June and July, 2022
What I'm...
I didn’t write an update for June, so this will be for both last month and this month.
I read 14 books in June, and have read 9 so far this month. The Story Graph allowed me to compare genres:
If you want to follow me, please feel free: thestorygraph.com/profile/theremightbecupcakes
The poetry, classics, feminism, memoir, literary, clusters are due to my FrizzLit book club/class on Sylvia Plath. Just finished The Bell Jar, the 50th anniversary edition (5 stars), and Diane Middlebrook’s biography Her Husband (3 stars), and now starting the comparison of the two different versions of Ariel (Ted’s version/Sylvia’s restored version).
Reading:
For the podcast I am continuing House of Leaves. For those reading along with me, the next episode in this series will begin with section VIII, p. 97.
I’m also reviewing Sins of the Mother by Maria Eftimiades and David Smith’s memoir, for the next episode: an update of episode 21: Nine Days and Two Car Seats. As you may know, as a celebration of reaching my fifth anniversary of podcasting, I have decided to revisit my first five years, and update some of the episodes. This episode is about the murder of Alex and Michael Smith by their mother, a local case to me, and I am going to update y’all on what Susan Smith has been up to since she was imprisoned. It’s a lot. Plus, I am going to flesh out her complicated background.
So the next two episodes will be “The Children Are Not Alright” (title taken from what Susan said to Sheriff Howard Wells on the ninth day, after asking him to pray with her), and the sixth House of Leaves episode.
I am also starting Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Myth, Metaphor, and Morality by Mark Field. I have a bibliography of five books for my upcoming Buffy series. This should be interesting and fun.
Ebook: I just finished The Project by Courtney Summers, a creepy story about how a cult can affect family relationships, and how a charismatic cult leader, promising to do good, can seduce. I will probably start one of my friends’ books next, either Dancing with Death by Shanna Hogan (true crime), or Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare.
Audiobook:
Physical: Currently finishing my friend Josh Malerman’s horror novel Pearl, about a very special pig. Next is the original Psycho, by Robert Bloch, so I can read my friend’s official sequel: Psycho: Sanatorium by Chet Williamson. One of my ongoing bucket list goals is reading books written by my friends and colleagues. I love supporting them, and it is so much fun!
My choice for Audible this month and last month:
June: Once Upon a River by Dianne Setterfield, narrated by Juliet Stevenson
You can snag either book for free and check out Audible for a month with no strings attached, and help out the podcast, by using my link.
Watching:
Television: I am rewatching Vanderpump Rules, because I got sucked in after rewatching season 2 for my guest spot on Bye, Pumkin Podcast to discuss two of the episodes and the ethics of making employees dance burlesque for their boss and dance nearly naked on a Pride float. It’s a train wreck and excellent tv for knitting.
I am also watching The Haunting of Bly Manor; I restarted it after purchasing the Blu-Ray. So gorgeous. For those that don’t know, it’s Mike Flanagan’s reimagining of Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw. I am going to get Henry Thomas to autograph it at Scares That Care next weekend.
I, of course, am starting my rewatch of Buffy for the podcast. Looking forward to it! And I am considering watching all of Twin Peaks properly. I’ve never done it. I watched it on tv in high school, I have seen (and been confused by) Fire Walk with Me, and read Laura Palmer’s Diary. I think I am going to start from the beginning and go for it, really dive into the mythology. Anyone else want to join me?
Last four movies on my Letterboxd watched list:
Seeing Nope tomorrow when it opens at Alamo Drafthouse! Cannot wait.
Listening:
Been listening to a lot of Sylvia Plath-inspired music: St. Vincent, Lana Del Rey…
Also really enjoying Harry Styles, surprisingly. I figured if Stevie Nicks loves him, why not, and it turns out I love his stuff! It just feels happy and refreshing.
Learning:
French, Spanish, and Latin on Duolingo, please feel free to add me, I’m CarlaCupcakes.
Finishing up the FrizzLit class/book club on Sylvia Plath. They were kind enough to give me a scholarship due to my being disabled, and it’s been the highlight of my week.
Knitting:
Making a pair of socks the flat way instead of in the round thanks to the book Knit Your Socks on Straight by Alice Curtis. I sometimes have spatial issues using double pointed needles, and so this book is perfect for me; you knit the socks back and forth, then seam it together with a crochet hook. Making the “Green Leaves of Summer” pattern (in blue, lol), on size #1 needles, in Knit Picks Stroll Gradient in “Ice Sculpture”.
I just finished a stashbuster sleeveless tank to match the argyle sweater I made from Debbie Bliss Bamboo; the argyle pattern was from one of the Stitch n Bitch books. I made the tank from the leftover sweater yarn. Stripes and argyle, such a nerd. I’ll find it and post it and the tank in a future post, this is getting image heavy for an email. :)
Doing:
I’ve set up a horror discussion and promotion forum. Please join and have fun! https://theremightbecupcakes.com/horror
Please, if you get a chance, leave me a review on Apple Podcasts, Audible, Goodpods, Spotify, or Podchaser.