Why have Sunday Scaries when you could read the Sunday Sharies? There’s a lot of stuff we’d like to share that won’t fit in our usual Thursday newsletter. Some of that stuff is here. Read on for a special monthly collection of podcast, book, and miscellaneous other recs from your trusty Double Take duo.
— Jess Spoll and Jenni Cullen
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Jenni: My sister-in-law recently recommended I try the podcast Maintenance Phase, and I just listened to my first ep this morning. Its host promises to “debunk the junk science behind health fads, wellness scams and nonsensical nutrition advice.” Definitely up my alley — I love thinking/talking about food and fads…and also scams — though, it’s probably too early for me to give my fully formed seal of approval.
Jess: Currently on repeat on my Spotify is Kelsea Ballerini’s newest release, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat. I may be in a stable long-term relationship, but there’s nothing quite as good as a break-up album for feeling like you’re the star of your own movie while you walk down the street with it playing in your headphones. The album is very singularly focused on her recent divorce, and it’s melancholic and raw while also being glossy and catchy.
Jenni: My reading taste remains all over the place these days. I’m still slowly making my way through The Horse, the Wheel, and Language, a book about linguistics and archaeology that is super interesting but can sometimes get a little too far into the weeds. In early February, I finished I’m Glad My Mom Died — Jennette McCurdy’s memoir about her struggles as a former child actor and difficult relationship with her overbearing mother — and then dove into the fantasy/heist world of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo directly after. Both were great, 4/5 stars from me.
I also tried out Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass, but struggled through and almost didn’t finish. Strange pacing, relationship angst that didn’t make any sense, and a few really obvious twists put me strongly off the series. Now I’m reading Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, a book about friendship and video games and the ‘90s that Jess has been recommending to me for months. I’m only halfway through, but it’s beautifully written so far, and I definitely get the hype.
Jess: I’m working my way through the enormously long 2nd book in the Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas, House of Sky and Breath. At about halfway through, I still feel like the book hasn’t really gotten going, so that’s displeasing. I ended up really enjoying the first one in the series, so I still have hope that this one will turn around.
My other 3 reads for the month were all 2/5 stars for me: Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney, A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik, and Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Daisy was a poorly executed thriller, Education was a lackluster fantasy without a driving conflict, and Carrie was a predictable slog with too many detailed descriptions of tennis matches. TJR impressed me with two of her previous books, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six, so Carrie being lackluster was extra disappointing.
Jenni: Because it’s starting to get a little warmer out, I’ve been putting my moka pot to use for some iced lattes and the occasional stovetop americano. Starting the morning with a fancy little coffee drink from my own home just does something for my brain chemistry. Toss in a fresh baked blueberry scone or breakfast muffin and you can’t go wrong.
Jess: I found a new TikTok recipe creator that I like, and I’ve been trying out a few of his most popular dinner recipes. His handle is “Stealth Health Life” which I find to be a bit embarrassing, but I like that his recipes are (seemingly, although I’m not a nutritionist) healthy enough without being typical diet food. I really liked his recipes for both Honey Garlic Chicken & Rice and Spicy Tomato Chicken Pasta.
Jenni: I’ve been catching up on the latest few seasons of the comedy/competition show: Taskmaster. Happy to report, it’s just as delightful as I remembered. I love British panel shows and this one is no exception, always perfect for a feel-good watch if I’m in a pinch. If you’re unfamiliar with the genre, I wrote an unofficial guide to panel shows a year back that’ll give you a good overview.
I also got around to watching the movie You People on Netflix, and have to say I think its rotten tomatoes score is very misleading. Maybe people forgot they were watching a romcom? I’m not saying it’s brilliant, but it definitely is better than the 35-42% approval rating of RT critics.
And finally, a poorly-seasoned pan has me back on my Rajiv Surendra x HGTV kick (yes, Kevin G from Mean Girls has a life skills series and it’s great). I watched his 17-minute ‘How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet’ and felt much soothed and more knowledgable after.
Jess: I’m late to the party but I’m finally watching Succession (HBO). Amidst a long roster of new shows, it’s hard to find time to watch ones that are already multiple seasons deep, but with Season 4 premiering in March, and it being likely to be awarded at the Emmys once again, I felt like I had the responsibility. I don’t always love the “we’re important business men doing important business things” vibe, but it’s much more satirical than I realized it would be, and I’m quite enjoying it.
Also, I finally went back and started watching Derry Girls (Netflix) after many months of telling Jenni that I would. I wasn’t immediately charmed; it took me a few episodes to feel like I was immersed in this world and knew these characters, but now (early in season 3) I’m hooked. It’s just as funny and lovable as Jenni has claimed.
Jenni: To any of you hobbyist runners out there, this is your sign to get new sneakers. You may not have noticed you’ve racked up almost 400 miles and worn down the treads of your favorite kicks, but your knees will start to. I was feeling weirdly old and achey and crotchety, but then I purchased a new pair of Brooks Ghosts and now I’m cured.
Jess: I just bought a variety of summer items since I’ll be in Cancun this month, and I found great bathing suits in two places that I normally wouldn’t look: Old Navy and Victoria’s Secret. Otherwise, as usual, I’m getting all my new clothes via Nuuly.