10 things i enjoyed reading in december!
books, essays, articles, and short stories. with notes & quotes :~)
Hi friends! Here's my inaugural monthly reading list.
To my fellow post-grads craving some intellectual exercise, I hope this collection sparks your curiosity or inspires you to mindlessly scroll less and mindfully read more. And if you don't have too much time on your hands, feel free to look through my notes and quotes from the texts.
Books:
(1) Same As Ever by Morgan Housel
No matter what the world will look like in 2050, “people will still respond to greed, fear, opportunity, exploitation, risk, uncertainty, tribal affiliations and social persuasion in the same way,” Housel bets.
I learned so, so much from this book (and his other bestseller, The Psychology of Money) that I could dedicate an entire Substack to his writings. Let me know if that’s of interest!
(2) Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang
My favorite debut novel of 2023! It explores consumerism, identity, and the pursuit of perfection in the context of beauty and wellness culture.
The novel resonates with the idea, “Beauty has always been one of the only ways women have been able to access power, and I can't fault any of them for wanting more of it.”
This biting story follows a talented musician, a child of immigrants, as she enters the alluring yet sinister world of a high-end beauty store in New York where beauty is artificially manufactured and sold at a high cost.
Also offers a scathing critique of the unchecked world of American naturopathy, homeopathy, and holistic practices; sheds light on the subtle yet pervasive aspects of corporate and cultural whitewashing; and thoughtfully comments on the historical and ongoing exploitation of people of color in science and medicine for the benefit of the affluent white populace.
Just found out Constance Wu is adapting this for the screen… I am curious how that will unfold.
Articles & Essays:
(3) Woman in Retrograde by Isabel Cristo
Girl dinner this, girl math that. This short article provides a thoughtful critique of how embracing 'girlhood' as a cultural trend might represent a collective yearning for simplicity and an escape from the realities of being an adult woman in today's world. If you have spent time on Tiktok this year, this might feel refreshing.
(4) A New Approach to Measuring What’s Going On In Our Minds by Oshan Jarow
The article explores measuring the "richness" of consciousness through brain complexity, suggesting that people like Shakespeare or Emily Dickinson might have experienced the world more richly...
This research could revolutionize our approach to mental health, emphasizing the quality of mental experiences over conventional happiness metrics.
(5) Big Meat Just Can’t Quit Antibiotics by Kenny Torrella
Overuse of antibiotics in U.S. livestock has led to increased antibiotic resistance, posing significant health risks, as seen in the rise of hard-to-treat human infections.
Antibiotic use in U.S. livestock is rising again, contrasting with successful reductions in Europe (paticularly Denmark) — FDA, get on it!!!
(6) What Is The Key to a Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz
If you’re not going to read this one, I might as well give you the key point: “It’s the longest in-depth longitudinal study on human life ever done, and it’s brought us to a simple and profound conclusion: Good relationships lead to health and happiness. The trick is that those relationships must be nurtured.”
(7) The First Results From The World’s Biggest Basic Income Experiment by Dylan Matthews
“As you might expect, given how entrepreneurially minded the recipients are, the researchers found no evidence that any of the payments discouraged work or increased purchases of alcohol — two common criticisms of direct cash giving. In fact, so many people who used to work for wages instead started businesses that there was less competition for wage work, and overall wages in villages rose as a result.”
(8) The Weird, Bad History of Tampon Testing by Anna North
American culture's discomfort with menstrual blood has led to sanitized representations and inadequate testing of period products, impacting menstrual health and understanding.
The disparity in medical research focus (e.g., far fewer studies on menstruation than erectile dysfunction) highlights a significant gender bias in health science.
Short story:
(9) The Husband Stitch by Carmen Maria Machado
A viral-for-good-reason narrative that delves into the experiences and sacrifices of women, weaving a tale of intimacy, autonomy, and the often unacknowledged burdens they bear.
Its popularity stems from its poignant and resonant portrayal of female experiences, blending elements of horror, folklore, and emotional depth.
(10) My Time Machine by Arthur Asseraf
This piece is compelling for its insightful exploration of the intersection between personal history, dementia, and the concept of time.
I'd love for you to join the conversation in the comments below. Together, we can create a little book/essay/article/short story club. That's the dream…
Talk soon!
x,
Maalvika
I would love to discuss the 'girlhood' article. As someone who is 24 what resonated with me throughout that article is how I have been using 'girlhood' as an excuse to avoid my inevitable getting older. It seemed connecting with current trends defined as 'for the girls' allowed me to feel as if I still belonged with younger girls as I also am 'just a girl.' Most social media and influencer platforms focus on shallow depictions of what it is like being a woman and there is an abundance of content pushing the idea that girlhood is mostly materialistic, makeup or self care. However we are so much more than that and this is why I love your content Maalvika, always captivating and thought provoking. Whilst I really enjoyed the article I also think something that was missed is that this new 'girlhood' focus has brought together a positive community of girls supporting other girls. Whilst some aspects may be misleading, there is a calming sense of community.
I would love a whole article on the psychology of money!