issue #81 - the 'I'll see you soon' one

So, I have news...

I’m writing a book! I can’t share much more until the press release comes out, but I am extremely excited about it and terrified at the prospect of writing 40,000 words in less than two months.

I will be writing and researching and interviewing nonstop, so I’m turning #5SmartReads over to my incredible group of contributors - including this editor’s letter and book & product recommendations. I’m very excited to read what they have to share, and I hope you are as well.

If you’re new here - welcome! This is what #5SmartReads is all about, and I’m so excited to have you here.

A special thanks to a few women who have brought so many new faces here:

• Kate Lemere is a powerhouse and actually makes me want to do a bootcamp class. Her website is full of so much wisdom on fitness, health (INCLUDING mental health), and she’s a joy to follow on Instagram.

• Jenn Falik has been influencing me for over a decade now - everything from Dyson stands to the best kids’ sneakers to a jewelry company I love so much I invested in it. Her newsletter is GOLD - go sign up.

• My friend Paula is the kind of friend every woman needs - she’s funny, kind, and will make you laugh so hard that you forget what you were pissed off about. Give her a follow on Instagram.

If you love #5SmartReads and want to share it, you can create your referral link here! You’ll have my undying love, shoutouts in future newsletters, and complimentary access to the daily #5SmartReads newsletter.

I’ll still be sharing stuff on Instagram when I’m procrastinating writing, so follow me there. I’ll miss you!

What we read this week

Hitha

• The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris - I am re-reading this book with Post-Its and highlights and pens for my book research, but I find myself even more inspired by Vice President-Elect Harris and her incredible story. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend you do.

• Mediocre by Ijeoma Oluo - this is one of the best books I’ve read this year, but also one of the hardest books to get through. I had to read it in brief sections because the truths Oluo revealed just pissed me off and I needed to cool off before picking it up again. But we can do hard things, so please read this book and make everyone you know read it too.

Emma

• Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty - I've really taken my time with this one but loved the applicable lessons and habits to help make life less of a struggle and understand the whys a bit better.

The Top 5

1. The Dream Job Is Dead. Long Live The Good Enough Job (Refinery 29)

2. How to Celebrate the Holidays in the Midst of Grief (Vogue)

3. The Crown isn’t making the royal family look bad. They do a fine job of that themselves (The Guardian)

4. Cecile Richards turns Supermajority over to new leadership (The 19th*)

5. Moving Forward: Books That Hold Us Accountable With Lupita Aquino (Bese)

The Catch Up

Monday (curated by Emma Cárdenas)

• The Energy Healer On A 90-Hour First Date With A Stranger (The Cut)

• How To Start An Art Collection (Darling)

• A College Student Behind A Massively Popular Paint-Mixing Tik Tok Was Fired From Sherwin-Williams (BuzzFeed)

• 5 Mindful Habits That Lead To A Minimalist Home (Apartment Therapy)

Tuesday

• India’s Farmers Come Out in Force Against Modi (Foreign Policy)

• Don't Call Sophia Roe's New VICE Series, Counter Space, a Cooking Show (Harper’s BAZAAR)

• Bipartisan group of senators seeks coronavirus stimulus deal (Axios)

• More Americans Pay Rent On Credit Cards As Lawmakers Fail To Pass Relief Bill (NPR)

Wednesday

• Scoop: FDA chief called to West Wing (Axios)

• Inside the TV networks’ battle for Christmas movie supremacy (Los Angeles Times)

• Tracy Reese on Why Domestic Supply Chains Are Key to Sustainability (The Helm)

• The Georgia Dilemma (The Dispatch)

Thursday

• Big Oil's big reckoning (Axios)

• A Work Of Art (Essence)

• ‘They’ve been following the science’: How the Covid-19 pandemic has been curtailed in Cherokee Nation (STAT)

• A History of Mediocre White Men (and How They Get Ahead) (Zora)

Friday

• My Name Is Josie Totah — And I'm Ready to Be Free (TIME)

• Biden plans to ask public to wear masks for first 100 days in office (Axios)

• Why the Same Hallmark Actresses Appear in Christmas Movies Every Year (Glamour)

• Nurses wanted: Swamped hospitals scramble for pandemic help (Associated Press)

Things we love this week

Hitha

• My Nespresso machine is working on overtime right now, and I am so, so, so grateful for it and these vanilla pods.

• Shamelessly plugging my gift guide if you need a little help with holiday shopping or want to treat yourself to something nice.

Emma

• You bet this beautiful mug is on it's way to my house right now!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,HPN