Hello, lovelies! Sooo, I got all of my wisdom teeth removed in November. Yup, all four of them! As a result, I’ve spent a lot of time on my couch, binge-watching TV shows, reading, and listening to new music.

I Read…

THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW by one of my favorite authors: Adrienne Young!

Ladies and gents, she’s done it again! I’ve read all of Adrienne’s books and so far, they’ve all been brilliant! THE UNMAKING is yet another what-the-heck-I-just-read story—one that effortlessly blends romance and mystery with a dash of magical realism.

The book features a mysterious disappearance, a murder, time travel, tons of feminism, complex family histories, and sweet, sweet love. It is emotional and surprising, and the setting is just *chef’s kiss*.

I won’t say more about it, other than: please read this gem!

I Watched…

The first five seasons of THE WEST WING, the political drama series created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from 1999 to 2006.

I first saw this show when I was studying American Studies in college. In my humble opinion, it’s one of the greatest shows ever made. Especially the first couple of seasons are gold, not just because of the dramatics but also because of the dialogue—it’s crispy and complex and smart and so well-paced. Aaron Sorkin is a mastermind, and every writer should study his dialogue-cleverness.

I Listened to…

The BEAUTIFUL LOVE album by clarinet legend Eddie Daniels!

Sooo, since I got my wisdom teeth removed, I wasn’t able to play for three weeks. To make sure I didn’t fall behind in orchestra, I decided to use my classes for rhythm exercises and analyzing famous musical pieces for clarinet. My teacher introduced me to Eddie Daniels’ BEAUTIFUL LOVE album and I can’t stop listening to it!

The album is fairly subdued—Daniels’ clarinet is supported by a nimble rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass, and drums. The songs are soft, relaxing, and warm. There are some wonderful subtleties in Daniels’ play, demonstrating just how seductive and sweet the clarinet can be. Just close your eyes and enjoy 😉