Hi friends! It’s been a while, and it’s been so needed. To be honest, 2022 kind of wrecked me. Watching everyone move on with their lives and saying goodbye to the pandemic made me feel lonelier, angrier, and more resentful than in any other stage of the pandemic. I realize now that was in large part because I so badly wanted to be doing the same, but was still incredibly afraid and anxious about COVID, which made me feel like I couldn’t move forward. After a lot of talking with my docs and with Mike, and a lot of internal reflection, I’m feeling ready to start leaving my bubble and living my life a little more.
How much of that I share is something I’m still figuring out. Because I want this year to be for me. I want to start healing from all of the trauma these past couple of years have brought, I want to reconnect with the parts of myself I’ve lost, and I want to do that without fear of judgement or questions. But I will tell you that the steps I’ve started to take – like going back to working out with my trainer, making plans with friends, and planning some dates with Mike – feels so so good. I know this year is going to bring its own challenges, but I’m hopeful it will look different in really important ways.
Now, onto what you really came here for…
Two recent reads
Pizza Girl by Jean Kyoung Frazier 🎧 – I read this for the I’m Over Lit book club, and while it had been on my radar at some point, I knew almost nothing about it. It was a quick listen, narrated by Jeena Yi, and I really enjoyed it. I’d categorize this one as weird girl lit fic, which I’ve realized I’m far more into than I initially thought I’d be. Think Hurricane Girl and Patricia Likes to Cuddle. This will be a fun one to discuss. I highly recommend the audio. (Use my code (KATHARINE) or this link and get 2 audiobook credits for the price of 1.)
Spare by Prince Harry 🎧 – Now, for a book absolutely no one has heard of… kidding. Look, I enjoyed this one. And I know Harry and Meghan are divisive. However, as imperfect as he is, I do think the “airing of their dirty laundry” as they say is actually him trying to heal from the trauma being a part of the royal family (which is more like a business than an actual family). I am no expert, nor am I a royal fan, but it was an interesting memoir with a lot of self reflection, and yes, juicy bits too. If that sounds like your thing, give it a read. Otherwise, feel free to skip it. This is by no means a must read. (One note, if you do read it, audio is the way to go. His narration is great.)
What I’m reading now
I’m very much trying to read by mood this year, rather than by what I feel like I should read, whether that’s because it’s a hyped book or for this newsletter. And I want to read more from my shelf! Out of the 114 books I read last year, only 19 were books I owned prior to 2022 🫠 Hoping to change that this year!
The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta 📖 – This one has been on my shelf forever, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. I’m about halfway through and it’s definitely giving The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes. Eager to see how it all unfolds. And so glad to finally be reading a print book!
Three book releases I’m looking forward to
Central Places by Delia Cai – (Releases 1/31) I read the first chapter of this one and am already intrigued. Celeste Ng says it’s “a sensitive, sharp-eyed, slyly funny novel of venturing back into the foreign country that is your past—and discovering that you can never really shake the places and people that shaped you.”
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai – (Releases 2/21) Author of The Great Believers (which I still have not read…) has a new book coming out! And it sounds great. From Jennifer Egan, author of A Visit From the Goon Squad: “Part boarding school drama, part forensic whodunit, I Have Some Questions for You is a true literary mystery—haunting and hard to put down.” This is narrated by Julia Whelan and JD Jackson, so I might read this on audio.
Enchantment by Katherine May – (Releases 2/28) If you’ve been here a while you know I absolutely adored May’s 2020 release, Wintering (I’m actually rereading it now and loving it just as much, if not more). Her newest book is described as “an invitation to rediscover the feelings of awe and wonder available to us all” – yes, please! (I’ll most likely do a mix of print and audio for this because her books are great for mental health walks but I have a feeling I’ll want to highlight a LOT, too.)
Interesting things from the internet
Apple Books launches AI narration… this is WILD. (Comment with who if you think it sounds like anyone in particular.) I also appreciated the Book Riot podcast’s take on it.
The Millions Most Anticipated list for the first half of the year is out!
I’ve been enjoying following along with Elizabeth Holmes’ thoughts on Spare. Here’s what she’s thinking halfway through. (Warning, there are definite spoilers.)
This piece from Anne Helen Petersen on the HarperCollins strike was really good.
The Return of the Going Out Top via the Washington Post. This transported me right back to 2003.
One last note
Being a very public reader these last few years has been wonderful, and also challenging. I’m ready for my reading life to be more for me, rather than largely for an audience. Sharing my love of books will always be something I do, it’s a huge part of who I am and what I’m passionate about, but it’s going to look a little different. For now, I’m going to change the structure of this newsletter so that it’s a little more intimate.
What does this mean for you? If you’re a free subscriber, you’ll get occasional newsletters with life and reading updates. Paid subscribers will receive monthly newsletters (like this one) with what I’ve been reading and loving, along with life musings. (So if you like what you’re reading here, make sure to become a paid subscriber!)
As always, thanks for reading!
A new year, a fresh start
I am excited to see how your newsletter unfolds and will continue to support your content! Thanks for your ongoing engagement, honesty, and reading recs (of all kinds, not just books!). Cheers
You've sold me on reading Wintering by Katherine May. It's been on my radar. Excited to see how your newsletter format changes and what you choose share in the future. Happy reading!