Hobonichi Geek-Out Section
Every year, Hobonichi does a month-long gradual unveiling of all of their upcoming offerings for the new calendar year. It’s a LOT of fanfare (and some people hate it).
I personally enjoy it immensely!! It’s a tiny treat to check the site every day and see what is new.
Today they revealed the “Colors” covers for 2026. I LOVE these color combos. And the names are delectable (aqua lime, airy flamingo, butterscotch, and honey lilac, to name a few).
My very first cover was a ‘Colors’ cover!
Do you love or hate this slooooooow launch strategy? Anyone else enamored by these colors (and color names)? I am a bit terrified as to what the pricing will look like this year (they got rid of free shipping over a certain amount, and I suspect tariffs/uncertainty around tariffs will inflate things further).
Finished: MMD Summer Reading Book #7
I put 19 (!) books on my “possibly to read this summer” list from Modern Mrs. Darcy, and I read #7 last night (my 2025 books list here). Not every single one of her picks was a win for me this season, but none were duds and I LOOOOOVED this one.
There was a lot of crying (for me) towards the end, and the entire reading experience was such a positive one for me. Definitely some very heavy topics (loss of a child, aging) but among my top picks for 2025 (joining: The Wedding People, Annie Bot, and Margo’s Got Money Troubles).
I am veering away from the MMD list once again to read Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend which I heard about on Currently Reading (the Listener Press ep) — it sounded like a fun palate cleanser which will be great after a heavy (but excellent) read.
Call: Another Split Weekend
Another colleague asked for coverage this weekend, and I decided to offer up my services and swap. This means that — of the 4 call weeks I have coming up — I’ve managed to split 3/4 of them (one was a swap I asked for, and the other two were requested by others)! In other words, I’ll cover Monday morning to Friday at 5 pm OR Friday 5 pm to Monday morning, but not both. I’m super happy about this.
Traditionally, we cover a week at a time, meaning 7 days in a row including nights (so: 168 hours). There is SOME value in continuity but I find it is outweighed, for me, by accumulating fatigue as there can multiple nights of interrupted sleep. I covered a (very busy) weekend a couple of weeks ago and it just feels so much more manageable to be in charge for a more limited period of time, even if (obviously) the downside is that the shorter stints will pop up more frequently.
Once we receive our schedule for 2026, I’m going to see if I can make some swaps to continue this pattern. I actually think it would be safer/healthier for everyone but others prefer to get it out of the way and . . . well, I am not in charge, ha.
For so many years I’ve tried to figure out how to stay grounded and calm while on call for 7 days and maybe the answer is actually . . . try to avoid being on call for 7 straight days as much as possible. Not sure why this revelation took a decade but I guess better late than never.
11 Comments
I LOVED The Correspondent! I’m so glad you liked it too. I was afraid I wouldn’t like a story entirely told in letters and emails, but I was very wrong. So, so good.
Glad you’ve discovered the “split call week” option. Sometimes if something isn’t working we just have to ask “Can I change this?” Of course it’s not always possible, but maybe your coworkers will get on board with this and you can do it more often.
The Wedding People was one of my favorite reads this year too! I think I’d enjoy the others you mentioned too–gotta get them on the TBR!
I started splitting my weekend 24h calls about 6 months ago and it is a huge improvement. Indeed I am so wiped out at the end of 10h I cannot recall how I made it through 24h. I fully support the idea of taking your pain in smaller doses.
It’s already out for next year? Wooo! I need to remember to order next time I go to US. Not sure if they ship to Brazil.
Orders are open 9/1 🙂 They spend all of August teasing out the details.
Hobonichi does appear to ship to Brazil. And apparently there’s an Italian store (Stylo + Stile) that ships to Brazil affordably as well 🙂
oh really? will check them out.
The Correspondent is currently the best book I’ve read this year! And this year I finally read Beartown (Backman), Sipsworth, All the Colors of the Dark…so many great books, but (to me, at least) The Correspondent is in a league of its own. I’ve also heard that the audio is excellent. I may re-read on audio next year. I just loved it so much. Glad it worked for you, too!
Obviously, did not mean to reply in this mini thread 🤦🏻♀️
I wholeheartedly agree with splitting call like what you’re doing being a better option than 7 days straight. There’s nothing worse than when the first night is crazy busy and then you’ve got the knowledge there’s 6 more nights to go. I’ve managed to negotiate 2/3 of my next endo on calls to be weekend cover and I’m so relieved.
I finished The Correspondent this week, too, and LOVED it! I gave it 5 stars and it will make my best books of 2024 list. I just loved Sybil and felt so much compassion for her. I love epistolary novels!
I can only imagine how the prices will adjust to account for tariffs…. Eeks.
I LOVED Zero stars do not recommend! It was an easy page turner, but still makes you think.