Angie Kim’s Glorious Things

We love to ask the world’s most dazzling talents for inspiration. And who better to tap for three gifts from the muses than Angie Kim, recovering Harvard Law Review editor and brilliant novelist? Snap up her latest book, Happiness Falls, and take her life-enhancing recommendations as gospel.

1. Past Lives. A gorgeous, heartbreaking portrait of unrequited passion and longing. Writer and director Celine Song's debut feature film. At the end of the movie, I sat for several minutes in a crowded theater and quietly wept. 

2. Kimchi martinis. I discovered this after my second covid shot. I desperately wanted a martini, but you weren't supposed to have alcohol because it weakens your immune system. In the meantime, my mom had been texting me, reminding me to have kimchi to boost my immune system. I thought, aha! I can have a kimchi martini. Instead of olive juice, I used kimchi juice and used kimchi in place of olives. It's delicious, and I make one regularly for myself!

3. Ceylon cinnamon in coffee. I love putting some Ceylon cinnamon into my morning coffee when I sit down to write. It gives me an energy boost and takes away the bitterness of the extremely strong coffee my husband makes for me every morning. (Having a husband who brings you coffee in bed every morning is another truly glorious thing!).