From time to time, instead of my usual email with one big idea you can read in 3 minutes or less, I share with you the best of what I’m reading, watching, and exploring. Enjoy!
Books
The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible by Charles Eisenstein. I don’t remember highlighting any book this much in recent memory. From the description: “A beacon of hope in the face of our current world crises, this uplifting book demonstrates how embracing our interconnectedness is key to world transformation.” This one will linger with me for a long time. (h/t Dave Elitch for the recommendation.)
The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life by Boyd Varty. I loved this short read about how the ancient art of tracking lions can help you find and follow your own tracks in life. When it comes to dealing with uncertainty, it turns out there’s a surprising amount in common between rocket science and lion tracking! Here’s one of my favorite passages: “As paradoxical as it sounds, going down a path and not finding a track is part of finding the track. . . . No action is considered a waste, and the key is to keep moving, readjusting, welcoming feedback. The ‘path of not here’ is part of the ‘path of here.’” (h/t Tim Ferriss for the recommendation.)
The Miranda Obsession. Rachel Brosnahan (who plays Midge Maisel in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) is brilliant in this Audible original. It’s about a mysterious woman with a gift for getting powerful men to share their deepest secrets with her on the phone. Based on a true story. Really entertaining and well done.
Films
I say very little about the plot of the films that follow—in large part because I don’t want to ruin the fun. I refuse to watch trailers—or even read film descriptions—because I want to be surprised from minute one.
Top Gun: Maverick. I love the original Top Gun movie and had very low expectations for this sequel (because, well, sequels normally suck). I was blown away. Go see it on the biggest screen you can find.
The Invisible Guest. (Netflix) So many hard-to-predict plot twists. I thought I had it all figured out . . . and I didn’t. If you’re in the mood for a great crime thriller, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Everything, Everywhere All at Once. (Amazon Prime) Funny, original, and stunningly filmed sci-fi flick. Multiverses are so hot right now.
Coherence. (Apple TV | Amazon Prime) Another great sci-fi flick. Prepare to have your mind blown. Just a teaser from the description: “On the night of an astronomical anomaly, eight friends at a dinner party experience a troubling chain of reality bending events.”
Shows
Sex Education. (Netflix) A surprisingly mature (yet still hilarious) show about sex education. It will have you cringing and chuckling all at once.
Songs
“Waiting on the Summer” by VHS Collection. I newly discovered this band and love their music. This song is particularly appropriate right now for my home city of Portland, where we’re still waiting on the summer in mid-June.
“Between the Bars” by Elliott Smith. Speaking of rainy weather, the late Portland-based musician Elliott Smith’s songs are perfect for it. This is one of my favorites.
Related
Bold
