So the last time I did one of these it was May. Time for a new one!
Reading
I’m currently reading a couple of books by indie author, writing coach and INFJ Lauren Sapala–The INFJ Revolution and Between the Shadow and Lo.
I’ll start with The INFJ Revolution because I just finished it. Lauren has written two other non-fiction books for “sensitive intuitive” writers The INFJ Writer and Firefly Magic: Heart Powered Marketing for Highly Sensitive Writers. This one is the third in that “series” so to speak but isn’t just for writers.
The INFJ Revolution addresses INFJ and INFP personality types for the most part, but anyone identifying as sensitive, intuitive, empathic or spiritual may very well get something out of this book whether or not they know what type they are (or even care). Through personal stories and observations of other people, Lauren walks us through the strengths and advantages of INFJs and INFPs and how we can better serve the world through greater knowledge of our selves and what it is that we actually do best.
If you’ve never read one of Lauren’s books before (and I highly recommend any of the titles listed above) you’ll find that her writing is conversational, heart-felt and deeply moving. I always feel while reading her books. This is not simply information gathering.
Which brings me to her fiction book Between the Shadow and Lo. The main character, Leah, is an early-twenties alcoholic living in Seattle, spending most of her time finding the bottom of a bottle, after which all kinds of alcoholic craziness ensues.
Aside from the crazy situations that Leah finds herself in, one of my favorite things about this novel is Lauren’s writing style that I mentioned above. It’s quick and easy to read and it has a rhythm to it that reminds me of a good verbal story teller. I feel very pulled along by the voice.
So yeah, get over to your favorite online bookstore and buy a copy of one of these books (or all of them).
I also really wanted to mention some old Christopher Pike books I’ve been re-reading, but maybe I’ll just leave that for next month since this is getting kind of long.
Watching
There are a lot of things I’m watching on Netflix right now because, frankly, there’s so much stuff! I have to remind myself it was only 6-7 years ago that they started doing original programming and now there’s an explosion of possible things to watch.
Anyways, one thing I’ve been watching is Basketball or Nothing, a documentary show about the boys basketball team at Chinle High on the Navajo reservation. They’re going for an Arizona state title and they have the potential to do so. I think I’m one episode away from finishing it so I’ll know soon if they pulled it off.
Basketball is my favorite sport, I even played when I was a teenager, so this show caught my attention right away. Along with the actual basketball, the show also weaves in the personal stories of the athletes and coaches and, in general, what life on the reservation is like. So lots of interesting stuff all around.
And speaking of basketball, I’m also watching the WNBA finals between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun. They’ve played two games so far and the series is 1-1. I’m hoping the Mystics pull it off. I can remember going to games their very first season in the summer of 1998, right before my senior year of high school, while I was still playing basketball myself.
Listening
I’ve been wanting to talk about this album here for a while because it is one of my favorites–Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. In 1989, when this was released, I turned 8 years old and the singles from this album were some of my favorites at the time.
30 years later, as I approach age 38, I still listen to this album on a fairly regular basis and find I get even more enjoyment out of it than when I was 8. It is the perfect blend of Pop and R&B (and probably some other musical genres as well) and is optimistic and hopeful without feeling forced.
The song content ranges from social issues to “let’s have fun and dance” and it all comes together really well. Not too heavy. Not too light.
As a bonus, you should check out the videos for Rhythm Nation and Miss You Much over on YouTube. Delightful.
Amanda Linehan is the author of North, about a young woman on the run from her past, the law and an old adversary out to get her. Her newest release is Bored To Death: A Vampire Thriller, about a 300-year-old vampire trying to restore the balance between life and death. She has published five novels. Get a free short story every month when you sign up for her newsletter.
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