Fig Tree Findings

Essays I liked, Summer ‘26

A few recommendations and reviews of essays I’ve read lately

Aug 13 • Angela Cao

5

June 2026

The push and pull of New York City

(and the Knicks in Game 4)

Jun 12 • Angela Cao

14

6

April 2026

Ode to the star-eater

Look to the end of the world for hope

Apr 30 • Angela Cao

8

4

January 2026

Good taste will save you

AI is creating abundance, good taste is navigating tension.

Jan 22 • Angela Cao

17

1

4

December 2025

My top 3 books of 2025

2025 was a year of revisiting old signposts along my meandering reading journey, largely a vigil to previous beloved authors with a few pivotal…

Dec 30, 2025 • Angela Cao

12

6

2

September 2025

Socialize like it will all come crashing down

Play is connection without expectation, a self-rolling wheel.

Sep 12, 2025 • Angela Cao

12

1

1

June 2025

On bonfires

Argentinian festivals, Chinese funerals

Jun 2, 2025 • Angela Cao

4

March 2025

In defense of impractical expression

Digitally-mediated conveniences make it easier to eschew community; AI-generated content lacks the effort that defines great creative work.

Mar 17, 2025 • Angela Cao

10

2

1

December 2024

My top 3 books of 2024

Whether real or imagined, stringing cords between chance events is fun; patterns project intention and meaning to pure whimsy (how I actually decide…

Dec 31, 2024 • Angela Cao

6

November 2024

Letters to Strangers: To the daughter of a family-owned café in São Jorge —

March 18, 2023: São Jorge Island

Nov 24, 2024 • Angela Cao

6

July 2024

Letters to Strangers: To the Lower East Side septuagenarian of many stories —

May 24, 2024: New York City

Jul 14, 2024 • Angela Cao

8

April 2024

Letters to Strangers: To the elderly restaurant owner on my flight to Hong Kong—

April 6, 2023: Hong Kong

Apr 23, 2024 • Angela Cao

10

1