The second first email
Let's try this again...
A little over a year ago I started a newsletter… and haven’t sent one since. *insert embarrassed emoji* So, I’m trying it again!
One of my favorite things to do is share the things I’m enjoying, things that are resonating with me, things I care about – no matter how big or small – in the hopes that it adds a little something to your life, too. And while I love using my Instagram account to do that, one of my goals this year is to spend a little less time on my phone. (And I’m sure I’m not the only one!)
What will I be putting in your inbox every month? This email will be a great way to catch up on what I’m sharing on @readwithkat, to get even more bookish content, and to find out what else I’m loving. And every once in a while, I might share a little something I wrote (but first I need to get back into a writing habit. Hopefully this will help me get there).
Now, the content you’re here for!
What I’m reading…
What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons – I’ve had this on my shelf for YEARS, so when Sara picked it for her Fiction Matters book club, it was just the motivation I needed to finally read it. And I’m so glad I did! It was a fast read, written in short vignettes, about a woman trying to wade through her grief after the death of her mother. It was such a vulnerable and honest story, I had to frequently remind myself that it wasn’t a memoir but a fictional story.
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw – There are quite a few short story collections gathering dust on my shelves, so this year I made it a goal to read one per month. I picked this up thanks to an interview with the author on The Stacks (if you aren’t already subscribed to this podcast, I highly recommend it) and absolutely loved it. The stories will stick with me for a long time, made up of complicated and memorable characters.
Latest book purchases…
Breath From Salt: A Deadly Genetic Disease, a New Era in Science, and the Patients and Families Who Changed Medicine by Bijal P. Trivedi – I’ve seen this book all over the cystic fibrosis (CF) community, but not much anywhere else. CF isn’t something that typically gets books written about it, so I’m eager to pick this one up. March 27 is also the 20-year anniversary of when I was diagnosed with CF, which feels like a huge milestone, and the perfect time to spend with this book, reflecting on these last 20 years.
The Brave by James Bird – Since March is all about middle grade, I thought I’d join in on @lifebetweenwords’ readalong, and the synopsis sounds fantastic.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. – This is one that’s been on my wish list for years, but after seeing that the audiobook was released on LibroFM I decided I’ll try listening to it.
Books on my preorder list…
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert (releases March 9) – This is the third in Hibbert’s Brown sister series (Get a Life, Chloe Brown and Take a Hint, Dani Brown were the first two) and it’s one I’ll probably drop whatever I’m reading to start as soon as it arrives. You don’t have to read the books in order, but it’s been fun to get to know each sister and see them reappear in the next books.
The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon (releases April 6) – I’ve read two of her other books, The Winter People (which is one of my all-time favorite atmospheric mysteries, perfect for, well, winter) and The Invited (which was also deliciously creepy) and I can’t wait to dig into this one.
Podcasts I’m loving…
What A Day – for my daily dose of news
Novel Pairings – for book recs that can get me to try new things
Things I’m cooking…
How Sweet Eats’ taco peppers – I make this at LEAST twice a month. They’re delicious and filling and make for great leftovers.
Bri McKoy’s sticky honey chicken – I’m not the biggest fan of cooking chicken, but it was worth it for this do-it-yourself takeout dish (and so easy!).
lots of quesadillas, english muffins with cream cheese, nachos (or really just cheese melted onto tortilla chips), veggies and ranch, mega stuf oreos… making meals at home is getting old, so whatever I have the energy to eat is a win.
What I’m watching…
Succession – My husband and I watched this together (it was a rewatch for him) and I’m not so patiently awaiting the third season.
A Teacher – I might have watched this in one sitting; content warning for all sorts of things.
Firefly Lane – Whether or not you read the book, this is a great show about a female friendship that spans over 30 years.
Links I’m clicking…
“Where’s the Vaccine for Ableism?” via The New York Times If you follow me anywhere on the internet, or are friends with me in real life, you know how enraged I’ve been by the vaccine rollout. As of this email, I am still not eligible for the vaccine in my home state, despite the fact that I live with a serious respiratory chronic illness that makes COVID potentially life threatening. This is a MUST READ, for everyone. Especially if you’re an able-bodied person.
Things bringing me joy…
my heated blanket – I spend almost all day wrapped up in it
an ice roller – SUPER helpful for my puffy morning face, tension headaches + migraines, and achy sinuses
this lounge set (sweatshirt + sweatpants) – These are the softest things I’ve ever put on my body, and come in super fun colors. I might have bought three… oops.
David’s Tea mocha matcha – I didn’t think I was a matcha person but this has convinced my otherwise (and it’s super fun to drink it out of their pretty glass mug).
THE cozy sweater (IYKYK, and if you don’t, you’ll want to) – I basically live in all things aerie these days (my other favorite is their hooded cardigan, basically a Zoom-meeting appropriate robe).
Happy weekend, book friends!
I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to let me know what YOU’ve been reading, eating, or loving this month. And thanks again for following along :)
* This email contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase.*
Great format! I always enjoy your suggestions re: anything really on Instagram so this is great.