a beginners guide...
mellow week, book recommendations and a few other things
Hi friends -
Happy Tuesday.
I hope you’re doing well today.
Since the last time we spoke, I have fallen more in love with the Giveon album. I went to a beautiful wedding and saw one of my friend’s marry the love of his life, and also spent much of the weekend engulfed in all things WNBA All-Star weekend including the Studbudz 72-hour stream. It was a good time.
With that, this week’s newsletter is a little on the shorter side. There wasn’t much music I was checking for last week, but let’s get into this week’s edition.
📚 READING RECOMMENDATIONS THIS WEEK:
Last week, I recommended the Beginners' Guide to Dying by Simon Boas as one of the books I was excited to read. While the book was released in 2024, it was published in the U.S. last week, and it proved to be an interesting, short, and sweet read. Here is the description of the book:
In his mid-40s, aid worker Simon Boas was diagnosed with incurable cancer–it had been caught too late, and spread throughout his body. But he was determined to die as he had learned to live–optimistically, thinking the best of people, and prioritizing what matters in life. Deemed "a funny, touching meditation on death" by the Sunday Times, this warm and wise book offers lessons for all of us in how to approach life.
This book was based on three articles he wrote for the Jersey Evening Post, and while somewhat morbid, it is essentially a guide on how to live well and die with no regrets. This book has been compared to When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, but truthfully, it gave me a different vibe. I spoke with one of my girlfriends, Allison (please subscribe to her newsletter), about that book, and we both agreed that it emotionally gutted us. This book did not. It was lighter because Paul was in the medical field, so he provided more details about some of what was happening than Simon did. I found Simon to be charming, and both smiled and laughed while reading this book.
I would recommend this book for someone who is grieving or wants some perspective to improve their quality of life. Here are two of the quotes I wrote down in my journal from the book:
“Most of all, I have loved and been loved. I’m cocooned in the stuff; my cup overfloweth.”
“So carpe that diem and keep it carped. And enjoy the tiny ways you can make other people a little happier. That’s actually the secret of being happy oneself.”
BOOKS OUT TODAY:
Love You To Death by Christina Dotson - One of the books I’ve been so excited to read
When two best friends’ hobby of crashing weddings takes a deadly turn, they’re forced to embark on a road trip of survival in this addictive thriller.
Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee
A Chinese American woman spins tragedy into comedy when her life falls apart in a taut, wry debut novel that grapples with grief, motherhood, and myths—perfect for fans of Joan Is Okay and Crying in H Mart.
+++
A FEW OTHER THINGS TO READ:
Why I Am Closing Ami Colé, The Cut - This makes me so sad.
hey so, nobody talks like this,
’s Substack - this made me chuckleThe Interview: Sandra Oh Knows What’s Great About Middle Age, The New York Times
Are You Experiencing Posting Ennui? The New Yorker
🎧 MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS THIS WEEK:
Last week was a pretty mellow music week, as the only album I was looking forward to was Tyler, The Creator’s new album, DON’T TAP THE GLASS, which was released yesterday. So far, one a first listen it sounds really good. I will report back later. I like this video. Maverick and Lebron being in the video made me squint.
+ Speaking of Maverick, this was one of my favorite Tyler, The Creator interviews.
+ I have a new summer playlist, which you can listen to via Spotify or Apple.
+++
A FEW OTHER THINGS TO LISTEN TO:
I haven’t listened to it yet but Chelley and Olandria will be on the Baby it’s Keke Palmer podcast today.
Viral Article Book Club: How Women Invented Book Clubs (with Jess McHugh) on the Glamourous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast