Recs | Discover Top Recommendations – Stay Inspired

Here’s what I’m enjoying now!

Las Madres by Esmeralda Santiago — This portrait of a close group of friends (las madres) and their daughters addresses themes of Puerto Rican identity, disability, and resilience. Protagonist Luz, who experiences memory loss after a childhood car accident, returns to San Juan with las madres to piece together her past, only for their trip to be disrupted by Hurricane María.
Everything is Tuberc ulosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infec tion by John Green — Green weaves the story of Henry, a Sierra Leonean teenager living with TB, with the socio-cultural and scientific histories of the disease, ultimately advocating for global healthcare reform. Despite its heavy topic, this is a short, relatively fast read.
All That S he Carried by Tiya Miles — A historian’s account of a textile sack passed down through three generations of Black women, this book is meticulously researched and beautifully written. It’s also a quick read, but will likely stay with you long after you close it.

Chia pudding has been the perfect burst of energy I need for my mid-morning and/or mid-afternoon slumps. It’s super easy to make. I generally combine chia seeds with oat milk and a dash of maple syrup, then let the mixture sit in a Tupperware overnight. The next day, I add some almond slivers and frozen wild blueberries. This recipe gets the ratio right.
We made chive soup using this recipe recently after coming across an abundance of wild chives in the park. Using coconut milk instead of water made it especially tasty.

Spring is Coming with a Strawberry in the Mouth by Caroline Polachek is a cover of the cult-classic 1986 synth hit by Operating Theater and explores the need to accept and embrace the changing seasons of our lives. As always, Polachek’s vocals are enchanting.
Jon Batiste’s album BIG MONEY joyfully combines soul, blues, jazz, and hip-hop in nine stripped-down songs. (Batiste recorded many of them spontaneously in a single take.) There are a handful of gems in this album, but one of my favorite tracks is PINNACLE.
The sounds of the Peruvian Amazon and the Caribbean Coast of Colombia unite in a new cover of the Los Mirlos song Eres Mentiroso. Bomba Estéreo and Los Mirlos mesh together seamlessly in this highly danceable tune. (Also, Bomba Estéreo is SO FUN to see live. They have limited tour dates right now, but if you ever get the chance to see them, it’s highly recommended!)

Oldster Magazine focuses on “what it means to travel through time in a human body at every phase of life,” all while countering ageism and encouraging intergenerational conversation. Subscribe to get personal essays, interviews, and links round-ups.
Pop Syllabus, while relatively new, is quickly becoming one of my favorite newsletters. Former Daily Show writer Christiana Mbakwe Medina has smart, nuanced takes on everything from Disney Adults, Heated Rivalry’s popularity, and the origins of being “sculpted” as an emerging women’s body standard. (And Pop Syllabus is also a podcast!)
Climate Social Club is sustainability impact entrepreneur (and Things I Won’t Shut Up About pal) Donna York’s new publication. Start here for a list of climate justice-related podcasts created and hosted by women and underrepresented groups.

Deep Time — A series about the natural ecologies of time? Yes, please! 🤓 When you’re feeling burdened by daily annoyances like laundry and taxes, zoom waaaay out by listening to episodes about geologic literacy, white holes, and clocks engineered to run on the rhythms of rivers and trees.
Proof by America’s Test Kitchen dives into the history, culture, and science of food. Episodes investigate a wide range of questions including how the wild mushroom supply chain works, whether airplane food has gotten better, and why U.S. Americans are so obsessed with ice.
Tough Girls — Friend of the newsletter Christa G. recommends this uplifting, motivating show that aims to increase the number of women role models in the media, particularly in relation to outdoor adventure and physical challenges. Hear from a wildlife conservationist who studies big cats, the youngest woman to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, and a motorcyclist undertaking a solo journey across Africa, among other badasses!

As a low-stakes way to write more poetry, I’ve been penning some contemporary haiku each day. It’s been surprisingly tricky to distill a myriad of observations into a single image and insight. However, it’s also been a worthwhile exercise in sharpening my attention to the world around me.
This Wikipedia article that lists the longest living organisms is fascinating. Looking to inject a sense of wonder into your day? Read up on the glass sponge (one of the oldest-living animals … we’re talking over 10,000 years!!); clonal colonies like Pando (made up of genetically identical individuals from one ancestor); and the oldest documented cat, Creme Puff.

I’m always foraging for recommendations. Got one (or ten) to pass along? Send me a message and I’ll share them here!