The May selection for the Audacious Book Club is Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwami Adjei-Brenyah. We will be in conversation with Nana on May at 8 pm EST/5pm PST. Registration is now open.
I am reading submissions to The Audacity’s Emerging Writer Series. Read the guidelines and submit your best writing. Submissions will be open until I have 24 essays.
Don’t Forget: Why Design Matters by Debbie Millman. Debbie also created The Remarkable Life Deck, if you want to think through what the next decade of your life could look like. The cards are really beautiful and this is such a valuable exercise for looking ahead and taking stock of where you are. I don’t say that lightly. Normally, this isn’t my kind of thing but The Remarkable Life Deck is excellent.
If you’re looking for a nice notebook, check out my Draft Writing Journal from Baron Fig. It’s pretty swank if I do say so myself. To accompany my Draft Writing Journal, there is now a pen! It’s beautiful and satisfying to hold. And if you’re looking for some writing instruction, you might want to check out my Masterclass.
I am working on an LGBTQ-related Work Friend column. If you have relevant questions, send them to workfriend@nytimes.com.
For the New York Times I wrote about the murder of Jordan Neely, men’s fear, and the erosion of public life in service of those who are allowed to stand their ground and those who are not. We’ve heard from politicians, bystanders, and of course all kinds of internet assholes. Jordan Neely’s family has released a statement. The discourse around this murder has been really bizarre and disappointing. An alarming number of people are fine with murder because Neely had a record or because they’ve been disturbed on the subway before or, or, or. Really, it comes down to whose lives matter and whose don’t.
There was a mass shooting in Allen, TX. Nine adults and children died. People of different races/ethnicities died. Witnesses describe absolute carnage. And not one single thing will change.
Child labor! Making a comeback! (Truly, this is fucking terrible.)
Enrique Tarrio has been convicted for his role in the January 6th insurrection.
The 2023 Tony nominations are out! There are two gender non conforming nominees.
Congratulations to Fatimah Asghar, who won the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction ($150,000!!!) for their novel, When We Were Sisters. I read it last year and absolutely loved it. My review is on Goodreads and I highly recommend it.
A deep dive into excellent handbag fakes. It’s a whole industry!
What happened when Scholastic asked an author to censor the racism in her book.
In New Jersey, a pasta mystery.
The media is bizarrely, ALREADY, trying to rehabilitate Elizabeth Holmes’s image for her. It’s just amazing what some people will get away with, without ever brushing their hair! See also: Kyrsten Sinema.
Nerd Prom 2023 is in the books.
On the erasure of Latinos in picture perfect environs.
Mid-TV is fine. It really is.
When a restaurant never changes.
A woman really enjoyed a night at the symphony.
Another day, another failed bank. It seems like many bankers aren’t very good at their jobs.
Tucker Carlson is exactly the asshole you thought he was.
The Writer’s Guild is striking and with good reason. The Hollywood unions are demonstrating a lot of much-appreciated solidarity. (I am in the WGA.) Here is a good explanation of why writers should be on TV sets. As you might expect, there are some amazing picket signs. I hope the strike doesn’t last long but it seems like the writers and studios are pretty far apart. Also, leave Quinta Brunson alone. Some of y’all be doing the absolute most.
Buzzfeed News has shuttered, and it is a shame. To put it mildly. Here is an oral history of eleven years of excellent news reportage.
A profile of Taraji P. Henson who is embracing her age. And why shouldn’t she? She’s amazing.
Maggie Smith on the support of friends during divorce.
Apparently, there’s an anti-caffeine movement. I want no part of it.
Many different folks are interested in buying BET. There are some predictions about how it could go.
A new poem from Danez Smith.
Clarence Thomas, even more corrupt than we already knew!
The new Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte is now airing and critics like it!
Yellowstone (amazing show) has drama on and off screen.
Playwrights who attended Jeremy O’Harris’s residency in Tuscany share their experiences.
Some people really know their Britney.
How to cut a pizza.
Harry, unbothered.
The way some people pretend things are, and the reality.
Apple watch joke.
Bad therapist.
Smells like failure, LOL.
The more you know…
When it’s time for couple’s therapy, it’s time for couple’s therapy.
Gen Z versus office task.
Rihanna does love her man.
That whole article on Elizabeth Holmes. Like the journalist was part of her pr team. WILD.
This was a great way to start my day 😊