Weekly Reads

I can’t stop reading. It’s actually a problem. I start to read something and I can’t leave and come back – I have to finish reading all of it before I can do anything else. I have to be really strategic about when I allow myself to start a novel.

Anyway, here’s the best stuff I’ve read over the last couple of weeks:

1. What Happened When We Gave Our Daughter My Last Name
Molly Caro May
The Hairpin
Do you remember when I was talking about feminism and I said that every day I realize some other way I’ve been tricked? Somehow it never occurred to me that if for some reason I don’t love my husband’s last name, my kids could totally just have mine. Duh.

2. My 14-Hour Search for the End of TGI Friday’s Endless Appetizers
Caity Weaver

Gawker
Caity, if you should ever read this, please know: I am so proud of you.

3. Justin Bieber: A Case Study in Growing Up Cosseted and Feral
Vanessa Grigoriadis
Vulture
I know, you’re super disappointed because up till now you thought for sure you didn’t give a shit about Justin Bieber, and now I am demanding that you read about him. But this is remarkable because you’ll be reminded that sometimes a shitty subject makes for great journalism.

4. Stepping Out
David Sedaris
The New Yorker
This is an essay by David Sedaris. I don’t think I need to say anything more to make you read it.

5. Zoo Animals and Their Discontents 
Alex Halberstadt
The New York Times Magazine
This is perhaps my favorite NYT Mag story so far this year. I think it’s both irrational and silly to argue that animals don’t have feelings. I think humans tell themselves animals don’t feel because we need to separate ourselves out of guilt. I think that’s a shitty way to experience this life.

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