I have had so much more mental space for books this month!!! Feels good to get back in the saddle w that.
I’ve been doing research for some writing of my own and reading like 6 or 7 books at once.
“The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion has been my fave. It is a memoir about the aftermath of her life after her husband dies at the kitchen table, while their daughter is in a medically induced coma. Straight forward writing that I really appreciate. I love a book that is easy to read but that packs in lots and lots and lots of emotion. Joan and her husband are “intellectuals” for sure and some of their habits make me roll my eyes, but like I said the writing is just ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡ I’d give it an 8/10
I’ve also loved “Florida” by Lauren Groff and “Another Bullshit Night in Suck City” by Nick Flynn. I’m not as far into these yet so can’t say an overall review but love both of their writing. Florida is more about the dark and absurd shit that passes for mundane life in Florida. The Nick Flynn novel is a memoir about a guy who works in a homeless shelter, and who’s absent father ends up staying there. I’m also reading “Gig” which is a collections of interviews where people just talk about their jobs. I mainly like the really absurd ones but even the “normal” jobs have plenty of absurd aspects.
I’m not sure how it took me 28 years to find the Lenore comics by Roman Dirge…. but they tap into a viewpoint and tone I have always related to. Gives me the similar “seen” feeling I got from reading “Cruddy” by: Lynda Barry
The crazy part is that Roman Dirge just release his first Lenore comic in 6 years this week…. I had no idea that was happening when I ordered his first four collections of comics a few weeks ago. I feel like when that shit happens it means you’ve tapped in at just the right moment you needed to.
So far I have the collections “Noogies” “Wedgies” “Cooties” and “Swirlies”. Excited to dig into the new stuff.
Movies
“Afterlife” by: Hirokazu Koreeda - 6/10
Milking Jake’s Criterion Collection subscription which I am still logged into :))))
In this movie, people in purgatory have to pick one memory from their life before passing on. I love the lady who collects the acorns and leaves.
Very calming but didn’t make me feel any strong emotion considering it’s subject matter.
It’s kinda nice how mundane they make the whole thing though, maybe death is just really like anything else.
I talk a little more about “Athens, GA Inside Out” in the “Podcasts” Section
“Drifter’s Sympathy” podcast - 10/10 -
listening through this for the second time. I think it is my favorite podcast of all time.
Emil Amos tells his personal history, which is especially visceral for me as a fellow North Carolinian who went to college in Asheville as he did.
Some of the most insane, dark, and entertain stories I have ever heard, all contained within one life.
Through Drifter’s Sympathy I heard about this documentary about the music scene in Athens, GA in the 80s. Here’s a link I found t stream it for free.
It’s most definitely one of my favorite rock docs I’ve ever seen. The filming style and format it gorgeous and the bands are so cool. Flat Duo Jets are from Chapel Hill, NC which is sick.
I loved this band Bar-B-Q Killers I found in this doc:
I watched (and adored) the 2018 limited series “Haunting of Hill House” based loosely off of Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel which I read (and adored) a few months ago
The show started a little wobbly but once I got invested it was such a slay. The scares were good, acting was good, writing was god although I think they used metaphors like…. a little heavily. Especially in the childhood flashbacks.
It made me cry a few times. Both happy and sad tears.
It’s 10 episodes and then it has an end…. more shows like that plsssssss
9.5/10
I’ve been rewatching Buffy with a friend and you know thats a 10/10 for me every time yall
I’ve also gottan into a reality TV show for the first time in years. It’s called “Naked Attraction”. My friends Samuel and March insisted I watch season 2 episode 5 and from that episode I was addicted. The premise is that 1 guy/girl/theythemian gets to pick a date from 6 gradually revealed naked bodies……. and they show the full hog. It’s on HBO. Its addicting.
7/10
Thats all folks…. bye!!
