La Reina Tuerta

The lack of capitalization is a sign of my respect for bell hooks and the way she moved me with her writing. I felt like I experienced the books in three parts. At first, it felt political, surprisingly contemporary, and not necessarily a book I would have chosen for myself. I am reading classics and books only highly recommended lists, in an effort to balance my more niche reading style and the one with too many business, self-help, mindset, longevity books on its shelves. To start, the idea that love is itself political is one with which I had never spent time. Not only is our concept of love shaped by our external experiences, including those stemming from political and modern socioeconomic movements, but to love itself is a political act. I read this book around the same time that I was challenged on my view of political developments in modern East Asia. It helped me uncover the discomfort I felt that I could not claim a larger people as my own if I did not also extend the same lim...

I knew nothing about Bear Grylls when I saw him on an episode of Hot Ones, the YouTube show on which celebrities eat increasingly spicy chicken, or chicken substitute, wings and answer thoughtful questions. I may not remember his answers, but I remember his extraordinary grace and his ability to relate to the host and commonalities between their shows. It made me interested enough to order his book from the library. Before completing this write-up, I decided to keep the book. Again, I don’t remember his exact anecdotes but I do remember my feeling of inspiration at his candor and wisdom, however hard-earned it may have been for him to gain or even me to recognize in my life today. Above all, he inspires me to keep chasing my goals, to never give up, and to not be afraid of making mistakes or not doing things perfectly. I remember how much I have always loved challenge and adventure in my life. Somewhere after my past obstacles, I may have taken the wrong lesson, that is, that I was mea...

How brave of Peter Attia to share about his history of abuse and to close the book on such a personal note. The truth is that I am as guilty as anybody of projecting impossible ideals onto the experts that I read, when I equally believe in stoic philosophies and the vicissitudes of life. None of us are immune. If anything, the challenges of these authors and leaders should remind me that it truly can be that the depths of your sorrows are linked to the heights of your joy. Let me apply what I’ve learned from my coach and put that in my own voice. I am determined to take the depths of my pain today and transform them into my next soaring heights.  I have not yet fully healed from the events of January 1st, but I know that they have freed me from the doubts I had before, the fake ideas that I imagined the abuse heaped upon me, the degree of abandonment, the unrealistic expectations that I took, believed and made my own. My eyes are clear and my heart is full. I love that the same adv...

I am only rediscovering fiction after a long hiatus. This book is a perfect reminder why. I picked it up on my way out the library, having had recognized it from recommended reading lists, and instead of benefiting from winding down without screens in the bedroom, I read the book cover to cover in one sitting, a few hours past my normal bedtime. I'm sure the indulgent Saturday afternoon coffee didn't help. It was surprising for the number of themes it incorporated, the rape scene and references, the corruption of the Catholic church and institutions purporting to help the less fortunate, women's rights and opportunities in the 20th century, the idea of childcare, family structure, older adoption practices, and the power dynamic allowing powerful leaders to falsely assume credit for their own work. I found it touching that the root of the story is a meant-to-be relationship between two people who never understood or focused much on relationships. Certain lines stand out, lik...