Hello, friends! Welcome to my fifth edition of From Holly, a monthly newsletter to share about what I'm reading, cooking, and otherwise drawn to at the moment. I’m honored you’d let me take up a little space in your inbox!
Bookshelf
This month was lighter on reading because I did a silly thing and had 5-6 books in flight at any given moment which isn’t really an ideal way to finish any in a timely manner. Ultimately, I read 1,260 pages over 4 books.
Favorite Read in September:
The Liturgy of Politics by Kaitlyn Schiess
In this clear-eyed, well-researched book, Kaitlyn Schiess lays out the case that Christians ought to be politically engaged. The book is not partisan; Schiess is not trying to win you over to a particular side. Rather, she outlines the biblical support for political involvement for the sake of others as an embodiment of faith. I learned so much Schiess’s scholarship across how loyalties are formed, the fallacy of boundaries between the personal and the political, the implications for church services and spiritual disciplines, and how a posture of humility and hope placed in ultimate renewal gives us the best bet for healthy engagement. I strongly recommend this book if you identify as a Christian in America.
Other Reads This Month:
Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Young Adult Fiction | 3.5 stars
This young adult novel is set in southern Arizona and follows 17-year-old Sia Martinez in the aftermath of her mom’s death attempting to cross the Sonoran after being deported. When a mysterious thing happens in the desert while working on an astronomy project, Sia as sucked into a world of aliens and conspiracy theories. I didn’t love the narration, but the story itself was fun.
The Bookshop of the Brokenhearted by Robert Hillman
Historical Fiction | 3 stars
This historical fiction novel centers on Tom Hope, a farmer in rural Australia in the late ‘60s, and the peculiar yet entrancing woman, Hannah, who is opening a bookstore in his small town. Both Tom and Hannah have faced their own versions of heartbreak and gravitate towards each other despite their significant differences. I wanted to love this book: it’s got two of my favorite character tropes — bookshop owners and rural hermits — but ultimately I found the dialogue hard to follow and the story’s arc a little unsatisfying.
For regular posts & reviews, follow along at @fromhollysbookshelf and in my Bookshop storefront. For my monthly staff picks, visit my WORD page.
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Kitchen
As we all inch towards fall (some places quicker than others), I wanted to share a favorite lunch dish that features the very best squash variety: delicata! Toasting the couscous in advance is crucial to the flavor. It adds nuttiness and depth.
For snippets of my home cooking with occasional tips & recipes, follow along at @fromhollyskitchen.
Roasted Delicata Squash Couscous
From Lasting Ingredient
Serves 4
Ingredients
• 1 delicata squash, halved lengthwise, de-seeded, and cut crosswise into 1/4” slices
• 6 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• 1 cup pearl couscous
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1 generous handful fresh parsley leaves
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 oz grated Parmesan cheese
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Seeds of 1 pomegranate
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375* Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Toss the squash with maple syrup, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Roast for 30 minutes until brown at the edges and tender.
While the squash is roasting, prepare the couscous. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the couscous and toast until it’s golden, about 5 minutes. (Note from Holly: Stir occasionally to keep from burning). Add 1 cup + 2 Tbsp water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed and the couscous is tender, about 10 minutes. No need to stir or tend during this time.
Then, make the pesto. Add the garlic, 1/4 cup of walnuts, Parmesan, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 black pepper to the bowl of a food process and puree. With the motor running, stream in 1/4 cup olive oil through the feeder until the pesto has fully combined.
Combine couscous, squash, and pesto in a bowl. Stir to combine. Add the pomegranate seeds & remaining walnuts. Enjoy!
Miscellany
This section is a mixed bag that allows me to share with you resources I’ve found, brands I appreciate, and links that might bring delight. I hope there will be at least one thing in this set that piques your interest.
The U.S. election is just five weeks away! Have you considered participating in a get-out-the-vote effort? I’ve prepared 40 letters to mail via Vote Fwd, an organization that encourages people to get to the polls. The Big Send is on October 17th, and they are hoping to mail 15 million letters!
As part of Latinx Heritage Month, David of @hisreadingnook is hosting an awesome fundraiser for RAICES by selling these two t-shirts: La Biblioteca (The Library) & El Lector (The Reader). RAICES is an organization I really love that is doing vital work to aid immigrants and asylum seekers.
Did you follow Humans of New York’s Tattletales with Tanqueray series? If not, do yourself a favor and hop on over here to find the first installment. You’re welcome.
Continuing the trend from previous issues of including a piece or two on coronavirus, I thought this was a really insightful look into the errors America has made in addressing the pandemic.
I had an absolutely delightful experience with Decade Studio, a clothing company in Vancouver that has pioneered a new way of sizing denim based on the ratio between your hips and waist. Their founder Molly will get on a fit call with you over Zoom to make sure you get exactly what works for your body. I just got my first pair and I’m really pleased with the results.
October brings Indigenous Peoples’ Day and November brings Thanksgiving. On top of kicking off the holiday season, these days can trigger excess labor and reminders of painful histories for Indigenous people across the continent. I have been following Kaitlin Curtice for a couple of years now, and she has a great list of books to read by Indigenous authors compiled here. I encourage you to incorporate voices like hers into your media consumption and to make a plan to be a thoughtful ally during the upcoming season.
For a good giggle: Schitt’s Creek Meets Donald Drumpf’s Tax Returns.
Finally, this cute pupper will always be there for you in a moment of despair.
Thanks for coming along for this monthly round-up. I hope you are staying healthy and safe and get to sneak in some leaf-peeping at some point in October.
Until next time!
Holly