Welcome to another edition of Rising Tide, a digest of things worth sharing! Enjoy this month’s list of books, blog posts, podcasts, music, and more!
1. NPR recently unveiled “Books We Love,” previously known as the NPR Book Concierge. Books We Love is an interactive reading guide with book recommendations galore! Books are categorized by year, genre, and other unique themes. Be careful not to get overwhelmed!
2. There are some of the best books I have enjoyed reading throughout the month of November:
- To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini ★★★★
- Very interesting and captivating sci-fi read. With a female lead, speedy plot, and interesting twists, I was sucked in!
- The Rain in Portugal by Billy Collins ★★★★
- As a fan of Billy Collins, this poetry collection was no exception. Fun and in the moment.
- Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman ★★★
- A great read, probably more than 3 stars on another day. I love Neil Gaiman, and he has better 4 and 5 star books, in my opinion. Still an enjoyable read!
3. Here are a few of my musing that I have written in the past month:
- Life is Better – about an overnight bikepacking trip.
- El Mejor – a story of a day spent in Puerto Rico and a little girl sharing in my sentiments.
- How to Read – tips to read more and read better.
4. Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey is a fun short story by Haruki Murakami. Take a read first before listening to this podcast episode as author, Rebecca Curtis reads it and joins The New Yorker Fiction Editor, Deborah Treisman in a discussion.
If you liked this episode, you’ll likely enjoy the rest of the podcast, The New Yorker: Fiction, which releases monthly readings and conversations of a variety of short stories.
5. In an attempt to know a bit more about history, particularly our country’s history and events surrounding the story of the Thanksgiving holiday, I have been exploring native lands. Native Land Digital is a simple site that helps you discover which territories existed in which areas of the country (and some places, the world) prior to colonization. Through use of this site, I learned that my home and place of work once belonged to the Erie and Kaskaskia tribes of Ohio. Why does it matter, you might ask. I cannot answer it any better myself.
6. I was in Puerto Rico for a five day vacation a few weeks ago. Recommendations abound, but the highlight of the trip was discovering Ojo De Tigre, a record store in Santurce. It’s a hip little shop full of great music, art, tote bags, apparel, decals, and more! I now follow them on Instagram. Every day, the post to their story the new records available for purchase. (Only $5 shipping, FYI!) Some well known, some super obscure. Check out bands you don’t know. The following is a playlist with a few of my favorite discoveries that I credit to Ojo De Tigre!
7. During our car time driving around the island in Puerto Rico, my brother introduced me to the Ongoing History of New Music podcast. All of the episodes were packed with super interesting information about music, but this one, by far, is the best: 9 Amazing Things About Your Brain and Music.
If you liked this episode, explore the rest of the podcast. And go even further by checking out Alan Cross’s website, A Journal of Musical Things.
8. And, per the usual, here is a playlist of music I have enjoyed this month:
That’s all I have for now! Thanks for sticking around through it all! Until next time…