hi
Hi!
Here’s what I’ve been up to this week:
what I’m clicking:
I probably won’t be reading this book? | I actually donated to Wikipedia this year, because without that website I definitely would not have a college diploma (actually, I have no idea whether or not I do indeed have a college diploma - I didn’t go to graduation). Anyways, here’s a great Wikipedia story about battling trolls | The Lions of Los Angeles (not a sports reference) | The cover story for the NYT Magazine this week | I have always wanted to buy a house with my friends and go full Grey Gardens on it. Too bad I don’t have $20 million, because the actual Grey Gardens is for sale | This amazing piece from my hometown newspaper about dating in Sun Valley, Idaho | Can anybody tell me one good thing about the cruise ship industry? | Weed accoutrements for fancy people
what I’m coveting:
This print from Parker Day
what I’m listening to:
This song is so catchy and I can’t stop listening to it. I dare you to not be in a good mood after hearing it.
what I’m reading:
David Mitchell
This is the perfect vacation book because it feels like eight books in one. It’s an epic drama, a YA book, a fantasy book, a glimpse into the Iraq war, a love story, and the last 75 pages is one of the best (and most realistic) post-apocalyptic dystopian future novels I have ever read.
Did it make me cry: Yes. I cried.
Did it make me laugh: Possibly? It’s not a funny book but there’s some good dialogue.
Did it make me miss a subways stop: No, but I got to my stop and got off the train and couldn’t stop reading it so I was walking up the steps reading it and some lady called me a “stupid bitch” for reading while walking.
Would I recommend it: Yes! Unless you really hate long books. This book is long, and it feels long. There is one part in particular that takes place on one night with a few different flashback scenes and it took me 3 days to get past it.
Would I read it again: Yes. Not for a few years, but this book has so many different parts to it I think it would be fun to read again.
Would it be a good movie: Ooof, I just don’t know! Yes, with a giant budget this would be amazing and I think because it covers so much ground it would appeal to everybody. It could even be rated PG-13 and still do well. Here’s the thing though - it’s way too long. I don’t even think 3 hours is enough time to do this story, so my vote is an HBO miniseries.
Paul Beatty
This book is ok, I guess, but I really don’t think it’s all it’s hyped up to be. The humor is there, but it’s not laugh-out-loud funny and the whole thing just feels so forced and obvious... there’s something almost dated about the satire. That said, I’d really like to read other books(hopefully nonfiction) by Paul Beatty. By far, the best parts of this book were the scathing insults, celebrity commentary, and pop-culture takedowns. If you’re reading this Paul, I think you should stop writing books and go work for Buzzfeed.
Did it make me cry: No.
Did it make me laugh: No, but it tried. It made me smile.
Did it make me miss a subways stop: No. Reading this book felt like a chore.
Would I recommend it: No, not really. Maybe if you’re from L.A.
Would I read it again: No, but I would read other stuff by him.
Would it be a good movie: This is a good question and I think the answer might be yes. The obvious and over-the-top irony might actually work better on film. It definitely wouldn’t feel as “smart” and I’m not really sure who would go see a comedy about reinstating segregation, but it could be a really good indie film if it had the right cast and director. All of the characters are fantastic.
what I’m reading right now:
A Spool of Blue Thread. It’s fine.
what’s on my bookshelf waiting to be read:
The Association of Small Bombs
H Is For Hawk (thanks Kenny!)
The Magicians (thanks Annie!)
what books are on my list to buy (this will take me months to actually do):
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
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born
What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell
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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