Reading, Seeing, Thinking, Listening - vol. 2
Late Summer - Early Fall Recommendations
We are back with a semi-comprehensive list of things I am indulging in as we enter into the wonderful season of Autumn.
First, let’s begin with reading.
Reading:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
We were assigned this to read for the ethics section of one of my first courses this semester, and I naively thought I knew all the things I “needed” to about Henrietta Lacks. How arrogant of me.
This book not only explains the science of the HeLa cells, but does an excellent job and giving life to Henrietta, and her family, but specifically her daughter, Deborah Lacks.
Absolutely important read for anyone in Public Health and any clinical research, but for anyone wondering about the really wild and messed up history of experimentation in the United States.
P.S. Would recommend reading on Spotify for free! (with premium at 1.3x speed :))
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Ok so to be fair, I still did not finish this one, BUT I have been enjoying it as my night time read, and the chapters are so short, it’s such a gift to my little ADHD brain. Give it a go!
Seeing:
KAOS (Netflix)
Ok so I did technically mention KAOS already in my piece about attachment styles. However, I am doubling down because it was an enjoyable watch for those who like Greek Myths. Solid 7/10.
Love at First Sight (Netflix)
The Rom/Dram? The Rom/Com/Dram? Either way, it was very sweet, and I love Haley Lu Richardson. Also any addition of a British lover and having them just randomly be in London the whole time is good with me. 6/10 because cheesy but sometimes cheesy is what you need.
Good Will Hunting (Hulu/Max)
Okay so yes, I am like 27 years late, but to be fair I had just been born! I was not watching critically acclaimed films!!! However, I watched this with a friend for the first time, and I was shocked that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon ACTUALLY wrote this. (Hot Take that is not so hot, this was really an alternate telling of their love for each other, but I digress.) 8.5/10 !
Agatha All Along (Disney+)
Ok so this show is not done streaming, but I do love when Marvel/Disney does good things. Kathryn Hahn, the comedic genius you are. Patti Lupone! Also some witchy vibes just in time for October, big fan! 7/10!
Thinking:
The benefits of ADHD medication cannot be underrated if you actually need it, but why on earth is there little to no research on it’s interaction with hormonal fluctuations associated with menstrual cycles.
As I enter my second month as a “woman in STEM” , I keep wondering why the natural sciences are so separate from the social sciences. What is the point of doing research if you don’t care to actually implement it at some point?
Money can’t buy happiness is in reality a very dumb trope to get behind, because as a graduate student I can tell you I am immediately happier without the stress of wondering how I’ll pay my rent when my stipend comes in.
Listening: