Winter Recess: Here's What I have been Reading
With a few drafts in the que, I figured I would take a break and share with you some of my favorite post from the first three months of 2024
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I have had a lot going on, so it’s been hard to keep up with my usual writing schedule. Thankfully, that hasn’t impacted my ability to read, and boy have I read a lot.
Instead of a new post, I wanted to share some of my favorite reads over the last three months. If you can’t get enough of my writing, feel free to jump into the archives, I got a lot of good stuff in there. For example, did I ever tell you about the time I was accused of kidnapping a white woman? That happened, you can read all about it here. Ok, enough about me. You might recognize some of the writers because 1. They’re fucking amazing, and 2. I’m biased and a creature of habit. Once I find a writer I enjoy, I read A LOT OF THEIR WORK.
One day I’ll tell you about my two-year obsession with Eric Jerome Dickey Books, or my introspective “Sad-Boy” era which featured a 5 book binge session of Kurt Vonnegut. Fortunately (For you at least) doom scrolling on Twitter and dissociating on Tic-Toc has destroyed my attention span, so these are all essays. Most writers are underpaid, and probably hungry for feedback (or maybe it’s just me) so if you find someone you like, let them know you read and appreciate their work. And now, with no further ramblings, see below for some of the essays that have caught my attention so far:
Title: Is the Internet Making Me Useless?
Author: Alex Lewis
Thoughts: I’ll keep it simple, Alex put his whole foot in this post, it’s interesting, introspective, honest, and well-written. Check it out.
Title: The Battle Between the Inner Life and the Outer Life.
Author: david roberts
Thoughts: If you’re going to read anything David writes, have a notebook handy because he’s going to recommend at least two books that you’re going to feel compelled to read. I appreciate David’s ability to be reflective, while also giving honest commentary on the state of play.
Title: Sacred Indignities
Author: Isabel Cowles Murphy
Thoughts: I am obsessed with Isabel’s writing style, she is both funny and thoughtful while writing in a way that makes you feel like you’re getting smarter by reading her. If you have kids or want kids, you should read this post.
Title: Dollars, Dignity, and Digital Disruption: The Rise of a New Creator Economy
Author: Absorb
Thoughts: I think we’re all trying to figure out how to make this “art” thing work, and in a world where so much is going on, I believe that even more of us feel an obligation to speak up when we see injustice (or maybe it’s just me) this post tackles both things, practically.
Title: To be a Gazan During Ramadan
Author: Noha Beshir
Thoughts: To be a Gazan during Ramadan is a beautiful poem that reflects on our place in the world as our sisters and brothers in Palestine struggle, as well as how we contend with that. It’s a short read, but a beautiful one. Noha is one of my favorite writers, and I have had the privilege of meeting her in person. If you haven’t read her work before, her essays feel like you’re sitting on the porch (or stoop for my NYC kids) drinking something warm, and having a good talk with a friend. In one of my favorite posts from her, she talks about the ways her family uses group chats to stay connected. I would recommend that as something to read that will make you smile since the one I’m sharing might make you cry.
Honorable Mentions:
Marc Typo, because why have you not been reading Marc’s work? Marc is a new dad who is writing letters to his son as he watches him grow up, these essays are hilarious, heartfelt, honest, and inspiring. I would have put him on the original list, but he writes posts that make me forget how expensive children are and consider fatherhood. I don’t appreciate that.
Rachel Leeke Writes beautifully, honestly, that should be enough to get you to check her out, but if you need an extra nudge, please go read her poem, “Acceptance”. As a recovering people pleaser who grew up with immigrant parents, I now have this poem hanging prominently on my desk in case I ever need a reminder that I am enough. There are so many other posts, but this was supposed to be short, and I feel myself getting the “it’s only good if you write 2000 words” itch. Before that feeling takes over, I’ll close this out by asking you all to share some of your favorite essays with me. Peace!
Every single piece here hits. Thanks for the recognition, these are all newsletters I spend time with and I’m flattered to be included alongside. Also, I feel deeply the recovering people pleaser of immigrant parents 💁🏾♀️ it me.
So glad to be in community with you and all of these people . One day, we will get together and break bread. Maybe by then you will have a child 😂