This is the monthly round-up of Stacks & Spoons, where I share the books, trends, and headlines that caught my attention this month, plus snapshots from my daily life. If you enjoy it, make sure to subscribe here.
Happy Spotify Wrapped Week to all who celebrate!
Anyone else feel called out by their Top 5’s this year?
Last year, my wrapped story was fun and boppy. It was good vibes and tunes you could dance to. This year, things took a turn.
2023 has been a bit shit, so I probably should have expected that to be reflected in my listening habits. Unprocessed grief, career stress, homesickness, and creative dry spells have left me burned out.
I didn’t start to suspect I was burned out until very recently. But then came Spotify wrapped, rolling out my unhinged emotional state in a cute little video slideshow. It’s basically a diagnosis.
My 2023 Top 5 Songs:
Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift
It’s me, hi. I’m the problem, it’s me.
Affirmation Song by Doggyland and Snoop Dog
This is literally a song of positive affirmations made for kids. It’s from an album called Kid Hits, Vol. 1. I gotta say, as a recovering ‘wellness’ addict, I’ve cycled through many an affirmation, but none of them made me feel as good as repeating ‘I get better every single day’ along with Snoop.
Work Bitch by Britney Spears
Because I’m burned out but also need money, I play this when I lack the motivation to get to work. Clearly, with this song being my third most-played, I’ve needed a lot of extra motivation to get anything done this year.
BREAK MY SOUL by Beyoncé
I don’t think I really need to explain how this song is relevant to someone trying to claw their way out of burnout.
Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
Again, pretty self-explanatory.
Individually, these songs don’t bring up any red flags. But grouped into a colourful Top 5 graphic designed to be shared, it made me self-conscious. Suddenly it was clear to me that I’ve spent the entire year treading water. To me, I look at this Top 5 and see the rollercoaster I’ve been stuck on.
Anti-Hero = I’m not feeling great.
Affirmation Song = but here are some things I’d like to feel.
Work Bitch = forget feelings, I need health insurance.
BREAK MY SOUL = what if I quit everything and move to the woods?
Shake It Off = fuck it, I’m fine. everything’s fine.
Are you thinking I’m overanalyzing this right now? This is who I am. Deal with it.
I’m planning to write more about burnout as I move through it, particularly autistic and ADHD burnout as that is my experience. I know I can’t be the only one treading water right now. Maybe we can go through this shit together.
READ PALESTINE WEEK
Yesterday marked the beginning of #ReadPalestine Week. Launched by Publishers For Palestine, Read Palestine Week encourages everyone to read books by Palestinian and Palestinian diaspora authors, or about Palestinian history, culture, and organizing. Running from November 29 – December 5, over 30 ebooks from the Read Palestine reading list are free to download here.
My #ReadPalestine Week TBR includes:
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
Freedom Is A Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis
If you’re interested in taking part, see this book list I made for more reading suggestions, and check out the #ReadPalestine tag on Instagram.
3 MINUTE ACTIONS
The US Gov just made more free Covid tests available. Order yours here.
A humanitarian pause is not enough. We must keep amplifying Palestinian voices, boycotting, protesting, and demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli government’s occupation of Palestine. Contact your reps via Ceasefire Today or using the 5 Calls App.
STACKS
Books I read this month…
Love Is An Ex-Country by Randa Jarrar
(Thank you to Catapult Books for gifting me a copy!)
How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price
(listened to the audiobook via the Libby app)
Becoming Kin: An Indigenous Call to Unforgetting the Past and Reimagining Our Future by Patty Krawec
SCREEN TIME
Things I’ve watched…
The Hallmark channel watching I started in the fall has continued into the holiday season. These cheesy, predictable, formulaic Christmas romances are all my burned-out brain can handle right now.
SOUND ON
What I’ve been listening to…
Samara Joy. She’s number 2 in my Top 5 Artists on Spotify this year (after Tay, obvi.) I love all her music, but her holiday album just dropped and it’s a delight. There’s something about jazz music filling the house that melts the anxiety away and makes everything feel cozy.
CLICKS
What I’ve been reading on the internet…
Community helps us get un-stuck & turns grief into action by Ayesha Khan Ph.D.
Joy vs Terror by Zeba Blay
TikTok Says It's Not the Algorithm, Teens Are Just Pro-Palestine
Why Queer Solidarity With Palestine Is Not “Chickens for KFC”
In Memory Of Rocky
Earlier this month, Rocky, one of my family’s dogs back in Australia, passed away. He was an unofficial therapy dog, big friendly giant, weighted blanket, and BFF to our pug, Heisy, who is now lost without him.
I’m deeply sad that I didn’t get to hug Rocky goodbye. Hold your fur babies tight, friends.