Volume 26 - Part 3/3 - the recommendations 🌈
How does one throw their newsletter a birthday party? Do I eat cake alone? Do I feed it a cake emoji? How do I share my happiness with this inanimate thing? 🎂
I love writing this so much. I'd do it even if I had one reader. Having more of you makes it so so much better. The discussions I have with the people who reply make all the effort worth it. I love it when we discuss books, stories, the essays or absolutely anything really. I love it all and all of you.
PS - Let me know if you prefer the newsletter in parts or in one go ⭐️here ⭐️(I have other questions there too) or tell me telepathically, whatever works.
I want to rename this newsletter but I really can't think of a name. Help!
Here are the recommendations for July 2021 -
📖 BOOKS
(I read a lot this month and I'm not quite sure how. Does this count as binge reading?)
⭐️ ⭐️ When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut - One of the kindest, most awesome reader of this newsletter recommended and sent me this book. It is brilliant.
If there is one book this list tempts you to read, let it be this one.
From the invention of cyanide, to chemical warfare, relativity, blackholes, mysteries of quantum physics to poetry. This book has it ALL. It's a series of essays about mathematics, madness, geniuses, science and the ethics of scientific inventions told through the stories of real people who shaped the world in various ways. It is non-fiction peppered with fiction. The perfect hybrid.
The first essay went in such a dizzying yet amazing pace, I felt like I was grabbing on to a comet. The other essays are slower paced but the first was my favourite for its pace. It incidentally has the least fiction peppered in. The second is about Grothendieck, Mochizuki, madness and mathematics. The third about Heisenberg, Schrodinger, their rivalry, and the birth of quantum physics. The fourth is an essay of the writer's own experience with person who he met who most likely sparked his interest in the people who star in the earlier essays. The book ends on a fantastic note.
This book reminded me of Janna Levin's A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines and Maria Popova's book Figuring.
An absolutely gripping read.
⭐️ The Summer Book by Tove Jansson - This is collection of vignettes of a grandmother, her six year old granddaughter Sophia living on an island off Finland. Sophia's mother died and her father is humming away in the background, generally absent in the stories. It is summer and there are a lot of interesting things to do, things to collect and things to make. This book is absolutely heartwarming. It reminds me of simpler times when playing with pebbles and twigs was enough. It made me smile and feel warm inside. It might do the same for you.
Real Love by Sharon Salzberg - This book talks about building a more compassionate relationship with yourself and the people around you. It was warm and helpful.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry - I wanted a light hearted romcom and this book delivered. I loved the characters and adored the banter. I liked how the plot unfolded even if the tail end may have been a little disappointing. It took all of one brain cell to process the entirety of the book but that singular brain cell had a fantastic time.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner - This book unfolds in two timelines - the late 18th century and the 21st century. In the 18th century, Nella runs an apothecary that sells untraceable poisons to women who want to kill men in their life. Yes, you read it correctly. Does your husband cheat on you more than you cheat on your diet? Kill the bugger. There's a poison for that. Is your husband violent? Lace his breakfast with poison. Is he a generally unpleasant egg? There's a poison for everything! The caveat is you can't use these poisons to kill women. I mean, you can but Nella won't sell it to you if that's your intention. Her path intertwines with a 12 year old and they form a beautiful friendship. In the 21st century, Caroline finds a vial from this apothecary. She investigates the apothecary murders. Her life is in shambles too but she doesn't poison her husband. You can't get away with that shit in the 21st century.
This book is fun BUT I thought there was potential for more crime and thrill. It was good but not brilliant. While the plot left much to be desired, I enjoyed the premise a lot.
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder - How does one describe this book? It is strange. (TW- Eating disorders) Rachel counts her calories compulsively. She got this habit from her mother who compulsively shamed her for eating all her life. As one can guess, she doesn't have the best relationship with her mother. In the second chapter of the book, Rachel's therapist convinces her to go on a 90 day detox from her mother. Yes, you can now not only detox from crabs but your parents too. Rachel, who is (as the book says) a lapsed Jew then befriends Miriam, an Orthodox Jewish girl. I had to google a lot of the Jewish terms but I liked that they were there. They were like literary condiments. Rachel begins to eat and things begin to change during this detox. It's not all happy, I must warn you. The introspective bits were wonderful. The sex scenes were very very very Freudian. I learned that Twizzlers are kosher. It's a strange but weirdly enjoyable book? Solid 3.5/5.
👽 For science fiction and fantasy week on Goodreads, I read -
(I learned that urban fantasy and climate fiction are real sub-genres)
⭐️ This is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone - The timing of reading this time tampering book coincides with watching the end of Loki, which also involves tampering with time. I'd love nothing more than to travel through time and live the Dorian Gray life but it sounds messy.
Red and Blue are agents from warring factions. They climb upthread and downthread through time, tampering with it to their own benefit. They're both brilliant agents. Blue writes to Red first. The early chapters are descriptions of missions bungled by the other with a cheeky letter until they grow fond of each other. The context of this time war and the technology used is given to you in small bits. It's like the writers want you to know what it feels like to be absorbed in someone, when the world around you seems blurry and insignificant. There's a lot of tension through the plot because these two belong to opposing factions, communication is a crime. I can't tell you more without ruining it for you. It's a fantastic read.
Update : I didn't end up reading Popisho. I couldn't stick to it. It was more my mood than the book itself :(
I think I'd like to start a book club someday. Discussing books and drinking wine sounds absolutely delightful. The wine is optional. (Is it though?)
📱THINGS TO READ THAT ARE *NOT* BOOKS
I'm a short afternoon walk and you're putting way too much pressure on me - I'm an evening walk person but this made me chuckle.
"I’ve gotta say it feels like even the things I can do for you aren’t enough anymore. How quickly you seem to have forgotten that I actually am a stress reliever and an energy booster. I shoot endorphins throughout your brain like a confetti cannon, for crying out loud. Don’t even get me started on the way I fight off heart disease — but you never think about that anymore, do you?"
Good News! Wait, Never Mind - Also a small chucklefest.
The Scream Gap an essay by Celia Mattison on the Audacity by Roxane Gay - I've never thought to analyze screams in movies or otherwise. Celia uses the scream as a starting point to explore gender and race in the film industry. Interesting read.
Digital Colonialism
Love After Love a poem by Derek Walcott.
🎵 AUDIO GOODIES
Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination, with Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang on Intelligence Squared UK - Frenkel and Kang have written the book An Ugly Truth about Facebook which I can't wait to read. It will in all likelihood get buried in my list of books to read. Interesting episode on Facebook's inevitable fall from grace.
+ The Ever Changing brain with David Eagleman and Brian Eno on Intelligence Squared UK - More on neuroplasticity, brain quirks, how + why we dream, and other fun things
Jonny Sun on Design Matters - Jonny is awesome, period. That is all anybody ever needs to know.
Sharon Salzberg - Shelter for the Heart and Mind on On Being
+ Jon Kabat-Zinn - Opening to Our Lives on On Being
💖 COOL THINGS ON THE INTERNET
Music Bubble - A visualization of the most popular music according to your geographical location. I found it quite inaccurate personally but I am one little person among many in this city.
Stand Here for a Dance Party - how cool is this?
Mariko Kusumoto's translucent textile creatures.
Virtual volunteering.
Accidental Wes Anderson.
Lucy Lawless Interviews Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer.
Illustrated plant care guide.
Pasta playlists : playlists that match the time it takes to cook pasta. Good marketing.
A very very soothing 30 minute yoga flow (quick workout to do before starting the day or after ending the day. My shoulders, neck and back felt incredibly soothed afterwards)
Desert Island Discs.
🍬 UNSCRUPULOUSLY STOLEN
From Instagram - The Orange by Wendy Cope from @poetryisnotaluxury
From Ann Friedman's newsletter -
That's FINALLY it for July. It was fun writing to you multiple times for a change. I had a fantastic month, possibly the best this year. Hope you had a great month too!
Warmly,
Sachi
You can find older Volumes here.
I love writing this so much. I'd do it even if I had one reader. Having more of you makes it so so much better. The discussions I have with the people who reply make all the effort worth it. I love it when we discuss books, stories, the essays or absolutely anything really. I love it all and all of you.
PS - Let me know if you prefer the newsletter in parts or in one go ⭐️here ⭐️(I have other questions there too) or tell me telepathically, whatever works.
I want to rename this newsletter but I really can't think of a name. Help!
Here are the recommendations for July 2021 -
📖 BOOKS
(I read a lot this month and I'm not quite sure how. Does this count as binge reading?)
⭐️ ⭐️ When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut - One of the kindest, most awesome reader of this newsletter recommended and sent me this book. It is brilliant.
If there is one book this list tempts you to read, let it be this one.
From the invention of cyanide, to chemical warfare, relativity, blackholes, mysteries of quantum physics to poetry. This book has it ALL. It's a series of essays about mathematics, madness, geniuses, science and the ethics of scientific inventions told through the stories of real people who shaped the world in various ways. It is non-fiction peppered with fiction. The perfect hybrid.
The first essay went in such a dizzying yet amazing pace, I felt like I was grabbing on to a comet. The other essays are slower paced but the first was my favourite for its pace. It incidentally has the least fiction peppered in. The second is about Grothendieck, Mochizuki, madness and mathematics. The third about Heisenberg, Schrodinger, their rivalry, and the birth of quantum physics. The fourth is an essay of the writer's own experience with person who he met who most likely sparked his interest in the people who star in the earlier essays. The book ends on a fantastic note.
This book reminded me of Janna Levin's A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines and Maria Popova's book Figuring.
An absolutely gripping read.
⭐️ The Summer Book by Tove Jansson - This is collection of vignettes of a grandmother, her six year old granddaughter Sophia living on an island off Finland. Sophia's mother died and her father is humming away in the background, generally absent in the stories. It is summer and there are a lot of interesting things to do, things to collect and things to make. This book is absolutely heartwarming. It reminds me of simpler times when playing with pebbles and twigs was enough. It made me smile and feel warm inside. It might do the same for you.
Real Love by Sharon Salzberg - This book talks about building a more compassionate relationship with yourself and the people around you. It was warm and helpful.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry - I wanted a light hearted romcom and this book delivered. I loved the characters and adored the banter. I liked how the plot unfolded even if the tail end may have been a little disappointing. It took all of one brain cell to process the entirety of the book but that singular brain cell had a fantastic time.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner - This book unfolds in two timelines - the late 18th century and the 21st century. In the 18th century, Nella runs an apothecary that sells untraceable poisons to women who want to kill men in their life. Yes, you read it correctly. Does your husband cheat on you more than you cheat on your diet? Kill the bugger. There's a poison for that. Is your husband violent? Lace his breakfast with poison. Is he a generally unpleasant egg? There's a poison for everything! The caveat is you can't use these poisons to kill women. I mean, you can but Nella won't sell it to you if that's your intention. Her path intertwines with a 12 year old and they form a beautiful friendship. In the 21st century, Caroline finds a vial from this apothecary. She investigates the apothecary murders. Her life is in shambles too but she doesn't poison her husband. You can't get away with that shit in the 21st century.
This book is fun BUT I thought there was potential for more crime and thrill. It was good but not brilliant. While the plot left much to be desired, I enjoyed the premise a lot.
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder - How does one describe this book? It is strange. (TW- Eating disorders) Rachel counts her calories compulsively. She got this habit from her mother who compulsively shamed her for eating all her life. As one can guess, she doesn't have the best relationship with her mother. In the second chapter of the book, Rachel's therapist convinces her to go on a 90 day detox from her mother. Yes, you can now not only detox from crabs but your parents too. Rachel, who is (as the book says) a lapsed Jew then befriends Miriam, an Orthodox Jewish girl. I had to google a lot of the Jewish terms but I liked that they were there. They were like literary condiments. Rachel begins to eat and things begin to change during this detox. It's not all happy, I must warn you. The introspective bits were wonderful. The sex scenes were very very very Freudian. I learned that Twizzlers are kosher. It's a strange but weirdly enjoyable book? Solid 3.5/5.
👽 For science fiction and fantasy week on Goodreads, I read -
(I learned that urban fantasy and climate fiction are real sub-genres)
⭐️ This is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone - The timing of reading this time tampering book coincides with watching the end of Loki, which also involves tampering with time. I'd love nothing more than to travel through time and live the Dorian Gray life but it sounds messy.
Red and Blue are agents from warring factions. They climb upthread and downthread through time, tampering with it to their own benefit. They're both brilliant agents. Blue writes to Red first. The early chapters are descriptions of missions bungled by the other with a cheeky letter until they grow fond of each other. The context of this time war and the technology used is given to you in small bits. It's like the writers want you to know what it feels like to be absorbed in someone, when the world around you seems blurry and insignificant. There's a lot of tension through the plot because these two belong to opposing factions, communication is a crime. I can't tell you more without ruining it for you. It's a fantastic read.
Update : I didn't end up reading Popisho. I couldn't stick to it. It was more my mood than the book itself :(
I think I'd like to start a book club someday. Discussing books and drinking wine sounds absolutely delightful. The wine is optional. (Is it though?)
📱THINGS TO READ THAT ARE *NOT* BOOKS
I'm a short afternoon walk and you're putting way too much pressure on me - I'm an evening walk person but this made me chuckle.
"I’ve gotta say it feels like even the things I can do for you aren’t enough anymore. How quickly you seem to have forgotten that I actually am a stress reliever and an energy booster. I shoot endorphins throughout your brain like a confetti cannon, for crying out loud. Don’t even get me started on the way I fight off heart disease — but you never think about that anymore, do you?"
Good News! Wait, Never Mind - Also a small chucklefest.
The Scream Gap an essay by Celia Mattison on the Audacity by Roxane Gay - I've never thought to analyze screams in movies or otherwise. Celia uses the scream as a starting point to explore gender and race in the film industry. Interesting read.
Digital Colonialism
Love After Love a poem by Derek Walcott.
🎵 AUDIO GOODIES
Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination, with Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang on Intelligence Squared UK - Frenkel and Kang have written the book An Ugly Truth about Facebook which I can't wait to read. It will in all likelihood get buried in my list of books to read. Interesting episode on Facebook's inevitable fall from grace.
+ The Ever Changing brain with David Eagleman and Brian Eno on Intelligence Squared UK - More on neuroplasticity, brain quirks, how + why we dream, and other fun things
Jonny Sun on Design Matters - Jonny is awesome, period. That is all anybody ever needs to know.
Sharon Salzberg - Shelter for the Heart and Mind on On Being
+ Jon Kabat-Zinn - Opening to Our Lives on On Being
💖 COOL THINGS ON THE INTERNET
Music Bubble - A visualization of the most popular music according to your geographical location. I found it quite inaccurate personally but I am one little person among many in this city.
Stand Here for a Dance Party - how cool is this?
Mariko Kusumoto's translucent textile creatures.
Virtual volunteering.
Accidental Wes Anderson.
Lucy Lawless Interviews Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer.
Illustrated plant care guide.
Pasta playlists : playlists that match the time it takes to cook pasta. Good marketing.
A very very soothing 30 minute yoga flow (quick workout to do before starting the day or after ending the day. My shoulders, neck and back felt incredibly soothed afterwards)
Desert Island Discs.
🍬 UNSCRUPULOUSLY STOLEN
From Instagram - The Orange by Wendy Cope from @poetryisnotaluxury
From Ann Friedman's newsletter -
That's FINALLY it for July. It was fun writing to you multiple times for a change. I had a fantastic month, possibly the best this year. Hope you had a great month too!
Warmly,
Sachi
You can find older Volumes here.
Don't miss what's next. Subscribe to Currents: