Be Curious #1 - 13 February 2025
I thought it would be fun to do a weekly round up of things I have read or watched this week, that you might like to read too.
I’ll be honest, I am not at all comfortable about being here on the Substack platofrm. They have a very dicey history of platforming and profiting from far-right political groups. I have a huge problem with that. However, it seems like the only platform tht gets traction these days is Substack. So I am here reluctantly, but your support of me and my writing is deeply appreciated.
So, what I’ve found whiled poking around this week…
Great Blog Content
The delightful Holly Ringland, author of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding and The House That Joy Built, wrote a gorgeous blog post in conjunction with a lovely English friend, Beth Kempton. I have taken several courses with Beth over the years and met her in person back in 2011 in St Paul, Minnesota. So seeing that they've connected is wonderful! Read about it here.
Serenity Marshall is a queer black writer whose short story was recently published by the incredible Roxane Gay. The piece is called How to Lose a Sister and it's incredible. I highly recommend it.
On the Box
This week I finally started watching Shrinking on Apple+. It has been recommended to me a bunch of times, but things have been busy in my life in the past year or so.
But I can't deny a show that is written by Brett Goldstein, aka Roy Kent from Ted Lasso. I am low key in love with the man, I think he's a wonderful writer and actor, and I will try watching anything he is in. So far, the recommendation has been stellar - I am loving Harrison Ford as Paul and the supporting character Derek, played by Ted McGinley.
If you haven't tried it - do it. It's great.
What I am Reading Right Now
I am just over half way through reading The Witches of Vardø by Anya Bergman. This is a novel that is based on real women who were part of the Vardø witch trials of the 17th Century. It feels weird to read at this juncture in the world - it ponders the way women were disempowered and burned at the stakes when men were threatened by them. There are more than a few parallels with how the world feels right now. I am really enjoying it.
Thankyou for reading - I love sharing this with you. Happy reading!
Kass