I love reading just about everything (okay, you won't see any horror or sci-fi picks on here), watching things that make me think and especially if they make me laugh, and wholeheartedly embrace the podcast. Here's my two cents worth.
READ
I Hope This Finds You Well
Kate Baer is all the fire emojis. This is poetry for people who don’t think they like poetry. Promise.
Wish You Were Here and The Sentence
I’m putting these two together because they both tackled the year 2020, albeit in very different ways. Both place their protagonists in the middle of a 2020 epicenter: Wish You Were Here in NYC (though also with some escapist island vibes) and The Sentence in Minneapolis. I think it might be a case of “too soon” for me, as neither quite hit the mark. I’m sure MUCH will be written about this time in the coming decades (both fiction and nonfiction) and while I appreciate the idea of tackling this in the moment, I feel like I need a bit more distance to consume this type of writing.
But You Seemed So Happy: A Marriage, in Pieces and Bits
I adored this book. Kimberly Harrington’s writing is on point and even though she’s writing about her divorce, I read it as a happily married person thinking, “Yes, that’s exactly right.” It’s funny, easy to read, and tackles a difficult subject with honesty and nuance.
The Best American Food Writing 2021
I look forward to this particular collection every single year. As far as I’m concerned, this is a must-read if you’re interested in food at all.
The Midcentury Kitchen: America’s Favorite Room, From Workspace to Dreamscape, 1940s-1970s
Eh, I was hoping this one had more depth. This was a basic overview of what I learned in my college classes. Though if you’re interested in home design and a general history of what’s become the modern kitchen, this is a quick read that covers all the basics.
Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World
I’ll start by saying this book should ONLY be read in winter. Like, January is preferable. That said, I loved the premise more than the execution. It gave somewhat of an overview of coziness in the beginning, but the bulk of it was to present how different life scenarios or objects can be made cozy. It felt more like something that could be done in article or blog post form, not a published book. Though I will admit it made me think a lot more about how to make things cozy, which is a lifestyle I’m happy to pursue wholeheartedly.
Nightbitch
I’m still not sure what I think of this book. It was like no novel I’ve ever read. Not exactly fantasy but the woman thinks she’s a dog? Come for Rachel Yoder’s brutally honest writing about motherhood, stay to figure out what you think about the rest of it, I guess.
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism
SO GOOD. Just ask Tyson: I could not shut up talking about this book while I was reading it. Amanda Montell, a linguist, dives into the language of cults and cult-like phenomenons (think: MLMs, CrossFIt, Peloton) and it is FASCINATING. It made me realize why I chafe at so much religious speak and also certain Instagram accounts. Highly recommend.
Matrix
I…did not seem to have the same reading experience everyone else did. The premise: about nuns in a medieval convent, was something I wanted to like more than I did. The writing was generally beautiful but I took issue with the pacing. Some things felt incredibly drawn out and other things were glossed over too quickly for my taste.
Finding Freedom: A Cook’s Story; Remaking a Life from Scratch
Tyson gave me a memoir subscription for Christmas from Wild Geese Bookshop and this was the first pick. They did good! I was in somewhat of a reading rut until picking this up. Erin French’s writing is lovely. I’m always impressed when people can condense their stories into something so inherently read-able. And I didn’t think I wanted to visit Maine but now I want to eat at her restaurant.
Black Cake
This book is exactly in my wheelhouse: it’s a multi-generational family drama, excellent writing, and interwoven with food. I think people are going to be talking about Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel a lot this year.
Re-reads: Beartown, Us Against You
WATCHED
Bluey
We’ve been watching through the entire series as a family (which makes all these sub-zero January days more fun) and it is the best. The rare kid’s show that’s just as much for the parents as the children; it gives me faint Simpson’s vibes. You can just tell that the people who make the show are actually parents. (See: how they depict the backseat of the family car, the subtle sarcasm of the parents, how the kids talk, etc.) And at 8 minutes a pop, it’s not even that much of a commitment. Hammerbarn and The Claw are two of my favorite episodes.
The Righteous Gemstones
This show is ridiculous in a good way. It follows a famous televangelist family who are the most dysfunctional you’ve ever seen. I liken it to a comedic version of Succession, except instead of a media conglomerate, the empire is spreading Christianity.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
This special is more nostalgia-bomb than anything else. It’s a delight, but nothing earth-shattering. You will laugh, you will tear up, you (likely) won’t learn much new. Still worth it. Also putting in my request to the universe for a 10-part making-of series re: the Harry Potter films. Make this happen, please and thank you.
WeWork: or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn
I will take a fall of an empire documentary every time. (See: LuLaRich, FyreFest, etc.) Why are these so endlessly fascinating?
LISTENED
Honestly, nothing revolutionary to share. My staples are The Daily, Pantsuit Politics, The Popcast, and Maintenance Phase. (And also highly recommend joining Pantsuit Politic’s Patreon for their premium content.)