FMG: The second most sob-inducing book I've ever read
+ I want to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader
Happy Friday and happy Fourth! The America I stand for values democracy, liberty, justice for all, and freedom from oppression, and the Jesus I believe in taught me to feed the hungry, house the homeless, protect the vulnerable, open my arms to my neighbors, and show love above all else. There is nothing Christ-like about defunding humanitarian aid so that rich people can get richer. Just to make that abundantly clear :)
Despite stressful news and a scary world… Love, art, and joy persist!
Books: I read the new Taylor Jenkins Reid book, Atmosphere, in borderline record time. Set in 1980s Texas, when women were first invited to join NASA’s space program (let that sink in), the book follows an astronaut named Joan and her cohort of scientists, pilots, and fellow space enthusiasts throughout several years in the program. I’ve loved all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s historical-fiction-ish books, so I was excited to read this one too — but even more so once I heard that a big part of the book centers around Joan’s relationship with her niece and her role as an aunt. It’s a really special book, and I can confidently say that it’s the second-hardest a book has ever made me cry (to this day, nothing has beaten The Nightingale in that department).
I’m now reading One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune, and I’m reading it so fast that I’m glad I purchased it with a gift card and not with real money.
TV: Another thing I did in record time (yes, my social life is stellar!) was finish the new season of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Not only do the Texan accents and normalized misogyny/body negativity remind me of my own time living in the Lone Star State (~memories~), but I’m also deeply attached to those girls and amazed by what they do. I thought this season was a bit more boring than the last (and I’m confused by what happened with Chandi and KayDianna? I think Team Chandi but I don’t feel that I have enough information to truly know?), but I still watched it willingly and happily. I wish there were about 30 more episodes.
I’m not watching Love Island USA (I was at camp when it started and feel like I was never able to catch up), but I am eagerly awaiting the final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty. In addition to finding Conrad to be one of the absolute hottest characters on television, the show has also held a special place in my heart ever since I binged the first season three summers ago with my dad. We were supposed to be on a family vacation with my mom, siblings, niece, and nephew, but several members of the family got Covid and had to stay home. My nephew was in the hospital (he’s fine now!!!!), and my dad and I were together in our rented vacation house, waiting for news and stressing. On our first night there, I casually told my dad I was going to watch “a little teeny-bopper romance” on my computer while he read next to me on the couch. “Just put it on the big TV,” he said. “It won’t distract me.” Seven episodes later, we were both irrationally invested in Belly’s love life. It was the perfect balm + distraction during a sad, scary time, and I can’t wait for the new season.
All that said, I hope you have a very happy holiday weekend. Do something nice for someone you love, and then do something nice for someone you don’t know. Love beats hate every single time!!!!
XOXO,
Gail