03/04/2023
Hi! Here’s what we at Womancake are watching, reading, and listening to this month:
Watching:
Nothing Compares, a much-deserved Sinead O’Connor documentary that argues we were very wrong about her. The young Sinead that appears in archival footage is just as thrilling as you remember, but the interviews with other legendary women in rock are also fantastic. Streaming on Showtime.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, a doc about the astonishing life and work of photographer Nan Goldin, who got caught up in the opioid crisis and barely made it out alive. Her activist group’s war on the uber-rich Sackler family, who bankrolled the prescription opioid epidemic that led to more than half a million deaths since 2016, will inspire you to stand up for the things you believe in. (NOTE: contains some disturbing images of violence and drug use, NSFW). Streaming on HBO.
Rap S**t, a series created by Issa Rae, follows the relationship of two women trying to navigate the creative process and life complications of being seen as credible rap artists in the era of social media dynamics and uncharted music industry channels. Along the way we see their mistakes and vulnerabilities as women trying to keep a handle on their own image in a male dominated industry, as well as the magic that is sparked when their creativity and friendship are aligned. Streaming on HBO.
Somebody Somewhere Brigitt Everett is a true delight and hilarious in this return to home misfit adventure, as she regroups from a sister's death and finds her tribe, through the grief and rebuilding of her life in familiar yet uncertain circumstances. Hulu, baby.
Reading:
Animal by “Three Women” author Lisa Taddeo. This scorching novel tells the story of a woman who lives by her wits, her s*xuality, and her deep pain. She drives cross-country to LA, on a mission to uncover a mysterious family tragedy that has hung over her entire existence, and she won't stop until she gets what she wants. Careful when you start this story, it will grab you hard. You won’t like this anti-hero at all, but you’ll come to love her appetites and respect her victories.
Mother Noise - pull up for author Cindy House’s raw memoir of overcoming he**in addiction as a young adult in juxtaposition of her later experience with raising her son, both uncertain and illuminating journeys. With David Sedaris as a mentor, there is a frankness and wry point of view that comes through in all her stories.
Listening to:
The Deep Field- by Joan Wasser (known as Joan As Police Woman) is not her most recent record. But it’s the one we come back to over and over. We think of it as, “mature woman music made by a mature woman” who knows what she wants and how to get it. Bold, s*xy, sweet and salty, with maximum groove. Each song is a perfect world that will speak to some aspect of your soul. On Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Janelle Monae - after her stand out performance in the otherwise underwhelming Glass Onion, we revisited her sweeping song collective that is rich with soul and s***k, and multilevel messaging beyond the surface of their enticing rhythms. We especially love “make me feel” as we sense it’s a clear collaboration with Prince. On Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Eating:
Missy J’s Carob Dark Delights Unsweetened Carob Bar- how can something that sounds so awful taste so damn good? Sweet, minty and earthy, this delicious bar wipes out all your childhood associations with carob (if you’re GenX you know what we’re talking about!). Full of just as many antioxidants as chocolate but without the caffeine spike and sugar hangover.
With one of our daughters in her second year of Japanese study, we are currently tuning into the art and recipes of making onigiri, which has come to prove itself as a near- perfect anytime snack. Smoked salmon? Cucumber? It all weaves into a delectably simple formation, effortlessly contained by the delicacy of a seaweed wrapper. PB & J eat your heart out.
Hi! Here’s what we at Womancake are watching, reading, and listening to this month:
Watching:
Nothing Compares, a much-deserved Sinead O’Connor documentary that argues we were very wrong about her. The young Sinead that appears in archival footage is just as thrilling as you remember, but the interviews with other legendary women in rock are also fantastic. Streaming on Showtime.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, a doc about the astonishing life and work of photographer Nan Goldin, who got caught up in the opioid crisis and barely made it out alive. Her activist group’s war on the uber-rich Sackler family, who bankrolled the prescription opioid epidemic that led to more than half a million deaths since 2016, will inspire you to stand up for the things you believe in. (NOTE: contains some disturbing images of violence and drug use, NSFW). Streaming on HBO.
Rap S**t, a series created by Issa Rae, follows the relationship of two women trying to navigate the creative process and life complications of being seen as credible rap artists in the era of social media dynamics and uncharted music industry channels. Along the way we see their mistakes and vulnerabilities as women trying to keep a handle on their own image in a male dominated industry, as well as the magic that is sparked when their creativity and friendship are aligned. Streaming on HBO.
Somebody Somewhere Brigitt Everett is a true delight and hilarious in this return to home misfit adventure, as she regroups from a sister's death and finds her tribe, through the grief and rebuilding of her life in familiar yet uncertain circumstances. Hulu, baby.
Reading:
Animal by “Three Women” author Lisa Taddeo. This scorching novel tells the story of a woman who lives by her wits, her s*xuality, and her deep pain. She drives cross-country to LA, on a mission to uncover a mysterious family tragedy that has hung over her entire existence, and she won't stop until she gets what she wants. Careful when you start this story, it will grab you hard. You won’t like this anti-hero at all, but you’ll come to love her appetites and respect her victories.
Mother Noise - pull up for author Cindy House’s raw memoir of overcoming he**in addiction as a young adult in juxtaposition of her later experience with raising her son, both uncertain and illuminating journeys. With David Sedaris as a mentor, there is a frankness and wry point of view that comes through in all her stories.
Listening:
The Deep Field- by Joan Wasser (known as Joan As Police Woman) is not her most recent record. But it’s the one we come back to over and over. We think of it as, “mature woman music made by a mature woman” who knows what she wants and how to get it. Bold, s*xy, sweet and salty, with maximum groove. Each song is a perfect world that will speak to some aspect of your soul. On Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Janelle Monae - after her stand out performance in the otherwise underwhelming Glass Onion, we revisited her sweeping song collective that is rich with soul and s***k, and multilevel messaging beyond the surface of their enticing rhythms. We especially love “make me feel” as we sense it’s a clear collaboration with Prince. On Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Eating:
Missy J’s Carob Dark Delights Unsweetened Carob Bar- how can something that sounds so awful taste so damn good? Sweet, minty and earthy, this delicious bar wipes out all your childhood associations with carob (if you’re GenX you know what we’re talking about!). Full of just as many antioxidants as chocolate but without the caffeine spike and sugar hangover.
With one of our daughters in her second year of Japanese study, we are currently tuning into the art and recipes of making onigiri, which has come to prove itself as a near- perfect anytime snack. Smoked salmon? Cucumber? It all weaves into a delectably simple formation, effortlessly contained by the delicacy of a seaweed wrapper. PB & J eat your heart out.
