What I Loved This Week (67)
This week I'm all about a novel based on a podcast I loved, quirky movies and a shocking true crime twist
Things that Make me Happy! Is a weekly newsletter with recommendations of things that bring me joy. If you liked this issue, click on the heart button or leave a comment! That’s the biggest praise you can give me
Before we begin, a little announcement! I’m taking three weeks off writing my stack as I’ll be out on a ski and mountain cabin vacation with my family! The weather has been scorching in SFLO, and I’m looking forward to the freezing temperatures and snow of southern Argentina! I’ll do a full report when I’m back. I’ll miss you!
📚What I Read and Loved
Anita de Monte Laughs Last: Last year, I listened to the very excellent “Death of an Artist podcast”, where they told the story of Ana Mendieta, an up-and-coming Cuban artist who “fell” out the window of a Manhattan building while fighting with his husband, another artist.
Xochitl Gonzalez’s book retells this story with a touch of magical realism and intertwines it with another fictional story that neatly connects in the end. I really loved this book.
Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, is found dead in New York City; her tragic death is the talk of the town. Until it isn’t. By 1998 Anita’s name has been all but forgotten—certainly by the time Raquel, a third-year art history student is preparing her final thesis. On College Hill, surrounded by privileged students whose futures are already paved out for them, Raquel feels like an outsider. Students of color, like her, are the minority there, and the pressure to work twice as hard for the same opportunities is no secret.
But when Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older art student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks. As she attempts to straddle both worlds, she stumbles upon Anita’s story, raising questions about the dynamics of her own relationship, which eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist.
📺 What I Watched and Loved
I'm not adding “The Bear” here because I haven’t had time to watch S3. But I’m PUMPED that I have a full season to watch this weekend (Hulu)
Perfect Wife: I was apparently living under a rock all this time because I had not heard of this story. I gasped loudly when I found out about the twist. Better than fiction for sure (Hulu) - (True Crime)
Lista Frankestein: Diablo Cody has had my heart since writing Juno, Tully, and the very underrated Jennifer’s Body. She’s quirky and weird, and her movies always fascinate me. Lisa Frankenstein is not her best work, but how do you top Jennifer’s body?
Either way, the movie is an enjoyable coming-of-age romantic comedy set in the 1980s. (Peacock) - (Romantic Comedy with Gore)
A coming of RAGE love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness - and a few missing body parts.
💕 Micro-Joy
My summer Friday routines have been ending my week in the best way possible. For example, look at what I did last Friday:
I closed my laptop at 12, got sushi and key lime pie from Whole Foods, and ate while reading my latest book. Then, I went thrifting at my local Goodwill and finally did a gentle level 1 pilates class by the end of the afternoon. Currently thinking how I will top last week.
🐰 Rabbit Holes I Went Into
NYT’s unhinged how to party article followed by the commentary
The summer of the Literary Girl (
) - and, of course, it went full capitalistA devastating Woo to Q pipeline story
When your Kindle thinks you are stupid via
- Dying laughingAnother true crime banger: The Problem With Erik: Privilege, Blackmail, and Murder for Hire in Austin
🧜🏼♀️ Articles and Bits I loved
How to survive a long flight - As I board a 10-hour flight next week
Don’t call it an ethnic grocery store - KMart is life
Influencers are getting poorer
Save money on travel, but if you can’t travel, then explore near you
😄 Funny or Cute
Going clubbing as a coastal grandma
Hot in here
Meal prepping
👋🏼 Classifieds
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Your Friday afternoon is such a dream come true. Enjoy your vacation!
Oh my lucky thing, enjoy your break!