Happy Solstice
Happy Solstice from Bali!
The longest day here, the shortest day there. I've been thinking a lot about traditions as the holidays inch closer. It's a good moment to check-in and see if we are celebrating intentionally, or if we're just doing what we've always done because that's how it's done.
My family made Christmas extra special for my sister and me growing up and that was fantastic. It was filled with wonder, play, fun, and good food. As we grew older, the day became less important but this time of year often meant travel and adventure. It was a time to explore, be together, and share time.
By now, I've become quite detached from Christmas itself. I can't remember my last Christmas in the USA (at least seven years) but I'm grateful that I get to have moments with my family throughout the year even though we live far apart. I'm grateful that I can gift thoughtfully to those I care about when I want. I'm grateful that I can let go of some traditional ways of celebrating and still be full of the holiday spirit when I choose.
I love the solstice as a moment to celebrate before the new year. It's our first chance to emerge, our first chance to open up to feeling lighter, stronger, more settled. Hope you celebrate in a way that brings you and those around you peace and rest and care!
This year I set a goal to keep track of all the books I read or tried to read. The list is mostly chronological in the order I read things but I sometimes I had to guesstimate. I've starred * some of my favorites and added a DNF if I got at least a third of the way through or more but couldn't finish.
I would be delighted if you have lists you want to share, especially particular favorites.
Next week will be my last Tuesday love letter of 2021! Thank you to all who shared in this journey. I'm going to take the next couple of weeks to figure out how I'd like my love letters to evolve in 2022. If you want to share what you love, what you want more of, what you're curious about, I'd be so happy to know.
And finally, my one-on-one schedule for early 2022 is filling up quickly so if you're interested in working with me please reach out so we can find a mutual time. I'm still looking for a couple of lovely folks to join Belonging starting January 11th. It's going to be a wonderful way to start the new year in community and with care!
Thanks for reading, happy solstice, and have fun!
Henna
Transcendent Kingdom - Yaa Gyasi
The Cost of Living - Deborah Levy *
American Dirt - Jeanine Cummins
Intimations - Zadie Smith *
The House of Spirits - Isabel Allende *
A Woman is No Man - Etaf Rum
Blood and Beauty - Sarah Dunant *
Exhalation - Ted Chiang *
Such a Fun Age - Kiley Reid
The Strad - Stephen King DNF
Story of Your Life - Ted Chiang
How to Date Men When You Hate Men - Blythe Roberson - DNF
The Mars Room - Rachel Kushner
The Girl in the Mirror -Rose Carlyle
The Book of Lost Friends - Lisa Wingate *
Want - Lynn Steger Strong
The Night Watchman - Louise Erdrich
A Good Neighborhood - Therese Anne Fowler
Beach Read - Emily Henry - DNF
Friends and Strangers - J. Courtney Sullivan
We Run the Tides - Vendela Vida
All by Harlan Coben (My summer beach binge!)
Tell No One
Live Wire
The Woods
The Boy in the Woods
The Stranger
Caught
Fade Away
Back Spin
One False Move
Final Detail
Darkest Fear
Promise Me
Long Lost
Home
What Comes After - JoAnne Tompkins
The Henna Artist - Alka Joshi *
The Soul of A Woman - Isabel Allende
Klara and the Sun - Kazuo Ishiguro
Of Women and Salt - Gabriela Garcia
Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell
Whereabouts - Jhumpa Lahiri *
The Psychology of Time Travel - Kate Mascarenhas
The Four Winds - Kristin Hannah *
Fresh Water for Flowers - Valérie Perrin - DNF
The Midnight Library - Matt Haig
Beautiful World, Where Are You - Sally Rooney - DNF
Between Two Kingdoms - Suleika Jaouad - DNF
The Waters of Eternal Youth - Donna Leon
The Kindest Lie - Nancy Johnson*
Monogamy - Sue Miller
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter - Sue Monk Kidd *
A Gentleman in Moscow - Amor Towles
A Year of Magical Thinking - Joan Didion
Honey from a Weed - Patience Grey (currently reading)