Welcome to another issue of Open Tabs, where I share the media I’ve been consuming recently, and links for your enjoyment!
Hello, welcome to summer. It’s already so hot here, and my mood always starts to shift as soon as we pass the summer solstice.
I’ve been overwhelmed with a sense of change lately, and I’m simply trying to facilitate whatever this change my be. That means being more open-minded, more in touch with my emotions, and less cynical…I’m trying!
On that note: listen to this beautiful, wonderful, cathartic song while browsing through all the things I’ve been consuming lately.
Reading
I have a soft spot for Ryan Gosling—he was my #1 celeb crush in my teen years and I loved his movies (pre-2011). I think this GQ profile might have renewed my crush a little bit...
Earlier this month, I read Vivian Gornick’s The End of the Novel of Love, and in that collection is an essay on Jean Rhys. I love Gornick’s essays, and this one made me eager to finally pick up Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea (though I haven’t yet). Anyways, here’s another piece by Vivian Gornick on Jean Rhys (a re-working of the same essay included in the collection).
I’ve been thinking a lot about narratives and chaos and organization and memory in writing this year. I’m interested in reading Jane Alison’s Meander, Spiral, Explode, so I read this excerpt, Beyond the Narrative Arc, for a little taste. I want to imagine other possibilities for storytelling, since I’ve always been put off by the thought of writing a traditional arc (my brain is too messy for that).
Watching
I watched the final seasons of Barry and Succession (both on HBO). I’m sad to see such great shows end, but I also appreciate shows that end on a high note instead of dragging things out. I’m sure I will rewatch both series at some point.
I don’t always have the patience for movies these days, but I watched Windfall and Horse Girl (both on Netflix) recently.
I’ve decided to re-watch The O.C. (on HB—sorry, on Max. And I think it might be on Hulu as well). I haven’t seen it in years (since before the streaming era), and it’s wonderfully nostalgic.
My current YouTube binge is Bitter Melon Bindery’s channel. She’s a bookmaker and I am really enjoying her quiet, cozy studio vlogs. (I would also like to give into my decade-long desire to learn how to make books.)
Listening
I circled back around to Blue Rev, Alvvays’ 2022 album. I had it on repeat through the months of May & June. After the Earthquake was my #1 fave.
My current summer playlist, Summer Rat Mode, is a bit of a random mix!
The Japanese House just released a new album, In the End it Always Does, a few days ago. I absolutely love the whole thing, can’t pick a favorite song yet (but Sad to Breathe might be it).
I made this playlist purely for comfort & nostalgia. A grab-bag of songs I remember hearing on the radio all the time as a kid.
If you haven’t noticed by now, Pick Me Up I’m Scared is one of my favorite podcasts (very long episodes, very informative, very fun, very in line with my personal politics) and I really liked this recent episode.
While re-reading Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower in May, I was also listening to this companion podcast, Octavia’s Parables, where the hosts talk about the book chapter-by-chapter. I’m just about finished reading Parable of the Talents, and will listen to the corresponding episodes when I’m done. There are seasons to go along with some of Butler’s other work as well.
Googling
Cyberprep
Is self delusion necessary for happiness?
Why is air quality so bad lately
How to stop sneezing
What came before the start of the universe
Titanic submarine
Arithmomania
Pamela colman smith
CF Blake building
Books on My Radar
I absolutely loved Mona Awad’s Bunny; was a little underwhelmed by All’s Well; but am definitely looking forward to reading her latest, Rouge.
Can’t wait to buy/read Cold Nights of Childhood by Tezer Ozlu as soon as my book buying ban is over!
I read Eliza Clark’s Boy Parts last year and liked it way more than I thought I would, so now I’m intrigued by her latest, Penance.
I haven’t particularly liked anything I’ve read by Deborah Levy to be honest, but I’m still really interested in reading August Blue.
Other
I’ve been playing Minesweeper a lot lately. I was obsessed with it when I was a kid/teen, and it’s just as fun now. It helps clear my mind before switching tasks during my work day. Highly recommend!
After a few months of buying books any time I felt like it, I’ve decided to attempt a Book Buying Ban. I’m just hoping to make it about 2 months to re-train my brain.
Thanks for reading today’s issue of Empty Head. More book reviews and essays are coming soon, so be sure to subscribe if you haven’t yet, and share with anyone who might like these roundups.
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