Whenever winter rolls around, I find myself wishing it was summer. I’d often imagine myself wearing oversized linen pants with a spaghetti strap tank top and my vintage sunglasses, sipping an ice-cold drink on a balcony overlooking the sea in the south of France. Sometimes, I’m in the Italian Riviera riding a boat to a resort or in the Maldives playing with sand. It depends. These days, however, I find myself leaning into the coldness, embracing the cozy winter — though it could also just be the fact that this winter has been pretty warm, thanks to global warming.
Every day, I put my diffuser on to make the space feel tranquil. Bergamot is my favourite scent, but I’ve run out of it, so I’m using the cheap peppermint essential oil I forgot I had. I use lamps to set the mood — and never the overhead light, for the love of God! Overhead lights are terrifying, and if you use them, especially at night, then you’re probably terrifying, too.
On grey afternoons, I curl up on the couch with my shabby throw blanket, a three-hour video of a fake fireplace playing on the television, and a book in hand. Sometimes, the video will run an ad because I’m too cheap to pay for YouTube Premium and too lazy to add an ad blocker. It doesn’t really bother me. As I settle into what I’m reading, I’m reminded that winter isn’t so bad.
Anyway, let’s talk about reading. I’ve set a goal not to buy any new books until I’ve finished reading the ones I already own — with the exception of rare or early edition secondhand books, in case something turns up. I didn’t think I’d find anything I would want to read, but a quick browse through my collection proved me wrong. Of course, I bought these books because I wanted to read them.
Here’s what I’ve read so far in 2024, what I’m currently reading, and what I want to read next.
Delicious! by Ruth Reichl
After going over countless edits for my forthcoming cookbook, I’ve felt like I lost steam. It was the first time in years I actually felt like I’d officially hit a wall with writing. I spent a lot of time couped up and hunched over my laptop, trying to write something for the newsletter, and nothing ever came until I started reading this book. As someone who writes about food a lot, I look to Ruth Reichl for inspiration. Needless to say, this book did not disappoint. It’s an easy read and exactly what I needed to be reminded of how food writing can be beautiful.
Circe by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles was one of my favourite books from last year, and I wanted to scratch the itch of reading a short fantasy book, so this was an obvious choice. Madeline Miller has a way of writing a character’s development like no other, and I couldn’t help but be completely engrossed by the world in which her characters live. Although I didn’t love this as much as The Song of Achilles, I could not stop reading it.
Down the Drain by Julia Fox
When Julia Fox said she was writing a masterpiece, she meant it. Fox is a great storyteller — and my God, what a life she’s had! This book is chaotic in all the right ways. From her life between New York and Italy to her messy relationships and challenging experiences, Fox writes a book overflowing with raw emotions. I have yet to finish reading this, but I already love how unapologetic she is when it comes to writing about her life.
The Novelist by Jordan Castro
I started reading this a few days ago, so I don’t have a fully formed opinion on what I like or don’t like about this. However, I am a sucker for books that talk about the internet. Within the first fifty pages, I can already relate to the protagonist who’s struggling to write his novel because he’s too distracted by Twitter.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
I bought this book for my fiance a couple of years ago, and he absolutely loved it. Written by the same author as The Martian, it follows a teacher-turned-astronaut who wakes up from a coma and has to figure out how to complete his mission — but first, he has to remember what it is. This book is being developed into a film starring Ryan Gosling, so this is definitely next on the list for me.
Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett
I believe this is a book that would be considered a “hot girl book,” so I obviously have to read it. From the author of Pond, this autofiction follows a young writer who finds herself through the books she’s reading.
Big Tune of the Week
I have not stopped listening to this song ever since I watched Victoria Monet’s Grammy speech a few weeks ago. Not only am I inspired, but this song is just too good.