A list of beautiful things #24
'Once again, I am trying to fall into the light'
Obsessed with the uber-minimalist comics of Jordan Bolton: “The more I look for beauty/ the more I find it/ The more I share it/ The more it grows.”
One of my favorite contemporary painters: Georgia Hourdas. Her work feels optimistic and meditative.
Two pretty and simple craft ideas to try this fall: faux Spanish tile and a 3-D fold-up card.
As someone who actively tries to make art in tight time constraints of five or ten minutes, I resent this slogan. But I also know that it’s absolutely true.
This 10-minute film about the interior lives of Argentinian slaughterhouse workers is jaw-dropping.
“Once again, I am trying to fall into the light.” The swing of emotions in this poem accurately describes for me what it’s like to be a parent: trying to hold on to joy while fearing the passing of time.
"Friendship is a form of purposive idleness. The relationship is based on equality, not on power." Beautiful essay by Hanif Kureishi, via Kottke
“As soon as somebody came into proximity of a tree and were just present and mindful, paying attention and appreciating the tree, their relaxation response in the body was increased.” A lovely podcast episode on forest bathing.
This science fiction novel is my favorite book that I’ve read all year. It’s a page-turner, it’s inventive and it includes some of my favorite themes: space, memory and true love.
Almost every Egyptian can hum the first five minutes of this song. A beautiful rendition of Umm Khaltoum’s “Alf Leila w Leila” by the National Arab Orchestra. I love it when that accordion hits at 4:12.
Some little things from me
I visited a wind telephone for the first time and the experience left me speechless.
My book, It Won’t Always Be Like This, turned one. I am offering a special gift to anyone who buys a copy this week: I will snail mail you a signed, handmade doodle. Details here.
Nashville, I will be at the Zine City Fest on Saturday, September 30. Come by, say hi, buy some zines and books from me.
On October 3, I will be doing a virtual talk with the incredible Filipino American YA writer Randy Ribay about the ways we can all seek out more inclusive stories that honor the complexity of identity, culture, history and tradition. RSVP here.
Some comic journalism I did for NPR: In the ‘90s I survived summers in Egypt with no AC. How would it feel now?
And lastly, an ode to my mother.
So cool that you're really making use of this place. Gonna check out your links. Thanks for sharing!
Now I also know how stirring and beautiful "Alf Leila w Leila" is. Thanks for expanding my awareness yet again, Malaka!