La Reina Tuerta

This picture book shares the same general principles and lessons that she is known for. I was an early reader of her first book and appreciated that there was an old school element to needing to interpret words on a page without any accompanying visual element, especially for the folding component which was unknown to me beforehand. I picked up this book out of habit, because who wouldn’t want to be inspired by the magic of tidying up, by the inspiration of clean, uncluttered spaces, by the peace of mind that comes with working on your peace of mind, both outwards in and inside out? I certainly do and imagine I always will. This is the same attraction of stationery stores. Unfortunately, I also realized how poorly I have adhered to some of the principles in the recent years. I took it for granted the way that constantly moving kept my physical belongings to a minimum, the way that lacking my own space removed the possibility of having a space to curate, and above all, how much allowing...

Above Ground is one of multiple books that I read but did not write about soon after finishing. I enjoyed this book of poetry and yet still remember myself wondering what counts as poetry. He has a prose-like writing style and perhaps poetry was wrongly depicted as erudite, like fine wine, and therefore outside of my grasp. I have been listening to the Wine 101 podcast by Vinepair, and throughout the episodes, I am struck by the American insecurity about our ability to access fine art, fine wine, and the higher echelons of society. There is something to the chip on our shoulder, that we are evolved past that, that informs the anger in this country. I mention this because these undercurrents very much informed my own reaction to this book. I adored the journey through his personal life, through the delightful details of watching his babies grow up, through the universal pains of humanity. And the negative Nancy in my head wanted to strike down the art form as a fear reaction, to say, it...

This is the first time I have left a time lag between finishing the book and writing my post. Not surprisingly, this is less than ideal for capturing the fresh thoughts. It should, however, allow me to be efficient in sharing the more lasting impressions. In an unrelated but related topic, this is also the first post I am writing with my wireless keyboard connected to my iPhone. I was frustrated by the hopefully temporary malfunction of my iPad keyboard, and simultaneously malfunction of one of ergonomic mice. However, just like my feelings about the second tire I probably didn’t need to buy, now that I have switched my mindset to say that each of these incidents is protection against something larger, whether to remind myself of a lesson so that I don’t get hurt on the next big one, or to practice a skill so I don’t lose it, then I can feel much better about it. The iPad keyboard was bound to malfunction sooner or later, just like the iPad could. And to have a keyboard that works with...

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...