The (Mostly) Liked List: Vol. 1
February 9, 2025
As I mentioned in The One About Logistics, I wanted to start a new column on this here Substack, where I talk about things that aren’t just books! And! Here! We! Are! with The (Mostly) Liked List, where I’ll share things that I’m reading that aren’t books, things that have caught my eye, and things that are bringing me small joys. We all need as much joy as possible, so why not now to start this?
The others are reading, needlepointing, and doomscrolling, to be honest.
What I’m Reading Offline
After finishing Onyx Storm and needing a break from *waves hands around* literally everything happening off the page, I turned to an old comfort trope: Regency Romance. In the last 10 days, I’ve read pretty much everything that Alexandra Vasti has written in this space — and enjoyed it immensely. Strong female leads, laugh out loud moments, swoony men who take a back seat to our female leads. All in all, some of my favorite things. I also went back to one of my favorite series, The Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig and read the book that started it all, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation.
Finally, I read Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey, and honestly, I feel kind of grossed out by it. More to come, I promise.
Up next: I’m leaning towards The Life Cycle of The Common Octopus in hard copy and Deep End in e-book form. Yes, I like to have multiple books going at once. Yes, I know this is crazy. Yes, I am who I am.
As a reminder, you can see everything I’ve read this year right here!
What I’m Reading Online
I know everyone is starting a Substack right now (I can’t judge, I am one of you), but I am really enjoying engaging with some of the following creators on this app:
Friend of a friend Joann has started a newsletter, Loose Buttons, a newsletter on art and fashion and interior design, and I am loving it. Her post, What do we wear to the revolution?, has had me thinking for days.
I’ve enjoyed diversifying my news sources in the current administration — there’s so much news to keep up with! — and am relying on Emily in Your Phone, The Parnas Perspective, and The Contrarian to keep me the right amount of engaged.
My friend (and former co-worker) Jirair’s post about the current moment of reckoning we were in was sobering and optimistic.
This attempt by book influencers to predict the next big thing in books was fascinating.
As someone who worked for two federal agencies on global HIV/AIDS issues, I have been horrified seeing what is happening at USAID. I’m not only seeing my friends impacted, but it is terrifying to see the world become a less safe place place. Many people don’t know the wonderful work done by the United States Agency for International Development — no judgment! I didn’t either until I worked with them! — and I found this to be a nice primer to get yourself informed.
It is Black History Month, and I keep revisiting this list put together by Anne Bogel at Modern Mrs. Darcy about the best books to celebrate BHM any time of year.
What I’m Coveting
I really shouldn’t be coveting anything, since I went a little wild at the Tuckernuck Sample Sale and have just been preordering needlepoint canvases like its going out of style, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been window shopping:
I’m going on a cruise with some friends in April, and while I should be thinking about clothes, let’s be real — I’m thinking about crafts. Really, I want a reason to buy this bracelet making kit from Bauble Bar. It’s too cute.
A record player! A friend grabbed the TTPD Anthology album for me, and I also have pre-ordered Noah Kahan at Fenway, but I have nowhere to play them. A few friends have recommended this Victrola as an entry level record player, but I am always taking suggestions!
Beyond that, I'm indulging in my favorite hobby of clowning about Taylor Swift and hoping for a surprise appearance during Kendrick’s half-time show at the game this weekend. (editor’s note: I probably won't actually watch the game but also Go Birds!)
What I’m Writing
I did some (fun) spiraling about dragons over in Fantasy Land, and since those posts didn’t get emailed out, I wanted to include them here:
Book Club: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (MANY spoilers)
What I’m Liking Most of All (a.k.a. moments of small joy from this week)
The Welsh 5 taking Orlando on TikTok
Shorts weather in February
This preview for a new Kate Hudson show on Netflix — sports, comedy, smart women? Sign me up. (Let’s be real, I’ll probably watch this in three years).
My new planner system using pages from Little Birdie Canada, whose Tiktoks I have found soothing for years. It reminds me of a star chart for adults, and my goodness, that’s the kind of energy I need right now.
Happy Sunday, friends! Let’s hope for less chaos in the next week.