1- The fires. I haven’t written about the LA-area fires this week, but the news has been swirling in my mind and weighing on my heart since I heard about them starting and rapidly spreading earlier this week (initially from the medical student rotating with us, who is from there). Like many reading this (I’m sure), I have multiple friends and family members in nearby areas who are terrified and breathing smoky air. Yesterday, I just heard from a friend who lost her entire house in Altadena – I can’t imagine how incredibly emotional a sudden loss like that would feel, and how hard the recovery must be. I am sure many of those reading here are impacted, either directly or via loved ones. Just donated this morning, and if anyone need a list of options for supporting those impacted, here is a non-paywalled article with suggestions from the LA Times. (I chose their first option, the LAFD Fund.)
Thinking of everyone impacted and hoping things will reach a turning point / resolution very very soon.
2- Two unexpected podcast pairings that worked for me:
- Tim Ferriss x Dr Becky Kennedy. I KNOW! Dr Becky does not always resonate with me, but somehow this combo worked (or maybe I was just in the right headspace for it at the time). Either way, I really liked the episode and felt encouraged by it.
- Ezra Klein x Oliver Burkeman. I think Ezra asked some good questions, and Oliver always makes me think.
3- Sometimes I need this reminder:
From James Clear’s weekly newsletter. I think he meant this as applied to yourself, but I can also use this advice as applied to others. I want to do a better job at acknowledging small victories all around me (in my kids, colleagues, friends, even random people).
4- “Best Books” round–ups I will be using as fodder for my 2025 TBR:
- Lisa’s Best of 2024 Post
- Sarah J’s Best of 2024 Post
- What Should I Read Next’s Best of 2024 Episode (love the format of Anne being interviewed by her husband Will)
- Currently Reading Best of 2024 Episode
- Feel free to add your own lists/links below
I hope 2025 will be a great reading year for me! I feel like it will be.
5- Goals/life updates: I have an Invisalign consult tomorrow (yes Saturday – apparently someone cancelled) and I survived my first strength training workout at the semiprivate training gym! It was challenging but great overall and the trainer (he also owns the business/gym) seems incredibly thoughtful and knowledgeable. I can also tell how much I needed it (I really used to be stronger than I am right now — and I want that strength back!). I’m glad I got over my fears and tried it and plan on continuing 2x/week for the time being.
9 Comments
yaay! Love to see our podcast on your list! (I’m Roxanna, show regular on Currently Reading!)
WOWWWW!!! super cool! I don’t listen to every ep but I love it! I will listen for you now!
OMG! Roxanna! I’m such a fan of the podcast and am also a patreon member!!
Thanks for sharing best 2024 podcasts, I’m catching up 😄
The news out of California is so devastating. I’ve been living under a rock and not watching the news/reading anything besides financial news so I didn’t know this was happening until yesterday. I work with a lot of people in Southern CA. How terrible for your friend that lost their home. I can’t even imagine.
Thanks for sharing my best of post! It was so fun to put together and I had the hardest time narrowing it down to 12! There are lots of great recs in our patreon thread, too.
Long time blog and podcast and book fan of yours and Laura’s. Our home was only one block away from being in the fire. Thank you so much for donating. So many of our friends lost everything and need support. I linked my friends go fund me pages in case you want to pass along.
thank you Laura. My heart goes out to your friend and how terrifying for you. I hope it’s all over soon.
Thank you for curating and sharing these lists with us. I found many gems for my kids through Currently Reading podcast’s multiple season lists. Thanks for the podcast links as well. I am also curious if you have a favorite bookstore, independent or not, that you go to discover new books. I just bought and devoured Rachel Kushner’s Creation Lake for the staff had recommended it at a small ski town bookstore and two skiers were talking about how thrilling it was to read it. Really random, but curious if also make such analog discoveries.
Oh I WISH! There isn’t really one near me 🙁 Books & Books is great but it’s 45+ min away in Miami. I do go to Barnes & Noble from time to time (we are members) bc that is the closest physical bookstore, at least that I know of! I read a lot on print but often from the library!