Reading “Atmosphere” Instead of Crying On the Floor
Nahhhhhh! I've been crying plenty! Still, here is my reading list, if you want to Book Club with me this summer!
Hello friends,
This one will be short. It'll start with some feels and end with a reading list.
Or it can be short — scroll to the list, if you'd like.
I've been crying about the Big Beautiful Bill wrecking my Big Beautiful Heart. My face has been ugly. My stance has been small.
I came here as a refugee and, through that experience, met so many smart, hardworking people who thrived better in other environments or when they were more able-bodied. These people need a little extra help in America — a place so many of them came to as a last resort just for some peace.
Taking medicine away from them is heartless.
All I can say is, I hope this story isn't over and our story isn't over.
I write this to motivate more of us to fight the Big Beautiful Bill and take more Small Ugly Steps to help our community.
As always, and perhaps why I write, I find comfort and hope in books.
I somehow managed to finish a book this weekend, "Atmosphere" — my first Taylor Jenkins Reid (I know, shut up).
"Atmosphere" is a book about finding connection at great heights and costs.
Reading about stars and strong women overcoming all sorts of difficulties healed me just enough that instead of just lying down right after work, I managed to go on a walk with the best neighbor to have, Victoria, and now I can write tonight.
Ok time for a list of all the books distracting me this summer:
(Something about ranting all the feels, and then sitting down & making a concise list, heals me)
Here is what I just finished reading/will write about:
Most joyful/hottest new read/good luck getting it from the library award
“Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Quick review: This book is everything I enjoy about the idea of America and proof that if we can write it and read it, we can live it — a reminder I needed on a particularly gloomy July 4, when my hatred for American politicians knew no bounds. It’s a fast read with plenty of punchy sentences. I felt all the feels I needed to feel.
Will I read more Taylor Jenkins Reid? Yes.
Themes I’ll write about: boundaries, joy from science, love
Is it joyful? Yes! Truly! It is SO joyful. The main character is resilient, optimistic, hopeful, self-assured, community-oriented, science-loving, niece-loving, AND curly-hair-loving. Wow. Can Joan be my best friend? I really enjoyed being in Joan's head! Can I always be there???
Rating: It’s a 5 for me, for the feelings it stirred and the evident care in its craft.
Continuing the “Midnight Library”/ regrets thread
Quick review: Somehow, one of my favorite books. A few sentences that will slap you in the face and remind you a man wrote this — and I don't mean this in a good way — but overall, a very fast, thought-provoking read in the multiverse genre. Think "Midnight Library" is PG-13 and "Dark Matter" is rated R. I recommend it for anyone who is regretting decisions.
Will I read more Black Crouch? Yes.
Themes I’ll write about: regrets, multi-verse, mental health, writing, boundaries
Is it joyful? While not my first recommendation for a joyful read — I was even afraid to watch the TV adaptation alone due to its intensity — I find all multiverse books comforting. This one does have a joyful ending, at least from my perspective, though you might feel differently. Let me know!
Rating: TOUGH! 5 for how I feel about it. 4 is for how I think about it.
Here is what I’m currently in the middle of reading/writing about:
All the nonfiction
“The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer for summer reading about berries & the gift economy
"Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures" by Merlin Sheldrake for summer reading about fungi (Turns out, I know nothing about fungi!) (How can I know so little about fungi???)
“Set Boundaries Find Peace” by Nedra Glover Tawwab because I’m still struggling at age 31…
Women who actually are messy and unhinged and that is how it is
Women look cool reading this book on the subway, so you won’t catch me riding without my copy
“I Who Have Never Known Men” by Jacqueline Harpman (also a great men-repellent on the subway)
If you want to read any of these books with me, just let me know, and I will put a small group together, and we will Book Club it up!!!
You can email me back or comment here or text me!
Note: this is just a fun poll to see what books more people are interested in… I can’t see who selected what. Please message me individually!
Follow me on Goodreads for my reviews.
Also, you can read what I write here instead, that is also allowed:
Receipts are better than regrets: Grab my Decision Log template!
My last essay, “Write It Before You Rewrite It,” lit up my phone for hours — new careers, apartment hunts and even bigger moves like the run-off-to-a-new-city or stay-put debate. My friends sounded stuck and, worse, unsure why past choices felt right at the time.
Thanks for reading my feels and/or my latest list.
Please like, share and engage — I’m aiming for 10 likes (ambitious, I know). It would really cheer me up!
Also, feel free to send me your feels and then a relevant list, if you’d like!
Here’s to fewer hours spent doomscrolling on our phones and many more spent reading peacefully on the beach,
Katya