End-of-summer greetings! I’m delighted to report that I’ve returned from my woodsy retreat AND school is back in session, which offers its own kind of getaway. Here’s what I look like in the sunshine:
I’ve been digesting some good stuff lately. Wanna hear about it? Here it goes:
SUMMER FUN by Jeanne Thornton — I picked up this novel last summer but didn’t get to it until this one. It’s told through letters written by a young trans woman in Truth or Consequences, N.M., to a Brian Wilson-esque musician who was part of a Beach Boys-esque band, and it’s loaded with sunshine and heartbreak and music and magic.
I expected this book to be good, but I have to tell you, it’s a damn masterpiece. Jeanne’s writing is so poetic, moving and funny, and when it was over I was bummed I couldn’t live with these characters for just a little bit longer. I’ve never read anything quite like it.
SUMMER FUN is now out in paperback. If you read it, I’d love to hear what you think, especially because I can’t stop thinking about it.
THE CAPOTE TAPES directed by Ebs Burnough — Maybe you’ve been putting off watching this doc because either a) you think you know everything about Truman Capote; or b) you don’t think you’re interested in Truman Capote, but you are very wrong! I adored this film, in which we hear from loads of folks who knew the writer and see archival footage of Capote out and about, being the talk of the town.
The movie gets really interesting, though, when it delves into the fall of Truman Capote, when so many of the wealthy socialites and literary elites who loved him turned their backs and were horrified (and oddly surprised) that he used them as material in his final unfinished novel.
It’s streaming for free on Hulu. Turn it on!
WHY PATTI SMITH MATTERS by Caryn Rose — Rose is a longtime music journalist and major Patti Smith fan, and she’s the perfect person to write this deep dive into Smith’s career and impact. So much has been said about the musician, but I’ve never read anything presented this way, as a page-turning blend of storytelling, analysis and fandom.
This is the first book I’ve read in the “Music Matters” series, and now I’m hooked. Previous books include WHY KAREN CARPENTER MATTERS by Karen Tongson (another incredible writer) and Tanya Pearson’s WHY MARIANNE FAITHFULL MATTERS (because hell yes, she does).
NAKED LUNCH interviews Elaine May — I guess the theme of this newsletter is Great Music Writers, because I’m about to plug another one — David Wild, whose work in Rolling Stone certainly inspired me, as did his MUSICIANS series that I can’t seem to find on YouTube but was basically a master class in how to interview rock stars.
These days David co-hosts a podcast with TV writer/creator Phil Rosenthal called NAKED LUNCH, and they recently scored the best-ever podcast guest of all time: writer/director ELAINE MAY!
Elaine is 90 years old and full of energy with incredible stories about her writing, performing and filmmaking career — and she really doesn’t give two shits what anybody thinks about her. It’s a must-listen. (I also recommend their chat with Paul Reiser, who has appeared in everything with everybody.)
SHE-HULK — My daughter and I love this Disney+ series. You’re also watching it, right? No previous superhero experience required.
Other things I loved but we don’t need to go on about include the BETTER CALL SAUL finale, WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, Episodes 5 & 6 of SANDMAN and all poems by Richard Brautigan.
Time to go! Shout at whitmath@gmail.com. Read my diary comics at patreon.com/whitneymatheson. Come and knock on my door, and I’ll be waiting for you.
living in a powder keg,
Clara Peller
Love the Brautigan poems. Thanks Whitney! Excited to check out these other recommendations. 💛🌟