Did anyone else have a really bad week?

Here's some joy, just in case!

I came dangerously close to forgetting to write this!! We’ve only just made it to the third edition of this newsletter and already I’m pushing things to the last minute (as is my way). Cheers to a week that was, frankly, terrible — but an even bigger cheers to sitting here, right now, writing this on my couch with the window open and a little February thunderstorm rolling around over the lake. We are focusing on the positives over here :)

Thoughts from the week:

• Books: BIIIIG week for me and my book game. I finished my beloved Dave Grohl book this morning (Thursday), and it honestly ruined the first half of my day. As I texted my dear Danae (who is the one who told me to read this book in the first place and to whom I therefore owe my life), I was honest-to-God crying beneath my Ray-Bans on my walk to work this morning — literally because the book was ending and I am just that sad to say goodbye to Dave. I do not say this lightly: this book inspired me and lit up my creativity more than a piece of work/art has in a LONG time. It is NOT “here’s what it’s like to be a rock star, lol sex drugs and rock and roll” (I mean it is a LITTLE, but not a lot) — it’s art, relationships, music, love, loss, family, and passion… And I know it sounds like I’m overselling it, but I genuinely don’t think I am.

  • On a very different note, my newly-cleared “Currently Reading” list now features The Women, which is the latest historical fiction book from Kristin Hannah. I knew-but-didn’t-really-know I was a historical fiction lover all the way back in approximately 3rd grade when I would obsessively re-check-out the Dear America book on the girl who was on the Titanic (very cool kid I was!), but I finally vocally embraced my love for the genre when I first read The Nightingale several years ago. I say that it’s my favorite novel I’ve ever read, but I actually think her book The Four Winds is better — but regardless of which is the best, there is simply no denying that each of Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction books has LiTeRaLlY changed my life. The Women was just released this past Tuesday — I’ve been telling my friends for months how excited I’ve been for it to come out, and the time has finally come. Prepare to not see or hear from me for 5-7 business days.

• TV: In addition to my aforementioned Desperate Housewives rewatch (see below for more on that), I am also currently watching Succession for the first time. (I actually did already watch just the first episode as part of an assignment for the script writing class I took last year and to impress a hot guy in said class, but that’s neither here nor there.) It’s truly such a joy to finally get the hype. Frequently in my life, I have watched a TV show later than the rest of the world did, and I must admit that it’s the way to go. There’s no waiting a week for a new episode, there’s no suspense… I just push “next episode” and let Tom Wambsgans take me away.

  • On the note of Desperate Housewives, I am proud to say that this newsletter has successfully encouraged two (2) of you to begin my all-time favorite TV show. One of the two (bless her heart) did spend the entire first episode believing that Bree Van de Kamp was played by Nicole Kidman, but that is her own cross to bear.

• Dating: A small note to those of you who may have read the above and thought “How is this girl who loves novels about traumatic historical events POSSIBLY single”: I promise I am trying not to be. Please see below for two Hinge messages I sent this week that went unanswered. Personally, I would’ve responded to both.

• If you’re on TikTok and/or you live in Chicago, you’ve likely heard the song “End of Beginning” by Djo in the past few days. (ICYMI, Djo is Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington on Stranger Things but also went to college at DePaul and played Lollapalooza in 2022.) I love people who love Chicago, I love songs about Chicago, and I love Chicago. As we sit mercilessly in the midst of this most unforgiving of months, I think it’s important to remind ourselves of the amazing parts of the places in which we live.

Have a great weekend and have some fun — but not too much without me.

XO, Gail

And as a reminder:

It’s an election year, and it is my duty to remind you that while newsletters like this are crucial for maintaining sanity and levity, I am not a news source and am in no way a replacement for staying informed. For every newsletter you read that makes you smile or buy a candle, I hope you also read an informed take on politics, world events, and social issues (then fact check it!) — and for every heavy piece of news you take in, I hope you also consume and/or create a piece of art that promotes light, laughter, and joy.

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