What I'm... No. 17

I'm back! I'm sorry for missing an extra week there, but my house kind of flooded a bit (it's all fine now) and I had to take another week off. However, I am back, and here to talk about what I've been doing in the past few weeks. Thank you all for sticking with me, and thank you for coming back.

Reading:

Books:

Rocket Men by Robert Kurson

This book was excellent. I did already know the story of Apollo 8, but it was particularly touching to read about the astronaut's lives now. They all gave so much to the space program, but they turned around and gave that much to their families. Touchingly, Apollo 8 is the only Gemini or Apollo mission whose crew members' marriages all survived. Also, I love Jim Lovell.

The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman

This book was interesting. It was a tiny bit dry, but it was very good. I enjoyed it, and I thought Friedman had many important points, but it is a bit outdated (written in 2004). Also, before anyone asks, it is not about flat Earth. At no point in this book does he say that the actual Earth is flat. It's a metaphor!

Star Wars: Last Shot by Daniel Jose Older

This book was so good. It was funny, touching, a hauntingly kind portrait of two men who entirely do not and completely do deserve veneration. Lando and Han are captured in shades of grey much softer than any movie. Also, Han as a father, in this universe, is someone I can respect and love. What happened to Ben is lamentable, but Han and Leia are trying, hoping for something more wonderful than their own lives. Their futures are such a tragedy.

Feel Free by Zadie Smith

This essay collection is amazing. Everything in it is treated with respect, with the kind of reverence that life so rarely deserves. Smith renders her world in beautiful brushstrokes and this book was an extremely enjoyable read.

Terminal Alliance by Jim C. Hines

And this book was hilarious! Science fiction at its best—brutally funny yet startlingly serious. I cannot speak highly enough of it.

The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood

This book was good, but not my favorite Atwood book. However, I did love the Midsummer's Night's Dream parallels.

Science in the Soul by Richard Dawkins

This book was so good! I'm not usually one for biology, but I loved the other essays in this book. Dawkins has so much to say about the pitfalls of religion and the problems of the American South that I was blown away. And he's British!

The Romanovs by Simon Sebag Montefiore

I am entranced by Russian history, so I am very excited to read this book. I've loved what I've read so far. I also decided to take Russian in college, so this book is all kinds of perfect.

Listening:

Music:

Paramore

I saw Paramore live recently, so I've really been loving their music. Also, do you not love every single one of Hayley Williams's looks.

Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy is still an old stand-by.

The Killers

Wonderful, Wonderful is still one of the most beautiful albums ever created.

Bastille

I cannot stop listening to Bad Blood. Also, Quarter Past Midnight is a great song.

Death Cab for Cutie

I love everything that Death Cab has ever done. I am so excited for their album release in August.

Florence + the Machine

I'm sure that my obsession with Florence + the Machine has not gone unnoticed, but I just want to say that I love the new album. Somehow she has managed to find the next step in her musical journey, which seemed pretty impossible prior to this release.

Watching:

Movies:

Infinity War

This movie messed me up. I spent most of it crying, but I did enjoy it. I can't wait for the next movie. However, someone better save **** and ***** or I'm going to scream. (Names redacted for spoilers)

TV:

Star Trek: The Original Series

Still making my way through the series, slowly.

Supernatural

Watched some early Supernatural, screamed a lot. That's all I have to say.

Queer Eye

I have not finished Season 2, but I do love everything I have seen so far.

Legends of Tomorrow

I love Legends. Everyone in my family is so much farther than I am, though, but I am slowly catching up.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

It is not possible to love a TV show more than I love Dirk Gently. Somehow, these people made the perfect show—and then it got canceled. Probably never going to get over that, to be honest.

YouTube:

vlogbrothers

My love for the Green brothers almost goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway.

Dan & Phil

These two British dorks are amazing, but I do have to strongly recommend their Sims series. If you've ever wanted to see two grown men epically fail at raising Sims in a normal environment and then succeed beyond their wildest dreams by a series of lucky accidents, this is the place for you.

Geek & Sundry

Critical Role continues to amaze.

Melanie Murphy

I love Melanie!!!! I have really fallen in love with her videos recently, and I just want more.

Hannah Witton

I also love Hannah. She manages to have an effervescent personality even through so much hardship.

Lucy Moon

Lucy is an absolute joy to watch. I wait for every video with bated breath.

Evan Edinger

Evan is funny and surprisingly insightful, and I love watching his journey to UK citizenship, a journey I hope to repeat someday.

Mary Kate Wiles

Mary Kate is still my absolute favorite person ever and I rewatch her videos all the time.

Just Write

This is a new writing channel I found, and I enjoy every video. I only wish there were more.

I must say, everything here is a wonderful piece of media. Also, I'm writing this in the car, which probably explains why I sound slightly brain dead.

Thank you so much for reading.

See you soon…

~Susie

Chorus of the Day:

Shake it out, shake it out,
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out,
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa

Last Chorus of the Day:
Things We Lost in the Fire by Bastille