Favorite music:
Leon Bridges: You’re about to see him everywhere (including on another staff member’s list of favorites), and his debut album is nominated for a Grammy. Get introduced with his NPR Tiny Desk concert:
ZZ Ward’s 2015 EP (“Love and War”) and Adele’s new album (not available to stream but worth buying) have been my commuting soundtrack lately.
Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away,” “Parachute” and “Nobody to Blame” make me wish I had a gritty baritone voice, and don’t get me started on this collaboration with Justin Timberlake.
Favorite longreads:
“Holy Writ”
From The New Yorker’s 90th anniversary issue this February, copy editor and resident Comma Queen (who also hosts a helpful video series) Mary Norris reflected on the intricacies of style. A favorite quote: “The popular image of the copy editor is of someone who favors rigid consistency. I don’t usually think of myself that way. But, when pressed, I do find I have strong views about commas.” But really, the whole thing is a favorite quote.
“The Wonderfully Weird World of Martellus Bennett”
A rare story about an athlete that doesn’t entail legal trouble or damning video footage—instead it’s full of detail and off-the-wall charm.
“Shame and Survival”
Monica Lewinsky’s essay on public shaming (published last year but forever relevant with endless new platforms for humiliation). Hear her read an excerpt here.
Favorite moments:
The “Hotline Bling” video, the ensuing memes and even the think pieces (R.I.P. Grantland). Because who couldn’t use a reminder to dance with abandon?
Gawker’s fiasco this summer was good for a strong dose of schadenfreude, sarcastic responses and plenty of media ethics talk.
Political theater, from Hillary Clinton’s appearance at the Benghazi hearing—suddenly everyone cared about C-SPAN online streaming—to Trump’s GIF-able antics. Can you believe we’re still months removed from the main event?
Miscellaneous digital favorites:
The Brit + Co Instagram account provides endless inspiration for DIY projects I’ll never actually do.
Instapaper, in bookmark and app form, for keeping track of the above longreads.
This GIF, which I use in all moments of triumph. Backstory here.
Favorite (streamable) movies & TV:
“Nightcrawler,” in which Jake Gyllenhaal does bug-eyed creepiness a little too well.
“Top Chef,” both binge-watching old seasons on Hulu and keeping up with the current iteration.
