"Feel free to call me first thing in the morning and tell me I'm wrong. It's what I live for"
April 2023.
I’m still not sure where April went, but I hope it was a great month for you! Here are all the things I consumed last month…
books.
Every year there is a month during which my reading goes off the rails, and so far in 2023 April was that month. Between travels, apartment hunting, moving prep, visits from Ellie and Sarah, and getting ready for a half marathon, I didn’t prioritize reading. Hoping to get back on track in May!
The World Record Book of Racist Stories, written and read by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar. Following up on their hilarious You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey which I listened to and loved last year, sister Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar are back with even more ridiculous racist stories that they and their family members and friends have experienced. The cringe level is high, but I highly recommend it.
2023 book tally to date: 15
all of the book links are affiliate links through bookshop.org so if you use them to make a purchase I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and you will be supporting independent booksellers. you can see my full list of 2023 reads here.
tv shows.
I really enjoyed season 1 of Shrinking — the cast was great, and it was a really good balance of humor, seriousness, and downright oddity [including the headline of this post]. Looking forward to future seasons. streaming on AppleTV+
podcasts.
‘Ted Lasso’ Actor Brett Goldstein [Fresh Air] — it’s an interview with Roy Kent, of course I loved it and recommend others listen.
Why the Cult of Achievement in Schools is Making People Miserable [Plain English with Derek Thompson] — how high school and college are teaching us the wrong lessons around achievement and personal progress.
Alice Wong on Medicaid, Rage, and “Good Care” [Death, Sex & Money] — an update on disability and self-advocacy with Alice Wong.
Tricks to boost your credit score [Life Kit] — I still say credit scores are a scam, but this has some good tips if you want to increase yours.
Meeting Culture Run Amok with Christina Janzer [Work Appropriate] — how to change work culture so it’s not just meetings on meetings on meetings.
J Wortham [Thresholds] — loved this conversation between J and Mira about the power of changes.
Save a Life, or Commit a Felony? [First Person] — an interview with a physician in Nashville about how the Dobbs decision has impacted her work, and how she is continuing to offer care to her patients. ny times gift link
795: Nine Months Later [This American Life] — interviews with people who were seeking abortion care when Roe v. Wade was overturned.
The Science of Making (and Keeping) Friends [A Slight Change of Plans] — why our friendships are just as important - if not more so - as our romantic and familial relationships, and how to prioritize them in your life.
Ari Shapiro, host of “All Things Considered,” with Audie Cornish [Sixth & I LIVE] — my favorite interview with Ari as he is promoting his new memoir.
Episode 63: Sampson and Baylor [This is Love] — y’all. This episode. It’s about two golden retrievers who used to spend their days on a hiking trail and the impact they had on the people they encountered. It’s so sweet and I think everyone should listen to it. And you can watch the 16-minute film about the dogs here.
Tips for acing that job interview [Life Kit] — some good tips in here if you’re on the interview circuit.
Can India Become the Next Global Superpower? [The Daily] — the similarities and differences between India and China as the former becomes the most populous nation in the world. ny times gift link
The ‘Quiet Catastrophe’ Brewing in Our Social Lives [The Ezra Klein Show] — I still say a podcast episode should not be the length of a feature film, but this episode has some very good tidbits. ny times gift link
recipes.
Ali Slagle’s one-pot tortellini with meat sauce is both delicious and incredibly easy to make and will be a regular recipe of mine going forward. nyt cooking gift link
articles + other links.
How rural America steals girls’ futures. the atlantic
How well do you know the colors behind some of the world’s biggest brands? the verge via cup of jo
Candace’s illustrated essays are always a delight, and none more so than her current series on the perspective that comes from looking through the windows of an airplane. dandelion seeds
What your favorite personality test says about you. the atlantic
Which Barbie are you based on your dreamhouse? I’m Midge, apparently. buzzfeed
How strong is your food disgust level? Mine is pretty low. via adventurous kate
Pete Wells’ list of the 100 best restaurants in NYC. I’ve been to 7! ny times gift link
How much solo travellers spent on their trips. ny times gift link
Aubrey Hirsch on the challenges of women’s clothing. the audacity
On a quest to find someone who will share the cost of this English cottage with me. inigo via cup of jo
Loved reading this interview with the principal historian of the National Park Service, the first woman and first Black person to hold the position. the 19th*
Happy May, friends!
xx