Selected Things #8

Nazi hunters, no-knife pineapple tech, and Mother's Day music

Every couple weeks, I’ll send you a quick hit of books, articles, recipes, products, etc. that are–in my humble opinion–worth your valuable time. I do this for you because life is short and we’re already wasting too much time doomscrolling on socials, right?

BOOKS

The Feeling of Iron

A 40-year long revenge story

If, like me, the film “Inglorious Basterds” scratched an itch, you’ll like this novel by Giaime Alonge. It jumps between WW2 and the 1980s, centered on a Mengele-like Nazi sociopath and two of his Holocaust victims who survived the war and are now on a mission to find him.

Trespasses

A young woman tries to be free in 1970s Belfast

This is a superb novel by Louise Kennedy about a young woman living during The Troubles, whose love affair with a married older man provides her a false escape from the confines of her life. It’s many things at once—sexy, romantic, feminist, political, tragic. If you like Sally Rooney, read this next.

JOURNALISM

The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters

Says who?

I love this sort of thing. I don’t agree with it all—Young Thug but no Joni Mitchell!?—but the design, the video interviews, and the way it inspires you to listen to beloved songs and discover news ones makes it worth your time. (See below for two of my faves.)

Grab Some Seeds. Throw Them at the Soil. You’re a Gardener Now.

Grab a TikTok trend. Youre a reporter now?

Here’s the latest example of sloppy journalism touting viral TikTok videos as genuine. The reporter barely mentions the likelihood that these videos aren’t honest portrayals of real gardening. The illustration, however, is terrific.

SURFING

Rosamunde pike opens a pineapple

Thumbs up

A totally weird little video I stumbled on whilst brainrotting on Instagram. As soon as I can procure a ripe pineapple I’m going to try her wild technique for opening up a pineapple with only your thumb. I’ll report back.

Real ID rage put to melody

Can we launch a music genre of DMV rage pop?

Olivia Roderigo introduces this song about getting her RealID by saying “I really hope it speaks to you,” Considering my own DMV odyssey, oh boy did it.

STUFF

So Beautiful or So What

Simon says it all

The 30 best reminded me to play songs I hadn’t listened to in a while. Paul Simon’s music occupies a special place in my heart and not just because he’s written the only song with my name in it. I love the old stuff, but this newer album is a masterpiece.

All Around You

Sturgill Simpson should be on that list

This song about love and loss has been a balm to me for years. For all of us missing our moms today, remember her love is here now, all around you.

SKIP IT

The Ending Writes Itself

If only it read itself, so I didn’t have to

I once again fell prey to the undeserved marketing and media attention the publishing industry rigs up for certain books. This boring and predictable story puts a winking publishing industry spin on Agatha Christie’s Then There Were None. If you like meta-mystery, check out the new Anthony Horowitz instead.