The future is now

What's your "word" for 2025?

Dear friends,

How are your New Year’s resolutions going?

If you’ve already forgotten about them, you’re not alone. Apparently so many people give up their resolutions by the second Friday in January that it’s known as “Quitter’s Day.”

Maybe this is why no one still seems to make old-fashioned New Year’s resolutions (lose weight, exercise more, stop biting your nails). I certainly don’t. As I explained here last year, every year I make writing resolutions. I take stock of the previous year’s successes and disappointments and pledge to write something new or for someone new and to write something that takes a risk.

Some people also come up with a one-word theme for the year. I first heard about this on Gretchen Rubin’s podcast, but the idea seems to be everywhere now. Gretchen and her co-host (and sister) Elizabeth tend to choose words that are metaphorical as well as motivational: Gretchen’s word for this year is “door,” which represents the phase of life she’s in—what she’s calling the “open door,” when kids have left for college and pop in and out for visits—as well as the literal door to her new home. On the #amwriting podcast, another of my regular listens, hosts KJ Dell’Antonia and Jessica Lahey tend to pick words that are more concrete, like Jess’s choice for this year: growth.

I haven’t always found a word that works for me. But this year, after I listened to these episodes, a phrase lodged itself in my brain and wouldn’t leave:

When I was younger, I often had the sense that my real life hadn’t quite started yet. Even now, the feeling lingers, becoming more and more ridiculous with each passing year. I have three children, a spouse, a mortgage, an aging parent. If I’m not an adult now, when will I be?

“The future is now” reminds me that this is my life—right here, right now. I don’t need to wait for permission or to meet certain benchmarks before fulfilling my desires and needs, both personal and professional.

Do you do a “word of the year”? Let me know in the comments.

New year, new book!

“The future is now” also feels apt as I prepare for the launch of The Many Lives of Anne Frank, which is now only two weeks away! Suddenly an event that for a long time seemed far off is practically around the corner.

In the coming days, I’ll share an excerpt from the book’s introduction, which is running this month in Hadassah magazine. For now, I want to let you know of some changes that will take place in this newsletter with the book’s publication.

Over the past few years, I’ve used this space to work out my thoughts about some of the issues my book investigates: Anne’s rewriting of her diary, Otto Frank’s role in its editing and publication, Anne’s possible bisexuality (my most-read post by far!), Anne and anti-Zionism. Much of this, but not all, found its way into the book in some form.

I’ve also given behind-the-scenes peeks at my reviews for Harper’s and The New York Review of Books, as well as a longer look at exactly how I write review essays (another very popular post):

Starting on Monday, January 27, all new posts will remain free, but the archives will go behind a paywall.

Some of you have already been kind enough to pledge your support. Until now, I’ve kept the payment system inactive, but I will turn it on as of January 27.

Until that date, I’m offering paid subscriptions, which include one year of archive access, at a discount of 20 percent. Just click on the subscribe button to activate the subscription and discount.

Perks for preordering

All paid subscribers, as well as anyone who preorders the book, will be entered into a drawing to win a visit by me to your book club! I’ll visit in person in Brooklyn or Manhattan; remotely otherwise. Just preorder the book anywhere—Amazon, Barnes and Noble, bookshop.org—and send the receipt to ruthfranklinwriter@gmail.com.

I’m partnering with Greenlight Books in Brooklyn to offer signed copies for preorders. Click here for details.

Those who have already pledged support are automatically entered in the drawing. Founding members are entitled to either a book club visit or a private 30-minute writing consultation with me. See the subscription page for details.

Events

I’ve already heard from many of you that you’re planning to attend one of my events—now scheduled in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Washington, Baltimore, and Albany as well as online. Tickets are selling, so please don’t delay! All times are Eastern.

• January 27, 3 p.m.: American Jewish University (online), with historian Saskia Coenen Snyder

• January 27, 7 p.m.: Marlene Myerson JCC (Manhattan), with filmmaker Chen Drachman and novelist Dani Shapiro

• January 28, 7 p.m.: Center for Jewish History (Manhattan), with author Jonathan Rosen

• January 29, 7 p.m.: Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C., with journalist Franklin Foer

• February 1, 6 p.m: The Ivy Bookshop/Bird in Hand, Baltimore, MD

• February 4, 4:30 p.m.: New York State Writers Institute, SUNY Albany

• February 5, 7 p.m. (online): Yale Program for the Study of Antisemitism, with professor Maurice Samuels

• February 6, 7 p.m.: Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn, with author Leslie Jamison

Whether you’ve been following my newsletter since the Shirley Jackson days or you’re a recent subscriber, I’m grateful for your company on this journey.

As ever,

Ruth