18 Comments
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Jenovia 🕸️'s avatar

Happy birthday, Clara!!!! Thank you for being such a delight to read 💘

Clara's avatar

thank you so much, Janovia! xx

Cara's avatar

when i tell you, "i'm turning eight this year," please know that i am whimpering for escape from this astrological threat of immortality. what if i really AM only 8 and going to live forever? in this hellscape? signed, the least whimsical leap year "baby" you'll ever meet (and the worst -- WORST -- is when someone quips lecherously, "omg you're only 8?! and you're in this bar? jailbait! har har har")

Clara's avatar

i say this genuinely, Cara, you are literally god’s strongest soldier!! x

n.b.smith@frontier.com's avatar

Personally, I think that if the whole world (or at least those who are in the northern hemisphere) would just hibernate for most of January and/or February, then everyone would wake up feeling refreshed, like they haven't missed anything, and maybe, by being less cranky, there would be world peace. Maybe I would even shed a pound or two. I wouldn't want to miss my crocuses blooming though.

Jojo’s Curios's avatar

I’m glad to see another February hater in the wild! No one in my circle really gets it. They’re like “oh yeah, February drags, eh?” And I’m over here, trying to explain how the whole month has a personal vendetta against my whole existence as a physical being on this planet in a way that a constructed group of days should not have. Anyway. I see you. Thank you for sharing!

Clara's avatar

exactly exactly you get it! x

Gaby G's avatar

Perfect timing! I needed a new book and “Walking on the Ceiling” was available. I love her writing and hadn’t realized the extent of her catalogue. Also, feliz cumple!

Clara's avatar

yess she’s so so good! and thank you so much, Gaby xx

Sammy's avatar

Happy Birthday! Just learned of your Substack from Petya’s and am loving it. I just finalllyyyyy finished reading Brothers Karamazov and I found the first half took me forever but the second half breezed through (with a little audiobook help). I find the first half really meandered but at the same time I think it’s needed (I don’t know if that makes sense 🤭). In saying that I need to read it again because I think most of it is lost on me. Anyway, I mean this all not as a shameless flex but more encouragement that you can do this!

Clara's avatar

welcome, Sammy! re brothers k, this is a great sign as i am just now heading into the second half and i didn’t feel like the first half dragged too much, which is not how it’s gone the first few times i’ve tried to read it, i’ll say that much!

Sammy's avatar

That’s amazing, can’t wait to see what you think!

CMDSTYLE's avatar

Oh yes, Edith Wharton is so good and always feels delightfully contemporary! But now I feel guilty too, for never reading The Brothers Karamazov...

Clara's avatar

omg do not feel guilty, i wouldn’t want to impose my irrational shame unto others! (brothers k is however very good, if that helps)

Elizabeth Jones's avatar

This is the year I'm determined to finally read and finish The Brothers Karamazov TOO and I, also, have started it at least 4 times in the past. I've also just started Book 8. Are we twin souls? Unlikely, but a fun coincidence. I'm reading a newer translation and it's made the difference, and also I am determined, I tell you!

Mia's avatar

Happiest birthday Clara! Thank you for your amazing newsletters and occassional much-awaited PR videos.

Bless you and hope you have an amazingly sucessful year ahead. Ramadan being over means nobody is up for my insomnia either so that was super relatable. 💚

Clare Frances's avatar

happy birthday :))))

Ines Bellina's avatar

I found this one so delightful! I was punched in the face once, by an 8-year-old boy. My sister yelled at him so bad, I think he would have preferred a beating to THAT