Happy Friday! I’m coming at you live after a busy and overwhelming week, but I’m feeling buoyed by some very happy friend/family time, one of the best spin classes I’ve ever taken (you know I’m a Peloton girlie, but I’ve recently realized how great it is for me mentally to take in-person classes every so often — and I took an amaaaaazing one with Tommy Bond at Studio Three River North on Thursday), and a new red blend I discovered called Troublemaker. My favorite red is the Austin Hope Paso Robles Cab — but seeing as I am not a Rockefeller, my access to that one is limited. Troublemaker is also a member of the Austin Hope family but comes in at a much more reasonable $15ish/bottle. Bless up!
Thoughts from the week:
Netflix: I have a friend, who shall remain unnamed for the sake of his ego, who always has very good TV and movie recommendations. I don’t like to give this friend that much credit (usually), but I unfortunately now have him to thank for getting me to join the cool kids’ club and watch Baby Reindeer. I had heard rumblings about it, but I didn’t really get the concept and I thought it seemed a little too dry for me. If there’s one thing Baby Reindeer is not, it is dry — it’s genuinely one of the most unique, thought-provoking, moving, and shocking shows I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a lot!). If you haven’t heard of it yet, it’s about a struggling comedian/bartender who is being stalked by a woman named Martha. It’s only 7 episodes long (and most episodes are only 30ish minutes), and it goes by VERY quickly — but please please be warned that the content is very dark and very disturbing. I’m so glad I watched it, because I think it offers really raw and necessary commentary on a lot of important issues, but please know that watching it is an intense undertaking. This Emmys season is going to be a doozy, and I can’t wait!
*The friend is fellow Horned Frog Tom. I am a grown-up and can give credit where credit is due.
Non-Book Reading Material: Speaking of friends, I have another one who I would like to name — my friend Madalyn started a new blog this week, and it should be necessary reading for anyone interested in books, music, and movies (aka all of you?). Madalyn is indisputably Cool™️, and she has beautifully articulated takes on all the above. See her new blog and give her a follow here!
Book Reading Material: I’m almost done with Yours Truly, and yes — I’m enjoying it. Would I enjoy it even more with a little more spice? Yes, and I’m grown-up enough to admit that as well. Speaking of books I love, however, two of my faves from recent history are both newly available on Kindle Unlimited! Bad Summer People is a fun thriller-ish romp on Fire Island — it’s perfect for warm weather/sitting by the lake/vacay reading, etc. It’s funny and witty, but it also had some genuine suspense. Twenty Years Later sits much more firmly in the thriller category — it’s about a murder, but the plot is honestly really confusing to explain so please just read about it here. Bonus!!!! Even if you don’t have Kindle Unlimited, the regular Kindle version is currently on sale for $1.99!!!!
Bumble: See my thoughts (kinda) on Bumble’s new “rebrand” here.
Basketball/Girlhood: If you need a little Friday morning cry and/or reminder of why girlhood is theeeeee best, see WNBA veteran Erica Wheeler (happy belated birthday, Erica!!!)’s comments about taking Caitlin Clark under her wing (watch here). Don’t worry, Paige, you’re still my number one girl — but I’m very excited for Erica and Caitlin’s preseason game tonight (streaming free on the WNBA app!!!!! Everyone watches women’s sports!!!!).
And with that, happy happy weekend. May all our crushes profess their love 🫶
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, 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.