Sometimes the first thing is the hardest thing. Mission accomplished ✅
I hope you enjoy this list of recommendations. Some tasting notes for this batch include: Vanity, renewal, melancholic, Mario Kart, and chocolate.
All aboard
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals – Oliver Burkeman
In Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, right before the earth is set to be destroyed to make way for an intergalactic highway, earthman Arthur Dent, is a bit shocked to be drinking three beers at lunchtime. His friend, Ford Prefect, who, unbeknownst to him, is from the planet Betelgeuse Five, responds to his concern, “Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.”
I think that sentiment is expressed well in Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks. If you’re lucky enough to make it to the average life expectancy of 76ish years, you’ll have lived for approximately 4000 weeks. In the grand scheme of human civilization (about 310,000 weeks), that’s barely a breath. Put up against the timeline of the universe…one’s tempted to embrace some light nihilism.
I don’t believe that's Burkeman’s intent in putting your numbered days into perspective, but if you haven’t thus far, it might be time to think about your infinitely small place in the universe. Don’t worry, all is vanity.
Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism – Fumio Sasaki
I listened to this in early 2022 and was open to the idea of getting rid of some stuff. Having watched a few episodes of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix, this book caught me at the right time.
Based on the admittedly little I know of minimalism, Sasaki’s flavor of it isn’t quite as extreme, but what he does do especially well is documenting the journey of his maximalist dismantling. He opens the drawers and cabinets, clears the shelves and surfaces, and proposes we take a long look at what things are worth keeping.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World – David Epstein
If you read my About Page and it resonated with you, this book is for you.
Epstein makes a case for the importance of generalists in different contexts, spending more time on professional environments, and how specialization can sometimes be a hindrance to progress. Provides several test cases and examples of how generalists often beat out specialists pound-for-pound.
Silence – Shūsaku Endō
I first heard about Silence from Karen Swallow Prior’s, On Reading Well, where she beautifully analyzed the complexities of faith and doubt in this story by Endō. When I saw that Scorsese was in the midst of filming an adaptation, I was ready to take the plunge.
A pair of Portuguese Jesuit missionaries travel to Japan in the early 17th century hoping to figure out what happened to their spiritual mentor. The rumor that made its way back to the monastery was that this pillar of faith had apostatized. Hoping to find the truth and encourage the persecuted Christians along the way, the two priests set out on a journey that calls into question everything they know and believe.
Something’s Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse and Freeing Yourself from its Power – Wade Mullen
I’m a little over halfway through this book but put it down because the situations and descriptions Mullen experienced and recounts were hitting a bit too close to home. Experienced in working with abuse victims, Mullen even encouraged readers to stop reading, something I’ve never been told by an author to do.
I took him up on his offer, but hope to finish this book this year. Mullen tells his own story of spiritual abuse in a faith community, providing eerily familiar anecdotes from his extensive research. If anything, this book helps readers begin to add language to the feelings they’ve had in their faith community; that something is just off.
Life Kit – Ready to make a change for New Year’s? Behavioral science can help
This newsletter is mostly motivated by a New Year’s resolution to write something this year. Excited to implement some of the changes discussed in this podcast.
This is Uncomfortable – Wife Strike
What started as a last resort on TikTok revealed far greater problems and inequalities in the home. Challenging and convicting when it comes to my own home contributions.
Still Processing – Alien Superstar
I really appreciated their take on NOPE and just how much more there was to this movie that I didn’t pick up on.
Kingdom Roots – Stained Glass Ceilings: How Evangelicals Do Gender and Practice Power with Lisa Weaver-Swartz
I’m sure Stained Glass Ceilings will make an appearance on a future weekly catch as I make my way through my 2023 reading list. I’m glad more people with expertise in fields like sociology, psychology, and history are beginning to address the problems in the greater evangelical ecosystem.
Joji SMITHEREENS
Broody, stripped down, and melancholic. Also just under 25 minutes.
Stormzy This is What I Mean
I’m late to the Stormzy train but glad I came across this album. Contributions from polymath Jacob Collier are a joy and Stormz' blend of lyricism and buttery vocals are superb.
CASIOPEA CASIOPEA
All of the thrill of playing Mario Kart without the anger and ruined relationships.
Turnstile GLOW ON
Punchy and fun to listen to. Check out their Tiny Desk as well.
Was not ready for this one but loved every minute. Built to chaotic heights that came crashing down in flames.
A family, their ranch, and its legacy. An aging child actor and his trauma. And an alien. (Listen to Still Processing recommendation above post-watch.)
Propagating Pothos from Cuttings
Currently have two brand new plants propagating because of this video and someone telling me I shouldn’t let our pothos plants’ vines get too long.
Modern Makeovers: Building a Home for a Lonely Drawer
I watched all of Modern Makeovers videos in one day because I had to see what he was going to do next. I was always surprised and delighted.
Samin Nosrat’s Midnight Chocolate Cake
Sometimes you just need to bake something to feel a little in control. I used a cream cheese frosting but I’m confident the ganache mentioned in this recipe would be even better.
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If I put you on to something in this list, or you like what I’m sharing, tell me about it!
See you next week for another catch.