volume 1
Music: glaive’s EP a bit of a mad one (2024) If you’ve been waiting to get into your hyperpop era, your wait is over. This nineteen-year-old bisexual from North Carolina has saved my life. Oh, you think I’m joking? I’m not joking, bitch. Try not to scream along to “god is dead” and then call me.
Podcast: If Books Could Kill by Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri. Welcome to your next para-social relationship! Oh, you want to get drinks with Michael? You and me both, girl. Oh, you want to marry Peter Shamshiri? Get in line, sister. I listen to them non-stop on my Spotify account. Michael and Peter take turns researching and analyzing what they refer to as “airport books.” While the books themselves may seem harmless, many of them are responsible for really toxic (and frankly, stupid) ideas in our culture. I’m so addicted though it’s gotten to a point where I can’t go to sleep without listening to them read some pathetic, wannabe scholar to filth.
Book: Good Material by Dolly Alderton (2024). Oh my god. This hurt so good. I listened to the audiobook on Spotify and the voice actors did such a good job. Did you watch Matt Smith’s Doctor Who (2010-2013)? Yeah, Rory (Arthur Darvill) is the voice actor for the main character. Welcome back to your sexual awakening! Miss Dolly A captures human emotion so well it’s almost eerie. This is relatability/universality through specificity at its finest. What is it with British media and why is it always good? THEY CAN’T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH IT. I can’t wait to read more by her — I’m soaking up her memoir as we speak!
Product: Rhode lip peptide treatment in the scent salted caramel by Hailey Bieber ($16). I’m sorry, okay? I got a really bad sunburn on my lips at my cousin’s wedding in Cancun and this lip balm was the only thing that brought my lip skin back to life. Sue me. TRY IT and then let me know what you think.
TV: One Day (2024) on Netflix. JESUS FUCKING CHRIST. NO. NO. NOOOOOO. This show crushed me. I knew what was coming and I still ate that shit up like it was a sleeve of dark chocolate Digestives. The soundtrack and the vibes are just so magnificent that I couldn’t stop watching. Oh, hey, Leo Woodall! Who said you could be that gorgeous? Seriously, WHO. And Ambika Mod thanks for making me obsessed with you. If you haven’t seen the OG film (2011) with Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway 1) what are you doing and 2) buckle up baby! You will never experience happiness ever again! Brb ordered the book by David Nicholls from my local bookstore and going to gobble it up ASAP so I can keep crying in peace. (See figure 1.5)
Movie: Aftersun by Charlotte Wells (2022). I watched it at home when it first came out and I haven’t rewatched it yet in 2024, but I intend to. PAUL MESCAL PRESIDENCY NOW! We knew this, though. He’s a gift. The soundtrack is so good and I can’t hear “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie and not think of Paul dancing his little ass off. TW: alcoholism, suic*de, family loss, complicated relationships with your parents, strobe lights.
