Friday's Five ✋ #457
47
Happy Friday! ☀️
Hello from Bad Gastein! I’m back for the seventh time in this quaint and strange little mountain town. We’re spending the week with my best friend and his family, a repeat of last year by popular demand of everyone involved. This weekend, I’m celebrating my 47th birthday, joined by another close friend who came down for the occasion. Bad Gastein keeps growing on me every time.
What I’m reading 📖
A few years ago Nathan Hill's The Nix disappeared in a few days during a stay in another mountain town. This week, I spotted his other novel Wellness in the hotel library and downloaded the audiobook immediately. A witty and poignant look at modern marriage, the pursuit of health and happiness, and the stories we tell ourselves and each other. The perfect companion for workout hikes with a mountain vista and with these two books Nathan Hill, jumps up the ranks of my favorite storytellers. More about the book.
What I’m listening to 🎧
Indie albums that work from first to last track have become rare. Finn Wolfhard's Fire From the Hip is one of them. The kind of record that feels like it was made the way indie albums used to be made.
What I’m watching 📺
Rock Werchter was the first festival I ever attended as a teenager. Beck, Rage Against the Machine, Chemical Brothers, Alanis Morissette, Beastie Boys all on the same weekend. A core memory. The 2026 edition wrapped two weeks ago and the first full sets are appearing on YouTube. Here's The War on Drugs.
What I’m thinking about 🧠
“Sometimes a young person can give the young person still alive in you a second chance.” – Andrew O’Hagan
What else?! 💯
Product of the week: Mundo, a Danish toy company. We spotted their plug-and-build set at The Comodo where we are staying and our daughter can't get enough of it. Anything on wheels gets built first and then zoomed across the wooden lobby floors at full speed, all smiles. Check it out.
Thanks for reading, have a great weekend!
David
450+ Fridays. 61 countries. 400k+ views.
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