10 Comments
User's avatar
Joseph Brink's avatar

Love all these, Ry!

READING:

Out of the many various nonfiction and fiction books I'm reading currently, my standout favorites are:

- Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket

a short, stream-of-consciousness book about philosophy and literature disguised as a murder mystery. It's absolutely delightful. :)

- The Lord of Psalm 23 by David Gibson

this book is so healing to my soul. It's just a deep dive into Psalm 23, unpacking all the beauty and truth and comfort to be found there.

- To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

I love how little happens in the book and how it just focuses on very ordinary people having very ordinary thoughts about very ordinary lives. I'm listening to the free LibraVox audio book, and it's honestly one of the most restful, enjoyable reads I've had in a long time. There's something just so soothing about listening to the stream-of-consciousness narration read aloud in a British accent. XD

- Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

I'm reading this for the third time, this time aloud to my little sister. Reading books aloud brings them to a whole new level of enjoyment (if they're high quality) or makes me despise them (if they're too wordy or not beautifully written). Everything Sad is Untrue is one of my all-time favorite books, and it's so fun to share it with my sister.

LISTENING:

- A lot of Rich Mullins (especially songs like "Here in America", "Land of My Sojourn", and the latter half of the "Never Picture Perfect" album)

- Wolf 359 (an audio drama)

Wolf 359 is my go-to comfort show more than any book or movie... I've listened to it so many times now and it just never gets old. It's so funny and asks so many deep questions and is super heartwarming :)

Sorry for how long that all was XD

Expand full comment
Ryan Elizabeth's avatar

So happy you left your "currentlys," Joe! Especially happy to see Rich Mullins listed -- those are such great picks! "Hope to Carry On" from Never Picture Perfect has been stuck in my head lately. Everything Sad is Untrue is SO GOOD. I'm excited to finally start Welcome to Night Vale soon...is Wolf 359 in the same kinda realm there? It sounds like a blast. :)

Expand full comment
Joseph Brink's avatar

Ooh yes I love "Hope to Carry On" and 100% agree, Everything Sad is Untrue is SO GOOD.

Wolf 359 is similar to Welcome to Night Vale in that both are audio dramas with a lot of comedy and both are very life-affirming (which gives them both a very feel-good/comforting vibe).

However, Night Vale doesn't have an overarching storyline. There are some running story threads, but no big plot. Wolf 359 has a very suspenseful, very well-done overall plotline.

Also, Night Vale's a lot more hit or miss from episode to episode. Since it's such a long-running show (and is still being produced very regularly), they've gone through a lot of different phases of storytelling strength. There are a couple years that I really love, but I'm not a huge fan of most of what comes before or after those years.

On the other hand, I'm a big fan of every single episode of Wolf 359 (though the first season's not quite as strong as the rest).

In Welcome to Night Vale LGBT characters/themes and lighthearted occult references appear fairly frequently.

Wolf 359, on the other hand, is completely clean aside from occasional blasphemies and light swearing.

So overall, I'm personally a much bigger fan of Wolf 359. Welcome to Night Vale's pretty fun, but it's not high on my list of recommends. *shrugs*

Expand full comment
Bella Raine's avatar

Also, if you are looking for a cozy fantasy, you should read Wormwood Abbey by Christina Baehr. Suuuper cozy fantasy! ✨

Expand full comment
Ryan Elizabeth's avatar

Ah, thanks so very much for the recommendation! I just looked it up, and it sounds right up my alley! I'll have to add it to my list.

Expand full comment
Bella Raine's avatar

Ooh, I love this, Ryan! 🫶🏻 I've been reading The Unraveling of Emlyn Dulaine (it's SO good), listening to some folk music (like Andrew/Skye Peterson + Josiah Queen) and watching All Creatures Great & Small. ✨

Expand full comment
Ryan Elizabeth's avatar

Hey Bella! Thanks so much, and I love the selection you shared here! I haven't heard of The Unraveling of Emlyn Dulaine, but I love that title -- what's it about?! I've caught bits of All Creatures Great & Small as my parents have watched, and it seems like the perfect cozy show as we enter into spring. 😊

Expand full comment
Bella Raine's avatar

It's a fantasy book published by Enclave about a girl traveling to another world called Rivenlea to find her sister, but ends up finding a whole lot more in the process! You should read it, I just finished it yesterday and it was a 5 star!

It really is! 🫶🏻

Expand full comment
Rue Arrow's avatar

Thank you for reminding me that I’ve been meaning to read A Mist Sprite’s Study of Being Human! Kyra Hinton is from my church and has such a beautiful outlook on the world. 🤎

Expand full comment
Ryan Elizabeth's avatar

That's so lovely, Rue! I think you'd adore her book. I first discovered Kyra through her visual art (then, I got to meet her at a creative conference last year), and her writing is just as beautiful.

Expand full comment