This is my weekly series for subscribers only, where I’ll share things that caught my eye this week in a fun and flirty way (kiss), a sustainable way (marry), or a not-so-good way (kill). And yes, this trendy game is technically “f***, marry, or kill” but we run a family-friendly-ish show around here.
Kiss (things I like right now)
📕 The Fountain, Casey Scieszka (←read with my eyes)
If you loved The Library at Mount Char, this book is for you. I so rarely get to say that, because Library is unique in its batshit craziness. While The Fountain wasn’t quite as dark and gruesome, it’s deliciously close.
Vera Van Valkenburgh is immortal—not for lack of trying. After centuries of loneliness and one terrifying experience in the desert, Vera is desperate to find the source of her immortality in the hopes of reversing it. The quest brings her back to her childhood home, a rural town in the Catskills. When her (also immortal) brother shows up with his new girlfriend… all hell breaks loose.
Vera is one of the most compelling characters I’ve come across in quite some time. As you’d imagine, living for that long, you’d likely acquire a spectacular set of skills and knowledge. She constantly to surprise me in fascinating ways. The story is the epitome of “show don’t tell,” and several of the scenes (including the opener) drops you straight into deep end. And the surprises keep on coming, right up until the very last line of the book. And y’all, it is the MOST PERFECT last line I have ever read. I literally gasped. Then I had to go back and re-read the last few pages, to relish the last line all over again! It’s f***ing pristine. I remain in awe.
I immediately went to see if the author had other fiction books—alas, she does not. Yet, I hope! I’ll pre-order anything she puts out now.
📕 How To Be Good at Life, Ben Meer (← read with my eyes)
You get two books today! My publisher sent me this one as an advance copy; it was just released last week. (I wanted to share it during pub week, but I was so sick last week.) I’ll be honest… I didn’t expect to like this one. I’m not a big self-help book person at this point in my life. I’ve done so much therapy and read so many of these books in the past—most of the time, I read one and think, “Yep, I already do all of that.” But the subtitle is Simple Systems to Achieve More & Stress Less, and as someone who adores systems, I was immediately intrigued. And I was wrong! I loved it!
The first thing I noticed is that this book is practical as hell for everyday people in everyday scenarios. (Noah’s story about breaking up with a cheating ex, then feeling lost in his new apartment, was one of my favorites. Everyone can relate!) I also love how he carries certain stories from chapter to chapter. That really helps you see how you can apply his framework at every stage.
Also, he quotes Byron Katie, who is my personal growth ride-or-die! The self-limiting belief section alone is worth its weight in gold. There is also a whole section on routines—he’s speaking my language. (He uses a 90-day framework; I use 30 days. Either way, we’re in alignment with how to set the right goal.) In truth, I pulled so many energizing, motivating tidbits from this book that I’m already applying in my real life. Reverse engineering? Pattern-matching? They’re not totally new concepts, but he explains them in such an actionable way that I found myself excited to tackle a work issue I’ve been procrastinating.
Ben’s book promises to teach you “how to be good at life.” Honestly, I was surprised at how well he made good on that promise, through so many different mechanisms. Whether you’re struggling with a big project, trying to navigate a big stressor, looking to implement a new habit (ahem, January Whole30?), or just want to level up the parts of your life that feel stagnant, I’m confident that How To Be Good At Life will get you there.
⚡ Lightning-fast travel charging block
In researching my trip to Japan, I came across a number of recommendations to pack one or two portable charging blocks. I’ll be using Google Maps, translation apps, and GoTaxi a lot, plus taking a ton of photos and videos. All of that can drain a battery fast, and I’d hate to be stuck somewhere without Maps to guide me to the right train.
But not all charging blocks are created equal! I have one (a gift from a brand at Expo West) that charges my phone back up to 80% in like 30 minutes! But my other charging blocks are heavier, bulkier, and much slower.
