Hello there,
Happy New Year! I had an amazing few weeks in Brazil, my first trip abroad since the pandemic began, and I was really lucky not to get sick. Meanwhile, three different family members in three different cities back in the U.S. all got COVID for the first time. I hope you’ve managed to stay healthy.
Watch
Today I’d like to offer three wildly different things to watch.
I recently finished Fleishman is in Trouble (Hulu), which I really loved. When the book (on which the series is based) came out, I looked at the description and thought, “Those people seem insufferable. No thanks.” But with the incredible casting and the storytelling style of the series, I was hooked. I was surprised how much I enjoyed watching a bunch of rich, Jewish New Yorkers wallow in their misery. (It even made me homesick!) Lizzy Caplan and Claire Danes are so, so good in this.
If you’re feeling withdrawal after the season finale of The White Lotus, you can watch Aubrey Plaza be terrifying in Emily the Criminal (Netflix). It’s a dramatic indictment of the U.S. labor system that’s a grisly and dark but enjoyable watch.
Finally, if you just want something pure and fun and sweet, Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl (Disney+) is a lovely brain palate cleanser.
Read
I went on a reading frenzy while on vacation recently, but the only book I’d recommend from the batch is A Heart That Works, a funny, raw, gut-wrenching memoir from comedian Rob Delaney about the death of his toddler. I listened to the audiobook, and was surprised he made it through without weeping. I certainly didn’t.
Get the full list of recommendations.
Follow
Joel Sartore is a National Geographic photographer who runs a project called the Photo Ark, in which he documents endangered species. They’re beautiful photos and often, very cute, too.
Do
I was recently gifted some incredible housewares from Santa Fe-based company Nambé. I’m especially obsessed with their wood housewares. It made me realize how nice it is to have some nice serving pieces, since in New York we rarely had people over to eat. If you’re thinking about getting new housewares, it might be worth a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond — because it seems like they may be going out of business. :(
Until next time,
Rachel