hey it's february
Hi!
Here’s what I’ve been up to this week and in case you missed it, here’s what I was up to last week.
What I’m clicking on:
The best Taylor Swift takedown on the internet | This made me cry | Amazing photos of animals eating animals | The resurgence of Orwell (and Hannah Arendt) | Rogue NASA and other government agencies are making twitter relevant again | This TERRIFYING story about Christofascism and the rise of Mike Pence | What Roxanne Gay is reading | Sending a bookentine this Valentine’s Day | Books by refugees.
What I’m watching:
I recently watched Heathers. I hadn’t seen it since high school and it’s still so good. I also realized that Christian Slater’s character is basically the same exact character he plays in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
Look at these bears.
What I’m wanderlusting:
I’m a sucker for indoor plants.
What I’m writing about:
How I spent my Christmas vacation (except for the ziplining part). Seven reasons why I want to go back to Merida, Mexico.
What I’m thankful for:
Having a job where I don’t have to carry a briefcase. Those things are hideous.
What I’m reading:
Helen Oyeyemi
As you may know, I never read the back of books. And I think this might be racist, but because of the totally ESL title and the Asian-inspired cover art, I really thought this would NOT be about a blonde girl living in Massachusetts. I was disappointed because this isn’t really my kind of book. However, the writing is excellent and the story unfolds in a really interesting way… until the end, when the author throws an unnecessary curveball and the whole ending falls apart in a hurry.
Did it make me cry: No, but I could see it making some people cry.
Did it make me laugh: No.
Did it make me miss a subways stop: No, but it was definitely not hard to read or too boring.
Would I recommend it: I think so, but also there are so many better books in the world. I think if you’re somebody who reads a lot then you should add this to your list. I really want to read her other books because I really liked her writing.
Would I read it again: No.
Would it be a good movie: The whole magical realism part feels really forced and I don’t think it would translate well to film.
What I’m reading right now:
The Bone Clocks and I think I love it.
What’s on my bookshelf waiting to be read:
The Sellout by Paul Beatty
What books are on my list to buy (this will take me months to actually do):
A Boy of Good Breeding, A Complicated Kindness, and Irma Voth by Miriam Toews's. And her memoir.
Since I read this article, I added a few more books to my list.
Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
The new Bernadette book
Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
M Train by Patti Smith
That Patty Hearst book
H Is For Hawk by Helen Macdonald
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born
What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell
The Association of Small Bombs
After interviewing Helen Ellis, I added a few books from her “classic trashy” book club to my list.
What are you reading? (You can reply to this email and tell me)
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