Weekend Reading Vol. 28: Screenwriting Legends, Anthony Bourdain & A Velvet Sofa
“I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?” All the heart-eyes emojis for this pre-emojis movie.
We bought a tree! It has lights on it. And that’s it. Our living room is thisclose to having a mantel over the faux-fireplace. Our Christmas shopping is almost done. Maybe.
Oh, and we caught another mouse. So hopefully “not a creature is stirring” will be accurate this holiday season. (‘Cause they’re all dead. Right? RIGHT?!)
Here’s to being quasi-ready for Christmas.
And here’s what to read if you’re in denial about your to-do list.
This Iconic Hollywood Screenwriting Team Should Be Household Names By Now. (BuzzFeed News)
Karen McCullah and Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith co-wrote 10 Things I Hate About You and Legally Blonde, among other films. Subsequently, they probably changed your (adolescent) life. So you should know their names.
How “Philadelphia” Has, And Hasn’t, Changed How We See AIDS. (BuzzFeed News)
“The most poignant and heartbreaking aspect of Philadelphia now is how it stands as one of the only documents — and certainly the most well known — of what it meant to be alive at that time, and of the people who no longer are. On Jan. 1, 1995, just over a year after the movie opened, the New York Times reported that of the 53 people with HIV or AIDS who appear in Philadelphia, 43 had already died.”
The Last Curious Man (GQ)
If you read nothing else this weekend, check out this beautiful tribute to Anthony Bourdain.
“The one common thing you hear from everyone is ‘Why does this hurt so much? I didn't know the guy.’ Yes, you did know the guy. You shared 100 meals with him, if not more. He shared 1,000 meals with the world. He did that year after year, episode after episode. So to not be able to do that anymore, I think is a big hit for all of us. From President Obama down to your friggin' mailman, everyone feels that loss.”
This Parisian Apartment Will Make You Want a Velvet Sofa. (Cup of Jo)
Yes. It also makes me want a Parisian apartment.
Also at Cup of Jo: the chicest U of T professor ever. (I want her pink jumpsuit.)
Guide To Writing Your Celebrity Memoir. (Zulkey)
Important:
“If you are a very pretty actress lady, use a critical ear when writing about how you are just a regular disgusting garbage monster like all other women, or how at your fattest pregnancy weight you tipped the scales at the exact weight I weigh right now.”
And…the cutest toddler gift guide. (The Larson House)
Christmas shopping is more fun when Calico Critters are involved. (Isn’t that why people have kids?)
