Cruel compendium #18: Gift guide edition 🎁
Things, artists and writers I love
I’m thankful for the space I’ve had here to make it art, and connect with all of you. If you’re planning to spend this weekend clicking on things on the internet you may or may not purchase and letting your brain float into a capitalism cloud (like I am), allow me to provide some inspiration. Read on for a gift guide full of items, artists and writers I love and want to share with you. Be well.
I’m reading
False labor by Lena Dunham, on her fertility struggles
Will anyone ever love me? in the !Hola Papi! advice newsletter
The Thing Is, a poem by Ellen Bass, h/t Laura Olin’s newsletter
When Covid hit, I started walking 20,000 steps a day. It changed my life. By Isaac Fitzgerald
How to stop interrupting and change the world by Nancy Kline
Elena Ferrante’s 40 favorite books by female authors
I’m listening to
All five of You’re Wrong About’s episodes about Princess Diana 😢
Questionable self-care advice
Support I got that you might need to hear
Gift guide!
None of these are affiliate links—only things I love and desire and want you to know about.
Art and feminist gifts from Boss Dotty
I own this boob print and many cards.
Cotton masks in incredible prints from Steak Diane
They give a portion of proceeds to rotating charities, and they’re an Instagram must-follow.
Counted La Croix cross-stitch
Or a cactus or boobs.
Floral art bouquet from Studio Roof
The Future is Female tie-dye shirt from DentzDenim
Gifts from the National Parks Project for the nature-lover in your life
I love this Yellowstone pendant and 2021 calendar.
Glad & Young Studio
Leather goods in hand-dyed colors from an Atlanta-based brand. I have their earrings and journal and want this keychain.
Goodwill mystery boxes
Boxes of sustainable clothing, proceeds go to programs that support the community.
Honest art by Adam J. Kurtz
This keychain adorns my hiking backpack, and I just bought this notebook so I can write about my feelings about leaving New York rather than pen a bad essay.
The LELO Sona Cruise 2
The best vibrator I’ve ever had. On sale!
Little Rooms jewelry
Strong energy.
Milk Bar delivery
PLEASE.
Mystic Mondays tarot deck
The vibrant, feminist tarot deck I was gifted last year and use often.
New York City car freshener by Homesick
Yes, I do want this candle.
Scott Lenhardt art
I buy his 24-hour woman calendar of a nude adventurer every year, and my sister even has a tattoo of her. I don’t see the 2021 calendar on sale yet, but he still has wonderful pins and art for sale.
So many amazing gifts from Black-owned businesses on Etsy
Sustainable, luxe wrapping paper from Unwrp
Some of my favorite books
Remember to buy from an independent and/or Black-owned bookstore
Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay (read our interview at Time Out New York)
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Once More We Saw Stars by Jayson Greene. Read our CSBC interview here.
Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood
Newsletter subscriptions to gift yourself or others
Most of these have free versions, but you can support the writer and get more content by buying a subscription.
#5SmartReads for a lot of great reads from several smart women
The Ann Friedman weekly. All the links you’ll ever need from a writer I adore.
Anti-Racism Daily, a daily educational email.
Cheryl Strayed brings back Dear Sugar
Drawing Links by Edith Zimmerman. Daily musings told through comics.
Evil Witches, a hilarious newsletter for people who happen to be mothers
Foreign Bodies, exploring the intersection of the immigrant experience and mental health.
Griefbacon by Helena Fitzgerald, who thankfully just brought back her newsletter of moving essays
My Sweet Dumb Brain by Katie Hawkins-Gaar, on living with grief. Read our CSBC interview here.
Tangle, a daily bipartisan politics newsletter
True Colors, sharing work by women of color
Webworm with David Ferrier. Ferrier brought us the documentary Tickled and TV show Dark Tourist and continues to explore the internet’s underbelly here.
More newsletters I love that are free:
Creative links from artist Austin Kleon
!Hola Papi!, a queer advice newsletter
Laura Olin’s lists, one of my few must-reads
Nisha’s Internet Tote Bag; life musings, links, and recipes
Subtle Maneuvers, on the working habits of artists
The Sunday Soother, on self-growth and healthy habits
The Tiff Weekly, about the author’s life and work in London
For some cheer
Remember how big the world is outside of your problems with Here is Today h/t Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends
This thread of family holiday goss:
Minerva moment
Mood
Cruel compliments
Nicola Slawson of The Single Supplement got my postcard in the UK! I love to spread cheer by snail mail. Read her deeply vulnerable piece about body image here.
Yesterday the lovely Jillian Anthony made my day when a postcard she sent me from the epic US road trip she is currently on arrived. If you haven’t signed up to her amazing newsletter Cruel Summer Book Club, what are you waiting for? It’s so good. She also happens to be a badass single woman making her own way in the world.
Cruel Summer Book Club is eating leftovers. Grab a plate by subscribing and sharing this newsletter with friends. And go ahead and smash that heart button.
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You are not alone!