A friend of mine said yesterday: the way the world is today actually makes me miss COVID times. You know, when humanity was all united as one. Crazy, but kinda true, isn’t it?

Every time I pick up my phone, it’s darker and darker. Without signs of easing.

Living in the Middle East means the headlines aren’t distant news stories. I have friends and family directly impacted.

If you’re feeling as world weary as me, I would love to hear how you’re managing it, especially if you have children.

I immerse myself in the arts – music, comedy, books – and physical exercise. Meditation. Good friends. Chocolate. Too much chocolate.

There are also great charities you can contribute to - check out Pal Collective by comedian Sammy Obeid 🔥

Allow me to offer you some books to read, comedy that touches on social justice, and random stuff from the internet to give you a break from doom scrolling for ten min today.

Sending vibrations of peace, love and joy to you all from my little corner.

Read: Nobel Prize Winner of Literature

One way to get your books to sell is to win the Nobel Prize in Literature apparently; Han Kang has become the first South Korean to receive the honor – and the million dollar prize that comes with it. Her books are flying off the shelves now.

Korean TV shows have had a serious moment lately, from reality to drama to cutesy romantic comedies, but I love seeing Korean literature get some attention. I have only read one of Kang’s works and recommend it for its beautiful prose (but it’s pretty sad):

Greek Lessons by Han Kang

A young Korean woman has lost her voice, her mother and her custody battle for her son (I told you it’s sad), but she finds solace with her Greek teacher who is losing his sight. It’s an intense, beautiful commentary on human connection in dark times.

Write: Writer’s Fellowship

Doesn’t matter if you’ve only written a few sloppy chapters or if you have a complete manuscript – APPLY NOW to one of the world’s best fellowships for writers.

Nothing like it around:

✅ Dedicated mentor (a famous author!)

✅ Trip to US or UK for an intensive writing workshop

✅ Chance to pitch to agents and meet acquiring editors

Just do it - the world needs more beautiful voices! Apply here.

Inspire: Laugh Through the Pain

We got to see Palestinian-American standup comedian Sammy Obeid perform in Dubai last night. It was a beautiful show of humor, solidarity and community.

He described himself as someone who doesn’t strive to be great, but to be good, for the greater good. And with that intention, he was great.

Check out the merch on Pal Collective, where all proceeds go to Gaza.

Browse: These Links

It’s one of those weeks where I just… can’t. I watched Love Is Blind Habibi, that’s what I did. Here’s other stuff along those lines:

• What does the 2025 Met Gala theme Superfine: Tailoring Black Style really mean?

• Walking through history with the booksellers of Baghdad

• On the trail of F Scott Fitzgerald in New York

• Joker: Folie a Deux is a big box office flop (anybody seen it?)

Countdown to My Novel’s Publication Day:

Thanks for reading! See you next week!

With kindness,

Sara