October RWLB
It's full-blown fall around here (finally) and we are ready with our costumes and trick-or-treating buckets. I just got back from an early anniversary/birthday trip with my husband to lovely Montreal and I'm feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy the last couple of months before New Year.
Reading
A friend and I started reading Infinite Jest as a buddy read. It is long and complex and sometimes my brain hurts after reading a few pages. But we are sticking with it because it's going to be a great accomplishment and there is certainly a thread of genius in the pages.
I read it this weekend and found myself vacillating between wanting to throw it and chuckling audibly. We are 300 pages in and there's no turning back now.
This is the book we chose for book club for November. You guys, it is weird. But it is brilliant. There are some sentences that are searing and some that are so gorgeous I feel required to just sit still and let the words wash over me.
So, what's it about, you ask...well, it's about a real nun, Marie de France in the 1100s. There are themes of power, feminism, the LGBTQ experience, and faith. It's around 250 pages and that is a lot of ground to cover. The author, Lauren Groff, has done her research and crafted a story that moves fluidly and is oddly compelling considering the time period and the setting. I'm halfway through and hooked.
Watching
Only Murders in the Building
If we've ever had a conversation about movies then you would know that I am a HUGE Steve Martin fan. His rapport with Martin Short over the years has made for some of my all-time favorite movies (Father of the Bride and The Three Amigos). When I saw they were staring in a murder mystery TV show on Hulu, I finally caved and got the subscription.
My husband and I were obsessed. It was appointment TV in the way of ER and Friends. We talked about our theories, funny lines, and how much we loved it.
We just watched the season finale and I'm gearing up to rewatch all the episodes. I can't wait for season 2!!!
The Great British Baking Show
I used to be a big fan of reality TV like Survivor and The Amazing Race. But the only reality TV I watch now is The Great British Baking Show. The hosts are hysterical, Paul and Pru are exacting, and the contestants are warm and endearing. This show is pure delight and there are so many seasons to binge. We are watching the most recent one right now and it is fantastic.
If you need me after 9:30pm on a chilly fall evening, I'm probably in bed, with Baking Show on and my knitting spread out over my lap. There may be a mug of bedtime tea on my nightstand, too. It's all very cozy.
Listening to
This episode of the Bible Binge speaks to my childhood in such a real way. My family skipped Halloween except for two times: once when I was 4 I dressed up as an angel for a church Bible character parade and another time in middle school when I was Queen Esther for yet another Bible character costume party suspiciously close in date to Halloween.
I like what the hosts say about the fact that most holidays are tied to some sort of pagan tradition and if we're going to get rid of Halloween, we should also look carefully at Easter and Christmas. And they also reminded their audience that if we keep our lights out on Halloween night we miss an opportunity to connect with our neighbors. It's definitely worth a listen.
Buying
In Montreal, I laced up my sneakers for days spent exploring the city and wandering in the art museum. I began to notice the preferred footwear of city dwellers and hip tourists was boots, flat, usually pull on, with rubber soles.
I went on a mission to find some for myself.
Mabel, from Only Murders, wears a super cute pair of these boots too. I googled them and discovered they were from Stella McCartney and ran somewhere close to $400. That's too rich for my blood.
I kept looking and eventually found a cute pair from Sorel, a little more moderately priced. I snagged them on a recent sale and now I'll be ready for my next adventure in the city or just looking cute at the grocery store.
I LOVE Olive and June nail color. I used to be an essie girl, but now I exclusively paint my nails with Olive and June. Their manicure set changed my life at the beginning of the pandemic. Pretty nails give me so much joy!
Each season they roll out a set of nail colors. This morning they released their winter collection and at 6 am, in my pitch-black bedroom, I ordered the set. The colors look perfect for holiday parties, cozy times at home, and Christmas decorating!
These are my RWLB this month...What are you reading, watching, listening to, and buying this month? Leave a comment below.
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