Coffee Letter #003: Home Alone
I was home alone for three days only, but I need to be dramatic about it.
I was left home alone last week. For three whole days. Naturally, this meant very little sleep (I struggle to sleep in general, but it’s worse when it’s just me and the cat), working from home in my pajamas, and indulging in “girl dinner” for two nights in a row. Although I did make pumpkin cream soup one night — my husband’s least favourite dish.
Did I recharge? Well… not really. When I glanced at my calendar at the start of the week there were only two events. Then, somehow, I blinked, and suddenly the week was packed: coffee dates, a cinema night with the girls, a Love Island viewing party with friends, and a bookish lunch with some amazing women. How did I go from thinking I have no friends a few years ago to literally going out every single day? It’s a mystery, but I genuinely adore these people and I plan to do this for as long as I can sustain it. Sustain being the keyword. My therapist would be so proud.
Last letter I wrote about my spending habits, and my friend Mads shared the best advice: if I can afford it and it brings me joy, then I’m not wasting money. A couple of years ago, when I discussed this with my therapist, we weren’t talking about books or perfumes, but about my love for hotels — specifically, my guilt around enjoying a fancy hotel and how others would judge that. For some people, a hotel is just a bed for the night. But I like hotels and I love the experience. It makes me happy to do the research and spoil myself with a bigger room or a better view. And that’s ok!
I always joke that I have rich bitch taste. Probably in a past life I was born into generational wealth and that stuck with me in this life too. Growing up, we were far from middle class (though thankfully, my family is doing a lot better now), which might be why I still struggle with spending money on things I never thought I’d be able to afford. I’m working on this.
~ read
I am a beta reader — which is one thing I did not expect this year. I got one of the author’s books for review a few months ago (a book I would’ve never picked up on my own because I do judge books by the cover) and I loved it, so when I was asked to be a beta-reader for the same author, I couldn’t say no! It’s exciting, although a bit stressful too, since I’m juggling so many books at once and I have until November 1st to send in my feedback.
I did not read that much. I am lying. I read just as much as I usually do, but I did not complete as many books because I am not a one-book-at-a-time-reader. I tried it once and hated it.
I finished a few review copies, including a disappointing bird guide (the cover was misleading!) and a nice cookbook with great photography, but nothing groundbreaking. I also read Wished by Sarah Ready — a whimsical romance about a cleaning lady in love with her boss who isn’t even aware of her existence until she makes a wish that comes true! The magical realism was fun, but the romance was a bit rushed.
Oh, and I finished Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix, but I’ll save my thoughts for the next week’s letter, after the book club meeting.
But I am currently reading A LOT of books:
I finally started Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer, the fourth book in the Southern Reach series and I have a feeling it will answer none of our questions about Area X. There is more background on Central and the Southern Reach operation. It takes us back in time a bit, before Area X was Area X and I am simply enjoying my time with this book. I am ready for the eerie kind of Area X weirdness.
I am exactly 50% into The Secret History by Donna Tartt and it’s even better the second time around! Funny enough, I seem to always rate four stars the books that end up being my favourite books. I guess I’m a tougher critic when I love a book.
Then there’s Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh, which I have to finish before the book club meeting on Wednesday. I am still on the fence with this book. I am curious to see where it goes — and even more curious about the upcoming book club discussion.
Lastly, I just started Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch by Emily C. Hughes, a guide to horror films for scaredy-cats like yours truly. The first chapter focused on Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960), a film I’ve seen and even read a whole book about its production — Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello. What I like about Horror for Weenies most is that it also recommends other films (and even books) similar to the main theme of each chapter.
~ watch
While hubby was away, I played it safe with my TV choices — no spooky stuff, so I rewatched Emily in Paris… and I got bored pretty fast. I did go to the cinema with the girls last week and, now that he is back home, I am making my way through the vampire films I want to watch.
We Live in Time (2024), d. John Crowley. Just like everyone and their mother, I went to see this film because Florence Pugh is my ultimate crush. It’s a bittersweet romance between a promising chef and a recently divorced Weetabix corporatist. There will be tears, but there will also be a lot of laughs — I feared it might be melodramatic, but it struck just the right balance. Also, it gave me a new perspective on the dead-parent trope so often used in films and books. I really enjoyed it, but I am biased (because Flo).
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person/Vampire humaniste cherche suicidaire consentant (2023), d. Ariane Louis-Seize. Maybe my new favourite film? It’s a quirky coming-of-age story about Sasha, a vampire who doesn’t want to kill people, so when her family are done feeding her, she must find a way to survive. Enter Paul, a lonely teen pondering suicide.
It’s whimsical and somewhat light-hearted, but it tackles serious subjects in a beautiful, thoughtful way. It’s a well-written film, visually stunning — you can stop at any scene and frame it! It was bloody delicious!
~ and other things I did last week
Music: URMA! After a discussion with a friend about being paid in coffees (you can buy me with a coffee, I’m so cheap) I went back to my high school playlist and pretty much listened to Urma’s discography all week.
There’s also this playlist perfect for Lapvona.
Food: Pumpkin cream soup — a thing I made throughout my life whenever the leaves turn orange and the pumpkin pops up at the market. My husband hates pumpkin soup, so I always make it when he either cooks something I don’t want to eat or, like this time around, when he is not home. No official recipe — just a bunch of roasted veggies (pumpkin, carrots, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes etc.) blended with stock and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe a dash of balsamic vinegar and some honey (be creative). I usually serve it with a swirl of sour cream and roasted pumpkin seeds.
Other things consumed last week:
Mostly video essays this time around. There wasn’t much time for reading articles or anything else.
The Evil Symbolism of Milk from Mina Le. This is a deep dive into… well, milk and its symbolism. I’m fascinated by milk in media and I always notice it for some reason.
The Strange Conservatism of Forrest Gump from Broey Deschanel. I’m intrigued by how many people like this film — spoiler alert, I did not care for it. This video essay is very interesting and it focuses on the political aspect of the film outside the film.
Chicken Shop Date: Andrew Garfield. The date we’ve all been waiting for. And it did not disappoint.
This week is packed with bookish events. Literally. Two consecutive book clubs and then a full weekend of literary events in another city. Plus I’m a beta-reader! The next letter might be a bit delayed, so if you don’t hear from me on Monday, we’ll have our coffee together on Tuesday!
Thank you so much for reading — I’m surprised (and incredibly grateful) that people take time out of their day to read my letter and that they mention the subjects when we talk.