WEEKLY R.E.P.O.R.T.

My head is full of tradwives and Olivia Rodrigo. I love to think about women!

Reading: I finally got my paws on Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and wow oh wow, it’s as incredible as everyone is saying. I think this book is going to take a long time to digest, so here are my initial thoughts after finishing it this morning (Spoilers ahead): I think this story is so much more than its ‘crazy bitch turns out to be actually mentally ill’ twist and its really strong thematic narrative saves it from being just another in the classic thriller trope. The social commentary of (manufactured or convenient?) religious psychosis, of gender and its expectations, of motherhood and mental health, of dynamic characters like Natalie who is both mean AND struggling with really severe delusions about the world (and not just in the later part of the book), is SO interesting. The tradwife plot was such a brilliant way to show how the main character is fake and desperate for control, and seeing her genuinely fail at being a traditional wife and mother exposes Natalie’s commitment to covering up her and Caleb’s mediocrity. My smartest friend, Maya, said to me before I started reading it that this is more of a Ruby Franke story rather than a Ballerina Farm one and finishing it, I totally agree. This book is a 10/10, five stars, amazing, A+ read.

Eating: Im getting on the tradwife train and I have been labouring in the kitchen for hours and hours making my own sourdough focaccia. I got a starter earlier this summer but this week is the first time I have made anything successful. I am now a full time stay at home mother to my starter and feel extremely anxious when I have to leave the house. She is just so needy! But I think the bread is worth it and it got eaten up (with rave reviews) at Amy’s soirée!

Playing: With my dear friends from my Bachelor of Education! Everyone is unemployed, everyone is home, everyone is free to play and I am the happiest girl in the world. Teachers college was good for one thing (and truly only one thing) and that was friends who are so awesome and have the whole summer off to hang out with me!!!

Obsessing over: Its been weeks and weeks of obsessing over you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love. Obsession is truly the right word because I cannot stop listening and thinking about it and marvelling at how smart Olivia Rodrigo is. That is a woman who is so good at her job (other people in that category: my friend Isabel, my therapist and Jake Shane-who is not a woman but is so good at his job). My current favourite song is U + Me = ❤ and Purple, but it changes very often.

Recommending: The other day I was on College before Pennies 2pm happy hour and I stumbled upon this bookstore called Sellers and Newel Second Hand Books. They had a huge selection of classics right at the entrance of the store and the employees were so helpful and cool and kind and let me down easy when they told me they had just sold their last copy of Ariel by Sylvia Plath. Im recommending you go! And then go get blasted at Pennies for $5. It was a perfect Tuesday afternoon.

Trying: To pull off a head scarf. I want to look cool and hip but I look like I lack hair and I don’t know what to do with my ears. As always, tips are welcome.

I will R.E.P.O.R.T. back next week!