When I’m stressed out I will deep dive and obsessively learn something. Usually in attempt to buy a thing and then improve all aspects of my life because now I have New Thing! Here are some things I’ve been mindlessly learning about.
- Art markers. I think I need a bunch of art markers to truly bring my art to life. Right? This all started because I saw an art store for paint markers.
- Victorian era sewing techniques. I follow this fashion historian on Youtube and every now and then I get sucked back in. Instagram even recommending a mending tool to me, so I feel like they know.
- Vacuum/Mop combos. This started because I asked Igor what kind of vacuum he has. Our robot vacuum isn’t the best on our wood floors.
- How to make paper fans. probably not worth the effort
- Why all the soap I made turned out weird. Probably the essential oils.
(I meant to published this at the end of July but I got married so here we are)
This includes a couple of books from June, which I realized I accidentally included last time so just waited until July for an update
Non-fiction
You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis Coe
Why I picked up this book: I saw this book recommended a while ago and thought the name was funny.
Mood: light-hearted history/biography?
I unexpectedly enjoyed how much the author made fun of old guard biographers and how their experiences (ex: men) shape their their perspective on history. She talks about her experience being a female experience a little in the introduction. Like telling people she’s working on a biography of Washington and people are like “of like his wife? or the women in his life?” and she’s like: “No.” It was interesting to generally learn more about it him and what is/isn’t true from what’s portrayed in the media.
If you enjoy this, you might also like this podcast episode around the myth around Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag.
Clean: The New Science of Skin by James Hamblin
Why I picked up this book: I’ve liked James Hamblin’s articles/videos and his previous book
Mood: pop science
It was depressing to learn, yet again, the way we behavior was orchestrated by marketing and commercialism. Soap was a thing (a good thing) and then it was commercialized and we were told to use it every day, all over. It dries out our skin and so we were sold more products to repair our skin and “gentler soap,” which is essentially soap that just cleans less. And on and on.
My biggest critique is that I wish James read the audio book. Here’s a video of him explaining why he keeps his phone on grayscale that kind of showcases his personality.
Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris
Why I picked up this book: I will read every new thing that Sedaris puts out
Mood: humor. Probably you already like David Sedaris
Something I really appreciated about this book is how he describes the honest emotions around his father’s death. I think there’s an expectations to have a simple narrative when someone’s at the end of someone’s life, that you have to be patient and forgiving. That overlooks the kind of hardness of the situation and maybe of a person in particular. I was reading some of the reviews and some people were felt like he was “too mean” in this book. I’ve always been absolutely stunned how brutally honest Sedaris is (or describes as part of the story). I don’t think it’s changed in this book, maybe it’s just gotten too close to home for some.
Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & David Evans
Why I picked up this book: This was a really popular book that I have been tempted to buy many times, then I saw it on audiobook
Mood: Kind of self-helpy
I mean, it is helpful to reframe how you think about your life when you’re feeling stuck and I agree with a lot of the advice they gave. I meant to actually do the action/workshops they provide (which is actually where the change happens), but didn’t get to it yet. Kind of feeling both stuck and lost in life right now.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
Why I picked up this book: Recommended from my writing class.
Mood: You like Stephen King? More autobiographical than I expected
I actually don’t know much about Stephen King and haven’t read his books because I thought they’d be scary. I haven’t watched many of his movies because I also thought they’d be scary. That said, I thought it was a really interesting book. It’s mostly autobiographical, it feels, about his experience and influences writing, which kind of a clump of very explicit advice towards the end. I’m tempted to try reading more King novels now.
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Why I picked up this book: Very popular book in my circles, liked her other book
Mood: You want to learn about the psychology around shame and guilt and how being vulnerable is good
I kind of resisted reading this because of the enthusiasm with which business people recommended this book…but it is good. It’s about recognizing vulnerability as a strength that helps use move forward, connect with others, and be brave. I don’t know why when business people (or anything on linkedin…) talk about something it seems worse to me.
Fiction
Ender’s Game by Scott Orson Card
Why I picked up this book: This was a long-standing science fiction recommendation on my list that I thought I’d pick up because I’ve been enjoying the Stormlight Archive series
Mood: It’s kind of like Ready Player One to me. But with precocious kids?
I liked it, a solid science fiction story. Would read the next in the series.
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
Why I picked up this book: Presidential inauguration obvz. I periodically try poetry besides
Mood: American poetry