Kaya Oakes

3 weeks ago | sojo.net | Kaya Oakes

In the year 1205, a wealthy young man in the Italian province of Umbria wandered into a crumbling old church called San Damiano. While gazing at the cross, he heard God’s voice telling him to “rebuild my church.” St. Francis of Assisi would go on to challenge the Catholic church with a radical message of pastoral care: Live a life of simplicity and poverty, honor the earth, and tend to the poor, sick, and marginalized.

Nov 6, 2024 | kayaoakes.substack.com | Kaya Oakes

When you get diagnosed with cancer, they usually call you with the news, but thanks to MyChart, some people get a message that their biopsy results are in and click to find out that something is growing in their body that might kill them. The breast clinic did an initial biopsy on me which they said was benign, but a radiologist wasn’t convinced, so they did a second one. That’s when they confirmed the tumor. The rhythms of cancer are like the rhythms of a country.

Oct 25, 2024 | angeladenker.substack.com | Lizzie Presser |Angela Denker |Lane Anderson |Kaya Oakes

Hi Readers,I’m always fascinated by the way time seems to move more slowly or quickly depending on our circumstances and surroundings. I’ve been (trying) to read a new book lately about astronomy and the moon specifically, about how celestial bodies influence everything from the passage of time, to our moods, to menstrual cycles, to war.

Jul 31, 2024 | largeheartedboy.com | Kaya Oakes

In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book. Previous contributors include Jesmyn Ward, Lauren Groff, Bret Easton Ellis, Celeste Ng, T.C. Boyle, Dana Spiotta, Amy Bloom, Aimee Bender, Roxane Gay, and many others. Kaya Oakes thoughtfully explores forgiveness through the lens of victims in her bookNot So SorryRev.

Jul 24, 2024 | kayaoakes.substack.com | Kaya Oakes

Not So Sorryofficially releases on July 30, but within the last 48 hours two people I love have shown me copies that Jeff Bezos apparently decided to send out early. Preorders help authors, writing reviews online helps authors, and asking your local bookstore/library to carry a book helps authors. But books are expensive, and sometimes as much as you might want to read one, you just can’t afford to shell out for a hardcover.