Kim Hooper's Blog, page 16

Weekly Roundup: July 1, 2022

It’s been a wild week. Let’s get into it.

Quote of the week:
“None of us sees the world as it ‘really’ is. Our perceptions, including of other people and ourselves, are always some blend of objective reality and personal interpretations of reality. We are unable to see the world from any perspective other than our own or fully escape the tendency to perceive the world through the filter of our own self-interest. Each of us is naturally, inherently, and incontrovertibly egocentric.” —Mark Leary, Ph.D.

What I’m reading:
I read a great Haruki Murakami story collection this week—Men Without Women. I enjoyed every story, which is rare (for me) with a collection. I’m now reading Becoming the One: Heal Your Past, Transform Your Relationship Patterns, and Come Home to Yourself by Sheleana Aiyana (founder of Rising Woman).

What I’m listening to:
I listened to This is Not a Pity Memoir by Abi Morgan this week. It was quite heavy and sad… wasn’t really the best pick for me this week.

What I’m watching:
I finished Season 3 of Couples Therapy. That’s about it. I don’t have much time these days for shows.

Writing news:
No big news to report this week. I’m continuing to dabble in writing poetry and a children’s book while I take a break from novel-writing. I’m starting to do research on something that will probably be in my next novel. I love the early stages of researching.

What I’m talking about:

The Supreme Court. I mean, it’s getting absurd. They told women that they can’t have freedom over their own bodies. But then they also said it’s not the place of the court to place limitations on corporations’ carbon emissions. Nothing makes sense. They also decided that prayer in school is OK. What happened to their undying loyalty to the founding fathers? Separation of Church and State is very clear in the Bill of Rights. Nothing bothers me more than blatant hypocrisy. As AOC said recently, “The Supreme Court is actively delegitimizing itself.”The Jan 6 hearings. It’s so clear that Trump and people close to him not only knew what was going to happen, but encouraged it. And they also knew it was wrong. I really hope these hearings lead to appropriate consequencesThe drought in the American West. John Oliver said recently that it’s no longer really a “drought”; it’s a progressive aridization of the West that can’t really be stopped at this point. #climatecrisis

Interesting things I learned this week:

The human brain reaches 90% of adult size by age 5Researchers have identified 36 common secrets and the average person keeps 12 of themMore than 300,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since Columbine5% of young adults identify as trans or non-binary according to a Pew surveyThe probability of you drinking a glass of water that contains a molecule of water that also passed through a dinosaur is almost 100% (read here)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
This isn’t really “weird,” but I googled “restore tabs” like 20 times this week. My laptop keeps crashing and I always have 20 tabs open and I cannot seem to remember the buttons to push to restore them (SHIFT+CTRL+T, FYI). Probably time to get a new laptop.

What I’m grateful for:

My daughter got her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this week. No issues. So grateful for scienceA wonderful weekend with my good friend (of 28 years!). I finally got to meet her baby daughter and our girls got to play together. So specialI’m getting great feedback from early readers on my new manuscript. Excited for what’s to come with this one!My sweet friends. Shout out to my dear friend, Huong, who sent me socks with my doggie’s face on them (photo below!)Long and winding phone conversations that fill my cup

A few snapshots:

The post Weekly Roundup: July 1, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: June 24, 2022

Just found out about the overturning of Roe v Wade about an hour ago. We all knew this was coming, but it’s still so upsetting. The vast majority of Americans support a woman’s right to choose, so are we really living in a democracy if our officials don’t align with our collective views? It’s something I’ve been thinking about… Now let’s get into the usual stuff:

Quote of the week:
“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.” –James Baldwin

What I’m reading:
The Baby on the Fire Escape: Creativity, Motherhood, and the Mind-Baby Problem by Julie Phillips. This is a really interesting book, sort of a collection of mini biographies of mother-writers.

What I’m listening to:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Still loving it!

What I’m watching:
Haven’t been watching much, but did watch Taylor Tomlinson’s comedy show, “Look at You,” and laughed out loud several times by myself.

Writing news:
No big news to report this week, other than I’m writing poetry and I don’t know who I am anymore. Oh, and my best friend and I are writing a children’s book together about my dog who just died, Frankie. It might just be for us or we might try to get it published. TBD.

What I’m talking about:

The overturning of Roe v Wade. I want to fight the good fight, but I’m honestly so discouraged by thisThe Supreme Court ruling that Americans have a right to carry a gun outside the home for self-defense (read here). Great, that’s what we need—more people wandering around with gunsThe Vega v Tekoh ruling, which says that a person can’t sue the police if they don’t inform them of their rights. So, now we’re ending Miranda rights?Moving to another country (because…see first 3bullets). I’ve casually researched living in New Zealand and western CanadaSummer solstice, the day the sun is at its highest point (over the Tropic of Cancer) and there are the most hours of daylight of any day of the year. It was Tuesday! Summer is officially hereThe Jan 6 hearings and all the evidence piling up against TrumpCOVID-19 vaccines for little people! I’ll be getting my daughter vaccinated next week!

Interesting things I learned this week:

According to a study, female scientists are “significantly less likely” to be credited on scholarly articles or named on patents that they contribute to (read here)Here in the West, we once had a tradition called ars moriendi—the art of dying. These guides to death, often in the form of printed pamphlets, were so popular that one version written in Latin in 1415 was reprinted in more than 100 editions throughout Europe. But by the 1930s, the deathbed moved from the family home to hospitals, meaning death became a more hushed experience and “the art of dying” was no moreUntil very recently, it was against the law to eat lunch at your desk in France. The reasoning: eating in the workplace is hazardous to your health (In 1894, when this rule was made, the goal was to get people out of workplaces filled with toxins, but the idea stuck even in the post-industrial age). Wish this was a law everywhere New York City is further south than Rome, ItalyIt rains diamonds on Saturn and Jupiter (read here)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Ceiling swing chair.” I really want one of these! My daughter would love it too.

What I’m grateful for:

I get to see one of my very best friends this weekend and meet her baby for the first time!All the beautiful women in my life. You make me wholeLiving in California, which generally has laws that align better with my values than the federal lawsRunning. So good for my mental health. I have a 5K coming up and I just signed up for a late-August half marathon

A few snapshots from this week:

The post Weekly Roundup: June 24, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: June 17, 2022

This was a very challenging week for me. Very griefy (I’m declaring that a word). I had to put our dog, Frankie, to sleep on Saturday. It was very unexpected. She was acting lethargic for a couple days and it turned out she had widespread cancer. I miss her joyful energy so much. My daughter misses her too—Frankie used to sleep in bed with her at night. It’s been a very griefy year, marked by the loss of my dad and the end of my marriage. I am doing my best to make meaning and let this pain reveal what truly matters to me in this short life we get.

Quote of the week:
“My affinity for serious movies and thought-provoking novels is all an attempt to recreate the beauty of my life’s most honest moments. I recognize that, in order to function in society, we cannot all walk around with our hearts constantly overflowing, so I visit these moments in my mind, re-experience them through art, and appreciate the occurrence of new, utterly vulnerable moments when they come.” –unnamed blogger mentioned in Susan Cain’s book, Bittersweet

What I’m reading:
Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain. It’s a beautiful book, resonating so much with me right now.

What I’m listening to:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. My best friend recommended this to me and it is delightful!

I’ve also been listening to Ada Limón’s poetry podcast, The Slowdown. It’s like a daily meditation for me (in addition to my usual daily meditation with Jeff Warren via the Calm App–highly recommend). A favorite quote from a recent Ada episode: “Just to live, in some ways, is to live in a constant conversation with grief.”

What I’m watching:
Still watching the new seasons of Alone and Couples Therapy.

Writing news:
I had two book birthdays this past week. On June 11, TINY turned 3. On June 15, NO HIDING IN BOISE turned 1!

What I’m talking about:

My dog, Frankie. She was the best. I am working on a couple little stories about her. I miss her so muchCOVID-19 vaccines for kids under 5. Looks like it’ll be any day now. It’s about time!The economy. One word: YIKES. Inflation is on track for the most rapid rise in 40 years. Stocks have plummeted to bear market levels. All signs point to recession. Time to buckle upThe January 6th hearings. Glad truths are emerging and I hope justice is served

Interesting things I learned this week:

Today, one-third of humanity (including 80% of Americans) can no longer see the Milky Way because of light pollutionAccording to a survey of 10,000 children across 10 countries, 59% are extremely or very worried about climate changeHindu legend says that Valmiki, the world’s first poet, was moved to verse after watching a bird weeping for her mate, who’d been making love to her when he was killed by a hunterPop music is increasingly written in the minor key—60% of songs today vs 15% in the 1960sThe web browser Internet Explorer is no more (RIP)In Japanese, mono no aware refers to a desired state of gentle sorrow brought about by the pathos of things and a sensitivity to impermanenceIn a Cubs/Yankees game, first baseman Frank Schwindel stepped in as pitcher and threw the slowest recorded pitch in MLB history (35 mph) to result in a home run. My dad would have been amused by thisThe WHO is going to rename monkeypox because they say it’s discriminatory

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Pistachios flammable.” I had to look this up after a mention of it in Lessons in Chemistry. According to google: Pistachio oil, due to the nut’s high fat content — 45% of the nut, by mass, is fat — is highly flammable. If packed densely enough, the pistachio oils can self-heat, causing spontaneous combustion.

What I’m grateful for:

Friends and loved ones who have supported me this past week—with text messages, hugs, gifts (one friend sent me a doggie puzzle!), and listening ears. I’m so lucky to be lovedPositive feedback on the draft of my new novel—yay! So grateful to my best friend, Huong, for always being my first reader (and she reads my books in like two days)Being in the clear after a brief COVID-19 scare. Was feeling under the weather yesterday, but tests were negative and I’m feeling much better todayExcitement about a couple running races I have my eye on. I do love racing. I’m looking at doing a 5K on July 4 as a time trial for myself and a half marathon in AugustMy emotional support animals who seem to be grieving with me. Below you can see my cat, Leo. He’s been extra affectionate

This is my girl, Frankie. She was the very best. Rest in peace, sweet one. I was so lucky to be your mama and I was honored to be with you as you passed away. Say hi to my dad on the other side.

The post Weekly Roundup: June 17, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: June 10, 2022

Well, I spent most of the past week in Hawaii and my pale skin is slightly less pale. Hope you had a good week. Let’s get into it…

Quote of the week:
“In dark times, when so much in the news is so unrelentingly horrible, it is a political act to open yourself to the awe and joy and beauty the world still provides. To sit with a poem or take a walk in the woods isn’t an abdication or a kind of quietism. It’s a reminder of what this is all for. It’s an opportunity to muster the strength to continue, and to see just a little bit more clearly, and maybe respond just a little more compassionately.” –Ezra Klein (at the beginning of his podcast episode with Ada Limón, which I LOVED)

What I’m reading:
To Be a Man: Stories by Nicole Krauss. It’s a good collection, but I like her novels better.

What I’m listening to:
I’ll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife & Motherhood by Jessi Klein. I’m about to finish this one. Really enjoyed it.

What I’m watching:
Maidentrip, a documentary about Laura Dekker’s two-year solo voyage sailing around the world (she was only 14 years old when she set out!). I got a little teary-eyed at the end.

Writing news:
I finished edits on the first draft of my new novel and sent it off to my agent and a few of my trusted early readers. This book is a bit of a departure for me. Curious to see what my early readers think!

What I’m talking about:

Grief—so many layers, so little time. Just got back from a family trip to Hawaii during which I felt an immense amount of sadness about the loss of my dad, coming up on a year ago. The body remembers, as they say. We’ve done family trips to Maui since the 1980s. It won’t ever be the same without him. They say grief comes in waves and I’ve been pummeled recentlyThe January 6th hearings. It’s about time we all see these attacks for exactly what they were — a violent mob attempting to prevent certification of a presidential election. If there are no consequences, how can our democracy possibly survive?The new Texas legislation that bans children from attending drag shows. Glad to see they jumped to action on this instead of gun reform

Interesting things I learned this week:

Of 3.2 million book titles tracked by Bookscan in 2021, fewer than 1% sold more than 5000 copies (thank you to all my readers. It’s a tough industry)Five planets (Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury) have aligned for the first time in 18 years (read here)Fika is a Swedish word for a break in which people drink coffee or tea, eat snacks, and relax with others. I am a fanElvis impersonators are no longer allowed to perform wedding ceremonies in Vegas (read here)Excavations of Tel Meggido in Israel have unearthed 20 strata of ruins since the Neolithic phase — city upon city built and destroyed on the same site. Putting this on my list of places to visit some day

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Twitterpated word origin.” I used this word in my new novel and was wondering where in the world it came from. It’s literally translated to having one’s pate (“head”) in a twitter (confused). It was first used in the Disney movie “Bambi” in 1942.

What I’m grateful for:

Finishing a first round of edits on my new novel and sending it off to early readersA week of vacation from work–spent five days in Maui with my daughter and family, and a few days at home catching up on life things (some photos from Maui below)Continued health! Somehow still negative for Covid despite lots of traveling the past month

A few snapshots from this week:

The post Weekly Roundup: June 10, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: June 3, 2022

I’m writing this roundup very quickly, as I’m about to head to the airport with my daughter for an adventure, so please excuse any grammar errors and whatnot.

Quote of the week:
“I always forget how important the empty days are, how important it may be sometimes not to expect to produce anything, even a few lines in a journal. A day when one has not pushed oneself to the limit seems a damaged, damaging day, a sinful day. Not so! The most valuable thing one can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let it rest, wander, live in the changing light of a room.” –May Sarton

What I’m reading:
I’m about 50 pages into Animal by Lisa Taddeo, which has been on my list for a while. Loving it so far–very raw, edgy writing. I’m also reading The Carrying: Poems by Ada Limón. It’s beautiful and I’m going to have to read more of her work.

What I’m listening to:
I started I’ll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife and Motherhood by Jessi Klein the other day. So good, so funny. Also listened to a great podcast episode with Bozoma Saint John–highly recommend.

What I’m watching:
I’m about halfway through the new season of Couples Therapy and just started the new season of Alone.

Writing news:
No big news this week. I’m slowly reading through a draft of my new novel. I don’t think it’s awful so far, so that’s promising. Also: This past weekend, I wrote a poem for the first time in years and I’m craving more of that.

Interesting things I learned this week:

Orca whales are born black and orange and get the black and white markings they’re known for after about a yearIf you shrunk the sun down to the size of a white blood cell and shrunk the Milky Way Galaxy down using the same scale, it would be the size of the continental United StatesHumans share 50% of their DNA with bananasA 2018 study of more than 100,000 people across 29 countries found that the daughters of working mothers were happier and more successful in their own careers than daughters of stay-at-home mothersIn 28 states and DC, infant care costs exceed the average cost of in-state college tuition at public 4-year institutions The new Chevy Bolt will be the cheapest electric vehicle in the US (I had a Volt for years and wanted the Bolt, but there were inventory issues. Definitely going to look into this when my lease is up)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Alpacas vs llamas.” I feel like I’ve googled this before and then promptly forgot my learnings. Basically, alpacas are smaller–they’re around 150 lbs and llamas can get up to 400 lbs. Llamas also have a longer face; the alpaca’s face looks slightly smooshed in. I think I’m Team Alpaca.

What I’m grateful for:

An amazing trip out of town over the long weekend. Beautiful surroundings, wonderful company. There was a tiny house involved! So fulfilling and rejuvenating (couple photos below) Another trip this week to enjoy some sun with my daughter, mom, sister, and nephewsMy health! Still negative for Covid. Fingers remain crossedApplying for my daughter’s first passport and renewing my own. Can’t wait for some international adventures together

A few snapshots from this week:

The post Weekly Roundup: June 3, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: May 27, 2022

It’s been a heavy week. I keep waking up in the morning with this icky feeling that I’ve realized is grief. I’ve had to limit time on social media and news websites because it’s just too much. I’m holding out some hope that the United States can make some changes, while also contemplating moving to a country with more restrictions on guns (and less on books and women’s bodies). All that said, let’s get into the usual roundup.

Quote of the week:
“When I feel burnt out by the damaged cares of the world, I try to remind myself to get closer to the damage, the intimate ash of one’s dearest life where a thin layer of oxygen yet remains, to breathe that air, and look around.” –Dan Beachy-Quick

What I’m reading:
It’s been hard to focus this week, but I am slowly making my way through Ambitious Like a Mother: Why Prioritizing Your Career Is Good for Your Kids by Lara Bazelon.

What I’m listening to:
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu. It’s an interesting one, hits close to home in this pandemic world.

What I’m watching:
I finished the new season of Workin’ Moms. Thankful for the much-needed levity.

Writing news:
My first novel, People Who Knew Me, turned 6 this week! The publication of that book really changed my life and helped me see myself as a “real author.” I’d written numerous novels before that one and had started to wonder if I’d ever get published. The story may be making its way to the screen too–stay tuned!

What I’m talking about:

The Uvalde shootings. Truly horrifying. I don’t know how many of these events have to happen before there is some legislation put into placeAbortion rights. Oklahoma just banned abortion from the moment of fertilization, so things are looking prettttty bleak on this frontThat precarious balance between staying informed and protecting mental health

Interesting things I learned this week:

Of all the children aged 0 to 14 killed by guns in developed countries, 87% are US childrenSince 2017, mass shootings in the US have nearly doubled year over year. Already, there have been 212 mass shooting incidents in 2022–a 50% increase from 141 shootings in May 2017Americans make up 4.4% of the global population but own 42% of the world’s gunsThe most expensive book ever sold was $30.8M. It was Codex Leicester by da Vinci and Bill Gates bought itScientists discovered an ancient forest inside a giant sinkhole in China (read here)One-third of households are headed by single womenAccording to a poll, 74% of Americans think things are going badly New York removed its last standing public pay phone this week95% of New Zealanders are vaccinated, and only 1,000 people (in a population of 5 million) have died of Covid there (that would equate to 65,000 people dying here instead of 1 million)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Quaker beliefs on women’s rights.” I was talking to a friend about how I have some Quaker ancestors and it got me reinterested in exploring that. I was happy to see that Quakers are rooted in a strong sense of spiritual egalitarianism, including a belief in the spiritual equality of the sexes. From the beginning, men and women were granted equal authority to speak in meetings. Interesting!

What I’m grateful for:

My daughter. I’ve hugged her extra tight this weekAnother busy week of work. I’m a freelance writer and the “feast or famine” thing is real. It’s been a fun feast latelyA trip out of town this weekend! Been looking forward to this for a while

A few snapshots from this week:

The post Weekly Roundup: May 27, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: May 20, 2022

I do not know how we are nearing the end of May, but I feel like I express this type of disbelief often. I will chalk this up to “time flies when you’re having fun.” I am generally having fun. Let’s get into it:

Quote of the week:
“I’m not telling you to make the world better, because I don’t think that progress is necessarily part of the package. I’m just telling you to live in it. Not just to endure it, not just to suffer it, not just to pass through it, but to live in it. To look at it. To try to get the picture. To live recklessly. To take chances. To make your own work and take pride in it. To seize the moment. And if you ask me why you should bother to do that, I could tell you that the grave’s a fine and private place, but none I think do there embrace. Nor do they sing there, or write, or argue, or see the tidal bore on the Amazon, or touch their children. And that’s what there is to do and get it while you can.” –Joan Didion

What I’m reading:
I read On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong this past week. So beautiful and sad. I started Wayward by Dana Spiotta. It’s about a woman who leaves her life to move into a rundown old house in Syracuse.

What I’m listening to:
I’ve been listening to Today a Woman Went Mad at the Supermarket by Hilma Wolitzer. It’s a collection of stories, so easy to put aside and then come back. I also started How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu and am loving it so far.

What I’m watching:
Still toggling between The Staircase and Workin’ Moms.

Writing news:
Moms Don’t Have Time to Write published an essay I wrote this week: “Writing a Father-Daughter Story While Grieving My Dad.” I’ve seen Ways the World Could End making the rounds on Instagram and it makes me so happy. Thank you to all you readers for the kind words.

OH, and big news today! I finished the first draft of my new novel! I’ve got it printed out and ready to read through and edit. This is my favorite part. I whited-out the working title because I’m not sold on it.

What I’m talking about:

Abortion rights. It’s all looking very dire in some states. I don’t know how we have gone back in time 50+ years like this. Actually, I do know how and it’s very unsettlingThe baby formula shortage and how 200 “pro-life” Republicans voted not to do anything about itThe Buffalo shooting and the shooting near me in Laguna Woods. It’s crossed my mind many times to move to a country with stricter gun laws. The violence here is just so scary, especially for those of us who send children out into the world every dayMonkeypox. WTF. I do not need another strange virus to worry about. I’m worried enough about Covid. Several people I know have tested positive this week… For those of you sick, I hope your symptoms are mild and short-lasting

Interesting things I learned this week:

In Vietnamese, the word for missing someone and remembering them is the same: nhớA Swedish study found that when fathers were given flexible paid paternity leave, there was a 26% decrease in prescription anti-anxiety medications for postpartum moms (kind of sad that we need to fund studies to prove that the role of a father is essential, but glad to see this data)An estimated $163 billion from pandemic unemployment benefits was stolen or misspent. Holy hell38% of American adults have a bachelor’s degreeAbibliophobia is the fear of not having enough reading material (while I understand this would be terrifying, I can’t comprehend not having enough reading material because I have hundreds of books on my list and I’m constantly adding more. What is the name for the fear of not having enough time to read as many books as desired? I have that)Gas prices have passed $4 per gallon in every US stage for the first time New York has 700,000 gallons of hand sanitizer surplus it’s trying to get rid ofFor the first time, FIFA has picked female referees to officiate the men’s World CupThe Dow is on its longest weekly losing streak since 1923. Yikes

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Why are all these crows squawking?” There was a group of at least 50 crows outside my house two days in a row and they were having some kind of riot. Google tells me they were likely jostling for position in a coveted tree. Maybe there was a family reunion. I’ve never seen or heard anything like it.

What I’m grateful for:

Finishing my new novel!A busy work week with lots of interesting projectsGetting back into running and feeling good (7 miles in morning mist today)Looking forward to a trip out of town next weekend

A few snapshots from this week:

The post Weekly Roundup: May 20, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: May 13, 2022

Friday the 13th! Fun fact: The word for fear of Friday the 13th is “paraskavedekatriaphobia.” Another fun fact: In Italy, Friday the 17th is the day of bad luck–the 13th is considered lucky.

Anyway, this week was launch week for Ways the World Could End! Thank you to everyone for the support. I hope you enjoy the book! Let’s get into the usual…

Quote of the week:
“At the heart of solitude lies a paradox: look long and hard enough at yourself in isolation and suddenly you will see the rest of humanity staring back.”—Stephen Batchelor, The Art of Solitude

What I’m reading:
I finished Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey by Florence Williams this week. It exceeded my expectations—lots of nuggets of wisdom and interesting factoids. I’m starting On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong this week.

What I’m listening to:
This week, I listened to In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss by Amy Bloom. It’s about her experience alongside her husband as he chooses to end his life at Dignitas in Switzerland after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Sweet, tender, and heartbreaking. Next up on Audible: Today a Woman Went Mad at the Supermarket by Hilma Wolitzer.

Oh, also this week, I listened to Krista Tippett’s unedited conversation with Mary Oliver from back in 2015. So good. And a couple podcast episodes featuring the lovely Liz Gilbert.

What I’m watching:
I’m watching The Staircase and just started the new season of Workin’ Moms.

Writing news:
Ways the World Could End is out!  I did some fun launch-day interviews and whatnot. Women Writers, Women’s Books also published an essay I wrote, “Writing my ‘pandemic novel’” if you want to give it a read.

What I’m talking about:

Abortion rights. As expected, the Women’s Health Protection Act failed this week. This legislation was more about a Democratic strategy to mobilize voters. Please vote in the primaries! I’ll be researching the candidates and issues in my state this weekThe Coastal Fire in Laguna Niguel, which is just a few miles from where I live. This isn’t wildfire season, and nobody really expects fires near the coast like this, but the times they are a-changin’. I’m thinking of all the families who lost homes. Side note: I highly recommend Stuart Palley’s photography and activism. He takes photos of all the wildfires in CA, including this one.  I saw him speak a while ago about climate change and it was very moving  The power of awe. Peter Hendricks, a clinical psychologist and awe researcher (it’s a thing!), said, “To be the best versions of ourselves you need to transcend the self and dedicate your life to something bigger than you. Often you can achieve a recognition of that through peak experiences, and those are typified by awe. Awe ideally makes us realize that all humans are in it together, all creation is in it together.” Side note: In 1969, Maslow amended his original hierarchy of needs to add “self-transcendence,” which is very related to awe

Interesting things I learned this week:

The Event Horizon Telescope obtained the first image of the long-theorized supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy this weekChile may become the first Latin American country to have the right to abortion enshrined in the country’s constitutionThe Earth’s CO2 just hit the highest recorded in human historyOnce paired up, 75% of prairie voles will stay together until one dies, even when the female isn’t reproducing. If the male dies, the female will rarely partner with a new mate. If she dies first, 20% of males will pair up with someone newThe word “angst” comes from the Greek word ánkhō, meaning “strangle,” and the Latin words angustia, “tightness,” and angor, “choking” (interesting how the word is tied to a visceral response)Of all the countries in the world, Japanese adults have the least sex overallIn the UK, 41% of Britons say the TV or a pet is their top source of companySweden is #1 for single-person householdsThere is a Museum of Broken Relationships in Croatia that features various items that people received from former lovers and then donated to the museum

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“History of Mickey Mouse.” A good friend informed me that Mickey Mouse was inspired by an actual mouse that visited Walt Disney at his studio. Of course, I had to look this up. The full story is even more interesting: Mickey Mouse was created as a replacement for a character named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Animator Ub Iwerks was told to come up with a new animal. He tried various things—dogs, cats, a female cow, a male horse, a male frog. All rejected. Walt Disney got the inspiration for Mickey Mouse from a tame mouse at his desk at Laugh-O-Gram Studio in Kansas City. Hugh Harman drew some sketches of mice around a photograph of Walt Disney and these inspired Ub Iwerks to create a mouse character. The character was originally named Mortimer Mouse, but Walt’s wife Lillian convinced him to change it to Mickey.

Someone should make an animated movie featuring all the rejected animals (and a mouse named Mortimer).

What I’m grateful for:

A fun weekend in LA—got to visit Small World Books, Skylight Books, LACMA (photo from the Barbara Kruger exhibit below), and see a symphony at the Walt Disney Concert HallA great book launch day!Nearing completion on the first draft of my next novel. I’m at the stage of wondering if this novel is any good, which means it’s time to print it out and read through itCelebrating my cousin’s wedding this weekend and spending time with family I don’t get to see that often

A few snapshots from this week:

The post Weekly Roundup: May 13, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: May 6, 2022

Here we are in May. I hope everyone has a nice Mother’s Day weekend. I’m well-aware that Mother’s Day can be complicated for myriad reasons. Thinking of all of you who struggle with the day. And to all the moms, I hope you feel loved.

Quote of the week:
“Many of us seek community solely to escape the fear of being alone. Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape.” –bell hooks

What I’m reading:
I’m reading Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey by Florence Williams.

What I’m listening to:
This past week I listened to by The River by Peter Heller. Did not enjoy it. I’m clearly in the minority judging by all the 5-star ratings on Goodreads. I found it very dull. Next up on Audible: In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss by Amy Bloom. I’ve heard this one is very powerful.

What I’m watching:
I watched Coda while I was at the airport. Loved it. Definitely worth the hype.

Writing news:
Ways the World Could End comes out on TUESDAY! I’m very excited for this one! The audiobook just won an Earphones Award!

What I’m talking about:

The overturning of Roe v Wade. I am not afraid of losing readers by speaking out on this topic. I am enraged at the thought of this being overturned. I cannot comprehend how the same group of people who were in a tizzy about having to wear masks think it’s okay to force women to carry pregnancies for ten months. I also do not understand how the same group of people who are so dedicated to the rights of the unborn are against any assistance programs for children once they are here. It makes no sense. This topic is also personal to me as someone who went through multiple pregnancy losses before having my daughter. I wrote an essay here about how abortion bans affect women who want their pregnanciesThe revolution of relaxed women. I went to Denver this week to hear Elizabeth Gilbert talk. She said that the revolution she wants to see for women is not about them being fierce or bold or brave; she wants them to be RELAXED. Women carry a lot of anxiety and mental load in our world. A relaxed woman is someone who is comfortable with herself and her needs, trusting in her path, and not overly concerned with pleasing others to her own detriment. I am completely in alignment with her thoughts

Interesting things I learned this week:

When mothers out-earn their husbands, they gain more housework, according to a study published in the journal Work, Employment and Society. The study included more than 6,000 dual-income, heterosexual married couples between 1999 and 2017. Joanna Syrda, who published the study, posits that women out-earning men bucks traditional gender stereotypes, so women do more housework to compensate and men do less (read here)3D scans have revealed the largest cave art in North America (deep in the recesses of a limestone cave in Alabama) (read here)For the second time in two years, the population of California has decreased. California lost about 117,000 residents in 2021 and 182,000 in 2020, which was the first time in more than a century that the population in CA got smallerThe US economy shrank last quarter. Two quarters in a row is a recession. YikesThis year marks the 30th anniversary of the LA riots. I was in public school in LA during the riots and it was quite an unnerving timeRunning actually protects the knees against the development of osteoarthritis. According to a 2017 study, a nonelite runner had just a 3.5% prevalence of hip or knee osteoarthritis compared to 10.2% of those in the nonrunning control group

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“What is the plural of uterus?” My friend and I were having a laugh at the word “uteri,” but apparently that’s an appropriate word. You can also say “uteruses,” but that’s not nearly as much fun.

What I’m grateful for:

My mom’s 72nd birthday. We celebrated yesterdayA fun trip to Denver to visit one of my best girlfriends. We ate some great meals, had great talks, and got to see Elizabeth Gilbert at the Paramount Theater!Heading up to LA today for some fun and culture and good food

A few snapshots from this week:

The post Weekly Roundup: May 6, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: April 29, 2022

Is it just me or did April go by extremely fast? I don’t know how it’s May in two days. I’m not complaining—I have many exciting things happening in May, including the release of Ways the World Could End on May 10!

Quote of the week:
“We wouldn’t need books quite so much if everyone around us understood us well. But they don’t. Even those who love us get us wrong. They tell us who we are but miss things out. They claim they know what we need, but forget to ask us properly first. They can’t understand what we feel—and sometimes, we’re unable to tell them, because we don’t really understand it ourselves. That’s where books come in. They explain us to ourselves and to others, and make us feel less strange, less isolated and less alone. We might have lots of good friends, but even with the best friends in the world, there are things that no one quite gets. That’s the moment to turn to books. They are friends waiting for us any time we want them, and they will always speak honestly to us about what really matters. They are the perfect cure for loneliness.” –Alain de Botton

What I’m reading:
I’ve got a few books going: Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding; Madness, Rack, and Honey: Collected Lectures by Mary Ruefle; and All About Love by bell hooks.

What I’m listening to:
I just finished Sally Hepworth’s The Younger Wife today and really did not like it. I usually love her books, but I found this one so problematic. If you’ve read it and want to discuss, message me. Next up on Audible: The River by Peter Heller.

What I’m watching:
I’ve been keeping up with the new season of The Flight Attendant, but haven’t been getting into much else.

Writing news:
Less than two weeks until Ways the World Could End is out in the wild! I’ve been so touched by the early reviews. Thank you to everyone who reaches out on Instagram or email. It really makes my day.

What I’m talking about:

Elon Musk buying Twitter. I think he could have spent $44 billion on something more useful like, say, climate change, but whateverCOVID-19 vaccines for kids under age 5. It looks like it might be happening in May. It’s about time!Intentional community living. My third book, Tiny, explores this a bit (characters live in a community of tiny homes). I’ve been thinking about this more and plan to read some books on the topic

Interesting things I learned this week:

A top Italian court ruled this week that, by default, all newborns should have both their parents’ surnames, not just the father’s. This makes total sense and I have no idea why it isn’t the norm everywherePresident Obama is an ENFJ on the Myers-Briggs (I am an INFJ, though I used to test as an INTJ)When Buzz Aldrin joined Armstrong on the surface of the moon, his first words were: “Beautiful, beautiful. Magnificent desolation”The sense of hearing is the first we acquire (in the womb) and the last we loseHuman beings, guinea pigs, and some bats are among the few animals that cannot synthesize vitamin CThere is a theory that partners in a couple tend to look more like each other over time because of empathic mimicry—that is, through empathy for one another, they may feel similar emotions and make similar facial expressions, leading, over time, to similar facial musculature, wrinkling, and aging patternsIn a famous 1987 study, when researchers presented brand-new mothers with undershirts worn by three babies, every single one of the women could identify their child’s clothing by smell after spending only an hour with themA study of 11,000 people ages 18-39 in the US found that 10% of them didn’t know if the Holocaust actually happened. Uh…what?Madrugada is a Spanish word for the moment at dawn when night greets day (I love learning words in other languages that articulate specific things like this. Language really does shape how we think and see the world)A miniature book containing 10 previously unpublished poems by 13-year-old Charlotte Brontë sold at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair for $1.25 million (read here). This is believed to be the biggest sale ever for a female authorThe world’s largest wildlife crossing began construction in Southern California this week (read here)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Who invented the semicolon?” Turns out it was a Renaissance invention. It first appeared in 1494, in a book published in Venice by a guy named Aldus Manutius (Interesting read here).

What I’m grateful for:

My first post-marathon run today—an easy 3 miles that felt greatLive theater! I took my mom to see “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” at a playhouse near us last weekend. Tomorrow, I’m taking her to see “For Better or Worse: Tales of Marriage” at the Barclay TheaterHitting 75,000 words on my new novel (today!). My books are usually around 90,000 words so I’m getting close to having a first draft complete!My health. I’ve been testing us every few days since we got back from Boston and we have remained negative for Covid!Fun plans coming up next week—a quick trip to Denver (I’m seeing Elizabeth Gilbert’s event there!) and then a little trip to L.A. later in the week

A few snapshots from this week:

The post Weekly Roundup: April 29, 2022 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.