Hey hey!
One of the most common questions I get about Twosday is “How many weeks ahead are you?”
The answer is zero.
I usually hit “schedule” on Monday night. (Because every writer needs a little pressure.)
But I’ve spent the past few days in Denver catching up with one of my best friends. Screens were down and laughter was up. Hence, the later-than-usual delivery today.
I’m writing the final Twosday post of 2023 from 30,000 feet in the air. That’s right — I’m taking the rest of the month off from Twosday to be more present IRL this Christmas season.
To cap off the year, I’m kicking off the inaugural Twosday Trophies: My Favorites from 2023.
Shows
In shows like Breaking Bad and The Sopranos, you find yourself rooting for toxic characters in toxic environments they created. In The Bear, you find yourself rooting for good-hearted people in a toxic environment they inherited.
Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones
This docuseries that examines the secrets to longevity has lived rent-free in my head since I watched it. It’s one of the few things I watched in 2023 that’s actually changing my behavior.
Movies
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
When I watched this movie, I felt like I was watching the discovery of a new genre of storytelling. Its action is as fast-paced as its wit. And it just looks flat-out dope.
This didn’t come out in 2023, but I enjoyed the 2008 Best Picture winner more than Oppenheimer, Barbie, and Asteroid City. Fun fact: Director Kathryn Bigelow became the first female to win Best Director for this film.
Board games
The roll-and-write game that translates to “that’s pretty clever” is like a more strategic and dopamine-filled form of Yahtzee.
From the makers of Exploding Kittens, comes a much better game about magical unicorns.
Fiction books
A Korean family saga that explores the generational impact of difficult decisions around love and loyalty.
An easy-to-read sci-fi that invites you on a literary trip through parallel universes.
Non-fiction books
The 30s were stranger than fiction. The rise of Hitler, The Great Depression, and The Dust Bowl. This is a story of nine boys from humble backgrounds rowing together to give the country hope. The movie comes out this Christmas!
A collection of MLK’s sermons. I’ve never come across a preacher who balanced conviction with compassion as well as he did.
Podcasts
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
Rowling was canceled by many Christians on the far right during the front end of her career. Now she’s been canceled by many on the far left on the back end of her career. This podcast explores what the heck has been going on in culture for the past 25 years to lead to these moments.
If you’re like me and curious about crime but icked out by murder, then try out con stories. Start with Scamanda, the story of a seemingly normal woman playing a sickening long game con.
I want to hear from you. What were some of your faves from 2023? Reply to this email letting me know.
✌️
— Luke
P.S. Paid subscribers are getting an original Christmas-themed trivia (20 questions), written by my wife Sarah and her best friend Andrea. It even includes songs to play during the question, with many of them offering clues to the answers.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Luke's Essays to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.