The Week That Was: Reflections On Watching Shakespeare
And other recommendations for many types of "classics"
The Week That Was is a Sunday letter crafted for those who seek to live with intention and curiosity. In each edition, I share a curated collection of recommendations, a topic or idea to learn about, moments and musings from my week, and a question for you to take a moment of reverie.
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Hello! Happy Sunday!
This week flew by in a bit of a blur as I caught up on work and life after my trip to Mexico (the posts are coming soon—I promise!). In addition to the usual commitments, I’ve been attending evening meetings for the organizations I’m involved with, and the season is now in full swing with holiday parties, events, and festivities.
It’s such a special time to be social, and I’m determined to savor as many winter activities as possible: sipping a hot chocolate each evening, holiday shopping with my girlfriends, visiting Christkindlmarket, and diving into my favorite holiday films. This year, I’d like to make time for a few classic holiday movies I’ve never seen before: Christmas in Connecticut (1945), Holiday Affair (1949), and The Holly and the Ivy (1952). I’d love to hear if you have any other must-watch holiday classics on your list this season!
This week’s issue continues this classics theme: from a groundbreaking book by a Zimbabwean author to a soulful singer whose timeless work spans generations, to some reflection on seeing a Shakespeare production. We’ll also explore opportunities to read classics communally, discuss how businesses can champion traditional craftsmanship, and consider how modern apps are making centuries-old knowledge more accessible in today’s faster-paced world.
Read on for a little bit of all of this…
curated finds that inspire, delight, and enrich
A Book from Zimbabwe: Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions is a groundbreaking work of African literature, celebrated as the first novel by a Black Zimbabwean woman to be published in English. The title, inspired by a phrase in Sartre’s Preface to The Wretched of the Earth, hints at the intricate interplay of personal and political struggles that define its narrative. Through the perspective of Tambu, a determined young girl growing up in 1960s Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Dangarembga examines how colonialism and patriarchy intertwine to shape—and often stifle—individual aspirations and identities. Dangarembga’s storytelling is both sharp and empathetic, bringing to life layered, nuanced characters who grapple with the weight of family expectations, societal constraints, and personal ambition. This novel is the first in a trilogy, and I’m already eager to dive into the next installment to see how Dangarembga continues this powerful story.
Mini Learning Opportunities: I treated myself to a year-long Blinkist subscription as my single Cyber Monday purchase, and I’m thrilled to dive into this app as another tool for learning on the go. Blinkist distills the key insights from thousands of nonfiction books into concise 15- to 20-minute summaries, making it perfect for squeezing in some learning during my daily commute. While I still prefer the depth of reading an entire book, I don’t want to devote all my precious reading time to professional growth, self-improvement, and leadership topics (too many novels to read). Blinkist feels like the perfect compromise: it provides a strong introduction to a book, and if one truly captivates me, I can always dive deeper. This week, I explored Blinkist summaries for Thrive by Arianna Huffington, Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, and Start With Why by Simon Sinek—classics that have been on my radar for ages!
Album of the Week: Sings Love by Sonya Spence (1981). Sonya Spence, a Jamaican singer-songwriter, is known for her soulful delivery and deeply emotional lyrics. She captured the beauty and challenges of love, life, and relationships in a way that feels timeless. Her album Sings Love is a testament to her artistry, weaving together themes of longing, devotion, and heartbreak with gentle yet profound sincerity. Tracks like "Let Love Flow On" and "Peace and Unity" highlight her knack for pairing soulful storytelling with lush reggae rhythms. Whether you’re discovering Spence for the first time or revisiting her work, this album is a perfect listen.
Business Done Right: I truly believe that business can be a force for good—it just requires the right kind of approach. Ishkar is a shining example of this. This London-based social enterprise provides an online platform for designers and makers from conflict-affected countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen, and Pakistan. Through meaningful partnerships with local artisans, Ishkar not only preserves traditional craftsmanship but also provides sustainable income to communities that might otherwise struggle to access global markets. Beyond commerce, Ishkar offers a window into the stories and traditions of places often overshadowed by headlines of war. They capture their mission beautifully: “We do what humans have done forever: trading objects, telling stories and travelling beyond our own frontiers.” The jewelry from Kabul is particularly stunning and the rugs—well, they’re the real deal.
Hydrating Lip Balms: I was introduced to Ilia's lip balms at a bachelorette party this summer when they were part of the gift bag. For years, I had been a regular user of their mascara, but this was my first time trying one of their lip products—and now I can’t stop reaching for them. These balms are a dream: they combine clean, nourishing ingredients with a luxurious feel, offering just the right amount of color while keeping lips hydrated and soft all day. My everyday favorite is Hold Me, a warm peachy nude that goes with everything. When I want a bit more color, I reach for Lady, a beautiful neutral cranberry shade. I’m now tempted to explore their actual lipsticks, but honestly, these balms are so smooth and easy to wear that I haven’t really felt the need.
where curiosity meets the art of discovery
Classics have always felt like whispers from another time—a well-aged, carefully curated bottle of wisdom, cracked open and sipped on a rainy afternoon with a velvet robe and the sound of an old jazz record playing in the background. They’re not just books; they’re portals. Writings from centuries ago continue to teach us about culture, history, and thought, offering fresh insights into the challenges and triumphs of our present lives, often refracting the echoes of human experience with surprising relevance.
This weekend, I had the privilege of attending a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Pericles—a Shakespearean tale that weaves together themes of fate, love, loss, and redemption. Pericles is a story of exile, restoration, and the complexities of human relationships—a reminder of how timeless storytelling continues to capture both the grandeur and heartbreak of life. Watching this play unfold live was like stepping into another world entirely: misty seas, ancient cities, and a language that is English but also not the one we really understand.
As I sat there at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, watching the performance, I found myself reflecting on how many people have sat through this same story since its first performance in May 1619. It was apparently a popular production during Shakespeare’s time (though not one of his most celebrated plays now). And now here we were—spending a Friday night in Chicago in 2024—immersed in the same trials, tribulations, and triumphs of Pericles. There’s something incredibly humbling about that—watching a play with origins four centuries old, yet feeling as though it could speak to you across time.
I am certainly not the most well-read when it comes to “the classics,” as I tend to gravitate toward women writers who were overlooked by the literary canon. However, there are a couple of exciting reading opportunities coming up in January 2025 that I’m eager to take part in—and I wanted to share them with you in case they spark your curiosity.
A Couple of Reading Opportunities for 2025
Matthew Long’s Deep Reads Book Club and Homer’s Timeless Epics:
Matthew Long is organizing a year-long reading journey for The Iliad and The Odyssey—two ancient Greek masterpieces that capture war, ambition, fate, love, and family. Their exploration of heroism, leadership, and human nature remains startlingly relevant today, offering reflections on themes that feel as profound now as they did millennia ago. My boyfriend and I are thrilled to dive into this journey together and would love for you to join us. These stories are not just texts but lenses into ancient life, philosophy, and the universal threads of human experience, and a reading group is a wonderful way to explore them with others.
Why Pride & Prejudice Still Matters with So Textual:
Since its publication in 1813, Pride & Prejudice has been looked to for its exploration of wit, love, social class, and nuanced human relationships. This January, So Textual is hosting a two-part discussion titled Why Pride & Prejudice Still Matters. This promises to be a thoughtful and illuminating exploration of Austen’s sharp commentary on societal expectations and the enduring complexity of its characters.
Both opportunities offer more than a return to old books—they promise community, shared reflection, and the joy of uncovering timeless insights.
✨ What’s a classic that has captured you recently? Did The Iliad or Pride and Prejudice ever feel like they spoke to your life in surprising ways? Let me know!
a pause to reflect, a moment to savor
What’s a place, memory, or idea you find yourself daydreaming about lately, and why do you think it holds your attention?
I often find myself daydreaming about an imagined garden behind a small cottage, with overgrown paths winding through wildflowers and tall grasses. In this reverie, I’m barefoot, carrying a basket filled with freshly picked herbs and vegetables, and various animals run behind me. The air is warm and fragrant, and time feels suspended, like the whole world has slowed down just for me. This vision captivates me because it embodies a life rooted in nature, creativity, and a slower rhythm.
How about you?
With warmth and gratitude,
Jennifer
xxx