First: Thank you to my Frank subscribers! I have not updated in quite a bit (for reasons beyond general malaise this time, I promise). So as I’ve become immersed in a few new projects, I have PAUSED subscription billing. No reason for you to be charged monthly when I’m on a mini hiatus of sorts.
I’ve been in Dublin for the past week, and will continue to be there next week. I’ve been working on a very exciting project that I can’t reveal as of now, but I’ll update you as soon as I’m able! (No, I’m not on The Traitors.) That means I missed this week’s episode of Keep It, which includes a fantastic interview with Cate Blanchett from my co-host Louis Virtel. Give it a listen! And subscribe to our YouTube channel! I’ll return to recording the week of August 19!
While I’m sad to have missed chatting with Cate (that’s Louis’ birthday gift from me), I’m kinda gagged at a dream magazine profile I have dropping later this month with another one of my favorite icons.
Books
My essay collection Pure Innocent Fun finally has a real release date! You can expect a cover reveal via my Substack and my social media accounts later this month with said release date AND a retailers pre-order link! This book has been three long years in the making and I’m so excited to finally get it out into the world.
I’ve been alternating between two books while traveling — my first Edith Wharton novel (Brandon Taylor will be so pleased, plus The Age of Innocence is one of my favorite Scorsese films so I should finally engage the source material), The Custom of the Country, and a newer exciting work, Isabella Hammad’s Enter Ghost. The latter has been a so far very engaging story about a Palestinian actress’ return to Haifa to visit her sister, which leads to her working on a Palestinian production of Hamlet.
Not a book, but I’ve recently becomes obsessed with The Querent, Alexander Chee’s Substack, which has a lot of great writing advice in it.
Music
Playlist from my 38th birthday party a couple weeks ago.
So excited for your book, Ira! Placing bets on how many times "Eye's Bayou" and Leo behavior will be mentioned (complimentary).
Ahhhhh I’m so excited for your book!!!!