95. 'Tis the season
books, serendipity, being friendlier
What I’m up to
We just wrapped up the first semester of the school year — it’s now winter break. I’m sitting in my new favorite coffee shop, a place I found when my previous favorite coffee shop closed for renovations. It was serendipitous — I liked the old spot so much, I had no inclination to look for alternatives. (There’s a sermon illustration in there, but I’ll spare you.)
I’m just getting my voice back after losing it for days and days (physically, not metaphorically). As ridiculous as it sounds, I didn’t realize how much I liked to talk until I couldn’t. (There’s a sermon illustration in there, too.)
What I’m reading
I’ve read a lot. In reverse chronological order:
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. I enjoyed Fourth Wing enough to want to pick up Iron Flame right away, but I made the mistake of listening to the audiobook instead of waiting for the print version. It is… killing me. I have been trying to get through this book for a month, but I keep falling asleep/getting lost, and it’s just a mess.
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue. I found out after I read this that this is an autobiographical fiction, but I would’ve guessed that from how real and specific the book felt. It was good!
Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Man, Monster by Walter Dean Myers, We are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai - I read all three of these with my students for a school elective. All solid and devastating in their own ways. I specifically recommend the latter two.
Reasons to Be Cheerful by Nina Stibbe - the third book in the Lizzie Vogel trilogy (see what I wrote about Man at the Helm below).
Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri - I have long said that if I could write like anyone, it would be Jhumpa Lahiri. This is her collection of stories set in Rome, which she first wrote in Italian and then translated to English. It’s been so long since I’ve read anything by Lahiri, but she did not disappoint. I read the collection and immediately taught the first story (“The Boundary,” which you can read for free here).
Bunny by Mona Awad. This is like Heathers, if the popular girls turned murdered bunnies into human boyfriends. Super bizarre.
Paradise Lodge by Nina Stibbe - Second book in the Lizzy Vogel series (see Man at the Helm below).
Greenwild by Pari Thomson - I read this for the library, and I ended up nominating it for our school system’s book awards. It’s a fantasy about a secret parallel world centered on botany magic. So far the students seem to like it a lot!
Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido - Meg Mason (author of Sorrow and Bliss, a book I loved) recommended this on Ann Patchett’s Parnassus Books TikTok. I loved it. It’s a bildungsroman about a student who gets swept into the world of her professor and his family, both cozy and dark in equal measure.
The English Understand Wool Helen DeWitt - This was another Ann Patchett recommendation. It’s a clever novella you can read in one (short) sitting!
Man at the Helm by Nina Stibbe - I adored this book. I liked Brother so much, I googled to see if Meg Mason had other recommendations and was delighted to find this list. She calls Man at the Helm a holiday read, but the premise (sisters scheming to get their mom remarried) belies its gritty themes. SO GOOD.
Happy Place by Emily Henry - Not so happy, IMO.
What I’m thinking about
I’ve been thinking about how much I admire people who are friendly and interested in everyone. In recent years, I’ve become more protective of my time and energy, which means I have made less of an effort to make new friends. Maybe 2024 will be my new friend era. (See ya, old friends. Jk jk.)
I’m also thinking about what my word will be for 2024. As always, I feel like it’s going to be some riff on contentment, satisfaction… basically something that will help me mitigate my Enneagram 3 tendencies. Lmk if you have suggestions.
Gaza.
What I’m doing
Last-minute Christmas shopping. Writing a last-minute college recommendation. Trying to curb my TikTok habit by using this. Enjoying working out again by using this. Anticipating our trip to Dubai and Oman.
What I’m digging
This Uniqlo parka and this Muji collarless down vest — and the fact that it’s finally cold enough to wear them!
A friend gave me a candle warmer for my birthday, and I love it. I have since purchased it for others and even have one in the library.
San Pellegrino, but that’s not new.
Thick cut toast at my new favorite coffee shop.
Obama’s latest reading list.
Bodysuits for layering.
My community here in Kaohsiung.
My friend’s photographs of our local village.
What I’ve saved
These poems put to words the feelings I struggle to express.
Until next time,
Kate
PS - apologies for the spam, but I’m going to go ahead and send newsletter #93 even though I wrote it in… October.