January Worthwhile Stuff

 📚 Books
Sweetbitter, Stephanie Danler: The day after I finished this book, I was quite sad that I wouldn't be able to curl up with it on my sofa again that coming evening. Danler does such a wonderful job capturing what it was like to be young in New York City c. 2006 (just two years before I moved to the city myself). The story is indeed bittersweet, as I would wager being a 20-something discovering themselves and the city all at once is for many people. While I've never worked in hospitality, I've known many who have, and regardless of one's background or profession, if you've been young in New York, you'll likely find something to relate to in this book, for better or worse. Sweetbitter's protagonist is deeply flawed, but Danler's Union Square and Williamsburg are perfectly rendered – familiar, comfortable, and long gone.

On Lighthouses, Jazmina Barrera: This lovely, gentle little book is a mish-mash of memoir, travelogue, history, and ephemera. There's something about the openness, honesty, and deceptive simplicity of the writing that reminds me of Grand Forks, by Marilyn Hagerty. Both books offer glimpses into the author's life via an unlikely lens, both transport the reader to distant locales, and both are perfect for reading during the solitude of winter.


🎶 Music
Dan + Shay, Dan + Shay: This album came out in 2018, but I didn't buy it until January 2020. And even though it was one of my most listened-to albums last year, I somehow never wrote it up on this blog. So here I am to say this album is excellent, and remains a go-to a full year after I brought it into my life. I remember making fun of Dan and Shay when I saw them on an awards show several years ago (due to some questionable hair and fashion choices), but credit where credit is due: these boys can write damn catchy songs with great lyrics, and they have fantastic voices. I love every single song on the album, but highlights include "Stupid Love", "Make or Break", and "No Such Thing", plus the hits "Tequila" and "Speechless".