A March Summary from Fearless She Wrote
Monthly Newsletter, April 1, 2020
Hello to all of our Fearless readers and writers!
First and foremost, we want to wish you happiness and health in this very tumultuous time. We know that the month of March was globally a month of stress and anxiety, and it doesn’t appear that our social distancing practices can lessen during the month of April.
First, we want to acknowledge the fear and angst that’s currently serving as the collective societal mood. While our plan is to make this newsletter overarchingly positive, we also don’t want to pretend that everything is okay. Everything isn’t okay — and no one is alone in feeling this way.
We’d like to gently remind you to be kind to yourselves during this time. For many of us, we’re putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to be “productive” now that we’re at home — but sometimes, productivity just looks like getting out of bed in the morning and putting on clothes. Sometimes, that’s a win. And that’s okay.
But, because everyone is at home, we decided to compile lists of the ways we’re passing the days in quarantine. Below, you’ll see some of the different shows, books, and apps we’ve been having fun with while sitting on our couches.
So, let’s get to it.
We’re watching:
Tiger King (Netflix)
All we can say about this one is what the hell? We binged it, and days later, we’re still scratching our heads. This documentary tells the story of big cat collector Joseph Maldonado-Passage, a.k.a. Joe Exotic, and his rivalry with big cat conservationist Carole Baskin. This series includes bleach-blonde mullets, amateur country music videos, condoms with Joe’s face on them, an unfortunate presidential campaign, and a murder-for-hire plot. When you finish the series, you’ll probably feel a bit befuddled, but you won’t be bored while watching it.
Killing Eve (Hulu)
Starring Sandra Oh as a British intelligence investigator and Jodie Comer as a psychopathic assassin, this series takes us through a game of cat-and-mouse as both characters develop a mutual obsession with one another. Just who is chasing who becomes muddled as the series progresses, and it keeps the audience engaged. Further, it’s full of action and badass women.
Fleabag (Amazon Prime)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge stars in this series as a free-spirited, sex-positive Londoner — who is also angry, confused, and trying to overcome personal grief. It’s a witty and relatable series, comedic while also heartfelt.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge also worked on Killing Eve; she’s a brilliant woman with bottomless talent, and she deserves more than this brief shoutout.
Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
Based on the novel of the same name by Celeste Ng, and starring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon, this series explores motherhood, privilege, identity, and race, as two families become intertwined in the suburbs of Cleveland. We won’t go into more detail than that, but suffice it to say that Washington and Witherspoon are a mind-blowing power couple. When their forces combine, there’s little they can’t accomplish.
We’re reading:
The Girl With the Louding Voice, by Abi Dare
This is the story of 14-year-old Adunni. Growing up in a small village in Nigeria, Adunni wants nothing more than an education. But instead, her father sells her to a local man — to be kept as his third wife. Adunni runs away to the city where she becomes the housekeeper of a wealthy family — never giving up on the hope of going to school so that she can serve as an activist and policymaker for all Nigerian girls. Readers would be hard-pressed not to love Adunni, and her strength and courage are inspirational on a multitude of levels.
The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides
Alicia Berenson lives a seemingly-perfect life with her husband Gabriel. One day, Gabriel returns home from work, only to be shot in the face five times by Alicia. He dies, and she never speaks again. Enter Theo Faber — criminal psychotherapist determined to get Alicia to speak and tell the world why she murdered her husband. With many twists and dubious characters, it’s a page-turning psychological thriller.
The Best American Short Stories 2019, edited by Anthony Doerr
If a full-length novel isn’t for you, dive into the latest in The Best American Short Stories series. The stories featured in this edition explore so many different topics, from rural-culture to online-teen-culture, from stunning real-life settings, to terrifying dystopian settings. You can read one story in the beginning of the book and then another story in the middle, or you just may find yourself reading from cover to cover.
We’re playing:
Animal Crossing (Nintendo)
This is an open-ended game in which the player assumes the role of a human who lives in a village with anthropomorphic animals. The player spends their time engaged in numerous activities, such as collecting fruits, planting trees, and socializing with the locals — among many others. The gameplay is set to soothing music, and it’s easy to sink into this game and lose track of time.
Civilization (created by Sid Meier)
It’s easy to lose track of time while playing this one, too. Players can either choose — or be assigned — a civilization led by a variety of historical figures. Then, the players must found their first city. This is done by exploring a map, generating resources, producing new military and labor units, achieving scientific discoveries, and forming diplomatic (or enemy) relationships with nearby civilizations.
Myst (Cyan)
This 90’s throwback is now available for $4.99 in Apple and Android app stores. A puzzle (and puzzling) game — the player explores the island of Myst, solving riddles, discovering objects and information, and linking all of their findings together.
This is not an all-inclusive list!
We’d love to hear from you as well! Feel welcome to let us know in the comments what methods you’ve been using to uplift your spirits.
And as always, we wish you continued peace and safety. Thank you for reading and writing with us!
In case you missed it! (March 2020)
Understanding Abandonment Fears, by Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW
How to Tell When It’s Time to End a Relationship, by Alecia Kennedy
I Was Told to Make Myself More Attractive for Men, by Matilda Swinney
Quarantining While Single, by Acamea Deadwiler
My Favorite Customer Turned Out to Be a Sexual Predator, by Christine Schoenwald
Editorial Takes
In March, Gillian Sisley discussed the false belief that feminists must fit within pre-determined societal parameters.
Loving Diamond Rings Doesn’t Make Me Less of a Feminist
Jessica Lovejoy spoke openly about her struggle with cystic acne, and her rise from the false belief that she should remain small and invisible.
You Deserve to Take Up Space, Even With Cystic Acne
