January list...
Hello, friends and happy January! I’m actually a little amazed that it’s halfway through the the month already, but here we are. Here’s a not-deep thought for the new year: the new newsletter format has me thinking it’s time for a title refresh, but I am the worst at coming up with titles. So if you make it to the end of my very long ramblings (guess I’m feeling extra chatty this month) then let’s brainstorm — give me your best ideas for a newsletter title!
What I'm reading...
I read The Starless Sea by Erin Morganstern during the Christmas break. It was beautiful and mesmerizing and magical. It's about secret worlds and secret societies, books and stories, fairy tales, myths, legends and stories within stories. And if you are a fan of world building, Morganstern is an absolute wizard at setting and description. In addition to The Starless Sea, I recently finished Starsight, by Brandon Sanderson, book two in his YA sci-fi trilogy. It was just as fun, snarky, and action-packed as the first one. Last but certainly not least I re-read Exit West by Mohsin Hamid for book club. This book is short but so powerful. The story focuses on Saeed and Nadia, two young people from an unnamed city in the Middle East. They meet and form a connection in the midst of a particularly violent and unstable time in their city. At the same time, doors begin opening up all over the world, doors that let people travel from one place to somewhere across the world. It’s a simple, thoughtful story about migration, family, humanity, change, the things that draw people together and push them apart.
What I'm watching...
J and I finished the third season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and it didn’t disappoint. We got a lot of time with Abe and Rose, which I always love, and continued character development for Susie and Midge. I’m still amazed at how the show has managed to make Joel such a sympathetic character, and I really enjoyed his bar-in-Chinatown story line. I think The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel does a good job of acknowledging and addressing issues like racism and sexism in a way that feels really natural. Just started the third season of Anne with an E on Netflix , about which I still have complicated feelings (I am a HUGE Anne of Green Gables fan. It’s one of the few series that I consistently re-read. And in case you’re wondering, my favorite book of the series is the first one, followed by Anne’s House of Dreams, and Rilla of Ingleside). I’m finding that the further the stories get from the books, the more I enjoy it as a show in its own right. The imagining and reinterpreting of the between-the-line spaces and new characters doesn't really bother me (and sometimes I like it! It's fun addition). Even though there are a few story lines I haven't liked, the net enjoyment has remained positive. I like the way the show has interpreted some of the characters: Anne, Gilbert, Miss Stacy, Diana, Ruby, Josie, Jane; but I also very strongly dislike other characterizations: Matthew, Mrs. Lynde, Billie Andrews, Josephine Barry (not nearly grumpy enough and way too sympathetic). I'm on the fence about Marilla. All that to say...I'm still watching it, and three episodes in, so far so good on this third season (the third episode! Heartbreaking), but I'll reserve final judgement on the season until later.
Something I'm grateful for...
The Tomball Farmer’s Market is one of my favorite weekend activities. Year-round farmer’s markets and fresh produce are a perk of living in a mild climate, and I am grateful to have a weekly market so close. I’m also grateful for the Popsicle cart so that my kids get excited about going too!
A little inspiration...
This summer I discovered the delightful and lovely Instagram account @winsomepaper and she recently posted a prayer that really stuck with me and I hope you’ll enjoy it too:
A Prayer for January
"When did I start believing that the whole of life is to be a perpetual summer? A forever daylight with no night? May we do the courageous work of sticking close to our hearts in the dark and cold too. I can't go on believing that You just want me to spend everyday with my eyes set on spring. What do you have for us here in the cold night? Amen and Amen." ~@winsomepaper