The Reading List: February 1, 2020
Shannon
The newest ridiculous trend in the beauty world? Face masks + pasta. I love skin care and complex carbohydrates equally, and can’t get enough of this Into The Gloss pairing recommendation.
This interactive look back at New York City’s subway map was fascinating. (Maybe just because I live here?)
Here are the cereal reviews you didn’t know you needed. (Man Repeller)
It’s easy to tell how old someone is based on whether or not they think “TikTok” is an app or a 2009 bop by Ke$ha. (I’ll assume you all know which bucket I fall into.) (Despite the fact that I work in social/digital media.) The pop singer’s new album launched this Friday and it’s definitely a bit of a return to some classic Kesha-with-the-dollar-$ign. I’m into it.
Obviously the sports world (and beyond) suffered a huge loss earlier this week, and I appreciated how the podcast Keep It had a nuanced discussion of Kobe Bryant’s legacy—specifically, around the 2003 rape allegations that were eventually dropped. I can’t imagine how Bryant’s survivor is feeling about all of the media attention around his death, and as Aida Osman said, we should be able to talk about a complicated public figure in a way that isn’t just blindly adoring. People grow and change over time, and while I don’t think we need to focus on the worst thing Kobe Bryant ever did, we can still acknowledge the situation that happened, and allow everyone to mourn (or not) in their own ways. I also appreciated Ira Madison III bringing up how the media helped rehabilitate Kobe’s image and he was publicly helped to become a “better person,” which isn’t the case for most people who are publicly charged with rape. (And here’s the Jemele Hill piece referenced in the podcast that is absolutely worth a read.)
Elizabeth
I didn’t see “Cats” the movie because 1. I’m not huge fan of Andrew Lloyd Weber (don’t @ me), and 2. it was a little too uncanny valley for me. Clearly, I’m not the only one, as it was a massive failure. Do we think it has what it takes to be the next Rocky Horror? (a no from me).
I am not ashamed that I love getting glimpses into what people’s lives are really like, and so it’s no surprise I love the Grub Street Diet on NYMag. This was a really good one, and it definitely made me want dumplings. Similarly, one of my favorite things to do when I travel is go to grocery stores — I find the variety in food (specifically potato chip flavors) fascinating. I’m so glad to see this practice endorsed.
I love to bake, and I have recently been pushing past what I thought were “page-turner” recipes (yeast intimidates me). Should I attempt macarons at home? Is that too ambitious?
Fair warning, this is going to be a little rant-y, so read with caution. I posted on Instagram last week about my feelings around “American Dirt” by Jeanine Crimmins, and how disappointed I am with the hype machine and how quickly I bought into it (the photo will link to the post if you want to read more). I have been watching this story continue to unfold over the past few days, and I am so GD frustrated with how this is playing out. First, if you’re not quite sure what I’m talking about — read this great summary from the L.A. Times. Long story very short, several #ownvoices authors and commentators expressed their anger and displeasure with this book and how it only perpetuated dangerous stereotypes about Mexico and its people. The author, who claimed to be Latina (one grandparent is Puerto Rican) with a husband who is an illegal immigrant (he’s white from Ireland), has dug in her heels at the same time she celebrated her book launch with flower arrangements wrapped in barbed wire. Yesterday, Flatiron Press put out one of the more tone-deaf statements around what is mostly thoughtful pushback (the only violence I have seen in our niche community is from people being mad at not falling in line around this book’s hype). I find it so offputting that they say the only rancor is coming from members of the Latinx community — false! — and that they put all of the onus on those whose lived experiences were mined for this book (“she is the recipient of hatred from the very communities she sought to honor”) and a seven-figure advance. I don’t doubt that it’s a beautifully written book; I was genuinely excited to read it.* I think it’s incredibly dangerous to imply that angry persons of color (or persons-not-of-color, like me) are threatening the author or her life or her family when all that has existed so far has been thoughtful criticism and questioning. Isn’t that the whole point of reading? Am I missing something? This feels like weaponized white fragility, just like her book seems like the white-lady-immigrant-feel-good novel, and I am done with that shit in 2020. We don’t have time for that.
And to end on a happy note, I love “Cheer” on Netflix, and I want my own personal Jerry greeting me on the way into work. What a gem.
*Note: I ended up returning it, and buying three books by Latinx authors that I can’t wait to read: “The Devil’s Highway” by Luis Alberto Urrea; “The Good Immigrant”, a compilation of essays by 26 authors; and “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez.
Moira
Apparently I’m on an oral history kick (shut up don’t be gross). Do you remember Prince’s halftime show at the Super Bowl? I understand football 0% but was totally transformed by Prince in that moment. I miss you, Prince, you tiny weird sex alien.
This is very, very basic, but do all the different types of manicure offerings baffle you? Cosmopolitan wrote a good breakdown of the costs, pros and cons of each one.
Offering your weekly reminder that “clean” beauty is a scam.
I’m sure all of our female readers share my frustration in finding clothes that fit—sizing is such a mindf*ck. This morning, for instance, at Banana Republic, I tried on a pair of pants in a size four that fit, and a size eight that I could barely zip. Racked (RIP) has an amazing series about sizing and what it means and doesn’t mean. Start on this page and navigate through.
