The Reading List: February 8, 2020
Shannon
I know the series finale of “The Good Place” aired last week, but I just watched it on Hulu this week. This Rolling Stone interview with Kristen Bell was excellent, as was this recap and look back at the show. If you haven’t watched “The Good Place” yet, it’s smart, funny, and poignant, and I encourage you to check it out on Netflix.
In defense of old-school framing. (I’ve started somewhat of an eclectic art collection by picking pieces up when I travel and have enjoyed getting them framed, slowly.) (Framing isn’t cheap.)
I thoroughly enjoyed this walk down memory lane of 2010s music moments. Some I remembered (…I know where I was when that digital dropped) and some I had forgotten (the Harlem Shake) and some I wish I had forgotten (Pharrell’s “Happy”).
“There’s a special place in hell for Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer.” I think that headline says it all.
Just gonna leave this week’s political piece right here…boomers have socialism. Why not millennials (and everyone else)?
Moira
This McSweeney’s piece about the unqualified offering medical advice had my officemate and I rolling this week.
On Trump’s favorite (only?) Black supporter.
I’m hooked on Cheer, but I’ve felt like I’ve read raves of coach Monica Aldama, while my perception is quite a bit darker. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one disturbed rather than impressed by many factors of the show (Monica’s fickle favor, concussions, pitting vulnerable people against each other, compulsory weigh-ins). Our fave Jia Tolentino also weighs in here.
How did I just learn that there is a new tv series based on a fav novel, Megan Abbott’s Dare Me?
Elizabeth
For those that don’t know, I’m a public health person (some might say nerd), so between the coronavirus and JUUL, it’s been a big week for me, news-wise. Don’t worry, I won’t share them all with you! However, I did really enjoy this article from NYMag about how vaping became a health crisis, and what to do about it. It did also post a great question: what is wrong with us that we thought sucking on a battery is a good idea?
We aren’t overly political on the blog, so I won’t delve into the horrific mess it was in Iowa this week (talk about a case of “you only had one job”) or the results, but I did love this profile of Lis Smith, Mayor Pete’s communications director. It’s probably due to watching too much West Wing at a formative age, but I adore seeing all of the behind-the-scenes stuff on campaigns, and Lis is pretty much brilliant.
Speaking obliquely of all the political drama that has occurred so far in 2020 — oh my god, has this year felt like 6 to anyone else already — has made me question a lot recently. I consider myself a glass-half-full kind of person, which is entirely based on my personal faith. My friend Kristine posted this article — “Don’t Lose Hope. Be a Fanatical Optimist Instead” — and it was exactly what I needed to read this week. This line especially drove it home for me: “The only remaining source of accountability is the power of our own faith. Faith may sound like an old-fashioned word, but the only way to battle nihilism, which is the belief in nothing, is with belief in something.” Find your something; it’s the only way we’re going to make it through.
I love a good scammer story, and this one that happened in my backyard is great: How Washington Society Got Scammed by One of its Own.
I unabashedly loved the “Josie and the Pussycats” movie when I was in high school, and though I was definitely not a punk rock prom queen, I did listen to the soundtrack for years. So, yes, I totally agree with the thesis of this article — honestly the whole series is great.
And finally, do I need these jeans?
