Over the River and Through the Woods
Hello!
It’s been 2 weeks since the earth was swallowed by a black hole, but we’re still alive and kicking. I’ve been adding to my list of WHAT TO DO NEXT, so feel free to take a look, send me suggestions, and share with friends who feel inspired to help.
I’m heading to Paris and Morocco for 2 weeks this afternoon, so I won’t be sending out another newsletter until December. If you need some book inspo, you can catch up on some of my old tinyletters.
What I’m Clicking:
Fake news and Facebook’s role in the election | Dear People Older Than Me, | This post by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which as my friend put it, “should be required reading for every father, daughter, mother, son, president, and person.” | The best job in the world | I went to Merida and I got to write about it for Fodor’s | Barack Obama on why travel matters
What I’m Wanderlusting:
I’ve decided I need to go back to Merida, even if it’s just to hang out in this double bathtub at Coqui Coqui.
What I’m listening to:
I’ve returned to “comfort food” music lately: A Tribe Called Quest, Lauryn Hill, and Jurassic 5. For some reason the music I was listening to at age 13 is really working for me - I encourage you all to also embrace your inner 13-year-old. It’s science.
What I’m Reading:
Amor Towles
This book was so cute. Part Eloise, part Grand Budapest Hotel, it’s just a really fun and decadent book. I thought it might be boring, but there’s just enough adventure, intrigue, and charming characters to keep you interested.
Did it make me cry: No.
Did it make me laugh: Yes.
Did it make me miss a subways stop: Almost!
Would I recommend it: Yes. It’s long, but the book is about this world that you sort of start to miss when you’re not reading it. I can definitely see how somebody would get bored with it, but I thought it was definitely worth my time.
Would I read it again: I think so.
Would it be a good movie: *Paging Wes Anderson.*
Lawrence Osborne
For some reason I thought it was a good idea to read this book that takes place in Morocco before my trip to Morocco. It was not a good idea. This is one of those times where I feel like maybe I should start reading the back of books. I won’t spoil anything, but this book is about a trip to Morocco that goes horribly wrong and I really wish I hadn’t read it. It’s a little scary.
Did it make me cry: No.
Did it make me laugh: No.
Did it make me miss a subways stop: No.
Would I recommend it: I don’t know. I like Lawrence Osborne and the way he describes places is really perfect. I don’t think he’s for everyone though and a lot of his books are really dark in a way where you know something bad is going to happen, but you don’t know how or when.
Would I read it again: No. Especially not before a trip to Morocco.
Would it be a good movie: Yes! It would be SO beautiful. All of his books would be perfect films and I really think he should try writing screenplays.
What I’m bringing to Paris:
Those damn Neapolitan books
What books are on my list to buy (this will take me months to actually do):
Now that I have established myself as a Miriam Toews fan, I want to see what else she has up her sleeve: A Boy of Good Breeding, A Complicated Kindness, Irma Voth, and her memoir, which sounds like it was inspiration for AMPS.
Since I read this article, I added a few more books to my list. This list is growing faster than I can keep up.
Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
The new Bernadette book
Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
M Train by Patti Smith
That new Patty Hearst book
H Is For Hawk by Helen Macdonald
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
After interviewing Helen Ellis, I added a few books from her “classic trashy” book club to my list.
What are you reading? (You can reply to this email and tell me. Or just text me)
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