Let’s all pretend this is being sent on March 31 so that when I say “well this has been a month” (and a quarter and/or season), it’s referring to a cold and challenging time. This quarter started with Covid, a generous gift from my husband who wanted to ruin two Christmas/New Years in a row, and ended with a professional change for me and some of the most challenging circumstances I’ve ever navigated within my family — and for those of you who read this and have been a support to me in the last three weeks, Jeff and I are both eternally grateful to you.
The great news for readers of this newsletter, however, is that surprise illness, job transitions and stress always send me back to the gift that is “escapist content” and thus, you have a packed quarterly round-up of recommendations in your inbox (or on your browser screen) right now! An extra bonus is that while Jeff has asked to contribute to the last two versions of these types of posts, he has admitted that everything he has consumed of late has been either with me and already covered or consists of trashy sci-fi that he’s too embarrassed to share. So here we go…
You should read:
“Know My Name” by Chanel Miller. This is the memoir by the woman assaulted by the Stanford swimmer whose victim impact statement went viral because it was beautiful to read and, unfortunately, hit too close to home. Chanel’s writing continues to awe thanks to her effortless use of metaphor but it really is the deeper understanding of the journey and continued violation that victims experience that makes the book so powerful.
“What Looks Like Bravery” by Laurel Braitman. Look, I love a well-written memoir by a talented and expressive woman, and while I started this book jealous of Laurel just for being best friends with Samin Nosrat, I finished it in awe of her storytelling abilities. I think we’re supposed to do content warnings these days so: warning, this is an ode to her deceased father. Since I was able to sob my way through it, I may finally be able to get through “Crying in H-Mart” which I’ve, truthfully been too scared to open. Laurel’s first two sentences hooked me and I can’t imagine anyone not loving this.
On the lighter side, I’ve gone back to the Maisie Dobbs mystery series since I am all caught up on Inspector Gamache. It’s still delightful (albeit a bit of a stretch that Maisie is taking on the Nazis) and I do appreciate Maisie’s detective abilities being balanced by a level of psychology, intuition and some woo-woo mystics. On the heavier non-fiction side, I did read Stacy Schiff’s biography of Samuel Adams and it was very interesting if you’re curious at all about the pre-Revolutionary War era but a dense read and, frankly, not what I need more of in my life right now.
The “New Yorker” reported that it’s the “End of the English Major” which covers the sharp decline in students majoring in the humanities. It breaks my heart, admittedly, as an art history and French studies double major, that so many are moving away from the liberal arts. I understand the practical side of it but as a hiring manager, there’s nothing I love to see more than a liberal arts degree, and I’m in a field completely unrelated to anything I studied. I abhor the question “what are you going to do with a degree in [insert humanities field here]?” — how about just being an informed person with a balanced understanding of the world and its culture who can learn Excel pretty quickly on the job if needed?
You should watch:
“We Own This City” on HBOMax. Did you love “The Wire?” This is a shorter, punchier version that is equally depressing about the future of cities like Baltimore, the real crime that exists there and the corruption that holds people back (or pushes them down). Jamie Hector, who I loved in “Bosch,” will make you feel all your feelings and Jon Bernthal will enrage you — especially if you share Jeff’s “justice complex.”
“Karen Pirie” on BritBox (via Amazon Prime). It’s three episodes so get the seven day trial of Britbox and binge it (but then keep BritBox so you can watch old “Poirot” episodes). Does main character, Karen Pirie, address the unfortunately named elephant in the room early? Yes. Is the show my favorite British mystery series I’ve watched since maybe “Broadchurch?” Also yes. Or maybe no and I just can’t remember another series I liked as much. Either way, the story is super compelling and the acting is fabulous and, if you’re like me, it will make you wonder, yet again, if you should become a detective, but also whether you should get bangs.
“Matilda the Musical” on Netflix. This came out on Christmas but I didn’t get to it until Covid hit in January and it is joyous and fun and the dancing is epic and Emma Thompson transforms into the Trunchbull of my nightmares. I do have to watch with subtitles on because rapidly sung lyrics plus accents means I truly couldn’t follow without them. Apparently, though, keeping captions on is big with Gen Z so maybe it’s a sign of my youth. I have rewatched at least three times since then and every single time I watch, I rewind and watch all of the “Revolting Children” number a second time.
“Shrinking” on Apple TV. This combination of creative forces like Bill Lawrence (“Scrubs” and “Ted Lasso” and “Cougarville”) and Brett Goldstein (writer and Roy Kent on “Ted Lasso”) with Jason Segal, Jessica Williams and Harrison Ford is pure gold. It is so funny and fun and clever and honest. Harrison Ford is clearly having the time of his life and Jessica Williams is a gift to the universe. This might be our favorite show of the start of the year since there’s no dread factor.
“Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal” on Netflix. Don’t waste your time with the HBOMax docuseries on the same insanity that is Alex Murdaugh and his toxic family and subsequent spiral to rock-bottom. The Netflix version is faster-paced and they have promised to add extra episodes since Alex is now sentenced to life in prison without parole after a wild trial where he shared that his opioid addiction meant he was taking around 60 pills a day which does explain why he had to steal $10 million to fund his habit.
You can skip the most recent season of “Love Island UK” (season 9). It hurts me to write that after my passionate pleas for more viewers, but the winter version has already been canceled going forward. The right couple won but the options were limited and the personalities were dodgy.
You should listen to:
“Maintenance Phase” episode on the Presidential Physical Fitness Test. Do I still think about my inability to even reach 0 on the wooden box for the V-sit and reach? Quite often. Thanks to Peloton Yoga, I think I could get to 0 but obviously not much further (see: past thoughts on flexibility as related to limbo here). This deep dive into the history of the test and the reasons why it was a waste of time with no actual goal did cause me to become angry again about having to stay after school to run the mile so that we could submit our times to this apparently not-at-all-monitored or standardized national program.
“On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast interview with Lewis Hamilton. Lewis is a gem of a human being and, incidentally, also a very talented Formula 1 driver. The back story and context in this episode made me love him even more than I already did. While my viewing of this F1 season is haphazard due to my intense hatred of Max Verstappen, Christian Horner and Red Bull, I so hope that the Mercedes team can turn it around.
Apple Music Classical launched! I have been waiting for a year and a half for this since they purchased Primephonic and the app and its content is even better than expected. I will probably write soon to just expand on my love for classical music and why this app makes it so much easier to love it even more but as an early taste, Khatia Buniatishvili, one of my favorite pianists, made a playlist inspired by Paris and it’s perfect.
You should make:
As I look ahead at spring foods, some things I’m excited to make again soon (or just made in the last two weeks in the hope that I could will better weather ahead), include:
Alison Roman’s Spring Chicken with Crispy Leeks. I do use this as an excuse to throw a “chicken party” and have driven increased vegetable consumption from my 16 year old with that line. It’s simply perfectly roasted chicken and roasted/raw/blanched veggies dragged through garlic aioli and a leek salsa verde and may be our favorite roast chicken.
Ina Garten’s Orzo with Roasted Vegetables. This is almost always our side dish with lamb at Easter and it makes a ton even though Ina says it serves six (so sadly, since there’s just three of us here for the holiday, will be making a later appearance). It’s all of the best parts of a Greek salad and a pasta salad in one and keeps well for a few days.
Milk Street’s Chicken Salad with Tahini-Herb Dressing. I think you might need a subscription to access but this bright and crunchy salad with chicken, celery, apples and lettuce and an incredible Tahini dressing just kind of embodied spring to me and I do really enjoy Milk Street’s recipes. I’m adding it to our menu in the coming week or two just from typing about it here and remembering how tasty it was. We served with a crusty baguette and good olive oil to dip in but not totally necessary.
These Chocolate Chip Cookies from Constellation Inspiration(?) are officially my favorite (or favourite per the recipe creator). What makes them perfect is the quantity and diversity of chocolate: buy the Dulcey chips from from Valrhona, don’t be a fool who reads “optional” and believes it.
And that’s a wrap! Sorry to all for the delay and shoddy posting in Q1 but I am getting back on track for the Spring season.