What Caught My Eye Online #40
Being brave, bookish podcasts, fall reads, and more
Welcome to this week’s roundup!
In these weekly posts, I've been listing a few things I loved that week before getting to the links, but I wanted to share something different today, hoping it might help someone.
The thing I loved this week was being brave. Last Friday, I stopped by a drive-up coffee stand to get some breakfast. I didn't realize it before I ordered, but bees were flying everywhere, and a couple nearly ended up in my car. This situation would have sent me spiraling before, but not anymore.
For most of my life, I lived with a pretty severe phobia of bees and wasps. By the time I was in my early 20s, it got to a point where it was affecting my daily life in the spring and summer seasons. I would start dreading spring as soon as it was January. One summer afternoon, I wanted to go to a coffee shop to read, but I chose to stay home because I was too afraid to walk from my front door to my car parked on the street in front of my house. That's when I knew I needed to get help, and so I did.
I was only working part-time then and had no insurance, so I knew affording therapy wasn't an option. I had a friend ask their therapist what options I had, and she recommended a local place that charged based on income. After a handful of affordable sessions, I spent the entire therapy hour outside at a nearby park and was okay. My therapist even got an old wasp's nest off her porch, brought it in, and asked me to hold it in my hands, which I did. Those few sessions changed my life. I still don't like bees and wasps, but they no longer keep me from living.
I tell you all of this because it's good to celebrate your own courage, but also because phobias affect a lot of people and are an essential part of the conversation about mental health. If you're struggling with a phobia, reach out and ask what help is available to you. You might be surprised at what's accessible. It could change your life like it did mine.
And now, links!
Author and librarian Kelly Jensen has been an essential voice in the fight against book bans. She recently talked with Publishers Weekly about censorship and the current book ban movement.
You can also read the Jensen article in the online version of PW’s September issue, which focuses on the freedom to read.
If you’re looking for a bookish podcast, here are 50 to check out. What Should I Read Next? is my favorite.
‘Tis the season for dark academia books. Here are 20 recommendations from Modern Mrs. Darcy, and here are 20 more campus novels.
I like this Atlantic piece about how people use their Notes app. I use mine for many things, but tracking my favorite things throughout the year is the best. I have categories you’d expect, like albums and TV shows, but I also have moments, meals, accomplishments, and conversations. Jotting down those memories and revisiting them later brings me so much joy.
The Baby-Sitters Club books were a huge part of my childhood and helped shape the reader I am today. The BSC author, Ann M. Martin, recently talked with People about her thoughts on the series and where the characters would be today.
Lit Hub offers up the ultimate fall 2024 reading list featuring 78 titles.
I’ve never read a book set in Croatia, but Electric Lit suggests 10 of them.
I clicked on this book list so fast: 10 thrilling books about women on the verge. Yes, please. I was pleasantly surprised to have already read most of the titles.
Here are 63 reading recommendations for every fall reading vibe.
Kayla from the YouTube channel BooksandLala posted a video in which she read one book from each Goodreads Choice Awards category. The video is nine months old, but I just watched and loved it. I have very different reading tastes than Kayla, but I like how she reviews and explains books. Plus, her interest in horror and fantasy help me better understand what’s popular in those genres.
I always appreciate the insight and thoughtfulness of Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, the hosts of Pantsuit Politics. Here they discuss the Harris-Trump presidential debate. I always learn something from this show and highly recommend it if you want political commentary focused on truth and how the law applies. (Both hosts have legal backgrounds.)
Anne Lamott shares her thoughts on getting older.
The Cut takes us into the closets of 15 stylish people.
As someone with matching spice jars organized alphabetically, I appreciated this look at Anne Bogel’s favorite spices and seasoning blends.
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What’s caught your eye lately? Do you have thoughts on what I shared here? Thanks for reading!
Good for you on being brave! I would say my love/mantra of the week is keeping my promises to myself. :)
I can’t wait to dive in here. How am I not surprised that we share a love for Claudia, Marianne, Stacey and Kristy. 🥰 So cool about the wasps and you overcoming your fear, you opened up to more of the world which is amazing.