How are you holding up these days?
I keep thinking about that recent book title, “A Friend for the End of the World.” I haven’t read it, but could use a new friend or three to get through this pandemic. If you’re like me, characters in books, and even in TV series, have been some of your most constant friends. After all, they are there whenever I need them, no partner, kids or work to claim their attention.
They have always helped me through difficult times and I often find new ones. I even adopt audiobook narrators (Donata Peters and George Guidall,) and podcast hosts. I thought I would share what I’ve been reading, watching and listening to that have helped me the most in these unparalleled, catastrophic and surreal times. Some are old friends worth revisiting and others are providing useful, practical information about how to care for ourselves and others during this time. A few take me deep into the peace of nature or provide pure escape.
Creative pursuits are a great form of escape. Since I’m currently working on a cozy mystery set in New York City in the second decade of the 20th century, I can lose myself in another time period as well as the lives of my characters. Although my novel is set prior to the 1918 Influenza epidemic, I did some research on that as well.
It was interesting to learn that the NYC schools remained open throughout the epidemic. Why? Three quarters of the students lived in overcrowded tenements where beleaguered parents were fully occupied with keeping a roof overhead and food on the table. Schools were able to provide better sanitary conditions and kids could be checked for signs of illness every day and receive care.
Creating is still important. We need each other’s stories and creativity more than ever. Aren’t you reading more and watching funny clips? Enjoying jokes, parodies, and impromptu concerts online? I’ve been moved by artwork, journals, photographs and stories about how this crisis is affecting people, as well as great ideas people have about how to help. Then there are the crazy things people are doing to amuse themselves and their kids and pets. Some are well known, but many are off the beaten path treasures.
Podcast Friends for the Pandemic
Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us This is a new podcast by the researcher who studies courage, empathy, shame and vulnerability. Her TED Talk is one of the five most popular worldwide. Brown helps us figure out how best to deal with the emotional fallout of this unprecedented crisis for ourselves, partners and kids and how to help each other through it in a practical, realistic way.
Mara’s Glatzel’s podcast, Needy I love this podcast, but am uncomfortable with it’s name. We all are though, whether we admit it to ourselves or not. Just listen to it. You don’t have to tell anyone, but may want to share it with people in your life who will get it. Mara breaks everything down incredibly well and walks us through how to check in with ourselves and really listen to what we need right now. The largely neglected life skill of self care is more necessary than ever, to both help ourselves, and to be there for others.
Blogs/E-newsletters
The Positivity Blog–Henrik Ebsen.
Maria Popova’s Brain Pickings. Gourmet curated food for thought from the best thinkers, writers and minds, past and present.
Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura has videos now! In the spirit of Wabi-sabi, check out The Magic of Imperfect Objects with film maker Jessica Oreck.
Inspiring Short Films
The Green Renaissance
Life is Full of Treasure is one of my favorites.
Inspiring Books
Heart Talk by Cleo Wade. If you lack sage family members or teachers to guide you, and even if you have some, Cleo will steer you true.
Great Books for Escape
Anything by Jasper Fforde, world builder extraordinaire. My favorites are his Thursday Next series about a book world detective who looks into escaped characters and book related villainy.
Peter Mayle’s books about Provence are full of wonderful, quirky characters.
Under the Tuscan Sun and Women in Sunlight by Frances Mayes
Books about nature
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
Naturalist Henry Beston’s masterpieces The Outermost House, about living in a tiny isolated cottage on Cape Cod in 1926
Northern Farm, about living on a farm in Maine.
Cozy Mysteries On TV
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. If you haven’t met this indomitable Australian flapper era character, you must. Based on the books written by Kerry Greenwood.
You can watch on Acorn
Foyle’s War, set during and after WWI in England. A fantastic period production as the Brits do so beautifully. The series was written by Anthony Horowitz.
Watch on Acorn
Frankie Drake Mysteries-set in Toronto 1930’s. Frankie and her crew are amazing women ahead of their time.The series was written by Carol Hay and Michelle Ricci. Watch on the PBS app.
Historical Cozy Mysteries
The Maisie Dobbs Mysteries by Jacqueline Winspear. A truly unique, fascinating, capable protagonist during and after WWI in England. My absolute, all-time favorite cozies.
Stephanie Barron’s Jane Austin Mysteries
Anne Perry’s Inspector Pitt Mysteries.
Happy reading and watching. Be Well.