Worth It #16

a humanzee documentary, a sandwich improver, and lots of good books

Welcome to Worth It, the place where I tell you about all the great things I’ve found and loved and saved up just for you!

First, snapshots of the past few weeks:

I was charmed that my pink sneaks matched my pink mammogram gown. / My 8-year-old daughter made over a hundred Cheerio-sized doughnuts out of modeling clay, hand-painted them to order, and delivered them to every child on the second grade playground. / I came perilously close to murdering our accidental rooster, but he was acquired by a kind farmer just in time. Blueberry the lady-chicken has since taken command of the flock. / My canna lilies are six feet tall and spectacular. / My husband went fly fishing in Montana... / ...during which time our dog swallowed a sewing needle and required an emergency endoscopy.

My dog is swallowing needles, I’ve had kidney stones and shingles, our internet has been down twice, my husband left town for a week, and last night I served my kids pigs-in-a-blanket for their entire, balanced meal.

BUUUUT I’m 6 for 6 on Worth It Books this round, so life is good!

Note: The little symbol underneath the cover tells you whether I read it as a physical book or an audiobook, which matters (!!) because sometimes the audiobook “works” and sometimes… it doesn’t (see below).

If you are one of those people who tell me you have no time to read, and you INSIST on just one recommendation, start with The Wedding People. For more books, keep going!

HOT TAKES

Same As It Ever Was

Read this if you’re looking for profound psychological insight into mothering and marriage, but not if you’re looking for a page turner. This one goes DEEP.

Long Island Compromise

Similar to Lombardo’s book. Both are smart and poignant character studies. This one follows the effect of a father’s kidnapping on three siblings. If you liked Fleishman, you’ll like this.

The God of the Woods

I was riveted to this audiobook. It’s about two disappearances, years apart, at a camp for middle school girls. Really satisfying story line. The timeline changes a lot, so that’s the only reason you might want to hold a copy rather than listen to it.

Listen for the Lie

The premise for this novel is that a guy is making a true crime podcast, and the podcasts are actually “aired” as part of the book. So this one needs to be listened to; it adds a lot. It’s juicy and funny and a tad raunchy.

All the Colors of the Dark

This is a good read (dark psychological mystery), but the audiobook narrator started to really grate for me about halfway through. Get a hard copy.

The Wedding People

A depressed divorcee goes to hotel to kill herself, but her suicide plan is thwarted by a giant rich-people wedding and its annoying bride. This one strikes the perfect balance between beachy and literary—really fun but substantive at the same time. Recommend!

I finished America’s Sweethearts and talked about it for dayyyyys. I started the second season of the new Lord of the Rings. But really, I have just one thing to tell you:

Get yourself in front of a screen and begin watching Chimp Crazy.

Women raise chimps like babies and call them “humanzees.” One breastfeeds her monkey at the same time she breastfeeds her human baby. One gives her monkeys Happy Meals, and they peel open the sauces with their monkey hands! There is burglary, espionage, and so much drama!

Don’t have time? Make some. Don’t have Max? Get it. And then call me¹ and let’s talk about Tonia’s trauma and also her lips!

I’m knee-deep in Substacks. I officially recommend 88 and subscribe to even more. It’s becoming a problem (but hey, not your problem)!

A former news analyst is writing some really smart stuff at

Changing The Channel with Kirsten Powers

. Kirsten introduced me to the term “nuance troll,” which I’m fascinated by because you know I love nuance, but it just goes to show: there is nuance even around nuance.

Here’s another post from

Kirsten Powers

:

The way we live in the United States is not normal

I’ve figured out how to save every boring sandwich. The formula is as such:

bread + condiment of choice + a thick layer of everything bagel seasoning + meat and/or veggies

Make a sandwich on a mini bagel and shake this all over the inside. Make avocado toast and cover the top with this stuff. Add it to your scrambled eggs. Put it on whatever you want, and it will be immediately improved. Get it at Trader Joe’s or somewhere else. YOU’RE WELCOME!

Now, tell me about your good books in the comments! Recommend a show to help with chimp withdrawal! Tell me what you put all over your sandwiches!

1. Don’t actually call me; I don’t answer phone calls. Comment here! I will answer that!