Everything I'm loving lately

02. a poet's guide to books, podcasts, film & life's little joys

Nov 06, 2024

Hi loves, thank you for being here.

I’m coming to you with a new list of random (interesting, soothing, fascinating) recommendations — a poet’s guide to goodies for you to consume. We have recent reads, podcast interviews, writing advice, and some high strangeness for you.

As usual, none of that brain-rotting stuff here, thank you very much.

Let’s dive in.

Books

I’ve loved these gems lately:

Let Us Believe In the Beginning of the Cold Season by Forough Farrokhzad — recommended in my Fall Into These Reads: My Autumn Booklist post, this is one of my favorite poetry collections of all time. It’s lusty, frank, and searingly honest.
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas — this is the second book in Maas’ Throne of Glass series and it was so, so much better than the first book. Characters evolve, we see more magic, and the plot starts falling together while the world-building deliciously expands.
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon’s Hunt for UFOs by Luis Elizondo — Luis is a former intelligence agent for the Pentagon, and this book is a doozy. It’s hit the New York Times bestseller list and been featured on major news networks and The Daily Show. It’s also most likely sparked the tentative Congressional hearing this coming November 13th.
I’ve learned I don’t really like reading nonfiction, I prefer listening to the audiobooks — so that’s what I did here (via Spotify). I enjoyed it, especially since Lue narrates it himself.

Podcasts and YouTube videos

Some vlogs, interviews, and video essays I’ve been enjoying lately:

A week in my cosy life in Skye, Scotland by Caroline McQuistin— I’ve recently stumbled across Caroline’s channel, and I am obsessed. I love Scotland and Caroline has such a calming, down-to-earth energy. Her videos, with the gorgeous backdrop of Skye, are captivating. If you’re into calm, soothing, pretty vlogs, give her a try.
A cozy and productive day in my life as a writer by Christy Anne Jones — it’s my dream to one day call myself a writer as my full-time occupation, so I always enjoy popping in and watching writers take me along on a typical day in their life. Christy’s video was cozy, insightful, and inspiring.

CIA Whistleblower Sitting On Biggest UFO Secrets [Lue Elizondo Interview] by Jesse Michels — it’s long, but it’s good and thorough. If you don’t want to bog yourself down with reading Imminent, I do suggest at least listening to this interview. Jesse digs deeper than a lot of other interviews Lue has done on his promotional circuit. Highly suggest listening if you’re trying to tap in to what’s going on right now with all things high strange and its relation to the US government.

Bethany Joy Lenz: One Tree Hill & Escaping a Cult by Call Her Daddy — I’m late to the Call Her Daddy podcast, but this interview was super interesting to me. I grew up loving One Tree Hill, so it’s fascinating to see what Bethany was dealing with in the background, and I’m also lowkey fascinated with cults… so, perfect recipe for me to dial in. I liked the banter between the two and how vulnerable Bethany is in this interview too.
Anna Kendrick: Pitch Perfect, Twilight & Relationships by Call Her Daddy — sorry folks, back-to-back CHD suggestions, but this ties in with my movie recommendation below for Woman of the Hour. If you watch the movie, or listen to this interview, I encourage you to do the reverse too.

Shows, Films & Documentaries

Woman of the Hour — okay, let me start by saying, I’m a true crime junkie, but I’m not a fan of ‘reenactments’ of actual crime events. I prefer documentaries, or docuseries, so we can study and learn. The idea of giving more fame and attention to individuals who have wrought such pain in this world gives me the ick. The great thing is, it apparently gives Anna Kendrick (who directed this) the ick too, because she donated her profits to charities Rainn (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and the National Centre for Victims of Crime.
ALL OF THIS BEING SAID, I recommend this movie. I think what I loved so much about Woman of the Hour is that it focuses on the ‘fawn’ response, which is more common for women to lean into when in danger. I don’t feel like that response type is highlighted enough as 1) normal and 2) a very real thing. Because it’s directed by a woman, I think it captures these events in a more accurate tone. I’m not sure a man would have directed this quite the same way. It’s subtle, but at least for me, as a woman, you can tell when the female characters on screen have registered they are in danger. It’s in their eyes, the slight change in body language, and it actually made me quite emotional as unfortunately, (while I (hopefully) have never encountered a serial killer) I’ve had my fair share of scary encounters with men.
Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter — this documentary messed me up, so I’m not sure I enjoyed it, but it stayed with me for days afterwards and I’m so, so proud of humans who never give up on the missing. May we bring everyone home.
Apollo 13: Survival — this story is incredible. I remember my dad and I watching Apollo 13 with Tom Hanks when I was growing up, but this documentary is much better (in my opinion). I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that they had less than 10% chance of survival. It illustrates how amazing humanity can be when we put our minds together (and mix in a bit of luck).
Simone Biles Rising — I included this in my first Everything I’m loving lately post, and I’m happy to report the final 2 episodes were just released. I love women empowerment, I love a woman taking back her narrative, and it’s just done so well. A big thank you to Simone for allowing us a glimpse into her journey.

Substack Gems

In this latest EILL edition, I want to shout out some recent Substack pieces I gobbled up that left a lasting impression on me. Here, we have some writing advice, art talks, poetry, discussions about the internet, and a great essay about throwing a book launch party that I wish I had read when I launched my poetry collection, Earth Tides.

How to start a poem: a practical antidote to writer’s block by Maria Giesbrecht
Danielle McKinney’s Art: women at ease, relaxed and unguarded by Janet Asante Sullivan
chat gpt describes me post mortem [a poem] by Sonja Ringo
I kind of hate the internet lately: overconsumption fatigue, loss of identity, and why is everything an ad now? by Emily Kurc
how to throw a great book launch party: you never know when you might need this by Erifili Gounari

Life’s little joys

Hiking in Bryce Canyon and feeling like I’m on Mars
Sleepovers with my mom and sister
Adults in Halloween costumes and everyone letting their silly out
Organizing poems in Scrivener
Gluten-free pumpkin cheesecake
Early voting!
Balsam fir scented candles
Feeling the pull to curl up & immerse myself in books again

What have you been loving lately? The world can be a dark place, but identifying the small joys often reminds me of how lovely it is to breathe.

Until next time…

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