This week’s three publications to read are...
Sasha Frere-Jones, S/FJ
What’s it about? Memories, theories, stories, playlists, photos, and interviews, by former New Yorker music critic.
Worth reading: “Robyn + Brenda”
Key line: “Brenda is not someone I think of lightly. She was close to my center and we didn’t do anything wrong other than be young and think we had to get married. (We didn’t.) Watching Robyn at Barclays Center a month ago, I thought of Brenda. I didn’t feel uncontrolled surges of raw sentiment. I felt warm, familiar and cared for, held in a strong and calibrated middle.”
Sasha’s credits: Former staff writer for New Yorker, has also written for the Village Voice, LA Times, New York Times, Slate, Spin, and others.
Sasha Frere-Jones is not on Twitter.
Mara Wilson, Shan’t We Tell the Vicar?
What’s it about? Thoughts, stories, and imaginary BBC shows, including spoken vignettes by the former child actor, now author and storyteller.
Worth reading: “Proust’s Madeleine, but for people who grew up with a single dad”
Key line: “Sometimes people will tell me of their food memories, of the thing that sends them into a Proust-ian flood of memories, of their dad’s bolognese or their mom’s curry and how it was the best thing in the world and how they wish they could make it themselves. When they do, I’ll nod politely but say nothing, because I can’t relate.”
Mara’s credits: Starring roles in Matilda, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Miracle on 34th Street; voice of Jill Pill on BoJack Horseman, author of Where Am I Now?.
Sarah Bohl, The Civilian
What’s it about? Bias-free breakdowns of complicated political issues in an easy-to-understand, non-partisan format, featuring illustrated flow charts.
Worth reading: “The one that might get me in trouble”
Key line: “Today, I want to talk about something that's been happening for a long time: political parties throwing emotionally charged assumptions and condemnations at each other. We have become a nation that assumes intent, believes our way is superior, and forces everyone to pick a side.”
Sarah’s credits: Host of the Everyday Etiquette podcast, calligrapher, and interior designer.
Three to read: Sasha Frere-Jones, Mara Wilson, and Sarah Bohl