This week, I’m thinking about books and lists. I bet in 417 issues I’ve started the newsletter with those two topics at least a dozen times (I could check, but I’d rather just estimate) When I asked you all how you tackle keeping track of books you want to read, there were lots of thoughts, many of them chaotic and many of them hopeful for a solution.
I’m sorry to report I did not unearth a great solution.
The main takeaway for me was that many folks identified themselves as “mood readers”, which was not something I’d ever considered about myself. A mood reader is defined as “someone who chooses materials to read according to their feelings and emotions in any given moment” I had not thought of this as a category because how else does one pick a book beyond feeling in the mood to read it? (Truthfully, I am most influenced by my library holds and what becomes available and THEN what I am in the mood for, assuming I have a choice)
I did a little digging, I discovered that there are people who classify themselves as “seasonal readers” (snowy books in the winter or beach books in the summer) “Genre readers” who read through a set of books in a single genre. TBR list/planned readers who stick to a list which is similar to “goal readers” and I guess do not deviate even if they lose interest? How does that even work?!
So ultimately, I am confused about these reader types and have no solution for how to keep my lists organized. I guess I’ll just call this a work in progress.
This week in reading. . .
The Truants was good enough, it had one too many twists for me and dragged a bit towards the end. Now I am reading Trespasses, which I am enjoying.
This week in listening. . .
My colleague Amanda Mull being great on Forever 35.
This week in TV. . .
So much baseball, guys. It has been relentless. I promise I am not complaining about my team making it to the World Series, but also, I watched baseball more nights than not in recent weeks. The break between the ALCS and the WS was amazing. I am too old for this stress! Last night was terrible. I’m in mourning.
This week in a gif. . .
This week in movies. . .
Perfect Days was such a quiet, melancholy, beautiful film.
This week in a newsletter. . .
Sara Sadek on who owns our time.
Lindsey Stanberry on the cost of vacations.
Caroline Cala Donofrio on falling in love with her new dog. . .sort of.
Elena Sheppard on being spread too thin.
I have no need to take such detailed notes of what I’m reading, but that didn’t stop me from being fascinated by Brandon Taylor’s annotation methods.
This week in google searches. . .
what constitutes a strudel
what is trunk or treat
mike tyson age
This week in one good thing. . .
Seeing all my friend’s kid’s costumes! So cute! So creative!
This week in a quote. . .
“It is wise to not make a God of anything that can crumble in your hands.” - Hanif Aabdurraqib
This week in artsy stuff and photo things. . .
Cooking with Pixar - so so cute.
Gahhhh, I love a diorama.
These logos redesigned in 80’s style.
This week in an Editor's Note. . .
By the next issue, the election will have happened. Please vote. Read up on the various measures that are on your ballot
This week on the internet. . .
I loved loved loved this essay by Joshua Rothman on everyday photography.
Incredible: The United States Abortion Mazes.
I live for this level of petty.
Work spouses are going extinct because of WFH.
me, being absolutely ATTACKED,
Leonor
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