comfort books, tv, music, + skincare
Hey friends,
Yes, you—juggling the meetings, the group chats, the meal planning, the mental load, all of it.
This newsletter is your permission slip.
This newsletter, as always, is a quiet, private escape from the turbulent world around us. As Joan Baez said recently in her interview with Rolling Stone, "Enjoying yourself has become an act of resistance." Think of it as a beautifully curated escape hatch designed for women like us who deserve a breather, even if no one's handing one out.
In a world that rewards hustle and glorifies burnout, choosing to enjoy yourself is a quiet act of rebellion. Watching something just because it makes you laugh, reading a book that has zero professional utility, dancing in your kitchen to a song from 2009—this is the good stuff. This is a part of the resistance.
So pour something, press play, and remember: joy counts.
Sending hugs and an extra strong cup of coffee,
Emily @ Hard Copy
📺 Watch
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina might be just the thing to put some riotous pep in your step. Trained in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma, Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) takes on an army of killers as she seeks revenge against those responsible for the death of her father. (in theatres)
The much-buzzed-about Materialists is finally here. From Past Lives director Celine Song and starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and everyone's favourite Pedro Pascal, what's billed as a rom-com feels more like a dramedy. A young New York City matchmaker's lucrative business gets complicated as she finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. (in theatres)
For all of my Bridgerton or period drama lovers, Buccaneers is back with season 2, adding Leighton Meister to the cast! Sent to secure husbands and titles, young American women explode into the tightly corseted London season of the 1870s, kicking off an Anglo-American culture clash. (AppleTV+)
🎧 Listen
Whether you pop on Kali Uchis' slinky R&B album Sincerely, Erika de Casier's sexy Lifetime, or Smerz's glamorously pop Big city life, the latest albums are definitely all about vibes. The girls are in their (sensual) feelings!
If you're in search of something with a bit more edge, Blondshell serves up If You Asked For A Picture, a 90s-influenced alt-rock album that will satiate us angsty types. Don't sleep on Emma-Jean Thackray's jazzy album Weirdo, either.
Also, have I mentioned my podcast? That's right, I can't shut up about it, so you might as well join me and my co-host Cait for our latest episode.
📚 Read
Across seven analytical essays, Alice Bolin's Culture Creep examines the technological and mythological sources of comfort that women have sought out to cope with the stressors of the modern era. Examples include everything from diet tracking apps to Animal Crossing to the musical Hamilton. Throughout it all, Bolin investigates how cult-like mentalities may be creeping into our daily routines (hence the title).
It's always exciting to read a good novel about writing—and Jeanne delivers. The protagonist, Jean, is a translator of French and Russian works who moves to Montreal for a mysterious new assignment. As she dives into the local literary scene, trying to find herself amidst a difficult marriage, she pushes the boundaries of art, gender, and sexuality.
If you read Britney Spears' The Woman in Me in 2023 and are eager for more context, Waiting for Britney Spears: A True Story, Allegedly, will satiate your curiosity. Author Jeff Weiss is now a lauded journalist—but in 2003, he was trying to make ends meet as a writer for a tabloid. Assigned to follow Britney Spears, he witnessed firsthand how the media treats its stars. In this memoir, he reflects on what he learned—not just about the pop star but also about celebrity culture and the American public.
After a particularly rough relationship, Melissa Febos (author of the award-winning Girlhood) decided to swear off sex and romance for three months. She extended that period to a year when she realized she was having a better time than initially anticipated. In The Dry Season, she shares what she learned. Febos doesn't just recount her own experiences—she delves into various historical narratives of celibacy, citing figures ranging from Sappho to Virginia Woolf.
✨ Indulge
I've been working on adding past "Indulge" sections from newsletters up onto the blog for longevity. I'm not quite done yet, but you can peek at a few that are up now, including an updated Skincare post that features all of my favourites.