1. Martinis — Martinis are a cute drink. 2024 is the year I decided to like martinis and I can happily say I’ve already accomplished this goal. I love olives. There’s no added sugar, just class.
2. French onion soup — 2024 is also the year I learn to make French onion soup. The carmelized onions, the cheese, the bread??? Run and try it if you haven’t.
3. Synced — This podcast is under the Armchair Expert name, but is its own show with Monica Padman (the usual AE co-host) and Liz Plank. It feels like I’m talking with my friends in the best way. They vulnerably discuss so many topics, life experiences, and answer listener questions.
4. For the Love of Men — Aaaand the Synced podcast is what made me interested in reading Liz’s book, For the Love of Men: A New Vision for Mindful Masculinity. Liz approaches this book as a way to care for men, and she insists that healing for both genders is the only way any of us are healed. Liz is incredibly insightful and this book is well-researched, thoughtful, and compassionate.
She writes, “Measuring gender equality by only showing the way it has costs for women is inaccurate because it doesn’t capture the scope of harm for the entire population. The problem with the Basic Index of Gender Equality is that it continues to pit women’s issues against men as if they weren’t related. Recognizing women’s pain doesn’t preclude us from recognizing men’s. Ranking our pain is unproductive because it gets us away from the fact that our afflictions are all connected.”
5. Hamilton — I know, I know, I’m about 9 years late on this, but I’ve finally joined the Hamilton fan club! My boyfriend got us tickets to see it in Chicago in January and it really does live up to the hype. It’s a masterpiece.
6. Brown noise — I’ve been sleeping with brown noise for about a month and it feels like I’m sleeping more deeply. White noise is a bit too intense for me, but brown noise is soothing and sounds like I’m on an airplane.
7. How to Stay Married — I flew through this book in less than a day. I hadn’t read Harrison Scott Key before, and this book is hilarious, devastating, real, and so so beautifully written. I loved hearing the author read the audiobook.
8. This NYT comic — I love this illustrated reminder to go outside by Charlotte Ager.
9. Brie grilled cheese sandwich — Goodbye cheddar. Hello, BRIE grilled cheese. It melts to absolute perfection. Dip it in tomato soup. Thank me later; you will not regret it.
10. How cute Etsy shop owners are — Etsy is a website of small businesses, and because of that, their orders are usually personalized. Things often come specially wrapped, with extra items as gifts, or with personalized notes. It’s the cutest. Thanks Etsy shop owners!
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