Rising Tide – 2022 February

Hey, there! Welcome to this month’s issue of Rising Tide! If you’re new here, Rising Tide is a digest of things worth sharing. Enjoy my carefully curated list of books, blog posts, podcasts, music, and more!


1. Ever wonder how a book is made? This detailed pictorial chronology walks through the process step by step, from the author typing to 800 pound-a-piece paper rolls to “case-in” binding.

And it makes me want to read The Dark Star Trilogy by Marlon James!

2. These two recent reads are at the top of my recommendation list for the month:

  • The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby ★★★★ A true story of the middle aged editor of French Elle magazine who had a stroke, experienced “locked in” syndrome, and could only communicate and wrote this book by blinking an eye. Sad yet endearing and beautiful.
  • When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka ★★★★ This book offers poetic prose describing a family’s experience in the Japanese internment camps in the US during WWII, offering insight into an often under explained piece of recent American history. The familial telling of this book, one chapter from each family members, is an interesting approach. I can tell that this book will stay will me for a while.

3. This is one of the best TED Talks I have watched in a very long time. Don’t get lost in the title; it doesn’t really have anything to do with “selling.”

Just remember MAYA: Most advanced yet acceptable

And enjoy going down the Raymond Loewy rabbit hole!

4. Ologies with Alie Ward has been a very educational and entertained podcast discovery. The topics are all so different, anyone can find something they will enjoy!

If you are looking for an off the wall intro, try this one about hagfish, inspired by this recent accident involving the fairly unknown yet sci-fi esque creature.

5. In the past, I have not offered many product recommendations, but a few things stand out recently as items worth sharing:

  • Aqua Notes: If you’re anything like me, you come up with some of your best ideas in the shower…but they get lost and forgotten between shower time and your phone or pen and paper. This waterproof notepad and pencil live in the shower and help log ideas while they’re still fresh. I find it to be great for shopping lists, writing ideas, and “Have a great day” and “I love you” notes to my partner.
  • Pocket Neti: This past week, I was hit with the worst sinus infection of my life. I pulled out all the home remedy stops and even tried this little sniff stick of salt and aromatherapy to keep the nasal passage clear. Game changer!
  • JBL Jr. Pop speaker: It’s rare that I’m not listening to music, an audiobook, or a podcast if I’m home alone. We have speakers throughout the house, but I couldn’t quite hear well enough in two (of the most important) places: in the shower or down in the basement while working out. This little thing is perfect! Easy to move around to wherever I am, decent volume, easy Bluetooth connection. I can see this coming on bike rides or to the beach with me too!

6. Classical Revolution Cleveland…bringing classical music to the masses, one bar gig at a time! We were grabbing dinner and drinks at Happy Dog one Wednesday night and were pleasantly surprised when a group took the stage, did a classical cover of Lil Nas X song followed by some actual classical songs. If you’re in the area, find their gig schedule, and check them out!

7. And here are some tunes the playlist for the month:

That’s all I have for now. See you in March!

Until next time…