the reader's edit october newsletter

Nov 01, 2024

Happy November! I’m loving the colder temps to close out October—the weather in New York has been such a dream. If you’ve been reading the newsletter for a while, you may recall that I’ve been training for the NYC marathon this year: in two days it will be my first time running the marathon, and it still doesn’t feel real that the day is so close. Running has become a huge part of my life this year, and training for this day has been an incredible learning experience in discipline and self-motivation.

I’m really looking forward to sharing the day with the friends and family whose support makes it so much easier to do hard things, and even more excited that two days after the marathon I’ll be flying to Tokyo for a week to visit my brother! It’s going to be an amazing trip full of new experiences, and I can’t wait to explore. I’m also looking forward to bringing a couple of books on the 14 hour flight with me to pass the time! I hope you enjoy this month’s reviews, entertainment recs, and in leiu of an on my mind… section I’ll be sharing some pics from an October well spent!

review roundup

check out the books I’ve reviewed this month!

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney — The much anticipated new release from Sally Rooney is a complex and meditative exploration of grief and unlikely romance, following two very different brothers after the passing of their father. Review was posted in my Instagram stories.
Small Rain by Garth Greenwell — This novel takes place within the confines of a hospital room, as the narrator experiences a sudden serious health even that hospitalizes him for ten days, giving him the time to contemplate art, beauty, and love. A moving and sparse treatise on human connection. Review was posted in my Instagram stories.
Henry Henry by Allen Bratton — Bratton’s novel is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Henriad, narrated by Hal, the son of the Duke of Lancaster, a young queer man whose often at odds with his traditional father. The novel explores England’s feudal system, trauma and abuse, and father and son dynamics. Review was posted in my Instagram stories.
Colored Television by Danzy Senna — This funny and sharp novel follows a novelist and professor who’s driven into the confusing world of prestige television after her latest epic book project on the history of the mulatto in America is met with resistance from her editor. Read my full review here.

here are some titles coming out in November that I recommend picking up!

the articles edit

here are some of my favorite bite-sized reads of the month.

How to Live Forever The New Yorker — I was very moved by this essay about creating a personal archive, and what physical artifacts are collected throughout a life.
Timothée Chalamet Showed Up at His Own Look-Alike Contest The New York Times — Needless to say, I loved this story! Sad to have missed it!
Early Scenes Al Pacino The New Yorker — Absolutely loved this excerpt from Al Pacino’s memoir about his early childhood in the Bronx. I’m hoping to pick up this book soon!
Hung Up Substack — I’ve been loving Hunter Harris’ newsletter, she’s one of my favorite cultural critics and I always love her takes on pop culture, music, film, and television. Highly recommend subscribing!

the entertainment edit

podcasts, movies, and tv shows that I've been supplementing my reading with!

Anora — Sean Baker’s latest film is a. funny and moving portrayal of a sex worker from Brooklyn’s whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch. Featuring a hilarious cast of characters and high stakes hi-jinx, the film explores the power imbalances created by extreme wealth.
Only Murders in the Building — This show has become one of my favorite fall mystery watches, I enjoy the mix of humor and fascinating characters, and can’t get enough of the fall in New York setting. Plus this season has some amazing cameos!
This is Not a Beauty Podcast — This is slightly biased since I worked on this as a media buyer for L'Oréal, but I really love this podcast in partnership with NYT, hosted by the wonderful Isabella Rossellini, that takes a deeper look at the economic, environmental, and political impact of the beauty industry. So fascinating!