Every year I take a decent chunk of time to figure out how I grew, where I need to pay more attention, and who I want to become in the year ahead of me. Along the way I inevitably take stock of the books, podcasts, food, and more that nourished my mind and spirit.
Here are a select few. Wishing you a bright 2022!
Udhara
Books
- Black Hole Survival Guide, Janna Levin: a journey into a black hole, explaining beautifully and ever-so-simply what would happen to you in there and why. She’s my favourite scientist in the world because of this video. I like it very much when very smart people can share their knowledge in a way that inspires curiosity at any lever of expertise.
- Eat a Peach, David Chang: the hilarious, fast-paced, irreverent and gritty memoir of chef and restaurateur. One of the most humanising books of an overachiever I’ve come across.
- How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, Bill Gates: finally, a book about eliminating greenhouse gas emissions that is jargon-free and packed with bold-but-feasible solutions.
- Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir: gripping sci-fi by Andy Weir, an homage to brilliant problem solving. There’s a rock-form alien in there that will bring you close to tears a number of times in the book.
- A Promised Land, Barack Obama: more than anything, I loved how introspective and candid Obama is about navigating politics as a Black American and the challenge of believing in progress without revealing his anxieties, self-doubt and disappointment.
- The Anarchy, William Dalrymple: an unputdownable cautionary tale about the first global corporate superpower and roots of India’s colonisation.
Restaurants in Sydney
- Gursha Ethiopian, Blacktown: one of the few Ethiopian restaurants in the entire state of NSW. Discovered these guys thanks to Tight 5 Comedy’s brilliant strategy to use indie restaurants around Sydney as venues for their shows.
- Polish Place, Glebe: modern, non-kitsch polish food, best enjoyed in Winter!
- Bamiyan Afghani Restaurant, Five Dock: North Indian curries X Tibetan dumplings X dash of Turkish flavour = Afghani food. Yum.
- Biang Biang, Chinatown: Oh my, I first came across this place while rushing to see the musical, Hamilton, with a friend. It was the first time I’d ever come across these wide, hand-made noodles from Shaanxi, China, and I was so blown away by the simply, spicy flavours that I came back the next day for more.
- Shawarmama, Surry Hills: the most flavoursome, exquisite Shawarmas in central Sydney.
- The Redfern, Redfern: exceptional pub menu, great cocktails, and beautifully restored architecture.
Podcasts
- Conversations with Tyler: I think Tyler Cowen is one of the most intellectually diverse and curious people in the world. His show features chats with some of the most intelligent, creative, controversial people around.
- Pivot: Tech journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Professor Scott Galloway’s irredentist current affairs show. Kara and Scott make a unique pairing and always have insightful things to say about tech, politics and business.
- Sway: Kara Swisher’s interview show for the New York Times. This show proves why Kara is Silicon Valley’s most feared/loved journalists.
- Questlove Supreme: long form (and I mean long form) unedited conversations with musical legends and cultural icons from Mariah Carey to Solange. Creativity unpacked is how I view this show.
- Even the Rich: trashy, questionably accurate, purely entertaining episodes looking at the lives of the rich and famous. Part of the appeal is the chemistry between the BFF hosts, Brooke Siffrinn and Aricia Skidmore-Williams.
Nature Spots in Sydney
- Werrong Beach track, Royal National Park: a quiet gem of a coastal walk, perfect for a day-trip and just an hour away from Sydney by train. It is clothing optional at the stunning final destination, so keep this in mind before you decide to hike down through coastal rainforest and cliff.
- Grand Canyon track, Blue Mountains: my favourite trail in the Blue Mountains, where there are new smells, sights, sounds, and microclimates at every level of the canyon as you descend into the valley floor.
- Centennial Park: don’t have time for a day trip out of Sydney? Then grab a book and picnic supplies for a short retreat in the outer edges of the inner city.
- Barangaroo Reserve: One of my favourite places to enjoy Sydney sunsets is at the park, on the rocks, with a panorama of the harbour. Just don’t look back at the wall of skyscrapers behind you.
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