Weekly Roundup #001
in which I tell you what I'm currently reading, watching, and listening too
In my efforts to start writing bi-weekly again, at least sometimes, I’ve decided to start a new, more light hearted and fairly un-serious series where I simply tell you what I’m consuming at the moment. I’ll give you a roundup of my current reads, what movies/shows I’ve watched lately, and what I’m currently listening to, be it audiobooks, podcasts, or music. I hope you enjoy!
On My Bookshelf
A Vindication of the Rights of Men and A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft.
I’ve been super invested in the work of Erika Bachiochi over the past years, especially in the realm of reclaiming the vision of Mary Wollstonecraft. Bachiochi’s economic work on integrating family life into society is also of great interest to me. I don’t quite have the funds at the moment to buy her book (although you best believe it’s on my Christmas list) so I figured I’d start with reading Wollstonecraft herself. I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far and definitely plan on writing about Wollstonecraft’s vision of virtue ethics in the future.
The Case Against the Sexual Revolution: A New Guide to Sex in the 21st Century by Louise Perry
I know, I know, I’m woefully late to the starting block on this one. In my defense, Perry’s book was really hard to find in my area for some reason. At least in my attempts to avoid buying from Amazon which is what I ultimately ended up doing, but no libraries or local bookstores had copies. Shame. I just cracked this one open last night and even though I’m only about twenty pages in I already love it. I’ve been a fan of Maiden Mother Matriarch, Perry’s podcast, for years now and knew going into it that I would love her book. More thoughts to come.
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
Yes I am reading this for the first time and yes I know it’s been out for almost 90 years but you know what? I’m not 90 years old am I? I’m 21 and was never exposed to Tolkien as a child so all of you media snobs out there who look down on others for not having read something yet, maybe consider that not everyone is as old as the existence of a book itself. Mmkay?
Dilexi Te by Pope Leo XIV
Yeah I actually should have finished this one by now, I’ll grant you that. It’s okay but I feel like I’m slogging through. No thoughts until I’ve finished it and honestly even then, whatever my thoughts are will probably be kept to myself because this is such old news.
On My Television
The Village by M. Night Shyamalan
My husband and I recently watched The Village together. It was the first M. Night movie I’d ever seen and I have to say I really enjoyed it! My one detraction, which is my main issue with any mystery/suspense movie really, is that I tend to have an uncanny knack for guessing the twists to movies like this which can make them somewhat boring. I don’t mean that to sound braggadocious, just that it can be annoying to watch a movie, especially when everyone tells you it has an insane twist that you’ll never guess and then I end up guessing it in the first ten minutes. 4/5 because I also love Bryce Dallas Howard.
Over the Garden Wall by Patrick McHale and Katie Krentz
This is a show that my husband and I watch so often that we bought our own DVD of it. It’s perfect for fall, it’s whimiscal, it’s enchanting, and one of the most beautiful stories I’ve seen produced in somewhat contemporary children’s animation in a while. It follows two brothers on their journey through the Unknown where they learn to work together and overcome obstacles and ultimately, love and sacrifice is what saves them. 10/10 recommend.
In My Earbuds
Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age by Rod Dreher
Re-enchantment is something that has intrigued me for a while. I’ve had many conversations about it with my Orthodox friends; Dreher himself is Orthodox and the Eastern Christians really seem to be spear-heading this movement. In the West, re-enchantment is almost taken just out of reach, not because it doesn’t exist in our tradition but because our traditions are being suppressed. My husband and I recently started attending the Tridentine Mass each Sunday and the fruit I’ve seen in my life from that alone is incredible. Dreher’s writing is great and so far I’m really enjoying the audio version of his book. It’s great to listen to when I’m walking the dog or doing dishes or laundry.
The Subway by Chappell Roan
I’m sure someone is going to get mad at me for listening to Chappell at all but listen, she’s got a great voice and aside from some of her explicit/graphic songs, she just writes good pop music. I’m not a big pop person but Chappell does it well. Sue me.
Autumn Leaves by Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt is a national treasure and this song is like fall on tap. No notes.
That’s it! That’s the weekly roundup for this week. Stay tuned for my usual longer essay on Wednesday and come back next week, where I will inevitably embarass myself by showing how slow of a reader I am.
Autumn Leaves plays on repeat in my head this time of year. Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AilLMAyqk7U looking forward to chatting again soon.