A Random List of Things I'm Into Right Now
Because we all need a pause to the chaos
I interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to give you a very random list of the things I’m into right now.
I’m doing this partly for my sanity. This past week in the world of the rise of fascism in our country has been pretty shitty, and I think we all need a moment to pause and think about the things that bring you joy.
So, I’m going to take a short break from the things that are frustrating and angering give you a super random list of things I’m into. Some are related to the topics I discuss here, and some are not at all. I have gotten great recommendations for products, activities, and books from political influencers who like to go off-topic every once in a while, so I figured y’all might be interested in something like this.
I’ll note that no one has paid me for these recommendations. These are all just things I will freely share with you, just because.
I’ll be back next week with a special edition for the Great ShakeOut, but this week, you get a fun list. So here goes…
Trader Joe’s Black Soft Licorice Twists
I begin with a controversial topic: black licorice. You either love it or hate it, and I am very much in the love-it camp, as is my husband. And lately, we have not been able to go without our semi-sweet treat after dinner in the evenings, and I get a little panicked when we’re near running out because it means I need to brave the perennially awful parking situation at TJ’s. But it’s worth it for the “chews.”
“What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking” by Caroline Chambers
This has been the best everyday cookbook I have ever had! I found
by way of her Substack of the same name, , and when I found out last year that she was publishing a cookbook, I immediately pre-ordered it.Listen, I love to cook and I take pride in getting a tasty meal on the table as many days of the week as I can. But with the school year (and therefore after-school activities) in full swing, I don’t have time to spend on an evening of meal-making. This helps me put a really good meal on the table in far less time than I normally would.
If you are the primary cook of the family, as I am, this is for you! It is organized by length of cooking time (15, 30, and 45 minutes), and they legitimately take that amount of time (which I can’t say the same for many of the NY Times Cooking recipes). The book is full of simple hacks, one-pot and sheet-pan meals, and hot tips that make cooking easier while not compromising on flavor.
Fredrik Backman
One of my writing group friends sent this video to our group a couple of weeks ago, and it just delighted me.
Swedish writer, Fredrik Backman also happens to be one of my favorite authors. Anxious People, in particular is just a beautiful and funny book about the everyday challenges of just being human. And the way in which these people come together is absurd and hilarious.
This made me pick up one of his books that I found in a Little Free Library, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry and it’s another beautiful and funny reflection on the human condition through a cast of eclectic characters that you just want to hug. While there are slow-moving plots, the charm and character contained within the characters and their interactions makes his books page-turners for me.
I’ll note that Beartown (a book about a scandal in a hockey-obsessed town in rural Sweden) is also exceptional, but it’s much more serious than his others. Yet still completely dedicated to the characters.
WeRateDogs on Instagram
I’ve always liked dogs, but then we adopted a mature dog, one Yodi Doerr, several years ago, I officially became a full-fledged dog person. Now, as an official dog person and I just need to take a moment out of the chaos of the world, I go to @weratedogs on Instagram for heartwarming silly dog content. Bonus is they raise money to help care dogs who need medical care and they have unabashedly progressive politics — woot.
Check out these Dogs of the Week:
Clothing Rental
I have a confession: I’m addicted to shopping. For those long-time subscribers, I’ve mentioned this before and I’ve even gone on a journey to rein in my clothing consumption. For the most part, I’ve kept to the sustainability principles: mostly buying consignment or thrifted clothes with the occasional sustainable wool item here and there. But the no-buy year is long behind me and I give myself a B-/C+ when it comes to sticking with some of the principles. And in the past few months, I’ve realized the need to make an earnest effort to buy less.
While in this moment of mentally surveying the contents of my closet and bank account, my sister started renting designer clothing with this Seattle-based company called Armoire. I have another friend who has been doing this with them for a couple years and loves it. Yet I never though it made sense for me. I work from home and often wear the same damn thing every day, but still, I fill my closet with clothes I only wear on occasion. Abigail’s experience made me want to try it out!
Over a month in and I can confirm that it hits all the right buttons. My husband (who wears cords and a concert t-shirt whenever he’s not wearing scrubs) doesn’t get it, of course, but it has successfully help curb my habits and I’ve already stopped my incessant Poshmark scrolling. I’ve already spent less on clothes and haven’t been tempted to buy the Armoire clothes they offer at a discount.
Also, the sustainability impact is an incredible way to avert the fast fashion industry and Armoire is exceptional at ensuring their impact is low. I also love that it’s a Pacific Northwest-based, woman of color-owned business.
If this is something you’re into, my referral link here gives you up to 50% off your first month + a couple bonus items (or you can use code “cramming” at checkout).
Our Fish, Ramen Chopsticks
This summer, after fish-sitting for his cousin, Finch was hooked. So we agreed to get him a fish after completing his summer reading challenge and thus, we have the newest member of our family: a betta fish named Ramen Chopsticks.
I don’t know what has happened to me, but apparently I’ve grown quite attached because I’ve actually said “he’s so cute” out loud multiple times. About a fish.
Last week, Ramen had some kind of episode where he was less sprightly than usual. So much so that I took his water to get tested at the pet store prompting us to do a deeper clean than normal and adding an almond leaf that apparently adds tannins to the water which bettas apparently like. So now we are fish people. And it has sent me down a rabbit hole of the idea of creating a whole ecosystem of fish tanks or getting into “aquascapes.”
I mean, look at these:
Quirky Mysteries and Detective Novels
What do you read when you’re overwhelmed by the lack of certainty and chaos of a fascist government and need a break from doom-scrolling? Mysteries and detective novels! Over the last few weeks, one of the two books I’ve been reading at any given time (I always have a hard copy and an audiobook going), it’s been in this category.
Yes, there’s always a murder. But somehow there’s comfort in knowing that it will be solved. At least for the most part.
I definitely have a bit of questioning around whether appreciating the genre is complicit in police violence. However, I’m starting to realize there’s probably not a coincidence that every single one I’ve read as of late takes place outside of the U.S. aside from maybe God of the Woods which I don’t know would be considered in the same category as there’s much more than an investigation, but it takes place in the 1970s and honestly it’s just an incredible book y’all should read.
With that, here’s the rundown of what I’ve read that you might like:
Deadly Maybe by Phillip Mottaz: This book is about The Gallagher bros of Oasis accidentally reuniting and having to solve a murder. It’s so funny and witty and Phillip absolutely nails the Mancunian accent. The sequel (What’s the Story) Dead & Gory is available for pre-order as we speak! Fun note: Deadly Maybe was published the literal week the Oasis reunion tour was announced, so we could maybe say that Phillip is a little psychic.
Adrian McKinty’s Detective Sean Duffy series: This is the series that got me started on this recent detective/mystery kick. It’s not “cozy” like some of the others, in fact, it’s pretty dark as it takes place during a dark time, The Troubles of Northern Ireland. The series starts in 1981 and in the 8th book (released this year), takes place in the early 90s following Detective Duffy—a maverick, impulsive, and charming yet quite flawed detective from the Royal Ulster Constabulary—through his career. It’s also an eduction in a truly dark time and place and the factions that arise in a civil war.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: A group of older folks in an upscale retirement community in England meet every week (thursdays) to solve cold cases and then all of a sudden get to help solve multiple in-real-time murders. It’s charming and funny and makes you think about about the trials and tribulations of aging.
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz: Also taking place in England, this one is clever as it is a book within a book and you get caught in the middle of two separate whodunnits and it’s charming and different and apparently there’s another one.
The Three Pines books by Louise Penny: If you’re looking for a tried and true cozy mystery series, these are for you. I’m in the middle of the first book Still Life, so I can’t speak for them all, but they’re centered around the kind, empathetic, and brilliant Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Québec, Armand Gamache. My mom has been trying to get me to read these for years and I read half of Still Life in a day this weekend, so I guess I’m into them :).
I have a lot more things I’m into, but I’ll leave you with those.
Now, it’s your turn! What are YOU into that brings you joy and solace right now?