Love your list and might steal some of your "bests" to reflect on my year! We spent the week between Christmas and New Years traveling with family and I have decided to give myself a grace period to ponder 2022 and plan for 2023. Thanks for sharing!
Ashlee! Hi dear. Love this. No recs yet, BUT I’m wondering how you decide what to put on Substack vs on your blog vs your newsletter ?? I would love to know. I’m wanting to join Substack but it feels redundant? Dare I say?
I will let you know when I figure it out 🤣 Honestly I am trying to CONSOLIDATE in 2023 -- and leaning heavily toward Substack for the future. I think I'm going to move my monthly newsletter here after book launch, and I'm not sure about my blog yet. Having an existential crisis re: what/where/how I want to share my writing online in the future. Gah.
Feel like this is a writer crisis for sure 😂 too many platforms. Simplicity seems so nice and agree, newsletter + this + blog feels like a LOT. also leaning towards Substack. Like it very much! Let us know when you solve this crisis ❤️
Goodness, Ashlee I just love your lists and they inspire me to make my own.
Best books this year: Save Me the Plums, Ruth Reichl// Chasers of the Light, Tyler Knott Gregson// Good Enough, Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie// Daisy Jones and the Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid + any of The Vanderbeekers Series (so delightful with kids) and I finally GET the Tolkien hype after listening to The Hobbit read by Andy Serkis. I've discovered sometimes I need an audio book (or a great narrator) to get keyed into a classic.
No beauty recs here except for possibly a body one: get your knee injuries fixed people! And have the in-laws come to babysit the kids while I was recovering was about the first time in forever (sung like Anna from Frozen) that I feel like I truly rested. And healed. Amazing.
Here's to 2023...and moving our family...and almost reaching the end of the active-duty military life!
Ashlee, I am continually inspired by you and all that you enjoyed, loved and created this year. I almost said, "all that you accomplished" but as an Enneagram One talking to an Enneagram Three, I decided to change those words. I love your list and recap of 2022 and talking some nuggets of truth and creativity with me as I plan my new year ahead.
Once upon a time you recommended a facial scrub (acure? That green exfoliating thing in a yellow tube?)— anyway, it made it on my “empties” list this year, so thank you for that beauty find! Runner ups for beauty: Honest Beauty Extreme Length mascara and Ilia multi stick in Dreamer.
For books, this year I wanted to try graphic novels, and The Complete Persepolis was a great pick!
I love end-of-year lists! My favorite books I read this year were Landslide by Susan Conley (would pair well with the movie CODA in terms of the east coast fishing community setting), Search by Michelle Huneven, and the backlist title The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai.
For TV I loved The Bear, Abbott Elementary and The Dropout.
Fave books of 2022 (other than the ones you listed): Iona Iverson’s Rules for commuting, Blush, Magic of Lemon Drop Pie and Remarkably Bright Creatures
Shows: Trying on Apple TV broke my heart in the best ways, and I want to be legit friends with its main characters. Only Murders in the Building lived up to the hype, though not as much as The Bear IMO.
Books: The Gilead Series by Marilynne Robisons, Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor (fangirling hard on her this year), Theology of the Womb, Bonus YA fun reads that I read with my 10 year old - Wingfeather Saga & the Peter and the Starcatchers series!
Have you watched Station Eleven? Or read the book? Both are amazing! I read the book a couple of years ago but I'm just watching the HBO series now and it's *so, so good*. Really dark, though.
No to the book. Some of my favorite people recommended it and I finished it, but just no. So blah! I think Ling Ma's book Severance (not the show!) is similar but better.
My favorite books were Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren and Liturgies for Hope by Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore - written prayers were a theme for me this year 😊
my favorite book was "textbook" by amy krouse rosenthal (thank you for sharing about this book! i also loved her other book, "encyclopedia of an ordinary life".) other favorites: "falling" by tj newman + "sea of tranquility" by emily st john mandel. "nora goes off script" was sooooo cute!
my favorite tv shows were the "rings of power" on amazon + season four of "stranger things".
favorite beauty products are the oat cleansing balm from the inkey list + paula's choice liquid exfoliant.
I’m so glad you loved textbook! I always worry I overhype that book too much 😜 Nora goes off script was SO cute. Wouldn’t be mad if someone made it into a movie.
I realized I don’t really watch TV for myself with the exception of Top Chef, British Baker, and Emily in Paris.
But books, that’s another story. It’s hard for me to pick favorites. Some of my favorites by category this year:
Fiction: Great Circle, the Plot, Paris Library, Every Summer After, Beneath a Scarlet Sky, Lessons in Chemistry, Wrong Place Wrong Time
Memoir: everything by Kelly Corrigan (I devoured her), I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet, Bomb Shelter, Good Apple
Religious: Praying Confidently and Consistently, None Like Him, Liturgy of the Ordinary
Poetry: Good Bones, And Yet
Cookbooks: Dinner A Love Story, Snacking Cakes
I’ve read about half of these and love that you devoured everything by Kelly corrigan! I did the same about two years ago. What was your favorite?!
Loved lessons in chemistry too. Did you see this? https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2022/08/apple-tv-shares-first-look-at-lessons-in-chemistry-new-drama-series-starring-and-executive-produced-by-academy-award-winner-brie-larson/#:~:text=Based%20on%20the%20bestselling%2C%20debut,%E2%80%9COuter%20Range%E2%80%9D)%20as%20Calvin
my favorite book this year was “i’m glad my mom died.” i’m a sucker for memoirs.
That title makes me cringe so hard but I have heard a lot of people talking about it! Need to put it on my library holds, I love a good memoir too.
Love your list and might steal some of your "bests" to reflect on my year! We spent the week between Christmas and New Years traveling with family and I have decided to give myself a grace period to ponder 2022 and plan for 2023. Thanks for sharing!
Ashlee! Hi dear. Love this. No recs yet, BUT I’m wondering how you decide what to put on Substack vs on your blog vs your newsletter ?? I would love to know. I’m wanting to join Substack but it feels redundant? Dare I say?
Thanks A ❤️
I will let you know when I figure it out 🤣 Honestly I am trying to CONSOLIDATE in 2023 -- and leaning heavily toward Substack for the future. I think I'm going to move my monthly newsletter here after book launch, and I'm not sure about my blog yet. Having an existential crisis re: what/where/how I want to share my writing online in the future. Gah.
Feel like this is a writer crisis for sure 😂 too many platforms. Simplicity seems so nice and agree, newsletter + this + blog feels like a LOT. also leaning towards Substack. Like it very much! Let us know when you solve this crisis ❤️
What I *really* want is to ditch Instagram. TBD!!!
Goodness, Ashlee I just love your lists and they inspire me to make my own.
Best books this year: Save Me the Plums, Ruth Reichl// Chasers of the Light, Tyler Knott Gregson// Good Enough, Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie// Daisy Jones and the Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid + any of The Vanderbeekers Series (so delightful with kids) and I finally GET the Tolkien hype after listening to The Hobbit read by Andy Serkis. I've discovered sometimes I need an audio book (or a great narrator) to get keyed into a classic.
No beauty recs here except for possibly a body one: get your knee injuries fixed people! And have the in-laws come to babysit the kids while I was recovering was about the first time in forever (sung like Anna from Frozen) that I feel like I truly rested. And healed. Amazing.
Here's to 2023...and moving our family...and almost reaching the end of the active-duty military life!
get your knee injuries fixed! 🤣 #thisismiddleage ... glad you're on the mend and were able to recover peacefully, friend!
#thisismiddleage that I am also researching anti-inflammatory diets. Thank you! The knee is feeling better.
It's honestly not the BEST written show, but it's quirky and delightful regardless.
Ashlee, I am continually inspired by you and all that you enjoyed, loved and created this year. I almost said, "all that you accomplished" but as an Enneagram One talking to an Enneagram Three, I decided to change those words. I love your list and recap of 2022 and talking some nuggets of truth and creativity with me as I plan my new year ahead.
This comment blessed me so much ❤️😘 thank you, Jennifer!
Once upon a time you recommended a facial scrub (acure? That green exfoliating thing in a yellow tube?)— anyway, it made it on my “empties” list this year, so thank you for that beauty find! Runner ups for beauty: Honest Beauty Extreme Length mascara and Ilia multi stick in Dreamer.
For books, this year I wanted to try graphic novels, and The Complete Persepolis was a great pick!
I am still obsessed with that face scrub and glad to hear you liked it! 😍
I love end-of-year lists! My favorite books I read this year were Landslide by Susan Conley (would pair well with the movie CODA in terms of the east coast fishing community setting), Search by Michelle Huneven, and the backlist title The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai.
For TV I loved The Bear, Abbott Elementary and The Dropout.
I haven’t heard of any of these books, thanks for the recs! I loved CODA. Sobbed my eyes out.
I read so many of the same books this year!
Fave books of 2022 (other than the ones you listed): Iona Iverson’s Rules for commuting, Blush, Magic of Lemon Drop Pie and Remarkably Bright Creatures
Happy 2023!!!
I liked Iona Iverson! Such a fun premise. Made me want to get on a train.
love this!
Shows: Trying on Apple TV broke my heart in the best ways, and I want to be legit friends with its main characters. Only Murders in the Building lived up to the hype, though not as much as The Bear IMO.
Books: The Gilead Series by Marilynne Robisons, Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor (fangirling hard on her this year), Theology of the Womb, Bonus YA fun reads that I read with my 10 year old - Wingfeather Saga & the Peter and the Starcatchers series!
I seem to be the only person not watching only murderers in the building. I need to get on that train in 2023!
Have you watched Station Eleven? Or read the book? Both are amazing! I read the book a couple of years ago but I'm just watching the HBO series now and it's *so, so good*. Really dark, though.
You know what ... I saw maybe the first three episodes and I couldn’t get into it. Should I read the book first? Or just give it another go?
No to the book. Some of my favorite people recommended it and I finished it, but just no. So blah! I think Ling Ma's book Severance (not the show!) is similar but better.
I devoured the “Thursday Murder Club” series. Funny, touching and just the right amount of mystery intrigue for me but not dark and creepy.
Ooooh haven’t heard of this one! Thanks for the rec!
Saving this post mainly for the reads that you and others are recommending! Thanks for sharing Ashlee!
My favorite books were Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren and Liturgies for Hope by Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore - written prayers were a theme for me this year 😊
I have heard great things about both of those! ❤️
my favorite book was "textbook" by amy krouse rosenthal (thank you for sharing about this book! i also loved her other book, "encyclopedia of an ordinary life".) other favorites: "falling" by tj newman + "sea of tranquility" by emily st john mandel. "nora goes off script" was sooooo cute!
my favorite tv shows were the "rings of power" on amazon + season four of "stranger things".
favorite beauty products are the oat cleansing balm from the inkey list + paula's choice liquid exfoliant.
I’m so glad you loved textbook! I always worry I overhype that book too much 😜 Nora goes off script was SO cute. Wouldn’t be mad if someone made it into a movie.