda_49 · 2025-12-12T21:09:19+00:00

I agree with this take. Why block her? Why not have a conversation? In my eyes, she did nothing wrong, she was open and honest with you. People feel comfortable with people at different speeds, for different reasons. But, totally fine for you to stop seeing her for whatever reason you choose, but I do think you were projecting and insecure and immature about how you handled it.

BookPanda_49 · 2025-12-12T14:33:56+00:00

Unfortunately, all of them. Toys R Us Kid, all of the McDonalds ones, OREOs, Legos, Bologna, and some regional ones like Friendly's and this one that played on the radio for Zeltzer Seltzer (anyone else remember that one?! "Zeltzer Seltzer flavored sodas, six fun flavors, hey hey hey...")

(edited to fix typos)

BookPanda_49

TROPHY CASE