Hello from not-Joy! Hi, it’s me, Kim, aka Joy’s “Villain Blogger.” Too soon? Apologies to whoever thought they were insulting me by calling me that, but I was long overdue for a rebrand and have fully integrated ‘villain blogger’ into my personality. However, do please get in touch because I would like to invoice you for all the jackets I had monogrammed with my new initials, “VB.”
This month we’re talking about friends writing books, who still uses email, a new TikTok trend, Jock Jams, and so much more. Let’s get into it!
• Some of my friends write books, and when one of their books comes out, I go in real hard. Mary Laura Philpott’s latest memoir, Bomb Shelter, releases on April 12. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy and this review in The New York Times perfectly captures what it felt like to read this book. Buy a copy at Mary Laura’s hometown bookstore and catch her on book tour. (The New York Times, Parnassus Books, Mary Laura Philpott)
• One of the things I love about this community Joy has created is that we come from all over the age spectrum. When I read this piece from Margaret Renkl about email I thought, oh, we are all going to have wildly different reactions to this. So I’m curious, what is your reaction, and do you check your email? (The New York Times)
• I am 45 years old. I had to Google what “short king spring” means. Turns out, it is an earnest movement with the goal of destigmatizing men shorter than 6’ tall. My ministry is body diversity, so I support this. Short king hive, sound off in the comments. (Vice)
• As someone who has spent zero time playing or watching sports, I have a nonsensical love of Jock Jams. I blame it on being in college in the nineties and spending years dancing to Quad City DJ’s at fraternity parties. I digress. This episode of Object of Sound is the history of Jock Jams you didn’t know you needed. (Simplecast)
• Do you know about Cafe Hailee? My friend Nicole and I are obsessed with her cooking videos. I came across her on TikTok and was pleased to see that she’s also on Instagram and has a very cute website with all of her recipes. This recipe for brown butter cornbread is high on my list. (Instagram, Cafe Hailee)
• I subscribe to Leave it to Leanor because I’m a sucker for a succinct list of recommendations. This past week Leonor handed her newsletter off to Erin E. Evans, a senior editor at HuffPost. I want to co-sign all of Erin’s recommendations, but especially Starstruck on HBO. It’s one of my favorite shows. (Tinyletter, Twitter)
• April is national poetry month. I used to work in a bookstore, so I know how many of us feel intimidated by poetry. What if we all read one poem this month? And what if it’s this poem by Tiana Clark? If you have a go-to poem or poet, drop it in the comments. (Sierra Club)
• There is so much good tv out right now that over the weekend my friend and I were joking that we’re going to make a spreadsheet to keep track of it all. A show I completely forgot about is Julia on HBO. Has anyone already watched this? Should I add it to my spreadsheet? (NPR)
• My husband loves board games, but I do not and we have never thought to investigate this. Well, that is until I listened to episode 28 of the podcast, This is Good for You. This episode is about how different people like different types of board games. Who knew? Turns out, I do like board games. I just don’t like the same ones my husband likes. (This Is Good For You)
• I don’t typically wear a bright red lip this time of year, but I didn’t leave the house unmasked this winter and I’m craving a red lip. Unfortunately all of my lipsticks went bad during the pandemic, so I just bought new ones. In case you also need new red lipstick, here’s what I bought: Stila Beso and MAC Lady Danger. I’ve also heard good things about MILK Name Drop. (Ulta, Sephora)
Thanks for reading! See you in the comments. Be nice this time.
Kim
Katie
My 3rd grader is reading Love That Dog for school. I gave it a quick read and it is a perfect poetry taste for those of us not quite into it.
Kim
Hi Katie, I love a rec for young readers. Thanks for including this! I’ll definitely check it out.
Karen
Thanks Kim! I love Joy’s Sunday selections but also enjoy her guest hosts. Short King Spring really resonated. I am 5’7” and my hubby of 26 years is 5’5”. He’s always been cool with it but it did bother me a little in the beginning. I adjusted quickly and as an aside it gave me the excuse to wear flats more often.
Kim
Karen, yes! I was hoping a member of the short king hive would show up. One of my good friends married a “short king” and obviously, his height has nothing to do with anything, but I will say, she is very happy. Thanks for chiming in!
Joy the Baker - Founder
The words Short King Hive just delight me!
Katie
Hi Kim! Fellow Nashvillian here, and I thoroughly enjoy your posts on here (and in the Scene – big fan of your content!). Villain Blogger is a bad ass mantel, and I’m happy that you’re leaning into it. What would that even be, in practical terms, though? Does a Villain Blogger hack a rival blog and change all the links to redirect to their own blog? Alter all the affiliate links to point to an adult toy store? At any rate, thanks for another entertaining post!
Kim
Katie, my potential Nashville neighbor, hello! Wow, I’m glad you’re here. I always wonder if anyone from Nashville is lurking – haha. Thanks for saying all of that. I work hard on these and it thrills me when people like them. You’re really giving me something to think about re: villain blogger affiliate links. Joy, if you see this comment, no you didn’t.
Joy the Baker - Founder
Kim – I’m seeing this comment. Hahahah.
Bill
Villain Blogger? I initially read this as Village Blogger and that took a turn. I cannot believe anyone who reads this site would say something nasty, but, well, people. Thank you for being part of this merry band!
Kim
Bill! Hello, again. I know someone named Bill and I love the thrill of not knowing whether you’re the Bill I know IRL or if you’re a new internet friend. Honestly, don’t tell me. It’ll take the fun out of it. Thank you for being here.
Joy the Baker - Founder
We love a Bill around these parts.
Michele
Definitely add “Julia” to your spreadsheet.
Kim
Hi Michele! Yeah, I really need to start watching this. Everyone is talking about it. Moving it to the top of my spreadsheet, ha!
Rebeca
Oh my, villain blogger? Some people… I, for one, love reading what each of you has to offer.
I’m no make up connoisseur, but I do love Ilia’s lipstick – great colors and very moisturizing!
As for the poems, I offer two suggestions: “We Sinful Women” by Kishwar Naheed and “Déjeuner du matin” (I think it’s “Breakfast” in English) by Jacques Prévert. The last one, although simple, has always seemed pretty powerful to me.
Happy Sunday!
Kim
Hi Rebeca! Ooh, thanks for the lipstick rec. I keep meaning to check out llia’s brand. And thanks for the poetry recs! I don’t know either of those so I’m eager to check them out. Happy Sunday to you, too!
Joy the Baker - Founder
Kim, yes to Ilia!
LB
Don’t sleep on Julia, I’ve found it delightful! Super intrigued to read about board game styles as I’m always trying to find ones my husband would play.
Kim
LB, thanks for the Julia rec. It sounds like I really need to start watching this. I wish I knew where I found it, but I took an online board game quiz. I just Googled it and took the top search result. But that’s what helped me realize I like collaborative games. Good luck!
Stella
Hi Kim, or should I just call you, VB? Seriously, if you were on television that could be your tagline in the ubiquitous “Housewives” series.
Anyhoo, great column this morning. Couple of comments: First, I’ve not watched “Julia,” but will check it out now. I’m in the middle of Masterpiece’s “Sanditon” second season, and yes, I swoon over Austin period pieces. It’s the use of proper, albeit, old English, the costumes and unrequited love that get me every time.
Secondly, the book “Bomb Shelter” sounds very intriguing. Reading the NYT Book Review reeled me in. It’s a definite read for me, so thanks for the heads up.
Lastly, poetry. I love it, I read it, I write it. One of my favorite poems is by Mary Oliver, “The Journey,” that poem is so relatable, it literally speaks to my soul. Another poem I love is, “Harlem” by Langston Hughes. Most people know it as “A Dream Deferred,” I wrote a 15 page essay in college on that poem, it’s message is as poignant and sadly relevant today, as when it was originally written. Thanks again for my Sunday morning jam.
Kim
Hi Stella! I love this comment! Thank you. Ooh, I’m unfamiliar with “Sanditon” but I’m going to look it up and see if I can stream it. Re: Bomb Shelter. I’m just a teensy bit biased, but I concur that you will love it. Ahh, I love Mary Oliver’s “The Journey.” And I love the reminder to go back and re-read it. I know some Langston Hughes, but I’m not sure if I’ve read “A Dream Deferred,” although it does sound very familiar. I’ll look it up and read/re-read it regardless. Thanks, again!
Joy the Baker - Founder
Y’all are so impressive I love all of this poetry talk!