Middling kindness and less brain cells.

Thank you so much. And yeah, I know people mean well, but I just wanted to say, “sometimes it’s ok to be quiet! Maybe don’t share every thought in your head, sometimes!”

Bravo. More like this, please.

My husband died last year. I’m 33. I’ve gotten “there’s still time for you!” “You’re still young!” and even a particularly memorable “He probably wasn’t your soul mate!”

YES THIS.

OH MY GOD BOWIEJO

Can someone share this over to GT?

If you haven't read "A Problem From Hell", do.

You're basically the best.

Try Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods" next.

I love physics and Terry Pratchett. I approve of this paragraph.

You're so cute I wish I wasn't on the other side of the country. You're also obviously made of interesting amd deep stuff; why be deprecating? That's the only thing I'd change.

Wonderful. I'm currently reading "Americanah" and was just today thinking how much she reminds me of Zadie Smith.

Do, and then read "Sex, Time and Power", about his theory that women's understanding of the linearity of sex/cessation of menstruation/childbirth was the introduction of the notion of time and mortality to ancient humans, and thus a powerful tool in gender relations. He's just excellent.

I highly, highly recommend Leonard Shlain's amazing "The Alphabet Versus the Goddess" as a partial answer to this question. He theorizes that the rise of literacy and ESPECIALLY monotheism in ancient culture coincides with a sharp uptick in misogyny and oppression.

Based on the titles you've listed (which I also loved), I think you'd enjoy Malcolm's "Iphigenia in Forest Hills" and Ullman's "Close to the Machine.

That's the best. I wonder if the rumor about Jack White playing on "High Voltage" is true. It definitely sounds like him.

Astonished as to how much of this playlist mirrors my own. Electric Six!

It's been a month since my husband died. I know your desire so much, even if I don't know your particular pain. You are entirely your own person. But I'm in a trough of grief and done-with-it too, if ever you want to talk. I'm here. bethany.fine7@gmail.com