Weekend Reads

Reads. For the weekend.

The articles I read this week and the books I’ll be reading this Shabbos.

• This Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

  The Skokie Public Library decided that I renewed Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver three too many times, so it looks like it’s not meant to be yet! I don’t remember where I found this novella, but it’s my last little sci-fi kick before I get into more realism. (Wait … is this sci-fi?)

• The stories a sitcom can only tell in its final season, by Emily VanDerWerff in the good space of our host, Substack

  I love big picture thoughts like this. Send me more of them. The article focuses on sitcoms and how there are certain ideas that the writers shouldn’t recontextualize for the audience until it’s almost over. This is like the first Bible course I took on Michlelet NCSY with Mrs. Gibralter when she looked at the Book of Genesis as a whole – not just the close reading of it, or in light of commentators. Looking at it as a work. Love it. Especially since sitcoms are usually given a bum rap for being low culture, when doing them properly takes immense skill.

• The Chanel 2020/21 Runway

  Yes, Coco Chanel was definitely a Nazi sympathizer, but at least she wasn’t designing Nazi uniforms like Hugo Boss?

  The fashion industry has been looking for new ways to showcase their collections in these trying times, and while Moschino’s puppet show was weirdly inspired, I love the idea of Kristen Stewart being the sole attendee. After watching Charlie’s Angels (LOVE) and Happiest Season (meh) this year, it’s nice to see her in her natural habitat: fashionably existing in the window alcove of an ancient castle.

  But, like, seriously – if I write off Chanel, do I have to write of Kristen Stewart, too? Do I have to move her to my “problematic faves” list? I really don’t want to, but if I did it for Doja Cat, I can be strong. Please advise.