keeping time: february's round-up
what I read, watched, ate, listened to, bought, and found inspiration from + 1 timely rec from Kyla Zhao
I’m trying something new with this newsletter, starting with this monthly round-up column I’m calling keeping time. These issues will go out on the last day of the month and include a list of what I’ve read, watched, ate, listened to, bought, and found inspiration from in the month. This is also where I’ll share book and writing updates (when there are any). And there will also be one timely rec from special guests!
I mentioned this when posting about my last newsletter that writing it felt like when I used to blog (back in the day when it was blogspot, Wordpress, etc.) more frequently. I do still have my food and film blog waiting at the ready in the event a pocket of abundant free time opens up and I haven’t already filled it with something else. I kind of miss blogging vibes, so this is me attempting to get back to that. More conversational, more casual, less structured (though, because it is still me, let’s be honest, there’s still somewhat of a structure to it). Anyway, let’s get to it.
February’s round-up:
Read…
I have a particular fondness for books (in any genre) where the main character(s) have unique-to-me jobs. I love when authors do research to immerse me in their characters’ work and I have the opportunity to learn something new. It’s probably why I write characters whose work fascinates me: a matchmaker, a string installation artist, and a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalist.
The characters don’t even need to be “at work” or in an office throughout the novel. Sometimes, like in In a Not So Perfect World by Neely Tubati Alexander, the main character is on vacation where their entire focus is to create a compelling enough video game design to win a coveted and highly competitive role at a top-tier game design company. It was so fun learning more about game design while being on vacation in paradise. And I got to watch the characters fall in love! Wins all around. In a Not So Perfect World gives us forced proximity, fake dating, sparkling banter, and a journey in self-discovery. Just like Love Buzz (Neely’s debut), I savored this one! I can’t wait to be in convo with Neely next month!
The Frame-Up by Gwenda Bond centers around an art heist with a magical twist with found family, second chance romance, and a cutie, protective dog. I got to be in convo with Gwenda this month (on Valentine’ Day!) and it was so fun meeting and chatting with her.
I also had the chance to read Erin La Rosa’s forthcoming book, The Backtrack. The cover has yet to be revealed, but I just know it’s going to be so good. I’ll have more to say about this book in the coming months, but for now: it’s wonderful! Add it to your TBRs!
Watched…
I couldn’t help but watch Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day. This is one of those topical movies I prefer to save for the actual day-of. I remembered a lot less of the movie than I thought, so it was fun to revisit after a long while (though the diner scene will always keep a permanent place in my memory).
TV-wise, I watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith as soon as it came out. Even though the pacing didn’t quite work for me, personally, I enjoyed it a lot. I love Maya Erskine, and she and Donald Glover were hysterical together. I laughed out loud a lot. I do have theories on what happened, so I’m hoping there’ll be a Season 2.
And since we’re not quite over with the month…it’s a leap year, so it kind of feels like a legal requirement to watch Leap Year, like, tonight. Admittedly, I haven’t seen it before, but I am a fan of Matthew Goode specifically because of Chasing Liberty a la 2004. Should I be excited? Wary? Are there any other leap year movies or books I’m missing out on? Let me know so I’m ready for it in four years!
Ate…
I’ve become very into tinned fish by Fishwife. I love the branding, and there’s a great variety of flavors for your different moods. For a quick snack, I like to make a small bowl of rice and sprinkle smoked rainbow trout over it.
I also cannot get enough of Bachan’s Japanese BBQ Sauce. On nights when we want to make something fast but yummy, we make a pot of rice, slice up and cook chicken or salmon, toss in a veggie or two, and add this sauce over everything (while everything’s still in the pan so it warms up). So, so good!
Listened to…
Yo-Yo Ma, IRL and on Spotify. I’ve been listening to a lot of Yo-Yo Ma for *reasons* and I went to see him play with the Nashville Symphony this week (!!). It was very exciting. It should go without saying he’s incredible to watch perform live. I think it’s a testament to how good someone is that they make what they’re doing look easy. Almost to the point where you go, I could do that… (I, in fact, cannot do what Yo-Yo Ma does OBVIOUSLY).
Bought…
A comfy sweatshirt—I wore this red But where is my 90s rom com? to Love Y’all this month and it was such a hit! Better yet, it kept me warm without making me too-hot-sweaty (you know?).
Lip balm—I wrote about lip balms here, but the front-runner is now Summer Fridays by a long shot. I ordered a bunch more because I cannot with dry lips, and my latest tip is to keep one anywhere you can. I have one in my desk, in my bag, in the car…I can’t form full sentences when my lips are dry. This balm was the gateway to trying out a few of their other products, so TBD on how that goes.
Hand wipes—I’m trying to take my travel packing more seriously this year, which means being more organized and utilizing pouches in a more effective way. One of the items said pouches will hold are these ALOH Moisturizing and Skin-Softening Hand Sanitizing Wipes. I got the Sweet Orange Bergamot and Aloe and it’s already a step up from the last product I was using.
Found inspiration from…
Spring—I’ve seen daffodils start to spring up and they are such a burst of joy. That, plus the brighter evenings, is making me feel very happy. Spring is right around the corner somehow, and I’ve already started jotting down a spring bucket list. So far: try a newly opened restaurant (specifically not new-to-me; I want to go support restaurants that literally recently opened their doors to the public), watch spring-y movies (Emma, Fever Pitch, and A League of Their Own are top of mind), go to a baseball game, and take an impromptu weekend trip to visit Highland Cattle.
Characters’ clothing—I really started thinking about what the characters in my books wore when I was writing Red String Theory. Rooney wears a lot of red and she knits her own clothes. I found this article on how to think like a costume designer when writing super interesting (and relevant beyond historical fiction). What characters are wearing can really bring them (and the setting) to life, and is a fun way to show their personalities.
Red interior design—I’m still in my red era, so seeing this interior design trick resonated. Those red floors! The shades! I’m not busting out the red paint anytime soon, but may start with a red pot (for some reason mine are all blue and green?!). Do you think red should be considered a neutral color?
Something I saved on Instagram…
I’m an author who writes novels about women working in fashion, and I’ve been doing some giveaways lately for my latest book Valley Verified. I thought it’d be cool if I included a little note with my book for the giveaway winners. And not just any note, but one written on a cool fashion-themed card. So I ordered this set of fashion illustration greeting cards and they are stunning! I want all their outfits for myself—and the style reminds me of the characters from the covers of my own books. 😉
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Kyla Zhao writes novels starring women of color in fashion. Her first book, The Fraud Squad, was a buzz pick by Good Morning America and a #1 new release in Asian-American literature on Kindle. Her second novel, Valley Verified, came out worldwide in January 2024. Kyla and her books have been featured by media outlets such as Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed, Tatler, etc. She was also selected by Forbes for its 30 Under 30 list and Tatler as a Leader of Tomorrow.
Bookish update…
Los Angeles friends! I get to be in conversation with the incredible Neely Tubati Alexander to chat all things In A Not So Perfect World at The Ripped Bodice on March 24 in Los Angeles! It’s a ticketed event, so be sure to reserve your spot.
That’s all from me for now! I’ve got another column idea in the works…so if I can manage both my edits and that, you’ll hear from me sooner rather than later.
See you next time!
Lauren
Keep following the thread on Twitter and Instagram and Goodreads
Love these recs — I covet that red sweatshirt! And I know feel the urge to rewatch Fever Pitch. Such an underrated gem.