November roundup
What I read, watched, listened to, and more
We’re rounding the corner on the end of the year! As the days get darker and colder, I spend more and more time under a blanket on the couch. Here are some of the things that fueled the fires this month.
Read
Books:
Refuse to Be Done by Matt Bell (
). I finished the first draft of a horror novel this spring and have been letting it sit. I’m just starting to think about diving back in and came across this book at the right time.The Wager by David Grann. The audiobook narrator is A+.
Articles / essays:
Off the Street by Jennifer Egan
Every day, another language dies by Heather Altfeld
To fall in love with the world by Mary Manning and Brian Turner
Since I’ve been writing a bit about my general anxiety around being online and the role of tech in our lives, I thought I’d share some related links that I’d bookmarked over the past few months.
How to fix the internet by Katie Notopoulos
Why the internet isn’t fun anymore by
Aesthetics Wiki - I forget how this came across my radar, maybe a
link roundup? Anyway, it’s a blast to explore.You Fell Asleep Watching - I think I’m gonna get back into DVDs
Watch
The Wrestler (rewatch): I’m not sure what prompted this rewatch but I’m glad we revisited it. Mickey Rourke delivers one of the most natural and lived in performances I’ve ever seen as a wrestler past his prime.
This is England (rewatch): An absolutely insane performance from a 14 year old kid that shows how people are seduced by (but can still ultimately reject) white nationalism, racism, and xenophobia. Also now that I’ve seen The 400 Blows I felt like a snobby cinephile getting the reference in the final scene.
Session 9 (first watch): I hadn’t heard of this before listening to Random Number Generator Horror Podcast Number 9’s Patreon discussion of it. It looks like a home video or bad made-for-tv trash but once I got over that I was all in! Some solid performances, a very creepy set, and a classic madhouse premise.
Listen
Madonna - Ray of Light. I was texting my sister about it and we agree this is her best era. She was always cool but she was SO cool when this came out. Also I was like…10 years old when this first came out, bouncing around alone in my room to this ambient, psychedelic techno album. Explains so much.
Amyl and The Sniffers - Comfort to Me. I’ve been coming back to this more and more throughout the year. Love the energy.
Courtney Barnett - End of the Day. This only came out in September but it’s been on heavy rotation in our household when we need some chill, gorgeous ambient.
The Cure - Seventeen Seconds. On any given month there will be a Cure album in my top listens, it just happens to be this one this month.
Blondshell - Blondshell. A love letter to my younger, messier self. This has become a regular soundtrack to our morning dog walks.
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In The People. When Ben and I can’t agree on what to listen to, Broken Social Scene is a safe bet. We played this good and loud on on our way back from Friendsgiving, driving through the mountains as the first snow of the year started coming down. It’s 20 years old this year! Did I miss the anniversary tributes??
Taste
Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Tzatziki from Pinch of Yum. We made this 3 times this month.
Italian Stuffed Peppers from Sammy Montgoms. She’s worth a TikTok follow. Everything she makes looks incredible.
I’m in the market for some new cookbooks and checked a bunch out from the library. These are 3 that I’ll be buying:
Ruffage by Abra Berens (
)Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden
Tenderheart by
Make
Make art! Of any kind!
Ben got a funky old film camera (a Hasselblad, I’m told) it’s been fun
Here’s my 100 days update. We’re now officially halfway through.
Misc
As a bonus I just have to share my favorite thing I learned this month, which is that Edward Gorey had incredible style. Goth legend. He’s now my style icon.
Weekly Otis
Feeling very chill. Otis wants to make sure you’ve heard about the new dog virus going around. Stay safe out there!
