What I Read | March 2020

March has been quite the month. It honestly feels like a year has passed since March began, since so much has changed in such a short space of time. This month has been a tough one, I think for most people around the world, however, with all the newfound time spent at home, I’ve had quite a bit of time to tackle some reading and dive into some books that have been on my to-read list for quite some time. I can honestly say that even though this month has been pretty awful overall, all of the books I read this month were books that I absolutely loved and would highly recommend.

Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips ~ I have seen this book on the main shelf in my local book store for so many months now and have been really interested in reading it for so long, but just never got around to picking it up. We have kind of an informal book club amongst 3-4 of my coworkers and some of them had been talking about how much they loved this book and one day my sweet sweet coworker picked up a copy for me from one of those little free libraries. The book is set in the far eastern part of Russia and is about two girls who go missing and the journey the local community goes through in grappling with their disappearance. The book is more about the intricate social and cultural dynamics within this region, more so than it is a who dunnit type book. The writing is absolutely beautiful and it is clear that Phillips took a lot of time and care when it came to researching this region in Russia. The one critique that I have is that there are a lot of characters and at times it can get confusing when different characters start weaving in and out of each other’s stories.

Circe by Madeline Miller ~ When I got my Kindle last summer, I immediately downloaded this book, because it had been on my to-read list for over a year at this point. This book is a modern re-telling of the Greek goddess Circe’s story. Circe is most well-known in Greek mythology for playing quite a pivotal role in the Odyssey. I really enjoyed this book! As someone who loves Greek mythology and who has read the Odyssey, it was so fun to read about so many of these critical moments in Greek mythology from Circe’s perspective. If you don’t know a lot of Greek mythology or haven’t read the Odyssey I wouldn’t be at all discouraged from reading this book, since it’s very easy to read and understand all the different characters. I will say that the first third or so of the book did feel a bit like a slow burn, but it did get more and more exciting as the book went on!

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Raden Keefe ~ After I read Circe, I was really in the mood to read a non-fiction book and I had wanted to read Say Nothing for so so long and figured it would be the perfect book to fit the bill. I’m not exaggerating in saying that this is probably is one of my favorite books I will read in 2020, if not my favorite overall. I am fascinated by Irish history, specifically the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, which I partly attribute to the fact that I have very strong Irish heritage from nearly ever side of my family. This book specifically focuses on the murder of Jean McConville, which was committed by the IRA, and how that murder can reveal so much about the social fabric of the Troubles how these conflicts affected “normal” Belfast citizens. Obviously the topic of the Troubles is incredibly complex and I’ve read several other books on the subject, none of which were as clear and concise as Keefe’s. I loved how much research and history was weaved into this book and it never took a side (whether that be pro-Loyalist or pro-IRA). Keefe managed to write an historical non-fiction that read more like a thriller at times.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman ~ After reading Say Nothing I was definitely in the mood for a happier, lighter read. I have a few chick-lit type books on my to-read list at all times just in case I’m in the mood for something lighter and this one had been on that list for awhile. This book is about a woman in her late twenties who lives on her own, is obsessed with books, works at a bookstore, and who was raised with a relatively absentee single mother and therefore doesn’t have much family. Nina finds out that her father, who she never knew, recently passed away and left quite a large family and fortune behind. She gets to know her newfound family and navigates the tricky waters of branching outside of her normal bubble being alone and being accepted by a family she never knew about. I enjoyed this book and it was very quick to read. Unlike a lot of other books in a similar vein, like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (a book that I found completely overhyped and at times annoying to read), the main character is flawed but not at all unlikeable. If you’re looking for a book that lifts your mood, this one would be great to read.

I am quite active on my Goodreads page if any of you want to give my profile a follow!

My Go-To Easy Recipes

I want to start out today’s post by acknowledging that this last week has been difficult and worrying for pretty much everyone, and if I can provide a bit of a respite from the noise and the scariness with a bit of positivity and ease, I will do everything I can to provide that. With that, since I am practicing social distancing, I will be using my extra time at home to be creating more content for you all and hopefully I can do even a small part to distract you from all the craziness, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Since many of us will be home for the foreseeable future and will be made to cook at home, I thought I would share some of my favorite recipes that I use consistently and are easy, satisfying, and relatively cheap to make!

Buttermilk Marinated Roast Chicken ~ If you don’t already own the cookbook, Salt Fat Acid Heat, or haven’t seen the Netflix show by the same name, I highly recommend you do so! This chicken is the recipe I use the most out of that cookbook and it is both the best and easiest way to roast an entire chicken. The ingredients are also super minimal (it’s basically just buttermilk, chicken and salt) and the recipe basically requires zero skill so it’s great if you are a bit intimidated by roasting a whole bird. Because the meat gets so tender and juicy, it also makes for great leftovers and can last you for awhile after it’s initial preparation.

Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric ~ I know that everyone and their mother talked about this recipe last year, but that’s because it’s so darn good (it’s also completely vegan and gluten-free)! I love how much this recipe leans on pantry staples and it’s component parts are not only hearty but cheap as well! This recipe makes quite a bit, but luckily because it’s a stew, it just gets better with time so you can happily eat it a few days after you initially made it.

Simple Ribollita ~ My mom has always been an ardent supporter of a great minestrone soup when you’re feeling under the weather, and while I love minestrone, Ribollita is my preferred homey italian soup because it is slightly more indulgent and hearty. Like the Chickpea stew, Ribollita is mainly comprised of pantry staples like canned tomatoes, parmesan, bread, and root veggies such as carrots, celery, garlic and onions. This soup also comes together super quickly so you don’t have to prep hours in advance like a lot of other soup recipes require. It’s also vegetarian (not gluten-free though, unless you were able to find a really good crusty loaf of gluten-free bread).

Pasta Al Limone ~ Pasta is always my go-to easy weeknight dinner recipe. I am a self-professed carb queen and would happily eat pasta every single day if I was able to. I absolutely love a creamy pasta dish, but sometimes it just feels so heavy. I love how the lemon in this dish adds a nice hint of acidity without feeling too overtly lemony. There’s also a video on how to make this on the BA youtube channel if you’re more of a visual learner!

Caramelized Shallot Pasta ~ Like I said, I love pasta! This recipe is great for those of you who prefer more of a tomato-y sauce over a creamy sauce. One of the things I love about this recipe is it actually makes enough sauce for eight people, so unless you’re having a large gathering, you save the other half of the sauce for later to use with more pasta, or you can use it to fry eggs, spread on toast, really the world is your oyster! It’s easily one of the most deeply flavored tomato sauces I’ve ever made thanks to the tomato paste and the addition of a lot of shallots and anchovies (however if you don’t like anchovies don’t be too put off, it’s not a fishy-tasting pasta).

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas ~ Nothing says easy weeknight dinner like Instant Pot recipes! It took me a while to learn how to use our Instant Pot, but it has definitely become a staple in our kitchen arsenal. Since both Brad and I work all day, we don’t have tons of time to cook in the evenings and this recipe is great because it takes a process that would usually take over four hours and condenses it into about 45 minutes. We both love carnitas and will usually do taco night when we make this recipe and it makes enough to have leftovers fr the next day!

What I Read in 2020 | January & February

Last year I completed by goal of reading 30 books and actually ended up reading 35, which I am super proud of. As a result of beating my goal from last year, as well as the fact that reading so much improved my overall mental wellbeing (we love decreasing screen time!), I decided to up my reading goal to 40 books this year and I’ve already gotten off to a good start. Because my reading goal is so hefty this year, I’ve decided that instead of writing up my book recaps on a seasonal basis, I’m going to switch to monthly recaps. Now I did miss December and January since I made this decision this morning to switch up the consistency of these posts, but I will just be lumping December, January and February together for the sake of today’s post.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood ~ I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read the Hand Maid’s Tale! I’ve read other Margaret Atwood books during my school days and loved them, but kind of avoided reading Handmaid’s Tale because it had been so hyped up and because, quite frankly, I thought it would be too depressing given our current political climate. When the Testaments (the sequel) came out last year, I felt compelled to finally read The Handmaids Tale, and while I do think the book is very hyped up, there’s good reason for it. I really love Atwood’s writing and I don’t think it’s necessarily for everyone but I enjoyed it and will definitely be reading the Testaments in the coming months!

Ritz and Escoffier by Luke Barr ~ My friend was reading this book over the holidays and after I read the Handmaid’s Tale, I definitely needed something a bit more lighthearted to read. This book is a nonfictional account of the opening of the Savoy Hotel in London and the history behind the development of high-end hotels. I found this book so fun to read, and if you aren’t much into non-fiction or historical books, it honestly is so engaging that it reads like fiction. I recommend this to anyone who is intrigued by the Gilded Age or just wants a fun and somewhat indulgent read!

The Gown by Jennifer Robson ~ Following off of the prior book, I was definitely in the mood for some more historical-based books. That combined with the fact that The Crown had just come back, I was in desperate need for a royal-related book and one random search of Goodreads later, I found The Gown. This book is about two women who are seamstresses in the atelier that make Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding gown. The book flips back and forth between the 1940s when the gown was being made to the present day, which explores the life of the granddaughter of one of the women who made the gown and details her search to find out more about her grandmother’s past. I really recommend this book for those who are interested in historical fiction and the British Royal Family.

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates ~ This is Ta-Nahesi Coates’ first work of fiction and I really enjoyed it. The book revolves around a young man named Hiram Walker who was born into slavery and by an almost magical/mystical experience, decides that he is going to escape. Even though he successfully escapes, he is pulled back to the plantation by the need to free his loved ones from bondage. The story is absolutely incredible, beautifully written, and intensely thought-provoking. I also loved how Coates weaved in elements of magical realism in a way that felt organic and enhancing to the story.

How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odell ~ This book had been on my list of books to-read for awhile and I started reading it at a particularly stressful time where I was feeling incredibly burnt out from work and then ended up having the flu for over a week and was forced to be bedridden. The title is definitely a bit tongue-in-cheek but the message Odell conveys is crucial to our day-in-age. Odell’s thesis centers around the idea that our attention is a commodity in the modern world and it is being taken advantage of almost 24/7 between technology, social media, work, and capitalism and her methods on resisting what she deems the “attention economy”. I loved this book and was recommending it to everyone in my real life. I love that so much of what Odell talks about is rooted in real research and cultural critique rather than being a simple how-to guide on how to use your phone less.

Three Women by Lisa Taddeo ~ Woah baby this book caused quite a stir! This book was based on about a decade worth of research on three different women and their sex lives. The premise is extremely interesting, but the execution definitely fell short for me. The main issue that I had with the book was how little diversity their was within all the women’s stories; their all white, middle-class, and heterosexual. In the introduction Taddeo sets out to make some overarching claims about women’s sexuality, but, to me, that’s an impossible task when your sample of women come from relatively similar socio-economic backgrounds. The narrative style also was a bit too fictionalized for me and contained zero analysis, which is something I expected to get. I wouldn’t say I flat-out don’t recommend that book, but I certainly wouldn’t expect to get a lot of deep insights out of it.

Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino ~ Talk about another book that got a lot of hype in 2019, but unlike Three Women I absolutely loved Trick Mirror. If you haven’t already heard of Jia Tolentino, she’s an essayist for the New Yorker and the New York Times, I believe, and she writes a lot about millennial culture and politics. The book is a collection of essays on “self-delusion”, which honestly meant nothing to me when I first read that subtitle, but I was intrigued. The essays range from discussions of social media, marriage and weddings, and optimization culture. The book definitely errs more on the intellectual side and you might find yourself googling terms while you’re reading this book, but her humor adds much needed levity to otherwise heavy topics.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong ~ A few of my friends had read this book in 2019 and recommended that I read it. Vuong is first a foremost a poet and this book is technically a novel, but it’s written in a very poetic way. The book is written as a series of letters from a son to his mother, and those letters chronicle his family’s immigration to the United States from Vietnam, his identity as a member of the LGBT community, racism, and class. I really loved this book and it is a beautiful read, I can’t wait to see what Vuong’s future novels will be!

The Course of Love by Alain de Botton ~ After Brad and I got engaged, I was fully immersed in wedding culture and wanted to read some good books about marriage. This book constantly came up in my searches and I really enjoyed it. The book is a work of fiction, but it is one of the most realistic portrayals of marriage and relationships I have ever seen both in books or film. If you love realistic portrayals of relationships, I highly recommend this book.

Dear Girls by Ali Wong ~ To say I love Ali Wong would be the understatement of the century. Not only is she a native San Franciscan like me, but her comedy specials are some of the best I’ve ever seen. I even went to see her with one of my best friends this past winter and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder in my entire life. I loved the format of this book; she wrote about different topics in letters to her two daughters. The book is both heartwarming and hilarious and honestly I aspire to have the kind of marriage that she has with her husband. I also learned so much about her journey getting into standup and her work ethic is incredibly inspiring.

Little Things I Do To Save Money

As I mentioned in my post all about my goals for 2020, I am working really hard in the next year to save money. Part of the reason I’m really focused on saving, is because I’ve reached the point in my twenties where I’m just generally turning into more of a saver than a spender. I’m not that interested in buying things just for the sake of buying them, and it brings me far more joy to see my savings account increase than to have more material things in my life. I also have a lot of larger expenses approaching in the next few years that I am working towards, such as paying for our wedding and hopefully being able to buy a house in the next few years, both of which require a pretty regimented approach to saving! Here is a run-down of all the small things that I’ve done to cut back my spending and grow my savings.

Weekly Auto-Transfer to Savings Account ~ This might seem like an obvious one, but setting up auto-transfer every week from your checking to your savings, is one of the easiest ways to save consistently and substantially over long periods of time. I have a running auto-transfer from my checking to my savings that runs every single Monday morning to ensure that I am saving a minimum amount of money. Of course I make other, larger transfers to my savings on a regular basis as well, but having a recurring transfer helps to stay on track with saving a certain amount every month no matter what!

Keep Track Monthly of Your Recurring Expenses ~ It’s so easy now-a-days that everything is a subscription to lose track of everything you are paying for on a monthly basis. Between Spotify, Netflix, those random app purchases, and utility bills, it can be really easy for your monthly expenses to add up even though they might seem small when you sign up for them. I like to go through my monthly statement every month to keep track of my monthly subscription costs and make sure I’m actually using all the things I’m paying for, and if I’m no longer using them, they get cancelled immediately!

Think About Large Purchases for Over One Month ~ One of the things that can absolutely ruin your savings is spontaneous purchases. Something might seem really appealing and it might offer some instant gratification having a #treatyoself moment, and while I’m all for treating yourself, I think there’s a way to go about it in a more responsible and conscious way. Whenever I want something that costs more than $50 I try to think about it for over a month before purchasing (of course this mainly goes for superfluous things and not necessities like food and other expenses). Most of the time, if I let several weeks pass, I’ve forgotten all about the item that I had previously been dying to purchase, and if I truly have not gotten it out of my head, done proper research on the item, and have visualized using whatever item it is in my daily life, then it is likely that it will be a purchase worth making!

Spend Time Taking Care of Yourself ~ Ok this one may sound like a weird one, but I find when I am taking care of myself best, i.e. getting good sleep, exercising regularly, spending time outdoors and seeing friends and family I am less likely to spend emotionally. The periods of my life where I have been the least fulfilled and the least happy are the times where I spend superfluously. This might not be the case for everyone, but I have found that when I am taking care of myself, which often requires spending little to no money, I am less likely to seek out short-term happiness in the form of buying things unnecessarily.

My Goals for 2020

I’m not usually one for making New Year’s resolutions, because I don’t love the idea of setting a year time limit to accomplish some task or form some habit. However, I do like setting long-term goals for myself (but I’m not necessarily limiting myself to achieving them within a year). While some of these goals are a bit more on the long-term end of the goal-setting spectrum, I also try not to set goals that are unrealistic or downright unachievable. So without further ado, here are my 20 goals for 2020:

1. Read 40 books in 2020 (I read 35 in 2019)!

2. Continue climbing at least once a week.

3. Pass my lead climbing test at my gym.

4. Cook dinner at home at least 5 nights per week.

5. Bring my lunch to work at least 4 times per week.

6. Spend more time outside on a daily basis, whether that’s going on a walk before work, or taking time to journal on our back porch.

7. Work on organizing our apartment on a regular basis!

8. Declutter my closet and really pare back my wardrobe.

9. Start investing and saving more of my money! (I’ve worked very hard on paring back my spending in 2019)

10. Continue to put my physical and mental well-being first and use more productive coping mechanisms to deal with stress.

11. Blog and write more!

12. Begin doing more freelance writing for local publications.

13. Discover more music in 2020!

14. Keep wedding planning stress to a minimum.

15. Find a way to stay informed going into this election year without getting stressed or overwhelmed (hey a girl can dream)!

16. Get involved in whichever candidate’s campaign speaks to me most and volunteer!

17. Try more new restaurants and explore more San Francisco neighborhoods that I haven’t spent much time in.

18. Go on more date nights with Brad!

19. Journal more as a way to chart my mood and my emotions and remind me to stay present.

20. Move to another state! Eeep, I can’t believe I’m writing this one down, but Brad and I have a big move out of California planned for this summer and I am simultaneously incredibly excited and extremely nervous. I will be sharing a lot more about this process in the coming months once more things are finalized but a new adventure awaits us in the middle of 2020!