That Weekly Edit
Seeking joy, reading too much, and the piece on intelligence and impatience I can't stop thinking about
Hi, hello there!
I took a bit of an impromptu hiatus over the summer, which lasted into fall and election season and now that the worst has happened (hahahahaa!) it feels like the perfect time to return to this space!
Summer is my favorite season and I tend to get a little feral less scheduled (trust, my version of feral is much more regimented than the average bear’s) and desire to be off a screen as much as possible. This coupled with Ohio being in a drought = plenty of outdoor time!
My glorious, unplanned summer hiatus transformed right into election season anxiety where opening any device sent me into a doom spiral (save for like 2 weeks in late July when I actually, on balance, enjoyed the internet again. ‘Twas a good fortnight.)
Now that the election is behind us and there’s nothing left to worry about (🤣) I thought I’d make my return. And also because I’m more disenchanted with the internet than ever before (and yes, I realize you’re accessing this on the internet, but it’s a different internet, you know?) and also, also because joy is an act of resistance and this space brings me happiness.
Tell me:
What have I missed?
What brought you joy this week?
Anything, let’s chat!
What I’m…
Reading
I have been reading so, so much. Like, maybe too much. Last month I read 29 books, which is just an absurd amount. Yes, reading is a good thing, but it can also be a crutch to distract and disassociate. There are worse ways of coping, right?!
Let’s just do a little what I read this week update:
Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner. A story of complex sisterhood set in the 1970s-90s dealing with addiction, families, and the evolution thereof. I quite enjoyed this while reading though I’m not sure it’s one that will really stick with me long term. Bookshop | Libro.fm
Perris, California by Rachel Stark. A deeply layered, interior story of women in a hardscrabble place exploring complicated female relationships. Set in rural California primarily in 1999 and 1989 a twenty-something woman pregnant with her third child reckons with her past and present. This gives Grit Lit vibes and reminded me a lot of Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore. Many thanks to
for recommending this under the radar gem! Bookshop | Libro.fmSomething in the Walls by Daisy Pearce. This is an ARC publishing in February 2025 from Minotaur Books. A horror suspense thriller about a child psychologist visiting a small town where a teen girl claims to be haunted/possessed by a witch. I quite enjoyed the plot and setting, but I really wish it hadn’t been written in first person. Bookshop | Libro.fm
Listening
On Freedom by Timothy Snyder. I began this book on audio less than 24 hours after the presidential election was called. I’m unsure whether this was the best timing as it didn’t help with my fallout spiraling. I am sure this profound and challenging book blending philosophy, history, and politics exploring what freedom really is will stay with me moving forward providing plenty of food for thought. Bookshop | Libro.fm
Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality by Renee DiResta. A deep dive into how the internet is subverting reality. Timely! Bookshop | Libro.fm
And I might as well include my leading up to the election audiobooks from the week prior because they’re must listens:
The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America by Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer. My background is in birth work and I follow the attacks on reproductive rights very closely. Admittedly, I let this book sit on my TBR without prioritizing because I wasn’t sure how impactful it would be. Well, turns out, incredibly impactful! This book is incredibly well done, fitting all the pieces together with context bringing a complex and emotionally charged topic into sharp focus. Absolute must read relevant to not just where we’ve been and what’s currently happening, but also to understand the broader fight ahead. Bookshop | Libro.fm
Undue Burden: Life and Death Decisions in Post-Roe America by Shefali Luthra. Again, same as the above, but in for a penny in for a pound. Another incredibly well done and impactful book. Narrative non-fiction following the lived experiences of four very different people attempting to access abortion in a post-Dobbs world. Another must read and an excellent pairing with The Fall of Roe. Bookshop | Libro.fm
This week in podcasts:
The Ezra Klein Show: The End of the Obama Coalition. Super interesting discussion of the impact of special interest groups on present politics.
Pod Save America: Ezra Klein on Where Democrats Go From Here. Obviously not going to miss the opportunity to indulge in this cross-over, but these two episodes are an especially great pairing.
Wild Card: Ann Patchett Wants to be Wrong. I love Ann Patchett and this a great, warm listen.
Here’s Where It Gets Interesting: On Freedom with Timothy Snyder. Timely episode to pair with my reading of On Freedom. I think this is a great primer on the concepts discussed in his book and a discussion that would be of interest to many.
Culture Study: Is BookTok Actually About Reading? Interesting conversation about BookTok, online reader culture, and book marketing.
Watching
Veep. Just finished up a rewatch inspired by, well, our veep and the presidential election, but also I saw it ranked in the top 5 of HBO’s best series. As remembered this series is hilarious and prescient, but it does have a steep drop off in the final two of seven seasons.
Eating & Drinking
It’s Soup Season! I’m in love, I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it! This week I made Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
Soul Warming French Onion Pot Roast in the slow cooker (how can you not want a soul warming recipe right now?!) with mashed potatoes and honey carrots.
This Instant Pot Beans and Rice recipe that is a frequent meal around here due to speed, ease, and crowd pleasing status.
We have not seen the last of this new to us One-Pot Easy Chicken Lasagna. Served it with salad and Divine One-Hour Breadsticks.
I’ve been enjoying Baked Oatmeal for breakfast on repeat. I like to make mine with slightly less sugar, egg whites, high protein milk, and right now I’ve been adding a peeled, chopped apple and 1/4 c of raisins or craisins. To eat, I reheat, top with a sprinkle of chopped pecans, and add a splash of milk. Soul warming oatmeal.
Drinking Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Rooibos on repeat.
Links + Loves
Just used these handy little spatulas to scrape out the last of some skincare product. They really help to use up every last drop. I’ve had them for over a year and they’ve definitely paid for themselves several times over at this point.
I live in sweatshirts and leggings this time of year and as the weather changed was in need of some new leggings. I picked up a couple pairs of these leggings several weeks ago and have been so pleased with them. Just the right amount of compression, just thick enough, and they offer two inseam lengths. So far they’re washing and wearing very well. Currently 10% off with a $3 coupon available!
Are We Too Impatient to be Intelligent? (Behavioral Scientist) “We’ve created an acceleration and an explosion of choice, which will permanently leave us feeling fundamentally unsatisfied or under-optimized.” I can’t stop thinking about this piece.
The Aspen Words Literary Prize Longlist was announced this week. This is my favorite prize of the year and the last several years I have read the entire Longlist in community with an excellent group of readers. I have already read 5 of the 14 selections. I’ll read the remaining 9 between now and mid-March when the Finalists are announced.
ICYMI
This week’s posts:
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Until next time!
I really liked Perris, California! Will checkout Valentine!
Those podcast episodes and recipes all sound great. Thanks for sharing such good stuff!