My favorite things from February

The best things I read, watched, listened to, and enjoyed over the past month.

Welcome to my Favorite Things. This is my monthly link roundup with the best things I've read, watched, listened to, and enjoyed over the past month.

Read:

• The Harry Potter books 3-5.

As you might know, I’m very late to the Potter game. I read the first two books somewhat reluctantly, and only started to enjoy myself around the third. Well, I finished Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix (the fifth book) yesterday, and it was the first one in the series to blow my mind. Perfect pacing, perfect mix of humour and tension, perfect ending. I’ve reached the point where I’m feverishly invested in the characters and the story and am dreading the day when it’s all over and there are no more books to read. A day that will come way too soon, since I read on average 5 hours a day. I might need to look up spoilers for the remaining two books, so that I can emotionally prepare myself for what’s ahead. (Am I the only one who does that sometimes??)

• Charles Duhigg - Supercommunicators

I am also a third of the way through Charles Duhigg’s newly released book Supercommunicators, which I’m loving. It’s one of those books that’s not only full of useful takeaways, but also inspiring stories of real people in real circumstances, like CIA agents, and hostage negotiators. Having just started my podcast and feeling more motivated than ever to practice my conversational skills, this book couldn’t have come at a greater time.

• "Sorry (Not Sorry), Self-Promotion Doesn’t Work”, by Tara McMullin of the What Works Substack:

Sorry (Not Sorry), Self-Promotion Doesn't Work

"I'm sure I don't have to tell you that the vast majority of promotional content sucks. It sucks to make. It sucks to have a feed full of it. No one likes self-promotion, if by self-promotion we're talking about content designed to get you to do something else—whether that's click, sign up, buy, or follow. Self-promotional content of this type is inherently valueless. Really, it’s contentless—that is, lacking substance or meaning of its own. But it doesn’t have to be this way."

I only recently discovered Tara’s work, and reading (and listening to) it is a breath of fresh air. A welcome respite from all the bro-marketing bullshit I’m used to online.

• Ted Gioia - “The State of the Culture, 2024”:

The State of the Culture, 2024

"I want to tell you why entertainment is dead. And what’s coming to take its place."

This post gave me chills.

Listened:

• On my quest to become a better podcaster, I’ve discovered the Ultraspeaking podcast + website (Thank you Trevor Bragdon for recommending it to me in an email!). Especially this episode changed my life:

Not that I’ve ever had social anxiety as bad as Alienor’s, but I still relate a lot to her story. And the fact that she has come this far says it all: You really can learn to become a great speaker, regardless of where you start out, as long as you have the motivation and willingness to put up with the initial discomfort.

(I also really recommend watching this Ali Abdaal video/podcast episode with her. She’s amazing.)

• Episode 288 of the Deep Questions podcast with Cal Newport:

I listened to this episode in the car the other day, and had to constantly pull over to write down notes and ideas. 🙄 My main takeaway from it was the importance of quality leisure time. As Cal described in his book Digital Minimalism, it’s not a great idea to simply commit to less screen time, or do a “digital detox” - you need to have a plan for what to do with that time. You need higher quality distractions and hobbies. Specifically, he recommends:

1. Reading more books, and enjoying high quality entertainment, such as movies, games, and tv-shows. (As opposed to mindless scrolling and bite-sized entertainment.)

2. Having a skill-based hobby. (Like an art practice, playing a musical instrument, building things, et.c.)

3. Pursuing a physical skill of some kind, like a sport or training regimen.

4. Having a social or community based hobby, something that lets you connect with likeminded people in the real world.

5. Going on regular adventures, whatever that looks like for you.

I already read quite a lot, have a workout schedule, and practice both art and music as hobbies, but realized I was lacking in the social and adventure department. So I’m looking into deepening my passion for birds by joining local birdwatching groups and going out on excursions with fellow bird nerds. So excited about this, especially with spring around the corner. Less YouTube watching, more bird watching… 😅

Watched:

• We’ve seen the first two episodes of the new show Shōgun, and are impressed. I’m increasingly careful around movies and tv nowadays, since I so often end up disappointed, so we’ll see where the series goes. But so far, very promising.

• While researching this weeks upcoming podcast episode, I came across this video with one of my favorite self-help authors, Barbara Sher:

Some time around 10 years ago, Barbara Sher changed my life with her book Refuse To Choose. I actually had no idea how great a speaker she was. (She passed away in 2020, I learned. Rest in peace, you beautiful soul. 🖤)

• The latest episode of Dani Connor’s wild squirrel rehabilitation journey:

I bawled my eyes out. Almost can’t handle her videos, she’s too good.

Enjoyed:

• I got a portable infrared sauna for my 40th birthday.

You know… one of those ridiculous, 1960’s spacecraft-looking tents that you sit in, with your head sticking out at the top? Yeah, I bought one of those. And it was a damn good decision. Crawling into that tent, (and emerging 30 minutes later like a boiled crawfish), is now the highlight of my week. I sleep like a baby afterwards.

• Jigsaw puzzles

I’m at it again with the jigsaw puzzles. We have one on the kitchen table that we do together, and then I have my own little project in my office. The perfect thing to do instead of scrolling YouTube when I need a little break.

Currently in the sorting phase. My favorite phase.

• Galettes - these french, buckweat pancakes that you can fill with… anything you want essentially. My brother served these on a boardgame evening a few weeks ago, and I was so inspired that I’ve since cooked it several times at home. So simple and tasty!