What I'm Into (January 2014 Edition)
01/31/2014
I'm a fan of January. It's my birthday month. It's the start of a new year. It's a great opportunity to drink champagne and toast the future. To snuggle under blankets and read good books while the wind blows cold outside. To drink copious amounts of tea and cook vats of chili and soup. To dream about the days ahead.
Read and Reading:
Hamlet's Blackberry (Powers) is a fascinating look at the intersection of technology and connection, as well as how we can do better. Great food for thought, as well as insightful and practical suggestions. I haven't stopped thinking about it. I plan on reading Alone Together (Turkle) next.
This may be a case of reading the right book at the right time but I straight up loved The Interestings (Wolitzer). I related to the main character in so many ways, in spite of never having attended an arts and craft camp. (Incidentally, I think she's an Enneagram type 4. Hence, all the relating.) The exploration of friendship from their teens to middle-age was enthralling. Why do some friendships endure and others don't? How do you navigate each other's successes and failures? It's also a fascinating look at what happens when your career aspirations don't pan out and life doesn't look the way you expected it would- especially when your friends have had good fortune along the way.
The Selection (Cass) is like a cross between the Book of Esther in the Bible and the Bachelor. With a side of dystopia. Fascinating premise, engaging content. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this YA trilogy.
I'm looking forward to discussing God Has A Dream (Tutu) at The Red Couch next month. My introductory post will be up next week.
You can see all the books I've read at Goodreads.
Currently reading: Hazardous (Cyzewski), Written Together (Mallon), Eat With Joy (Stone), Feast (Lawson), The Gift of Being Yourself (Benner), Where Many Rivers Meet (Whyte), Wisdom of the Enneagram (Riso and Hudson), Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief (Wright)
(I read 14 books this month. This is what happens when I get not 1 but 2 colds in the same month.)
TV:
Must-see TV: Psych, Downton Abbey, Sherlock, The Vampire Diaries, Reign, Once Upon A Time, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Go ahead and judge: I'm watching 100 Days of Summer. The people on the show don't represent the Chicago I know and love but it's a Bravo show and I get a kick out of seeing where they film in my favorite city.
Anyone else watched Being Mary Jane? I've caught a couple of episodes. The Big Picture premise of the show intrigues me but I wish there wasn't an infidelity storyline. We'll see if I keep up with it.
SHERLOCK.
I finished the second season of Friday Night Lights and then put the series on hold again. It's for a good cause: I'm watching Veronica Mars for the very first time. HOW ON EARTH HAVE I NOT WATCHED SOONER? I finished the first season last weekend and am an unabashed fangirl now. It should surprise no one that I'm rooting for Logan. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie, even though it could be a while before it comes to Nashville. *sob*
Music:
New discoveries: A Great Big World
Mainly I've been keeping Patty Griffin, Fitz and the Tantrums, and Sarah Jarosz in steady rotation.
Listen to the What I'm Into 2013 Spotify playlist. The What I'm Into 2014 playlist is getting started.
Things I Love:
- My best friend Tracy Eckert is selling these awesome necklaces on Etsy. Each purchase goes toward funding their domestic adoption. She gave me one for Christmas and I wear it ALL THE TIME. I've also bought a few for birthday presents and hostess gifts. I cannot wait to meet the newest addition to their family.
- Champagne with Abby and Emily
- Birthday dinner at City House with some of my favorite people
- All the birthday messages and cards. I felt infinitely loved!
- Taking more friends through the Enneagram. It gives me such a high to help them figure out their type and then learn more about it.
- Best friend reunion weekend! So great to have Erin and her family in town for a long weekend. Loved snuggling the baby and playing with KK. Loved the time that Tracy, Erin, and I got to have to ourselves. Loved dancing in the street to Ben Folds.
- White chocolate-covered bacon. Oh my.
- Getting to know Melissa Greene. We both write for Deeper Story and live in Nashville so we figured we should hang out. This was an excellent decision.
- SereneTeaz Ginger Cider (from a shop in my hometown) and Stash Ginger Breakfast Tea. The ginger kick continues!
- A few months ago, I bought a canvas and leather tote bag from Dawna Paris. It is exactly what I wanted! I'm amazed by how much I can fit inside. Especially great for traveling.
- I went to an Essential Oils party and found it to be fascinating. I have friends that are really into it but this was the first time I heard a whole presentation and got to smell and use the oils. I'm going to give a few a try, adding to my arsenal against eczema and sleep troubles.
Favorite Instagram:
"My dearest friends (who I refer to as my Life Council) surprised me with this this luminescent tea set [for my birthday]. Gorgeous. I look at it and remember how much they love me and I love them."
(This incidentally is something I LOVE. I am still blown away by the surprise.)
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What have you been into this month?
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