Kim Hooper's Blog, page 21

Weekly Roundup: July 2, 2021

Quote of the week:
“Do everything as if it were the only thing in the world that mattered, while all the time knowing that it doesn’t matter at all.” –Pema Chödrön

What I’m reading:
You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation by Deborah Tannen — very interesting

What I’m listening to:
The Long Goodbye: A Memoir by Meghan O’Rourke

Also, the latest episode of the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast is fantastic: SELF CARE: How do we identify our real needs and finally get them met?

What I’m watching:
The U.S. Gymnastics Olympics Trials
The new season of Alone (almost caught up)
The new season of Top Chef (haven’t watched the finale yet, so no spoilers, please!)

Writing news:
No big news this week, though I continue to be so touched by all the love for No Hiding in Boise. I really appreciate all the tags on social media (the below photo is from @thereadingraccoon on Instagram).

What I’m talking about:

Derek Chauvin’s sentence. I don’t think it’s enough. I’m sickened by the thought of him being free in a couple decades and getting to live the remainder of his years as a free man. But, as Bill Maher said on his latest episode, this sentence is progress compared to cops getting off for so many crimes in the pastBill Cosby’s release. Also sickeningThe Florida building collapse—just horrific and I do not understand how a building can just collapse like thisClimate change—in the West, we are in the midst of the worst drought in 2 decades and having incredibly high temperaturesThe value of childcare infrastructure (and Biden’s plans) (read here and here)Britney Spears. It seems like the “Free Britney Spears” movement is the one thing that can cross party lines. We can all agree something is wrong with this whole conservatorship thing. Even if she has mental issues, it doesn’t make sense. Lots of people have mental issues and can live their lives (and decide for themselves what kind of birth control to use). This would never happen if she were a man

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“What do snails eat?” My daughter took one from our garden and put it in a bowl in our kitchen. According to google, snails eat “just about everything.” We returned it to our garden after a day. It did appear to eat some grapes.

Interesting things I learned this week:

80% of the world eats insects as part of their regular dietStarting in 2023, the UK is banning advertising of junk food on TV before 9pmTransportation produces about 30% of all US greenhouse gas emissionsIncreasing green spaces in urban areas can lower local temperatures by 10⁰FCher’s full name at birth was Cherilyn Sarkisian La Piere

What I’m grateful for:
Running. I get my love of running from my dad. As he’s been in his final days, I’ve felt so connected to him while running. Last weekend, I did the Sierra Club Virtual 5K and ran a PR of 21:57 (average pace of 7:04). I didn’t know I had it in me! When I told my dad, he raised his eyebrows just a bit, which made my eyes well up. He can’t communicate much these days so an eyebrow raise means the world.

I love this quote: “Running for me is an active form of mindfulness that is about engaging with my physical self and getting all kinds of emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits. It makes me a better person, a better parent, and more present and grateful in my life.” –Rich Roll, Runner’s World magazine 

The post Weekly Roundup: July 2, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: June 25, 2021

Quote of the week:
“Many people who want to write are unconsciously seeking peace, a coming together, an acknowledging of our happiness or an examination of what is broken, hoping to embrace and bring our suffering to wholeness.” –Natalie Goldberg

What I’m reading:
Regretting Motherhood: A Study by Orna Donath — I do not regret motherhood, but this is a very fascinating book with insights into what we expect from mothers and what feelings are “allowed”
You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation by Deborah Tannen

What I’m listening to:
Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner — just finished; great
A Rip in Heaven by Jeanine Cummins — just started 

What I’m watching:
The new season of “Workin’ Moms” is on Netflix. Love love LOVE.

Writing news:
I continue to get such wonderful feedback from readers about No Hiding in Boise. Some of you bookstagrammers are blowing me away.

What I’m talking about:
On Father’s Day, I shared a post on Instagram about how my dad is in his last days. In April, he was diagnosed with a very rare (1 in a million) brain disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which is always fatal. He was completely healthy and active before this, so it’s been a shock for our family. It’s horrible to watch him decline, and I’m so sad for my mom, who has been his companion for more than four decades. I really appreciate the love so many of you have sent our way.

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Roald Dahl controversy.” I loved Roald Dahl’s books growing up and seemed to remember there was some negative press a while back. I couldn’t remember what it was, hence the google search. I was sad to read this.

Interesting things I learned this week:

Trader Joe’s originally sought to be a seller of discounted hosiery (?!) and phonograph recordsLab analysis of Subway tuna sandwiches showed that they do not contain any tuna DNA (which begs the question: What IS in them?)NASA has sent squid to space for researchSpeaking of space: More than 100,000 people have signed petitions to have Jeff Bezos go to space and not come back 

What I’m grateful for:
I’m so grateful to be close to my family and able to visit my dad on a regular basis.  As I said in my Instagram post, I am so grateful to have a dad worthy of such grief.

The post Weekly Roundup: June 25, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: June 18, 2021

Quote of the week:
“The lonely fill up their lives with books.” –Sheila Heti

What I’m reading:
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Nicole Lepera

What I’m listening to:
Crying in H Mart: A Memoir — Michelle Zauner

I also LOVED this week’s episode on the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast. It’s about female overwhelm and they coined the term “Careticking time bomb,” which is brilliant. 

What I’m watching:
I’ll tell you what I’m NOT watching–“Mare of Easttown.” I finally finished the series and want those 7+ hours of my life back. I’d heard such good things about this show, so I guess I’m in the minority in finding it dreary and very slow. 

I am excited that the new season of “Workin’ Moms” is on Netflix. I LOVE this show.

Writing news:
The big news this week was the launch of NO HIDING IN BOISE. I am so appreciative of the love for this book so far. Thank you to all you wonderful readers!

What I’m talking about:

The end of COVID restrictions in California–a great milestone, though the stores seem to be still requiring masks (?)The lobster fisherman who was swallowed by a humpback whale and lived to tell the tale (read here)The return of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and its dramatic effect on my moodJuneteenth! I’m so glad this is a federal holiday now

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“How to turn on Viking dishwasher” (my husband was out of town for much of this week and he’s the dish person in our house. I literally have no idea how to use the dishwasher. Viking appliances are not intuitive and HIGHLY overrated, FYI)

Interesting things I learned this week:

Hawks use their talons to catch and kill prey, while falcons use their beaks90% of the neurotransmitter serotonin (“the happy hormone”) is made in our gutPeople over the age of 45 who sleep for less than 6 hours a night are 200% more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those who sleep longerI am 4 inches taller than Vladimir Putin

What I’m grateful for:
All the love for NO HIDING IN BOISE. I’ve been blown away by the outreach on social media and all the Goodreads reviews (like the one below… Is it weird that I consider “emotionally traumatizing” a compliment?). Thank you to everyone for reading. Hearing from you makes my writer heart sing.

The post Weekly Roundup: June 18, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: June 11, 2021

Quote of the week:
“A writer — and, I believe, generally all persons — must think that whatever happens to him or her is a resource. All things have been given to us for a purpose, and an artist must feel this more intensely. All that happens to us, including our humiliations, our misfortunes, our embarrassments, all is given to us as raw material, as clay, so that we may shape our art.” —Jorge Luis Borges

What I’m reading:
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Nicole Lepera

What I’m listening to:
The Guncle by Steven Rowley 

What I’m watching:
“Mare of Easttown” (HBO)–it takes me forever to watch a series; I’m on the last episode!
I also watched a 60 Minutes episode with David Attenborough: “We need to save nature in order to save ourselves”

Writing news:
No Hiding in Boise will be released THIS TUESDAY! Also, my third book, Tiny, turns 2 TODAY!

What I’m talking about:

The race to vaccinate–only 20% of the world’s people are vaccinatedThe reappearance of Trump (God help us)A federal judge overturning California’s 32-year ban on assault weapons 

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“bad mama jama lyrics”

Interesting things I learned this week:

If humans had the metabolism of hummingbirds, they would have to eat about 155,000 calories per dayThe word “idiot” comes from a Greek noun meaning “private person”National Geographic has identified –Southern OceanThe average adult spends 1/3 of their waking time alone

What I’m grateful for:
Sunshine, pets, trampoline parks, friends, FaceTime, beer…so many things.

The post Weekly Roundup: June 11, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: June 3, 2021

Quote of the week:
“Getting your heart broken is a privilege of being human” — Paula McLain, from When the Stars Go Dark

What I’m reading:
Weather by Jenny Offill
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 

What I’m listening to:
The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley–just started! She’s one of my faves, so I’m excited to get into this one
Another episode of “We Can Do Hard Things”

What I’m watching:
“Mare of Easttown” (HBO)–started off slow, but now I’m into it (on episode 3)
I’ve also been watching some episodes of “This is Life with Lisa Ling” (one about psychedelics for medical use, another about illicit massage parlors)

Writing news:
A couple really cool things this week:

1. I can finally share that actor Pete Holmes is set to star in the film adaptation of Cherry Blossoms. You can read all about it here.

2. No Hiding in Boise is a July 2021 Indie Next Pick! Release day is June 15!

What I’m talking about:

The lingering mental health effects of the pandemic (sobering read here)The remains of 215 children found at a former indigenous school site in Canada. These children would be elders now, passing on important traditions. In addition to their lives, their legacies were taken. It’s heartbreaking

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
What is the darkest place in the US? (Answer: The Cosmic Campground in New Mexico. The nearest artificial light source is more than 40 miles away).

Interesting things I learned this week:

When electricity was first introduced to homes, people worried it would undermine family togetherness (because people would no longer need to gather around the hearth). In 1903, a psychologist expressed concern about young people losing connection to dusk and its contemplative moments (from Jenny Offill’s book, Weather). Moral of the story: Technology has always come with concernsThere’s a species of moth in Madagascar that drinks the tears of sleeping birds (also learned in Offill’s book)Anachoresis means “retreat from the world into a solitary life”

What I’m grateful for:
Moments like this with my daughter that remind me that life is a beautiful as it is painful.

The post Weekly Roundup: June 3, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: May 28, 2021

Quote of the week:
“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” –Frederick Buechner

What I’m reading:
Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 
Motherhood by Sheila Heti

What I’m listening to:
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
“We Can Do Hard Things podcast,” episode 3. I wasn’t even going to listen to this because it’s about infidelity, which is something I haven’t dealt with personally. But I’m so glad I did listen. I walked away thinking a lot about fidelity to self.

What I’m watching:
The Human Race (Amazon Prime)–very inspiring and uplifting documentary about older runners (I’m thinking about running the L.A. Marathon so I loved this).

I also tried an episode of Younger (Hulu) because I’ve heard so much about it. It’s about a 40-year-old woman who pretends to be 26 to get a job. Cute, but I didn’t feel like I could commit to many seasons of “cute” right now (and the ads on Hulu drive me crazy).

Writing news:
I got my final copies of No Hiding in Boise! I’ll be doing a giveaway soon. It releases June 15!

Also, my first book baby turned 5 this week! I’m so happy it’s now available in paperback!

What I’m talking about:

The 1-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death. I liked this New York Times look at how those 9 minutes changed our countryThe COVID-19 lab-leak theory (read here)Spending less time on my phone around my daughter (and in general)–inspired by this essay. A great quote: “Many have built their daily life around the miserable premise that they can always be on—always working, always parenting, always available to their spouse and their own parents and anyone else who might need them, while also staying on top of the news, while also remembering, on the walk to the car, to order more toilet paper from Amazon. They are stuck in the digital equivalent of the spin cycle.”Simone Biles performing a Yurchenko double pike at the U.S. Classic (I have the competition saved in my DVR to watch with my sister, but I’ve seen the YouTube video. WOW… It was so amazing it even made the New York Times)How 71% of dads said working from home during the pandemic improved their well-being, while only 41% of moms agreed (gee, I wonder why) (read here)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
Which animals have the longest lifespan? (Answer: Asian elephants, 86 years)

Interesting things I learned this week:

Europeans who get sick during vacation are legally entitled to take another vacationThe average American child receives about 70 new toys a yearAmerican mothers, on average, have about 36 minutes a day to themselvesAlabama just recently lifted a ban on yoga in schools (though the traditional “namaste” greeting is forbidden…so weird) was decided by the flip of a coin (it could have been Boston)We spend about 1,000 hours per year sorting/reading email

What I’m grateful for:
Seven years married to my husband. The below photo is from our honeymoon in Italy, where we drank lots of wine, ate lots of gelato, and took lots of selfies. It was blissful. We had no idea what would come in the years ahead. We’ve dealt with so much loss as a couple (both his parents, his stepfather, grandparents, 4 pregnancy losses). It’s given us a lot of confidence in our resilience as a couple. We are so different emotionally, but we do this life thing pretty well.

The post Weekly Roundup: May 28, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: May 21, 2021

Quote of the week:
“I felt the world’s suffering as a vast and permanent expanse, an ocean that could on a moment’s whim sweep anyone it chose to its depths” –Joanne Tompkins, What Comes After

What I’m reading:
Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time by Brigid Schulte

What I’m listening to:
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
I’m also listening to Glennon Doyle’s new podcast, “We Can Do Hard Things.” She’s released two episodes so far–both great

What I’m watching:
The Woman in the Window (Netflix)–It was enjoyable, even though I’d read the book and knew what was going to happen

Writing news:
I’m counting down to the release of No Hiding in Boise–less than a month away now!

What I’m talking about:

All of the anti-abortion legislation that’s sweeping across the country. I am not pro-abortion, but I am pro-choice How most authors don’t make a living wage with their books (read here)

Interesting things I learned this week:

The average high school kid today experiences the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient of the 1950sMothers and fathers now spend more than half their waking hours multitasking, double the multitasking they did in 1975Childless women earn 94 cents of a childless man’s dollars. But mothers earn only 60 cents of a father’s dollar. Fathers, in contrast, get a “fatherhood bonus,” earning as much as $5,000 more than men without childrenAltschmerz is a German word that translates to “weariness with the same old issues that you’ve always had”

What I’m grateful for:
All the old photos I’m finding of my dad and me. I was browsing my mom’s albums and came across a few I had never seen before (including this one). 

The post Weekly Roundup: May 21, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: May 14, 2021

Quote of the week:
“The older I get, the more myself I become.” —Dr. Gail Parker

What I’m reading:
My Daddy is a Hero: How Chris Watts Went from Family Man to Family Killer by Lena Derhally — just finished this. Fascinating, chilling

What I’m listening to:
Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown

What I’m watching:
Nothing exciting, though this week’s episode of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee was excellent.

Writing news:
People Who Knew Me was re-released on Tuesday! This is the first time it’s available as a paperback!

Other reminders:

No Hiding in Boise will release on June 15My sixth novel will come out in 2022–stay tuned for details!

What I’m talking about:

The Republican party’s voter suppression tactics. We tell kids they can’t change the rules of the game jus because they’re losing… Seems like the same rules should apply to adults tooMatt Gaetz and how Republicans, the supposed party of moral superiority, are eerily silent about what’s coming to light about his actions (including paying for sex, sex with a minor, etc). I don’t know why I’m surprised. They approved of Trump tooThe ousting of Liz Cheney (solely because she dared to go against Trump. The loyalty to Trump in the Republican party is just crazy)The CDC saying vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks (I’m scared!)

Interesting things I learned this week:

The US has 4% of the world’s population and 40% of the world’s privately owned gunsWe have more guns (393 million!) than people in this country

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
How long do tarantulas live? (My nephews were talking about this and I didn’t believe them when they said that female tarantulas can live 30 years, but it’s true! Males live about 10 years).

What I’m grateful for:
A family trip. Such good bonding time…and beautiful views.

The post Weekly Roundup: May 14, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: May 7, 2021

Quote of the week:
“In the words of the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, ‘You take it all in. You let the pain of the world touch your heart and you turn it into compassion.'” –Pema Chodron

What I’m reading:
My Daddy is a Hero: How Chris Watts Went from Family Man to Family Killer by Lena Derhally (getting my true crime fix)

What I’m listening to:
Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok–just finished
Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown–can’t wait to start

What I’m watching:
I haven’t gotten into anything new lately. I did find the 2019 gymnastics world championships deep in my DVR and watched some of that. Random, I know.

Writing news:

People Who Knew Me will be re-released in a ON TUESDAYNo Hiding in Boise will release on June 15My sixth novel will come out in 2022–stay tuned for details!

What I’m talking about:
I haven’t been very chatty or engaged with the news lately due to some ongoing family stuff (please send good vibes to my dad, and to my mom who is caring for him). 

Interesting things I learned this week:

Cats don’t have facial recognition (they recognize you by your general movements, scent, etc)Pistanthrophobia is the fear of trusting others11 million US households adopted new pets in the past yearNASCAR drivers lose an average of 6 to 8 pounds during a single race (due to sweating from heat and exertion)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
How many eggs does a chicken lay in a lifetime? (the answer is 530)

What I’m grateful for:
My parents. We celebrated my mom’s 70th birthday this week. It wasn’t a “happy” birthday, but we got to spend time together. I’m endlessly grateful for that.

The post Weekly Roundup: May 7, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.

Weekly Roundup: April 30, 2021

Quote of the week:
“For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.” –Cynthia Occelli

What I’m reading:
What Comes After by Joanne Tompkins–just finished
Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri–just started

What I’m listening to:
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth–just finished
Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok–just started

I also discovered the Writer Mother Monster podcast and love it (I’ve listened to the Rachel Zucker and Ann Hood episodes so far).

What I’m watching:
Nothing of note (though I keep adding shows to my “list of shows to watch”). I’m still keeping up with Top Chef, Shark Tank, and Couples Therapy. 

Writing news:
Just your usual reminders this week:

People Who Knew Me will be re-released in a couple weeks (on May 11)No Hiding in Boise will release on June 15My sixth novel will come out in 2022–stay tuned for details!

What I’m talking about:

How California has the lowest Covid infection rate in the U.S. (yay!)Vaccine side effects–I felt a bit achy, but my husband had a full-on feverParts of quarantine I want to keep (read here) The Republican assertion that Biden’s climate change plan means cutting 90% of meat consumption by 2030. This isn’t true (read here), but I really wish it were, honestly. Seems like instead of talking about how bad meat is for the environment, we’re busy consoling Republicans and telling them nobody will take away their meat (or their guns)Why burnout is hitting so many of us now (read here)Biden’s family leave plan and how it’s a long time coming. The pandemic really shed light on the need for this. Kudos to Biden for pushing for legislation.  As C. Nicole Mason, president and chief executive at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) said, the pandemic has provided an “historic, once-in-a-generation opportunity to right the ship”

Interesting things I learned this week:

The U.S. population grew by only 7.4 percent over the past decade, the smallest increase since the 1930s (read here)Miscarriage rates are over 40% higher in black women (read here)Coyotes live about 10 years in the wild (the one at our local zoo is 18!)

Weirdest thing I googled this week:
Lymphatics of the face (most of my work clients are in the healthcare industry, so I feel like I’m in medical school some days).

What I’m grateful for:
The vaccine. I’m so happy to be almost fully protected against Covid. I’m also so grateful (every day) for my little birdie.

The post Weekly Roundup: April 30, 2021 appeared first on Kim Hooper's Blog.