Best of 2024

my adorable opinions

Thanks for entertaining

my tooting of my own substack-ian horn, now I will share the ones I find most valuable (as in - I read them, I share them, and in some cases I pay for them). The are in the order I found them, not in ranked order. If reading more isn’t a thing you aspire to do in 2025, there are alternatives below….

While I’m not an adventurous eater, I love to read about people cooking, and I like to watch people cooking. Even things I don’t like and would never eat. My therapist says this is fine and not worth addressing, so with her blessing I share my favorite food-related substack from which I have actually used recipes and ideas for recipes. This one has gingerbread smores, and so if I was actually friends with any of my neighbors I would print it out and slip it beneath their doormat as a less-than-subtle suggestion…

Jenny Rosenstrach “Three Things” —>

Three Things

In that she writes about food sometimes, but not always, and relationships, and is lighthearted and a little messy in a way I admire, I enjoy Catherine Newman’s postings (and books, which I have purchased!). She has a casual approachable style that makes me feel very neighborly about her even though she gently but firmly denied my request to add a tour stop anywhere vaguely near the center of the country when she was promoting Sandwich. Why is Denver hard? It’s a hub. We have the Tattered Cover. We have mountains. This one has a recipe for black bean soup, which sounds easy enough to manage between holiday festivities and hibernation.

Catherine Newman’s Black Bean Soup —>

Black Bean Soup (+ more!)

Along those lines, but with ample discernible class and style, I suggest Hanne, whose substack I pay for because it is so good. Lots of words about things that are not food, but peripherally threaded with food ties enough that I would consider relocating to be her neighbor. Lyrical and historical with a heavy dose of body-related morsels, and so much more. Just follow and read, eh?

Dr. Hanne Blank Boyd “Thank You, See You In Study Hall” —>

Thank You, See You In Study Hall

If you are in search of staunch science with sharpness, Dr. Andrea Love offers a wealth of debunking with receipts, references, and zero tolerance for non-science. I agree emphatically while also having more softness and approachability about me. She pulls no punches and is prolific. If you’re looking to support a family member who is ‘doing their own research,’ please search here for some big bad teachings of the science.

Dr. Andrea Love “The word ‘toxic’ is meaningless without context” —>

The word "toxic" is meaningless without context

In the same vein, Dr. Jen Gunter writes about vaginas and associated body parts, processes, medications, issues, etc. If you have a vagina or love someone who does, she probably has an exceptionally verbose and well-cited ditty about that thing. This one is funny, so it’s a bit out of character for her, although you often find some sass.

Dr. Jen Gunter “It’s Winter Vagina Time, Bitches” —>

It's Winter Vagina Time, Bitches

And because reading many of the above activates my inferiority complexes (see: adequately nourishing myself and not just eating kitchari, and or being a doctor, and or finishing some shiz you have started) I end with the gentlest embrace of Nora McInerny, who does self deprecation with reflection (and class, even though she tries not to). She is really ok with you as you are. She will never make you feel like you need to be more or different or better. She’s the antidote to the voice in your head that wants you to do rather than be, and she’s funny. Which helps.

Nora McInerny “Surviving is Enough” —>

Surviving is enough.

BOOK OF THE YEAR: If you need an actual book, or just cannot relent to enjoyable reading but must feel productive, Supercommunicators gets my vote for the most useful, influential, culture-changing book of the year. Charles Duhigg is good. You’ll want this one on paper (I got it on audio, so maybe both). If you want to know how to skillfully facilitate intimacy or solve problems or communicate better, this is for you. There will be a quiz.

PODCAST OF THE YEAR: Wiser than Me, by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She interviews women 70 or better like Jane fucking Goodall. Hello.

BINGE SHOW OF THE YEAR: The Diplomat, season 2. You can do this in a day. Nail biter. It’s on Netflix and I’m not linking it. Sorry. Figure it out.

BEST SHOW IF YOU HAVE UNHEALED FAMILY TRAUMA OR ARE TERRIFIED OF THE DUMPSTER FIRE OF OUR POLITICAL UNFOLDING: Shrinking. Daddy issues? Listen to Indiana Jones right his wrongs. Anger issues? Watch many folks sort these out. Frustrated that every show on earth is about everyone getting pregnant? NOT THIS ONE. There is gender balance. Wit. Tears. We are watching it again. We finished it last weekend.

Your turn. Please share your best of’s in the comments if you like - no need to debate mine (or others) just share what you like and why, or who might also like it.

Onward,

K

PS: I’m not a fan of ranking. All dogs are my favorite. All students are my favorite. I’m a huge fan of saying who might enjoy what sorts of things, and I encourage you to do the same below.