READ ALL ABOUT IT
Since 2012, I’ve been writing about books. And the act of reading. And the importance of story and narrative. But, mostly, the underlying theme of all I write is how taking a moment to stop and digest some longform text — instead of scrolling, instead of watching a video, instead of multitasking — can be one of the most grounding things we can do for ourselves. Here’s the one-stop online home for all this writing.
You can read more about me and my work by moseying over here. Want to peruse periodic “essay drops” — excerpts from my work-in-progress essay collection about Homesickness? Here ya go.
Yu & Me (and a Bookstore Dream)
Whew, what a story. Retail is such a tough business; bookstores among the hardest of the bunch. (Any booksellers following here can attest, I’m sure.) Marketing folks are no dummies: They know that ensconcing their product with verbiage that connotes “community” or “authenticity” is the way to go. My son recently bought a pack of Italian ices, and the slogan is “Treat your REAL self.” Similarly, Oatly oat milk uses one whole side of a carton to promote its mission to “build a better society for people.” Well, ok! But at their finest, bookstores truly are the real deal, no fancy marketing required.
Chinatown
I love thinking about language, although — sad face — I’m only fluent in English. (This could’ve gone differently. Dear young people: Take advantage of your ability to converse and get around in a different language and keep using it lest you become like me…aaaaaand probably a large swath of Americans.)
