Recommendations you can check.
Writer and former Man Repeller features director; writes the weekly newsletter Maybe Baby on culture, consumption and modern life.
16 things
The DoorBook Magda Szabo
The Door by Magda Szabo: My all-around favorite. Addicting, deeply charming, devastating. A protagonist I'll never forget.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
The Broken Earth TrilogyBook NK Jemison
The Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jemison (The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, The Stone Sky): Triple-Hugo winner. Stunning world-building. Really fun to escape into a series—haven't done that in years.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Anna KareninaBook Leo Tolstoy
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: Made the random choice to listen to this and loved the experience (especially for getting through some of the boring parts, sorry). Shout out Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
I Who Have Never Known MenBook Jacqueline Hartman
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Hartman: A quick and haunting bit of speculative fiction that I still think about all the time. Couldn't put it down.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Chirri & ChirraBook Kaya Doi
Favorite toddler books right now Chirri & Chirra by Kaya Doi
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Boos blockOther Boos
Bought after much cutting-board deliberation and based on your recommendations. We love this thing. We got one that nearly fills a section of our counter (between the stove and wall) and it's heaven to have so much space to cut various things at the same time.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
squatty pottyOther
I got the bamboo one because I thought it might fit the shape of my toilet best but I didn't get it for the look. It's ugly of course. Nevertheless I've become deeply committed to proper poop posture. I hate pooping without it!!!
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Grimm's blocksOther Grimm's
I sincerely find these blocks to be perfect and transcendent to play with—it's about the dimensions, they all fit together perfectly like you've just beautifully solved a complex math problem.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
See's Bridge MixOther See's
See's Bridge Mix. My parents had this at their house when we visited in January and we've been buying them throughout the year whenever we come across a See's. The best box to have around the house.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Tony's Chocolonely Lil BitsOther Tony's Chocolonely
Tony's Chocolonely Lil Bits (in Milk Caramel Sea Salt and Cookie Mix), which single-handedly got me through this work year. I shudder to think how many bags of these I ate, but I can barely finish an essay without one.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Sézane x New Balance 471 sneakersOther Sézane
Full disclosure, I got these for free, but have become unexpectedly obsessed. I wear them constantly and really like how they instantly change the mood of an outfit. Can't really say why they stand out since they're pretty basic but people ask me about them all the time.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Dead WeightBook Emmeline Clein
Dead Weight by Emmeline Clein: Certain parts of this book really stuck with me and changed how I think, like the chapter on the psychological effects of restriction.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
The IKEA Pax systemOther IKEA
We now have two custom IKEA storage cabinets in our house (one in our bedroom and one in our living room). For both, we chose to have basket drawers on the bottom, one regular drawer in the middle, and shelves above that—the perfect setup for clothes and home goods IMO.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
McCann's Irish OatmealOther McCann's
McCann's Irish Oatmeal, which I find to be far superior to Quaker. When I make it with whole milk, I could eat the entire bowl plain.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Uniqlo x JW Anderson sweaterOther Uniqlo
It's a beautiful sweater and 100% wool. So far they're pilling a little (to be expected), so I'll definitely be checking in on this one next year. That price is hard to trust.
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Swedish dishclothsOther
If you're a paper towel demon and feel guilty about it, I can't recommend these enough. Perfect for cleaning counters and random floor messes (talking to parents).
Her annual 'My favorite things' list, which she states carries no affiliate links or kickbacks; free gifts are disclosed item by item.
2025-12-14·haleynahman.substack.com ↗
Every entry is a verbatim quote and a link to the public post it came from. Nothing is paraphrased. If it is not on record somewhere public, it is not here.
The verdict is what they actually said: loved and liked are explicit; recommended means they told others to get it; uses means they only say they use it; read is a book on their public shelf with no verdict; mixed and disliked are kept too.
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