#5SmartReads
Posts
issue #32 - the one fueled by pizza

issue #32 - the one fueled by pizza

July 05, 2020

And all my favorite foods because life is busier than ever and I need comfort fuel.

If this is your first e-mail from me, welcome! In addition to writing the book How To Pack, I'm an entrepreneur and angel investor, an avid reader, and a mom of two boys (a 4 year old and a 4 month old).

Every Saturday, I share the 20 best reads from the Internet (culled from the daily shares on my Instagram), the books I've read that week, and things I'm generally loving at the moment. You can join the conversation on all these articles - and more! - in my Facebook group.

Looking for my packing list template? Here you go!

#ThingsILove This Week

Rho takes after me in a lot of ways - our love for musicals and dance parties, intense stubbornness, attempting to negotiate everything (we get that from my mother), and a love for monochromatic outfits. He lives in matching sweatsuits from Rockets Of Awesome, and I’ve been living in faux suede leggings and men’s cashmere sweaters in camel, olive, and navy. Like mother, like son.
Other things Rho loves right now - coloring books (he’s worked his way through the Coloring Without Borders one and making progress on these Avengers ones), his Halloween costume, his Captain Marvel pajamas, and The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
If you’re a fan of this newsletter - and I hope you are! - you will LOVE my friend Sari’s newsletter. She’s a sharp investor and reads as much as I do. Her weekly missives are so smart - sign up here.
On the Rhaki front, I’m loving our Dagne Dover diaper bag and Colugo baby carrier (both gifts from the brands) and this sweet bunting from Monica & Andy. He loves this colorful book passed down from Rho, the Baby Bjorn bouncer (which I FINALLY found), and Pennsylvania. Little man had a great week with his grandparents’ while I got lots of solo time with Rho.
These past few weeks have been rediscovering old favorites - my Patagonia fleeces that I slip on over my workout clothes every morning, the Alchimie Forever kantic moisturizing mask mixed with Naturopathica carrot seed oil (a savior for dehydrated skin), and YOGA. I’ve finally started making use of my Pure Yoga membership, and use the Peloton and Aaptiv apps if I can’t make it in or am traveling.
All the good things are happening in podcast land. The Dolly Parton podcast is just incredible, my Bad On Paper friends interviewed Cindy Crawford and it was fascinating, and the latest episode of Coached on imposter syndrome was just what I needed this week.

What I read this week:

The Ninth House - magic, secret societies, and scrappy protagonists? The Ninth House is extremely up my alley. It’s been a challenging read - the beginning is filled with flashbacks and jumping from character to character. I’m still reading, but I can’t predict where this book is going and I like that. I like it a lot.
The Likability Trap (copy gifted by author, out November 5th) - I care about being liked, albeit less than I used to. This book is an incredible analysis on likability - and specifically how it pertains to women - and has helped me identify certain blocks that I don’t need in my life. This was especially interesting to read while I listened to Dolly Parton’s America. Dolly is arguably the most likable woman in the country (if not the world), a feminist without calling herself one, and powerful without power-hungry.Yes, I’m obsessed with Dolly. I’m happy to admit it and listening to her music all week has put me in the best mood.
Would Like To Meet (ARC provided by NetGalley, out December 3rd) - This is the most meta romantic comedy book and I loved every single word of it. I am a sucker for British brain candy featuring quirky women protagonists (Evie in this book reminds me a lot of Tiffy from The Flatshare and the seminal Bridget Jones), and this was so sweet and lovely and I stayed up way too late on Thursday night to finish it. It’s the perfect book for the holidays when you want to hide from the parties and curl up with the literary equivalent of hot chocolate with lots of mini marshmallows.

Current book reviewshere,every bookI’ve read this year, and all myAmazon favorites.

Hitha’s Favorite Things

Libro.fm is my favorite audiobook app (it credits your favorite independent bookstore with the sale). Use code HITHA to get 3 audiobooks for the price of 1 when you create a monthly membership. You can find my favorite audiobooks here.
my Amazon shop
my favorite vitamins (both their pre-natal and their essential one for women)
my favorite produce delivery company
the app to save #5SmartReads to read later
the only book club I’m a member of
the notebook that has changed my life (see how I use it here and here). Get 15% off with code HITHA15.
the marriage check-in my husband and I do every single week
my favorite workout - and why. Use code G37YVV for $100 in accessories (spin shoes, weights, headphones - oh my!)
Small Packages (one of my portfolio companies) is the curated gift box company I’m always talking about - get 15% off your order with the code HITHA