I Read So Many Great Books in August
My interests become so segmented on the Internet. It feels hard to fully express myself fully through one social media platform. And maybe, as a social media manager, I’m used to tailoring all of my #content to reach one specific audience.
I like music (I used to have a music blog and did some A&R), reading, cats, Hello Kitty, makeup, and french fries (At one point, I had considered a french fry review Instagram). I’ve garnered “followers” and friends through my various social media platforms, but I’m never sure if and when there’s an overlap.
When I had a music blog, people followed me for new music recommendations or in the hopes of being covered. On my personal Instagram, I imagine that people must somewhat enjoy my photos of cats and selfies, and on my Bookstagram, I know everyone is there to see and discuss all things books. I want one place to totally encompass who I am as a person and all of my varied interests. I think that this newsletter could be that?!
I haven’t written a new article in nearly a year (!!!) With journalism being a true dumpster fire, I found myself seriously burnt out near the end of 2022. Although my daily output had heavily decreased from the 10 daily news blogs I was once required to write, so much of what I was writing about was dictated by clicks and traffic. I had to write blogs as quickly as possible to get news out there, and a lot of times, what was deemed newsworthy didn’t feel all that important when the literal world is on fire. I fell out of love with writing and moved to social media. But, lately, I’ve missed the freedom that comes with pouring out all of my thoughts on a page. I know my fans have missed my daily updates on celebrity tattoos.
I don’t intend for Tendercore to be this coherent, incredible piece of journalism that delivers on serious content. Sorry for spelling and grammar errors. I want to write about the things I love. For my first issue, I want to highlight all of the books and tunes I loved in August. Might return to my beauty blogging again in the future, but until then, if you have curly hair, purchase this curling foam. It’s magical, has incredible hold, and makes second day curls look brand new.
I read eight books in August, and of those eight reads, six are some of my favorites of the year. Also, please admire my Canva graphics. I worked very hard.
The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson is the second in Dawson’s trilogy centered around a group of modern day witches. It’s a thrilling fantasy with a sharp examination of our current political landscape and approaches to feminism.
Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren is the sweetest romance. It’s an emotional tale of former loves reconnecting, and wow, I loved every second.
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston was so good?!?! It’s a rom-com with elements of fantasy and time travel that had me absolutely hooked from the very first page. If you’re new to Poston’s work, definitely check out her book The Dead Romantics, too.
Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington reminded me of Heathers. It’s marketed as a Squid Games meets The Bachelor story, and yes, the book definitely makes good on that unlikely pairing.
Will They Or Won’t They by Ava Wilder was a Hollywood-based romance that didn’t rely on common rom-com tropes for its engrossing story of a rocky relationship between two costars.
Foxglove is the second book in Adalyn Grace’s gothic fantasy series. It was love at first read with Grace’s Belladonna debut and Foxglove continues the magic.
Going to preface this musical section of the newsletter with a brief note. I really used to love writing about music. I still do, I think. But, unfortunately, when the thing you love a lot is tied to a ton of bad memories and experiences, mostly involving misogyny and predatory males, you tend to avoid doing it. When music is also tied to your income, then it becomes even weirder. I think I missed being a fan.
I used to think I wanted to be a music journalist, but now, I want to listen to music and shout about it occasionally and then also have a job that’s very easy. Ideally, I would be retired and my job would be reading/taking care of the feral cats in my neighborhood. But, LOL, student loans and living. America!
Ok, so here’s some stuff I’ve loved a lot lately. I got really into hardcore last year. I attribute this mostly to Turnstile and then other melodic hardcore acts. I like to call the hardcore I like tendercore, because, as a former youth group member there are still some hardcore acts that are too much for me. I want to like them, but they remind me of when I was young and in the Tribulation House. It was a religious haunted house that acted out what life was like after Jesus’ reported return. They played this loud music in hell and a devil would reach up and grab your ankles. There was another room where a vacuum was left running, because mom had been raptured and the kids were left behind. (Do we need an entire newsletter on a young Lauren growing up in an evangelical church? Plz advise). Young me did not sleep that night. Now, I am in therapy and take Prozac. ANYWAY!
The following is a mix of things, but mostly, I’d definitely make sure you listen to the Mannequin Pussy single, because it makes me feel like I’m Lindsay Lohan in Freaky Friday, and that’s a good thing.
I think the world would be a better place if more people listened to PONY.
I like how MSPAINT is so unpredictable. The band doesn’t really adhere to one genre, but there are elements of hardcore, synths, and a very good song that yells: what purpose do cages serve. It’s probably my AOTY.
This Superviolet album is so sweet and perfect. It was made for summer and fall and spring and winter.
Wow, I love gladie.
Ok bye!