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<\/a><\/div>\nLast week, I co-hosted an afternoon gathering to celebrate Suleika Jaouad\u2019s new book<\/a> and came away with budding friendships and the best conversation starter\u2026<\/p>\n First off, did you ever read Suleika\u2019s 2021 memoir Between Two Kingdoms<\/a>? At age 22, Suleika was diagnosed with leukemia with a 35% chance of long-term survival. She spent much of the next four years in a hospital bed. But when the doctors finally pronounced her \u201ccancer free,\u201d she faced her next challenge: learning how to live.<\/p>\n Now Suleika has written another beautiful publication: The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life<\/a>. \u201cJournaling saved my life during difficult times,\u201d she told us, so she created a journaling guide with thought-provoking prompts and essays from fellow creatives like her husband Jon Batiste, Ann Patchett, Jia Tolentino, George Saunders, and many others.<\/p>\n In my living room<\/a>, Suleika read an essay from her book, then asked us to each spend 10 minutes writing something \u2014 anything \u2014\u00a0about our hands. The topic was so specific that everyone immediately had ideas and began scribbling away; and when a few people chose to share what they\u2019d written, their stories were about so much more than just a body part. It\u2019s incredible how even a one-word prompt can lead people into profound observations about culture, identity, race, religion, the list goes on.<\/p>\n Me, writing about biting my nails<\/a> and anxiety<\/em><\/p>\n Before journaling, Suleika told us, she sometimes writes a question to herself. \u201cElizabeth Gilbert wrote an essay for the book,\u201d she explains. \u201cShe has a longstanding practice, where she opens her journal entries with \u2018Dear Love, what will you have me know today?\u2019 I have followed her lead and also taken my own liberties. So, when I\u2019m awash in uncertainty, I write \u2018What will you have me know today?\u2019 at the top of the page; then I try to write from some deep knowing place of intuition.\u201d<\/p>\n Another more lighthearted prompt was to close our eyes and draw a giraffe. (The hardest part was the spots.)<\/p>\n Clare de Boer and Deb Perelman<\/em><\/p>\n We laughed at our terrible results, but the exercise helped break the ice and remind us that journaling isn\u2019t about being perfect.<\/p>\n Amber Tamblyn and Suleika<\/em><\/p>\n Finally, Suleika asked us to go around the room and \u2014\u00a0instead of talking about our jobs \u2014 to share something we would put on our \u201cunofficial resume.\u201d For example, she has three dogs, and since her husband thinks three is plenty<\/em>, Suleika now helps friends find their own ideal dogs.<\/p>\n Nell Diamond, Priya Parker, and Brit Bennett<\/em><\/p>\n Priya Parker, above, told us that she\u2019s a good matchmaker for people who want to get back into reading: \u201cI ask a bunch of questions and then prescribe three books to begin with.\u201d As for Deb Perelman from Smitten Kitchen? \u201cI was in synchronized swimming in high school. It\u2019s a really hard sport.\u201d<\/p>\n Peyton Dix, Hrishikesh Hirway, and Nell Diamond<\/em><\/p>\n Musician Hrishikesh Hirway explained that he is a chocolate chip cookie enthusiast and can name the best chocolate chip cookies in any city he has visited. (His New York winner? Jacques Torres<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Hitha Palepu, Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cMy secret talent is being a great wedding guest,\u201d added Hunter Harris. \u201cI will dress for the occasion, I will take great social media pics of the bride and groom, I always have an extra hair tie\/tampon\/Listerine strip\/mirror, and I love making small talk with your random family member or co-worker.\u201d<\/p>\n The entire afternoon felt so magical, in huge part because Suleika and her book<\/a> were so magical. Journaling helps you connect so quickly that many guests left with ideas for how to work together in the future, personally, professionally and politically. I also feel inspired to start a journaling club \u2014 you could come together to write about a shared prompt and then discuss whatever comes up for you. Would you ever do that? I\u2019d highly recommend Suleika\u2019s wonderful book<\/a> for yourself, a gift, anyone who enjoys writing, therapy, staring out windows, the meaning of life, all of it!<\/p>\n Thank you so much, Suleika<\/a>. xoxo<\/strong><\/p>\n P.S. \u201cNine life lessons I learned after my cancer diagnosis<\/a>,\u201d five ways to be a better listener<\/a>, and what are your core values<\/a>?<\/p>\n (Photos by Ana Murphy<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Suleika](\"https:\/\/cupofjo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Image-2.jpg\")
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