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Weekly roundup: June 27, 2025

Happy Friday! I’m riding a little high from a great book launch event last night. Thank you to everyone who came out! I’m quite the introvert and have a lot of nerves about things like this, but the group who came was so warm and kind. THANK YOU!

Quote of the week:
“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” —Frida Kahlo

What I’m reading:
I just finished The Möbius Book by Catherine Lacey, which I got from the library after reading about it in The New York Times. I liked it.

What I’m listening to:
I just finished Mothers and Other Fictional Characters: A Memoir in Essays by Nicole Graev Lipson. I went into this pretty blind and was pleasantly surprised. I could relate to many of the essays.

What I’m watching:
Season 4 of Vikings on Netflix. Just started Season 4 of The Bear on Hulu. Oh, and I watched Breaking 4, about Faith Kipyegon’s attempt to break the 4-minute mile. Such a good sports story. She did it in 4:06, which is still a new world record.

Writing news:
We’re in the last few days of Woman on the Verge being an Amazon First Reads pick. You can download it for $1.99 or get it free if you have Prime. Official release date is TUESDAY! I had a great local event last night at Beach Town Books. It’s always wonderful to connect with readers. My daughter served as my hype person, which was extra special. When I told her about the event, she asked if she could introduce me in front of everyone. So sweet.

Interesting things I learned this week:

The Rubin Observatory, a powerful new telescope, has already spotted 2,100 new asteroids. Scientists expect it to find millions of unknown objects in our solar system, and perhaps even a new planetThe longest frozen human embryo known to have resulted in a live birth is 30 years. This record was set by twins Lydia and Timothy Ridgeway, who were born in 2022 after their embryos were frozen in April 1992. The previous record was held by Molly Gibson, who was born from an embryo frozen for 27 yearsA request made using ChatGPT consumes 10x the electricity of a Google search, according to the International Energy AgencyOwning a dog reduces risk of dementia by 40%, while owning cats made no difference at all. LOLHistorians estimate that only 0.5% of recorded history is about womenCalifornia is one of the top states for lung health, according to a new studyU.S. drug deaths dropped by roughly 40% last year among people under the age of 35A new study found that, in places with plastic bag bans or taxes, volunteers at shoreline cleanups collected 25%-47% fewer plastic bags as a total fraction of items collected, compared to places with no plastic bag policiesDenver recorded the largest multi-year reduction in unsheltered homelessness in American historyKraft Heinz announced that it will remove artificial dyes from its U.S. products before the end of 2027China is building the world’s largest national park system, with a network of wilderness bigger than TexasAfter decades of being underpaid, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have secured a 400% pay raiseAccording to Pew Research, 16% of adults, both men and women, report feeling lonely or isolated all or most of the timeBetween 1975 and 2000, mothers’ time to themselves dropped by 7 hours per weekWomen are 51% of the population but 60% of the poor and 83% of single parents. Related: Women earn just 11% of the pay and own only 20% of the landNearly 70% of people arrested in L.A. ICE sweeps from June 1 to June 10 had NO CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

What I’m grateful for:

Everyone who came out to support me at Beach Town Books last night. It was so heartwarming and funA new book idea that’s percolating. Just when I said I’d take a break from novels for a bit…Our local Boys & Girls Club, where my daughter goes to summer camp. It’s just the best organizationOur community of friends. So many playdates, so little time

No snapshots to share this week! Too busy to snap! I’ll leave you with this pretty photo of my book, taken by my sis.

The post Weekly roundup: June 27, 2025 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: June 22, 2025

It’s officially summer! We kicked things off with a wonderful trip to Maui. I’ve been going to the island since I was a kid, it’s like a second home. It never disappoints. We are now adjusting to a new summer routine with my daughter in camp and me starting a new work situation next week. There’s a lot going on with my book coming out too! It’s very strange to have the aforementioned priorities while so many horrible things are happening in our country and around the world. I’m so worried about the escalation of conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing ICE raids. These are tough times and I think holding onto the moments of joy in our lives is the only way to cope.

Quote of the week:
“Because of the routines we follow, we often forget that life is an ongoing adventure…and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art: to bring all our energies to each encounter, to remain flexible enough to admit when what we expected to happen did not happen. We need to remember that we are created creative and we can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed.” — Maya Angelou

What I’m reading:
I came home from vacation to the best book mail from my So Cal writing friend, Michelle Gable. Her latest release, Darling Beasts is so fun! Recommend for fans of Annie Hartnett and Kevin Wilson.

What I’m listening to:
I’m Glad My Mom Died, a memoir by actress Jennette McCurdy. Wow. I remember when this came out and there was so much buzz about it. I didn’t read it because I didn’t know the actress and thought it wouldn’t interest me because of that. Then my daughter got really into the show “Sam & Cat” and I realized the actress is on that show (she’s Sam). Having now listened to the memoir, I can say you don’t need any background knowledge of Jennette McCurdy to appreciate her story. It’s raw and powerful. The writing is great.

What I’m watching:
Season 4 of Vikings on Netflix. I’m very late to the party on this show, but it’s so good. My boyfriend and I saw 28 Years Later in the theater yesterday and it was way more emotional than I thought it would be. I may have cried.

Writing news:
Just a reminder that Woman on the Verge is an Amazon First Reads pick for June. You can download it for $1.99 or get it free if you have Prime. Official release date is July 1! Local friends, I have a launch at Beach Town Books in San Clemente this Thursday evening. Come out if you can!

Next up: My 2026 novel, which will release in February. I’ll have a title and cover to share soon!

Interesting things I learned this week:

Our hands and feet get pruney when wet for an evolutionary reason—to help us grip under water, like treads on a tire. Our ancestors had to hunt and trudge through lots of streamsMIT did a study of how ChatGPT impacts our brains and found that ChatGPT users had the lowest brain engagement and “consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioral levels.” Not surprisingIn most parts of the world, mammal populations are losing 70% of their members because of habitat loss, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesIn 2019, Iceland launched one of the world’s most ambitious trials of the 4-day work week and, six years later, the results are undeniable: productivity remained the same or IMPROVED, while worker well-being skyrocketedHouseholds with 2+ kids are sick 56% of the year (but Americans only get 5 total sick days, if they’re lucky). For comparison, households with no children are sick about 7% of the yearMen tend to sleep better when sharing a bed with a partner, while women’s sleep quality gets worse, according to researchers from the Journal of Social and Personal RelationshipsOne in ten people is undocumented in LA. Related: 72% of Californians believe that immigrants are a net benefit to society, contributing to the economy and our shared growthA poll showed the widest ever gender gap between Americans’ views on abortion: 61% of women identified as pro-choice compared to only 41% of men

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“hot fingertip.” This past week, the tip of my index finger on my right hand keeps getting hot at random times. Being the mild hypochondriac that I am, I had to google this and I have yet to find a sufficient explanation. Is this similar to the concept of your ears burning when someone is talking about you?

What I’m grateful for:

An amazing trip to Maui with my crew. We do a family trip once a year and this one was so special. A few photos below…So many messages from readers of Woman on the Verge, reminding me that many of us share the same struggles when it comes to motherhood and just being a woman in this world. I love how books can connect usFinishing book edits for my 2026 novel. I feel so good about them. My editor is so wonderful

The post Weekly Roundup: June 22, 2025 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly roundup: June 6, 2025

It’s been a week over here. The last week of school for my daughter, juggling a bunch of work things, turning in edits for my 2026 book, getting ready for a trip. I am rather scattered, but here’s my best attempt at a roundup.

Quote of the week:
“Here’s an idea: All emotions start out as love. Later, that love is worked on by the forces of luck and suffering. Hate is just soured love. Fear is wounded love. Longing is homeless love. Love, not pain, is the mother. Love is the taproot.” —Amity Gaige, in Heartwood

What I’m reading:
I read Heartwood by Amity Gaige earlier in the week and it was fantastic. Now I’m reading Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors and really enjoying it.

What I’m listening to:
I finished Hello, Cruel World! Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times by Melinda Wenner Moyer—highly recommend. Now reading Yiyun Li’s sad and beautiful memoir, Things in Nature Merely Grow.

What I’m watching:
Still making my way through Season 3 of Vikings on Netflix. Finished The Four Seasons on Netflix. Watched Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster on Max… riveting!

Writing news:
Just a reminder that Woman on the Verge is an Amazon First Reads pick for June. You can download it for $1.99 or get it free if you have Prime. Official release date is July 1! I turned in edits for my 2026 novel this week—should have a title and cover to share in the coming weeks!

Interesting things I learned this week:

When Claire Danes starred in “My So-Called Life,” she was only 14, while Jared Leto, her love interest in the show, was 21. Would this happen today??New York was the last state to allow no-fault divorce (as of 2010). Related: The Philippines and the Vatican still don’t allow it64% of mothers have experienced a “substantial decline” in mental health, according to a new study of nearly 200,000 mothers. In 2016, 1 in 20 mothers reported her mental health was poor or fair. By 2023, that share had shot up to 1 in 12. By contrast, in 2023, 1 in 22 fathers surveyed reported fair or poor mental healthInternational students contribute $44 BILLION to the U.S. economyOn average, single women are happier than single men: 32% of single women (but only 20% of single men) scored in the highest range of satisfaction with their singlehoodAPA’s Consumer Survey found that 51% of Americans aged 18+ have listened to an audiobookM&M’s were the first candy that eaten in space

What I’m grateful for:

A great end to first grade for my daughter. We are ready for summer (sort of… adjusting to the new routine is always a thing)My oldest nephew’s middle-school graduation. The time, it fliesFinishing a hefty round of book edits for my 2026 novel. Editing takes a lot out of meLeaving on a jet plane soon. Can’t wait for sun (we are getting some heavy June gloom in So Cal)Ongoing love between our pets. They are such a cute little familyA fun event last night at The Noble Path Foundation, talking to people about what it’s like to be a writer

Snapshots:
Top to bottom: Talking writing with young people last night; raindrops on flowers (#junegloom); pet cuteness.

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Weekly Roundup: June 1, 2025

It’s June 1, so we’re exactly 1 month away from the official release of my new book, Woman on the Verge. What’s super exciting today is that it’s an Amazon First Reads pick for June, meaning you can download it for $1.99 or for free if you have Prime. Woohoo!

Quote of the week:
“Always aspire to act in a way that cancels out someone else’s cruel or stupid behavior.” — Carl Hiaasen

What I’m reading:
I finished by Florence Knapp a couple days ago and highly recommend it. I’m now reading Heartwood by Amity Gaige.

What I’m listening to:
Hello, Cruel World! Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times by Melinda Wenner Moyer. She’s one of my favorite parenting writers.

What I’m watching:
Season 3 of Vikings on Netflix, and The Four Seasons on Netflix.

Writing news:
The biggest news is that Woman on the Verge is an Amazon First Reads pick for June, so you can read it ahead of the official July 1 launch date. I can’t wait to talk about this book with readers.

In other news, I’m turning in edits for my 2026 novel TOMORROW. Title will be announced soon! And, last, my first book, People Who Knew Me, turned 9 on May 24!

Interesting things I learned this week:

Finland has more saunas than carsAn ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brainOnly 26% of men reported having six or more close friends, a 2024 survey found. Polling for a similar question in 1990 put the figure at 55%Political scientist Adam Bonica noted recently that Trump and the administration suffered a 96% loss rate in federal courts in the month of May. Great, but also so upsetting that this administration is causing so much chaos and wasting so much time and resourcesRelated: From October 2024 through February 2025, 80 judges received threats according to data from the US Marshals Service. In the six weeks after, an additional 162 judges received threats. In total, around one-third of the US judiciary has been threatened this fiscal year

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“éclaircissement.” Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Plano, Texas, was crowned this year’s National Spelling Bee champion last week and this was his winning word, which I had never heard in my life. It means “a clearing up of something obscure.”

What I’m grateful for:

Amazon First Reads! I’m so excited about this!Fun end-of-school-year events. My daughter had her first-grade concert last week. So cuteCuddly petsUpcoming vacation—much neededFamily hangouts, playdates, and the sweetest boyfriend

Snapshots:
From top to bottom: Summer means reading in the sun; hikes with pups and kids and friends; blossoming friendships.

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Weekly Roundup: May 23, 2025

Happy Friday! I am rushing to get things done before heading to a concert at my daughter’s school, so let’s get to it.

Quote of the week:
“Happiness is in the quiet, ordinary things. A table, a chair, a book with a paper-knife stuck between the pages. And the petal falling from the rose, and the light flickering as we sit silent.” —Virginia Woolf

What I’m reading:
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. This is the second time-travel novel I’ve read recently. Very good book—witty and interesting.

What I’m listening to:
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad. This book is so powerful and sobering and timely. From the synopsis: “As an immigrant who came to the West, El Akkad believed that it promised freedom. A place of justice for all. But in the past twenty years, reporting on the War on Terror, Ferguson, climate change, Black Lives Matter protests, and more, and watching the unmitigated slaughter in Gaza, El Akkad has come to the conclusion that much of what the West promises is a lie. That there will always be entire groups of human beings it has never intended to treat as fully human—not just Arabs or Muslims or immigrants, but whoever falls outside the boundaries of privilege.”

What I’m watching:
Keeping up with Season 2 of The Last of Us on Max, and in the midst of Season 2 of Vikings on Netflix.

Writing news:
I’m booking some local events for the launch of Woman on the Verge. If you’re a local and you’re interested, message me! I’m also doing edits on my 2026 novel, which are due in about 10 days. It’s a very busy time.

Interesting things I learned this week:

Dogs were first domesticated from wild wolf populations around 20,000 to 40,000 years ago. Related: Cats were domesticated about 10,000 to 12,000 years agoNearly 2 in 3 Americans think frugality is an attractive trait. Related: A majority of Americans (56%) said using a coupon on a date is perfectly acceptableTaylor Swift’s Eras Tour alone contributed over $5 billion to the U.S. economy—just in consumer spendingThe tourism industry expects the U.S. will lose about $12.5 BILLION in international travel spending this year because of a decline in foreign travelersChatGPT uses 1-3 bottles of water for cooling for every query you put into it. ChatGPT also consumes 17,000 times more electricity than the average American homeThe “kin” in “napkin” means “little.” “Nap” comes from “nape,” which means “tablecloth.” So, napkin is a little tableclothThere’s a book club in Austin that has been reading the same book (Finnegans Wake by James Joyce) for 12 years. They read one page at a time because it’s such a notoriously dense and challenging book

What I’m grateful for:

My daughter’s first karate tournament. I’m so proud of her for trying something new. She did greatThe aerial silk swing that’s now in our garage. I’m impressed with myself for putting it upBook clubs! My daughter and I had our fun Mom & Me book club last weekend, and I had my grown-up book club last night, which always fills my cup Visits from friends. I got to see a friend who was in town last weekend, and my other good friend is in town todayLast week of homework at school #IYKYK

Snapshots:
From top to bottom: This cat is my soulmate, always and forever; the cross-species friendships are deepening; I blame her for today’s lack of productivity.

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Weekly Roundup: May 16, 2025

Happy Friday! It is feeling more and more like summer here and I’m loving it. Hope you’re getting some sun and chill vibes where you are.

Quote of the week:
“Any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.” —Homer, The Iliad

What I’m reading:
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. I am LOVING this book. Sometimes books get a lot of hype and I’m meh on them, but this one is deserving of all the hype (in my opinion).

What I’m listening to:
I listened to My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me by Jason B. Rosenthal in a couple days. It’s such a sweet memoir about his marriage to Amy Krause Rosenthal, who died of ovarian cancer. Now I’m listening to Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage by Heather Havrilesky, which is a very different view of marriage haha.

What I’m watching:
Same as last week: The Last of Us on Max, Dying for Sex on Hulu, Vikings on Netflix. It takes me SO LONG to go through a series.

Writing news:
I’m starting to plan some launch things for Woman on the Verge while also doing edits on my 2026 novel (title to come!). Do I sometimes get the books confused? Yes, yes I do.

Interesting things I learned this week:

A group of hyenas is called a cackleHarvard Law School paid $27 for what officials thought was a copy of Magna Carta. Turns out it was an originalYour brain burns about 400-500 calories per dayPope Leo’s childhood home will be sold to the highest bidder in an online auction. A house flipper bought it before Leo became pope and is expected to make a windfallSince taking office, Trump has increased his net worth by about three billion dollars, roughly one billion every month. Not sure how anyone thought he was in this for anything but himselfAccording to a 2024 government report, brand-name prescription drugs in the US are over 300% higher on average than in other wealthy nations. For example, a crucial cancer drug that costs $191,000 per year in the US costs just $44,000 in JapanThe annual income required to purchase a typical California house has nearly doubled over the past fie years. It’s INSANE where I liveRelated: Americans need to earn about 70% more today than six years ago to comfortably afford a median-priced home, per Realtor.com

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“pinan 1.” It’s not that weird of a google search if you’re a karate person, which I guess I am now? My daughter is very into it. She has her first tournament this weekend and has to do the pinan 1 form.

What I’m grateful for:

A really nice Mother’s Day. I feel so lucky to have my daughter. It’s a love like no otherPool time. We had a heat wave roll through and it was gloriousMy editor. I usually hate getting edits back on books, but her notes are always perfectFeeling like myself on runs lately. I’m keeping it mellow with 4-5 miles a few days a week, but it’s feeling so niceContinued puppy cuteness. I am in love with our newest addition. Our pet family is the best

Snapshots:
From top to bottom: First pool use in months; a fun Mother’s Day hike; a Mother’s Day coupon book from my daughter that proves she really gets me.

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Weekly Roundup: May 9, 2025

Happy Friday! Look at me, getting a weekly roundup done on time. To all the moms out there, I hope you feel special and loved this weekend. For anyone who is struggling with Mother’s Day (for any number of reasons), I see you. Sending love.

Quote of the week:
“The luminous and shocking beauty of the everyday is something I try to remain alert to, if only as an antidote to the chronic cynicism and disenchantment that seems to surround everything these days. It tells me that, despite how debased or corrupt we are told humanity is and how degraded the world has become, it just keeps on being beautiful. It can’t help it.” —Nick Cave

What I’m reading:
Penitence by Kristin Koval. I love me a complicated family drama.

What I’m listening to:
Next to Heaven by James Frey. It’s about a swingers party gone wrong. Spicy and fun.

What I’m watching:
Season 2 of The Last of Us on Max—so good. Dying for Sex on Hulu. Vikings on Netflix (which my boyfriend thought I would like and I did not think I would like, but I actually like).

Writing news:
Final copies of of Woman on the Verge are HERE! It’s getting real. Release date is July 1!

Interesting things I learned this week:

McDonald’s once made bubblegum-flavored broccoliThe average cloud weighs over one million poundsNinety-nine percent of the world’s population now lives in areas where the air quality does not meet World Health Organization standards for safety — including one-third of all AmericansTrump’s approval rating is at 39%, the lowest approval rating at the 100-day mark in the past 80 yearsRelated: 6% of self-identified Trump voters say they now regret their vote

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“origin of hello phone greeting.” My friend sent me something about this on Instagram so I did a little investigating. So interesting: “Thomas Edison is credited with popularizing hullo as a telephone greeting. In previous decades, hullo had been used as an exclamation of surprise (used early on by Charles Dickens in 1850) and halloo was shouted at ferry boat operators by people who wanted to catch a ride. According to one account, halloo was the first word Edison yelled into his strip phonograph when he discovered recorded sound in 1877. Shortly after Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, he answered calls by saying ‘ahoy ahoy‘, borrowing the term used on ships. There is no evidence the greeting caught on. Edison suggested Hello! on August 15, 1877 in a letter to the president of Pittsburgh’s Central District and Printing Telegraph Company, T. B. A. David: ‘Friend David, I do not think we shall need a call bell as Hello! can be heard 10 to 20 feet away. What you think? Edison – P.S. first cost of sender & receiver to manufacture is only $7.00.'” (source: Wikipedia)

What I’m grateful for:

Celebrating my mom’s birthday. She’s healthy and witty as everThe last month of school for my daughter. I can’t believe how fast first grade wentSUN! We have serious “May gray” and “June gloom” here but we’ve had a couple days of spectacular sun and warmth. It’s amazing how much it affects my moodFun plans for Mother’s Day weekend

A couple snapshots:
From top to bottom: I don’t know how I’m supposed to work in these conditions; puppy comforting me as I read up on the very unqualified US Surgeon General

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Weekly Roundup: May 3, 2025

I usually do these on Fridays, but life has just been nuts. So, happy Saturday! Here’s a lil’ roundup.

Quote of the week:
“There’s no greater ecstasy than to know who you are.” —Osho

What I’m reading:
Colored Television by Danzy Senna. I remembered someone recommended this to me, but I can’t remember who it was. Anyway, thank you to this person because I’m really enjoying it.

What I’m listening to:
Tilt by Emma Pattee. A pregnant woman in the aftermath of a huge earthquake in Oregon. Set over the course of a single day. I’m into it.

What I’m watching:
Season 2 of The Last of Us. Loving it. Dying for Sex on Hulu—love Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate!

Writing news:
Less than two months away from the release of Woman on the Verge. I can’t wait for you guys to read this one!

Interesting things I learned this week:

California is a donor state. In 2023, Californians contributed $83.1 billion more than we received from the federal government. In contrast, Texas TOOK $71.1 billion more than they provided the federal government90% of people living in poverty worldwide rely on the ocean as their primary source of protein and/or livelihoodTuirse is a soul-deep fatigue—a kind of emotional or spiritual exhaustion that can come from heartache, longing, sorrow, or simply being worn down by life, because of carrying the weight too long“Bitch the pot” is Victorian slang for “pour the tea”

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“woman with most kids.” My daughter wanted to know this. Google shocked us: “The woman with the most children is alleged to be Valentina Vassilyeva, a Russian peasant woman, who reportedly gave birth to 69 children between 1725 and 1765, including 16 pairs of twins, 7 sets of triplets, and 4 sets of quadruplets.”

What I’m grateful for:

One year with my guy! Dating as a single working mom is not for the faint of heart. I’ve found a really great relationship for me and I’m so grateful A kind check-in email from my editor who says she loves my 2026 novel. Ahhh! I should be getting her full notes soonFreelance work and connecting with all my advertising industry friends. Getting laid off is no fun, but I’m reconnecting with lots of peopleA new single-mom friend. Single parenting is HARD and it’s nice to talk to others who get itFun outings with my daughter. She’s such a sidekick and I adore her

Snapshots:
From top to bottom: Backyard selfie on a day I was pleased with my hair; the best doggie cuddle time; Frankie’s first puppuccino

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(Multi)Weekly Roundup: April 25, 2025

Whew, this month has been a DOOZY. I really try to do this roundup every Friday, but the past few weeks have been crazy. My daughter had her school Spring Break and on the day we were leaving for a little trip together, I got a call that I’d been laid off from my job. So that was fun. We still managed to have a good trip. Then I was scrambling to prep for my trip to Boston, which was great. I ran the marathon this past Monday and got a PR—3:27:18. Now I’m back home, catching up on life. I can’t believe it’s May next week. Here’s a roundup to get me back on schedule.

Quote of the week:
“Maybe happiness is this: not feeling like you should be elsewhere, doing something else, being someone else.” —Isaac Asimov

What I’m reading:
I read All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker while I was in Boston, and now I’m about to finish Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel—very good!

What I’m listening to:
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. Totally worth the hype. Great book.

What I’m watching:
Let’s see… Finished White Lotus Season 3, which wasn’t my favorite season but still very entertaining. Also finished Squid Game and, wow, that was dark. Started the new season of The Last of Us. Did a lot of “Netflix and chill” when I was in Boston, including Trap, the latest M. Night Shyamalan movie (meh), and some random documentaries.

Writing news:
We are about two months away from the release of Woman on the Verge. I can’t wait! I did a fun little interview for the Readerista’s Substack, which you can check out here.

Interesting things I jotted down over the past few weeks:

Studies have shown that individuals with higher levels of optimism have a longer lifespan, with some research indicating a difference of 11-15%. This difference in longevity has been observed in both men and womenA group of ladybirds is called a lovelinessThe Māori word for autism is takiwatanga, which means “in their own time and space”7 out of 10 people are living in a chronic state of stress. YikesTo become a close friend with someone requires spending 200+ hours together80% of toys come from ChinaThe US is the largest importer of coffee; about 80% comes from Latin AmericaThe heart of a whale is the heaviest on the planetA study shows that the preference for sweet foods is associated with the personality trait of agreeableness Gunnen is a Dutch word that means to find happiness in someone else’s happiness because that’s how much you love themThe Wollemi Pine is one of the world’s oldest and rarest plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. Less than 100 adult trees are known to exist in the wildThe German word fisselig refers to being flustered to the point of incompetenceBook bans increase the circulation of banned books by 12% compared to a control groupThe capybara is the world’s largest rodent, native to South AmericaAstronomers have detected a possible signature of life on a distant planet (K2-18b), which orbits a star 120 light-years awayResearch suggests that as many as one-third of parents are chronically lonelyPetit à petit, l’oiseau fait son nid is a French phrase that means “little by little, the bird makes its nest”

Weirdest thing I googled recently:
“why do birds fly in a V.” I googled this after seeing a beautiful V formation while driving down to San Diego for a Nikki Glaser comedy show. From Google: “Birds fly in a V formation primarily to conserve energy during long migrations, but also for improved aerodynamics and potentially to enhance communication and coordination within the flock. The V formation allows birds to take advantage of the upwash created by the wing tips of the birds ahead, reducing drag and making flight easier.” They take turns leading the V!

What I’m grateful for:

A great Boston Marathon! I never really hit “the wall” (thanks to fueling throughout and a great training plan from my coach). It was a beautiful day and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The running community gives me faith in humanitySo many fun experiences lately—Spring Break adventure with my daughter (we stayed at this Airbnb in a little town called Rainbow), Nikki Glaser comedy show, my first Long Beach Grand Prix, Easter festivities, Boston with my boyfriend (Red Sox game at Fenway Park was a highlight), “Hamilton” with my mom Puppy is doing great! She’s about 14 weeks or so. She fits right in and I’m so happy about thatFreelance jobs taking the place of my full-time job… for now. It’s been stressful, but I’ll make it work

Snapshots:
From top to bottom: That finish line feeling; Spring Break vibes; three members of the animal fam; Mom and I at “Hamilton”

The post (Multi)Weekly Roundup: April 25, 2025 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: April 4, 2025

This week has been a DOOZY for me. Hope it was less of a doozy for you. Here’s the roundup!

Quote of the week:
“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” —Lily Tomlin

What I’m reading:
How to Love Better by Yung Pueblo. I think this is a good starter relationship book if you haven’t really delved into that genre before. I have read wayyyy too many.

What I’m listening to:
Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America by Barbara McQuade. Welp, this book pretty much explains how we’re in the mess we’re in as a country. Every MAGA person should read it (but they won’t, right? That’s the problem).

What I’m watching:
White Lotus Season 3. Also started Squid Game. Very late to this party and I see why it was such a party.

Writing news:
I TURNED IN MY 2026 NOVEL! The editing process on this was quite intense for me with everything else I’ve had going on in life. I’m glad it’s with my publisher. After a breather, I’ll be ready for more edits.

We are officially less than 3 months away from the release of Woman on the Verge—comes out July 1!

Interesting things I learned this week:

Isolophilia is a strong preference for solitude where one enjoys being alone, associated with peace, introspection, and personal spaceAfter 25 hours and 5 minutes speaking directly to the American people, Senator Booker broke the record for longest individual floor speech ever delivered, surpassing the previous record set by Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957A bird’s nest in Amsterdam contained 30 years of human trash. You can see the items, which show how our wrappers and packaging stick aroundAccording to the World Health Organization, about 70% of adults worldwide have experienced some kind of trauma

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“otters special pocket.” I saw on Instagram that otters have a special pocket where they store their favorite rock so I had to investigate this cuteness. According to google, sea otters have a unique adaptation: loose skin under their forearms that acts like a “pocket” for storing food and, famously, their favorite rocks used for cracking open shellfish. 

What I’m grateful for:

NEW PUPPY! I was definitely NOT looking to adopt a puppy, though I have considered getting a second dog at some point (I’ve almost always had two dogs). My neighbor was fostering 4 pitbull puppies and I got rather attached to one. I told my neighbor she reminded me of my pit-mix, Frankie, who died a few years ago. My neighbor named her Frankie. I then decided to adopt her so I have Frankie 2.0Turning in my 2026 novel. Feels so goodThe last hard run of my Boston Marathon training cycle—a 20-miler with 9 miles at target marathon pace. It felt pretty greatGetting through a bunch of life hassles and snafus this week. Is something in retrograde? WtfStrawberry picking with one of my good friends and her daughter last weekend. Fresh-picked strawberries really are the bestMy sweet boyfriend who has been super supportive while I juggle a thousand things

Snapshots (aka puppy spam):

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