What if...algorithm-free reco list, no. 13?
Satire, superpowers, screenshots, etc.
Hello!
When I originally started this newsletter, I made it an intention to “not give myself rules.” And yet, I made myself rules. Silent ones, but rules nonetheless. Most notably, I decided to alternate between essay-like entries and the “easier” reco entries. God forbid I became nothing but another recommendation engine!
But right now, the well inside my brain that usually contains the ideas and logic required to write anything resembling cultural criticism is so dry it’s cracking. My running list of recommendations, though? Typhoon Lagoon.
(To be clear, I do not recommend Typhoon Lagoon, or the other Orlando water park I’ve actually visited, Blizzard Beach. I am a person with a modicum of taste and a deep hatred of crowds, especially when everyone in said crowd is wet.)
Anyway, no rules! Here are some things and thing-like entities!
Buying the hardcover due to impatience
I have already established myself as an LAPL/Libby super-user, but sometimes the heart wants what it wants, when it wants it. Hold times be damned. In this case, that meant waking up in a bad mood that I was convinced could only be healed by immediate procurement of the new Emily Henry. I also picked up the new Alison Cochrun, Here We Go Again, because I wanted something else to take to the counter at Chevalier’s when I asked if they were already sold out of Funny Story since it wasn’t on the shelves. Love it when the manifestation of my mental illness results in a special bonus purchase treat!
Fan Fiction by Tavi Gevinson
If I had the mental energy, I would write something longer about Tavi’s 76 pages of Taylor Swift “satire” (quote used here to directly cite the author vs. to denote irony). If you even remotely liked Rookie and/or the concept of fandom, it’s well worth the read. My overall opinion is that the first chunk could have benefitted from an editor to better integrate sources/theory, the email section did what it needed to do, and the middle third was the strongest section—Tavi has always excelled as personal essayist. Honestly disappointed this is not book promo of sorts for the yet-to-be-released novel she sold back in 2018.
“The Scuffing Song” for Pocari Sweat
The video! The behind-the-scenes! Few things make me happier than watching people who are really good at their craft go freak-mode on their craft.
Extraordinary (Hulu)
This specific flavor of 30-minute UK comedy is my catnip. The premise is fun — “twenty-five-year-old girl still doesn’t have a superpower in a world where everyone has one” — the script is bizarre, and the performances are great. Sure, there are world-building holes. But everything else makes up for it, including the largely indie sleaze soundtrack. Pairs well with (the supernatural-free but tonally similar) The Rachel Incident.
This screenshot I saw on are.na or something
Wednesday Waffle
There’s this Australian bro who creates short little video memos for his friends to catch up on the little mundanities of his life, and see theirs in return. I find this impossibly wholesome (TikTok virality is working on me, I’m sorry!). So if you have my number and want to play, have at it. I promise you waffle 4 waffle.
James by Percival Everett
If I could only reco one thing on this list, James would be it. I devoured this over 48 hours and then texted my high-school English teacher. Had me putting Everett’s entire back catalog on hold.
Hate Read by Deez Links
This is exactly what it sounds like: hater screeds written by anonymous haters, edited by Delia Cai. There are only two installments left, so hop on while you still can. Share if you dare which ones you agree with! There are at least four hills I am willing to die on with the anon haters.
HOMMAGE à ZGOUGOU // Agnès Varda
No need to editorialize on perfection.
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino
I went to pull the cover blurb, and was smashed in the face with “A Dakota Johnson x TeaTime Book Club Pick,” and I’m tempted to just leave it there. But basically, it’s a coming-of-age story with a surprisingly light sci-fi touch given the premise. Imagine The Little Prince x E.T. x [insert your favorite “weird girl is weird, grows up, still weird” litfic here].
This newsletter brought to you by:
The delightful lady at “Pure CBD” on Melrose who sold me some Wyld Pear CBD/CBG gummies, which I remain skeptical about even if they cured a four-day migraine.
Half of a Skratch Labs hydration packet hastily stirred into a glass of water, plus a handful of Honey Teddy Grahams, consumed over the sink in the dark before a weekday hike.
Pretending I don’t need to start plotting/drafting book two like, yesterday.
SIDENOTE: If you’re a member of any specific celebrity fandom OR a singer/songwriter/producer and would be down to have a very lowkey chat (via email or phone) for my research, please reply to this!
Loved Extraordinary <3
As someone who also couldn't wait for their Libby hold to come in on Emily Henry's latest (and subsequently purchased a signed hardcover copy), I loved these recommendations!