Bookish and Black: #1

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the re-launch of my newsletter! Bookish and Black is back (I hate that I did that but I had to). I started this newsletter in 2020 but life kept happening and I let it fall to the wayside. Towards the end of 2021 I found myself coming back to the idea of restarting this newsletter and felt really passionate about it. I love the idea of using this as an additional method to connect with you all. What you can expect going forward: you will find me in your inbox on Tuesdays and Fridays: a more long-form life and reading update on Tuesdays while Fridays I will share links from around the web I think are fun/interesting/important. There will also be the occasional post outside of these.

A quick note: Because I am planning on dedicating a substantial amount of energy, I made the decision to switch the newsletter to a paid subscription. For $5/month or $50 for the year, you get every issue (2x/week newsletter and any other posts). For free, you would get the occasional post that I decide to make available to everyone. Today’s post is available to everyone as part of the re-launch!

And now onto today’s newsletter:

We are four days into the new year and I have been thinking a lot about my goals and intentions. Although I am aware of the very valid criticisms around resolutions, the start of a new year does lend itself towards reflection and goal setting. It’s a fresh start and we are wired to form rituals around any new start (the start of a school year, births, etc.). Since I ended 2021 by having a baby, my primary goals this year revolve around that (if you missed my news I shared here).  Beyond that, I looked at my 1, 5, and 10 year plans to see what I’ve accomplished and what has shifted. From there I set a few personal goals, goals around money and work, and of course, I have several reading goals. This year I intend to be kind to myself this year when it comes to reading- I hope to go with the flow and read when and what I am able to. 

One of the reasons I chose to release the newsletter on Tuesdays is that books get published on Tuesday. I love sharing the new releases I am excited about- there are always so many good books coming out and I want to make sure you are all hearing about them, especially those written by authors from a diverse background (BIPOC, LGBTQIA, those with disabilities, immigrants, etc.). This week I am really excited about Fiona and Jane, a novel that explores the friendship and lives of two young Taiwanese women. Another book being released today is Brown Girls, a novel about a group of friends and their immigrant families in Queens, New York. My friend Jill recommended this book as part of the 12 books from 12 friends challenge and I can already tell it will be a favorite of mine. 

Speaking of reading, I am currently reading The Arsonists’ City, which is the story of a Syrian-Lebanese family living in the states. Not just examining family dynamics, it touches on the war in the Middle East and our generational relationship to “home”. I just finished Beautiful World Where Are You (Sally Rooney’s newest novel and the darling of 2021). Unfortunately, I think this was an example of the right book, wrong time for me. In my exhausted postpartum state, I was not able to fully get into it but recognize that as being more of a me problem than any issues I had with the writing. I also finished Please Don’t Sit on My Bed In Your Outside Clothes on audio. This one was a mixed bag- some essays worked for me while others fell flat.

I am wrapping up today’s post with a look ahead at my week. My husband and I have been watching this show together. I hope to finally watch this movie (I hated the book so stay tuned for my opinion on the film). I am shopping for a new espresso machine- let me know if you have any recs. A goal I have for 2022 is to go on a daily walk but the weather is not on my side. Beyond that, a lot of baby cuddles. 

À la prochaine,

Sarah

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