Lindsay Ferrier

It turns out Sadie knows who killed her little sister and why, and she’s run away in order to seek revenge for her sister’s murder. It’s a full-cast production, the novel’s podcast is designed to sound like an actual podcast, and it really brings the book to life, although it’s agonizingly clear that some of the bit parts were read by total novices — This is Irby’s debut collection of essays, so it’s not quite as polished as We Are Never Meeting in Real Life, but if you liked that book, I think you’ll like this one as well. When Aila Quinn’s mother dies and her father leaves to fight in World War II, she and her younger brother are sent to live with her mother’s best friend from childhood in the small town of Sterling, where both girls grew up.

Smyrna has several cool features that make it worth exploring, including my one of my all-time favorite bed & breakfasts, the fascinating Sam Davis historic home and museum, and a massive public swimming pool that looks like a mini waterpark. Located in historic downtown Murfreesboro, Hattie Jane’s is an artisan ice cream shop that uses locally sourced ingredients, and when you try their sumptuous ice cream flavors, you’ll definitely taste the difference. Bike riding photos are an Instagram staple for me, and one of the most picturesque and family-friendly bike trails in the state is the Stones River Greenway in Murfreesboro. You can ride to Stones River National Battlefield and make stops at the historic Cannonsburgh Village, the old Ransom’s Mill Dam, the Walter Hill Dam, and Old Fort Park.

A petition was created to save the trees, tens of thousands of Nashvillians signed, and my Facebook feed filled with posts about the matter, either urging friends to sign the peition or wishing Nashville citizens would show the same outrage and urgency over low teacher salaries and LGBTQ rights and other societal issues. We’re upset about the massive growth we’ve experienced over the last five years, growth that was neither smart nor thoughtful but instead fueled by greed. We’re mourning the loss of so many wonderful local businesses that closed after their rent skyrocketed, and the loss of so many Nashvillians who helped make this city great and now can’t meet the cost of living here. We’re worried about losing our city’s identity and Southern charm in the face of what feels like a population growth tidal wave.

You’ll ride along the beach and pass Stearn’s Wharf, East Beach, and Santa Barbara Harbor, so there are plenty of opportunities to make stops for snacking and shopping along the way. Book lovers won’t want to miss The Book Den, California’s oldest used book store, which you’ll find just off State Street on Anapamu Street. You’ll find this beloved no-frills restaurant at the end of Stearn’s Wharf, which features seasonal, local shellfish straight from the fishermen who hauled it in. In Goleta, you’ll find the popular Ellwood Bluffs trail — a 1.2 mile loop trail along 80-foot cliffs that’s kid friendly and includes spectacular coastal views plus lots of gorgeous wildflowers.