It’s Friday again, already?

My week was filled with friends, co-working and regaining some exercise practice. I’m a bit achey today – both from last night’s wine and the past few days’ gym classes – so let’s get cracking, shall we?

 

–– ON ROBOTNIC.CO ––

I wrote some capsule reviews of my February & March Reads.

This week’s new episode of Bookish Blether was recorded live and in person! It could have been called What We Talk About When We Talk About Reading. [AUDIO, 36 mins]

ICYMI last week, my March Movie Club video about the films of Céline Sciamma is up. April’s theme is Nora Ephron and we’ve picked two films she wrote and directed: Mixed Nuts and Sleepless in Seattle.

 

 

–– ARTS & CULTURE ––

I loved this conversation with Junot Díaz & Hilton Als on Masculinity, Science Fiction, and Writing As An Act of Defiance, which I read while my power was out last weekend.

The Rest Is Advertising is a stark look into the business of sponsored content.

I’ve effused about the New York Times By the Book feature many a time. The latest one? Lin Manuel Miranda. Dude has good taste. [/least surprising statement ever]

Helen Zaltzman took a look at how we use the word “Please” on either side of the Atlantic. [AUDIO, 18 mins]

 

 

–– DIGITAL / LIFE ––

I really enjoyed this Letter of Recommendation: Segmented Sleep but I’m afraid I’d end up staring at the internet til dawn.

Buy All Your Furniture at Target, For Tomorrow We Die. This spoke to my present, and probably also my near future.

How To Get Your Green Card In America – a personal story by Sarah Mathews.

Afterlives: My Mother’s Breast Cancer, and My Own from Kate Bolick.

 

 

–– ON PAPER ––

Last week I said I’d be reading some Ferrante. Instead I swithered and read the first 10 pages of six or seven books before settling on the three-part 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami.

What’s on your nightstand?
 

 

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Holly just sent me this Conspiracy Theory That Louis Tomlinson’s Baby Is Fake and it is super compelling. I think 1D truthers might be the world’s greatest super sleuths.

Hear also: Reply All on Louis & Harry’s alleged romance. [AUDIO, 19 mins]

My friend Nnenna reviewed The Count of Monte Cristo and I think she convinced me to read it, too. [VIDEO, 6 mins]

 
 

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Your turn! Read anything good this week? Hit reply or tweet me about it, won’t you?

Have a lovely weekend!
Nicola x
 

Hey friends, happy Friday! I’m writing this from a high speed train from London to Glasgow. Isn’t it cool how we can put ourselves in a metal pod and hurtle through space?

I’ve been on a flying visit to attend to some personal business and to catch up with some friends. How was your week?

As ever, links incoming!

 

–– ON ROBOTNIC.CO ––

Over on YouTube I published my March Movie Club video about the films of Céline Sciamma, and a Q&A / Giveaway to celebrate my video-making anniversary.

ICYMI, the latest Bookish Blether is one for the serial book buyers. We talk about How to Read Frugally.

 

 

–– ARTS & CULTURE ––

Three great interviews this week:

You Can Do Anything if You Just Do it Slowly: An Interview with Lauren Groff.

‘My Model for Writing Fiction Is to Replicate the Feeling of a Dream’ – Danel Clowes chats to Longreads.

And finally, The Rumpus Interview with Meghan Daum and Elliott Holt on choosing not to have children.

I also enjoyed Anne Helen Petersen on The Unbearable Sadness Of Ben Affleck.

 

 

–– DIGITAL / LIFE ––

I was feeling really down last week so I really needed The Depressive’s Guide To Getting Out Of Bed from Sadie Stein.

Are you a runner or a gunner? Claire Vaye Watkins is excellent on the urge to / How to Escape Your Hometown.

I loveloveloved Leena on The Women Who Went Missing From Sport… [VIDEO, 4 mins]. Amazing how this universal female experience is one we bury post-high school and try not to think about ever again.

How a shorter working week is becoming a reality. Don’t you wish it’d hurry up a bit, though?

 

 

–– ON PAPER ––

^ A few sneaky new purchases, and a proof from my trip to London. ^

Reading has been difficult this week. I’ve been muddling my way through two novels that I like but don’t love, and have been occasionally bored by: The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy, and For Two Thousand Years by Mihail Sebastian.

I think I’ve earned some Ferrante this weekend.

What’s on your nightstand?
 

 

–– &c. ––

In a bid to get motivated I’ve been listening to some business-related podcasts I’d abandoned for awhile. If you’re curious, have a look at Being Boss, Zen Founder and Social Authority.

 
 

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Your turn! Read anything good this week? Hit reply or tweet me about it, won’t you?

Have a lovely weekend!
Nicola x
 

Happy (Good) Friday!

This week has been a bit of a mixed bag for me, but it’s a long weekend for Easter, the clocks leap forward tomorrow, and I’m heading off to London next week so there’s lots to look forward to.

I hope you’re reclining and enjoying a break – here are some links to keep you company.

 

–– ON ROBOTNIC.CO ––

In this week’s brand new Bookish Blether is one for the serial book buyers. We talk about How to Read Frugally.

 

 

–– ARTS & CULTURE ––

“What will your kid think?” and “Are you worried your son is going to hate you when he grows up?” and “Are you going to let him read it?” and “What’re you going to do when your kid Googles you?” are all questions that, even when offered lightheartedly and in a spirit of ostensible support, feel less like genuine questions and more like a chastening. “Remember, you’re a MOM” and “Remember, you have a mother” both mean “Remember, you’re a woman, and there are consequences.”

Meaghan O’connell on The Patronizing Questions We Ask Women Who Write is edifying.

A new David Sedaris story is never unwelcome. Here’s The Perfect Fit, on shopping in Tokyo.

Ever wondered Why Everyone on TV Has the Same Hair? Me, too. The answer actually makes a lot of sense. It’s also pretty similar to how I often style my hair. Thanks for pointing it out, Julia Rubin.

Eva Wiseman caught up with Jenny Beavan about her Oscars experience.
 

 

–– DIGITAL / LIFE ––

Why do we work so hard? Some interesting discussion here, but ultimately I think this author is writing out some serious 60-hour-a-week Stockholm Syndrome.

An enlightening – and angering – piece on The problem with a technology revolution designed primarily for men.

As Women Take Over a Male-Dominated Field, the Pay Drops. Over and over and over again.

The Verge conducted (geddit?!) an interview with the realest social media managers in public transportation – the San Francisco BART. I’d like to see Scotrail tackle this approach.

 

 

–– ON PAPER ––

I had a hard time with I Love Dick by Chris Kraus, which was unexpected, so I haven’t read a whole lot this week.

In the coming week I’ll be reading For Two Thousand Years by Mihail Sebastian – my current book club pick. I don’t usually go for interwar novels, but this one’s newly translated and sounds pretty intriguing.

What’s on your nightstand?
 

 

–– &c. ––

Unsurprisingly, it turns out the NFL’s own research on concussions was deeply flawed (excluding 100 cases). The New York Times reports on it here.

 
 

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Your turn! Read anything good this week? Hit reply or tweet me about it, won’t you?

Have a lovely weekend!
Nicola x