Recommendation Roundup
An essay on Pride, OceanGate documentary palooza and a new culture podcast by two of my favorite queer introverts
Hi!
Greetings from the heat dome. I hate it. The lizards in my yard though - thriving. Couldn’t be happier. Even the snake came out to say hi. Whether you’re in this hell dome or not, I hope you’re staying cool and celebrating Pride.
Quick housekeeping note:
I’m adding sources in parenthesis after each link. Unless otherwise stated, the links are free to read and not behind paywalls.
READING
Like I’ve mentioned before, I’m a maniac and read multiple books at once. Here’s what I’m reading this week:
Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty Year Trail to Overnight Success by Jeff Hiller
Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie Smith
My friend RJ wrote a banger of an essay for the Nashville Scene's Pride Issue. It’s about getting dressed for Pride. RJ has a gift of making you laugh, cry and rage all in one 800-word essay. (Nashville Scene)
WATCHING
Must See TV:
Whoops, I accidentally watched three documentaries about incompetent, narcissistic men high on their own supply and now I have to write about it. Essay forthcoming.
Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster (HBO Max)
Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Disaster (Netflix)
Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem (Netflix)
In more fun TV news, Love Island UK is back and streaming on Hulu. As a nation, I feel we need to come together and protect Toni at all costs.
I’m still watching old movies on Saturday mornings. This month I watched Shrek 2 and About a Boy. Luke warm take: About a Boy walked so Love Actually could run.
Around the Tok:
Obsessed with this late model Dodge Caravan driving through cornfields and doing 18-point turns. Watch it and weep.
I hope this isn’t AI, but I have long loved this account that sings “your fave songs” in an Australian accent. LOL at DeBarge, Hall & Oates and Seal.
Two new to me creators showing fat fashion: Call me Ebbs and Sarah.
LISTENING
Virginia Sole-Smith had Dr. Mary Claire on the Burnt Toast podcast to talk about perimenopause and how insidious diet culture is in this phase of life. They talk about protein, supplements, “getting strong” and content creators branded as “truth tellers” who are just trying to sell you something. A few years ago, my therapist said something like, “Watch out. Menopause is about to become the biggest money grab on the internet.” She was right!
My friends Kashif and Blake launched a podcast called Who’s Gonna Be There? In the first episode they talk to musician and activist Morgxn about the importance of Pride in small towns. Relevant to me, Emily April Allen took the promo shots for the pod and holy shit. Look at this photo!
The new Pulp album is very good. If you have a New Yorker subscription, read Sarah Larson’s profile of Jarvis Cocker. It’s great. (The New Yorker, paywalled)
RELATED READING
If you’re new here, or behind on your emails, and like to know what I’m reading, here’s what I’ve read recently with mini reviews, plus my interview with author Niko Stratis.
Last week I went long on my love of Love Island UK: the stupidest show I can’t wait to watch every year.
Last month in Recommendation Roundup, I recommended Philly Justice, Roxane Gay's syllabus and Korean work lunches.
HOW TO SUPPORT MY WORK
If you got something out of this newsletter and want to buy me a coffee, now you can! I'm also happy to offer a $2/mo option here at the Weiner Down membership level.
Thanks for being here!
Kim