I saw a reel yesterday where the woman was talking about the one pasta recipe that she’s obsessed with and that she’ll keep making over and over until the day she can’t stand the taste of it anymore and even the thought of it makes her nauseous.

Hearing those words, I began thinking of all the things that became hyperfixations for me until I couldn’t even bear to think of them anymore. So here’s a brief list:

#1 Music: Magalenha by Sergio Mendes

For some reason, this song instantly comforts and energizes me. I’ve listened to it almost every day on my commute to and from school – depending on what the day ahead looks like. As I sit on the bus, my earphones plugged in, the beat drowning out all else – I imagine myself dancing to the song, often with a dance partner who looks suspiciously like Henry Cavill.

#2 Food: Noodlez & &SALAD

#3 Books: The Night Circus, A Master of Djinn, The Luna Trilogy

Anytime someone asks me for a book recommendation, I ask them what genre. Regardless of their answer, I somehow manage to recommend at least one of these three books – and all of them are fantasy/sci-fi.

Two weeks ago, in my Creative Writing class, we were discussing building worlds for our stories. We talked about some of the more well-known fantasy worlds – Middle Earth, Hogwarts, Narnia, and the Kingdom of Westeros. We were discussing how some of these worlds disregard the laws of physics and that was my cue. I asked if any of them had read the Luna trilogy by Ian McDonald. Of course, none had. So I went on to explain how that book takes into account the physical effect of lunar gravity on the human body and how it alters their skeletal structure, and how the air and water are rationed. We went on to discuss how the author creates a whole different system of politics and law. Safe to say I had some students who were intrigued.

All of last year, I was obsessed with P. Djeli Clark’s steampunk fantasy masterpiece. I read all the stories available in the universe (01 novel, 02 novellas, and a short story) and I suggested it to everyone I met. I suggested it to my students – especially the Egyptian students as the story is set in Egypt. I suggested it to my friends. I suggested it to my siblings, but neither of them has read it yet.

The Night Circus was my love at first read. It was one of those books that made its way into my heart and made a home for itself there. The writing is beautiful. I suggested it to a friend (who is no longer a friend), and he called me after he read it to ask me why I made him read this heartbreak of a book. I suggested it to three of my newer friends. One of them went on to suggest it to her book club and they all loved it. One of them, who dislikes most of the books I like, loved it – which was surprise. And the third one is reading it these days and loving it.

Conclusion

I’m pretty sure I can avoid getting sick of the music and the food by pacing myself. Or have I? I can’t remember the last time I had Noodlez, I’m already tired of it. I had &Salad only yesterday and I’m thinking about it again today (drools onto keyboard).

What are your current hyperfixations?