Things I loved this week: What to read, watch, buy, and enjoy.
Indie gifts, fighting book bans, October binge watches, and bullying goes somewhere unexpected.
I put together lists of things I love once or twice a month. It takes me a while to compile, and includes gift articles that are ordinarily behind paywalls, so it’s one perk I offer for paid subscribers only—with a lengthy preview available to everyone. Enjoy!
Shop indie, shop often
I love going to craft shows and maker fairs to discover one-of-a-kind pieces from independent artists for the Cool Mom Picks gift guides. And uh, for myself. This weekend I found a few new local Brooklyn makers I’m excited to share:
1 The gorgeous sustainable Sol Backpack and Crossbody from K Smith Studio. Want.
2 Handmade bowls, vases, mugs + art from recycled English porcelain via Jessica Capone of Positive Pottery Studio. (If anyone wants to buy me this one I wouldn’t say no.)
3 Handmade small-batch candles and wax melts from Koi Candle Co. I bought a perfectly balanced citrus candle that happens to be called “Brooklyn Is a Whole Vibe” (I am very picky about candles scents!)
4 Homocats is artist J. Morrison’s brand, offering humorous protest tees, screen printed totes, and artwork featuring…cats! Some are more overtly political than others.
Also check out the jewelry from Ad Astra Brooklyn, who’s not entirely new to me… Jon bought me a couple of her pieces (including these threader earrings, second frame) last year and I adore them, so I was glad to meet the artist. These Radiance post earrings were getting a lot of attention at her FAD Market booth this week in DUMBO.
This shit is ban-ananas
It’s Banned Books Week but these days in America, isn’t every week? I have a lot to write about this but it’s so overwhelming I almost don't know where to start.
(I did start by sharing my own story about why my parents let me read anything…and by that I mean anything.)
My daughter is starting a banned book club at her high school, and I have been forwarding her so many articles and tips and breaking news, that we need a better way to archive all of it besides our text messages.
This Saturday, let’s take at least one action
This past weekend, as part of Brooklyn Book Fest, I had the honor of watching the African American Policy Formum’s Books Unbanned panel featuring people I’ve admired and learned from for years: Kimberlé Crenshaw, Michael Harriot, Dr. Ibram X Kendi, and moderator Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead. I was shaken by Harriot’s statement that things are so bad right now in terms of book bans by white people as a tool for erasing history, truth, and progress toward equity, that he doesn’t know “if it’s not too late” to put that genie back in the bottle.
Can we all try though? Like, all of us?
We can stand up for library staff, educators, writers, publishers, booksellers and uh…what’s it called? Oh right. DEMOCRACY. Check out this one-sheet for Let Freedom Read Day (pdf) for links and inspiration for this Saturday’s day of action.
And if you need to laugh (so you don’t cry):
Dear Literary Agent —
As you know, it’s a tough time in the publishing industry right now. Concerned citizens are demanding that certain books be pulled from school and public libraries, and it seems no writer knows which books will be left on the shelf for children to read.
Except for me.
Leave it to
to find the humor in her satirical piece, Seeking Representation for my Unbannable Book. (McSweeney’s)Good Instagram follows:
“You’re Needy, an Attention Whore”
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to I’m Walking Here to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.