Difficult Women By Roxane Gay

I cried a lot while reading this, but like, a satisfying cry, mostly. Gay presents to us a collection of short stories that detail the specific hardships for Black women in the Midwest. There’s some triggering content in here re: physical and emotional abuse so fair warning. Her use of language is beautiful and she paints these intimate stories so clearly. Each one is perfectly contained so you’re never left thinking “and then what happened?”

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In need of a good laugh? Here are some of our favorite comedies:

Just Friends (Netflix)

We’ve all been friend-zoned. Even when you think you haven’t, you have. Watch Ryan Reynolds in a fat suit confess his love to his best friend Amy Smart, only to be told she wants to be just friends. Ten years later, Ryan becomes this hot shot record executive who dates the one and only popstar Anna Faris. When their plans for the holidays fall through, Ryan returns to his hometown one last time to win Amy’s heart.

Meet the Parents (Amazon)

Starring Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, this is the perfect movie if you’ve been spending way too much time with your parents. Stiller is a male nurse planning to propose to his girlfriend. All he has to do is impress her father, played by De Niro. Easier said than done. Get ready for a cat that can use the toilet, lie detector tests, and a hilarious car chase scene.

Love, Actually (HBOGo)

I finally caved last night and acquiesced my dad’s daily request to watch his favorite movie Love, Actually. I was an idiot for putting it off for so long. Watching this movie was the closest to a hug I’ve had in weeks. Between Hugh Grant’s awkward romance with the new girl at 10 Downing Street and Liam Neeson helping his step-son with his first romantic gesture, what’s not to love? Do yourself a favor and indulge in a Christmas movie in April.

My Cousin Vinny (Starz)

This is probably the most quoted film in my family. Joe Pesci (personal injury lawyer) and Marisa Tomei (his fiance) crush their roles as they stroll into Alabama from Brooklyn to help get Ralph Macchio released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit. A classic fish out of water story and a timeless hit as far as I’m concerned. Let us know in the comments how you like your grits cooked.

Bubble Boy (Youtube)

I thought about this movie because this is kind of how I’ve been feeling this week. Like I too, confined to the four walls of my apartment, am in a bubble. And I just feel like having a laugh to get through it! Jake Gyllenhaal plays a teenage boy who’s believed his whole life that he was born without immunities so he can’t touch anything, ever. When he learns the girl next door who he’s in love with is about to get married, he’s got no choice but to risk it all and run after her to Niagara Falls by any means necessary. I am also convinced the book “Everything, Everything” was based on this bad boy.

All American (Netflix)

When this first came out, I had every intention of watching it and then life happened and I never did. For fans of Friday Night Lights and Vampire Diaries, this is the show for you. No seriously, I’m weirdly reminded of Vampire Diaries while watching this, just without the vampires… Taye Diggs stars as a former NFL player turned high school football coach who is determined not only to win, but also to help his players grow into outstanding young men. There’s romance, there’s family drama, there’s a whole lot of adolescent hormones. A perfect weekend binge.

McMillions (HBO)

Can I get a 10 Piece Chicken Nugget, Large fries, and 1 Oreo McFlurry? This six part documentary series chronicles the true story of how $24 million dollars was stolen from the McDonald’s Monopoly games in the 1990s and the mystery mastermind behind the scam.

The Rewatchables

I love watching a new movie. But I also love rewatching a movie, over and over and over again. Listen to a roundtable of the people from The Ringer discuss some of our favorites: The Holiday, Happy Gilmore, and The Hangover.

WBRU Radio

I haven’t driven in over three weeks, which is weird, because I live in LA. I love my playlists, but sometimes I want the radio to do the choosing. Thankfully, the radio station I worked at in college has both an app and a website that you can listen to any time, anywhere. You can choose between alt-rock and urban contemporary, and maybe, just maybe you’ll hear a couple interstitial breaks recorded by yours truly (no seriously, I just recorded a couple of breaks from my closet at home).

And it’s Friday! New tunes for your weekend:

Frank Ocean – Dear April
Troye sivan – Take Yourself Home
Kygo – I’ll Wait
Louis The Child, Quinn XCII, Chelsea Cutler – Little Things

Fudgy Brownies

I desperately needed chocolate last night, but didn’t have enough cocoa powder to make traditional brownies. Thankfully, tasty came through with one of the best brownie recipes I’ve ever used. It’s so good that I actually had a brownie for lunch (seriously, there are no rules anymore).

Easy Cosmo Recipe

Thank you Ina Garten for reminding us it’s always cocktail hour in quarantine.

College Tour 101

Missed your college tour? Have PTSD from your college tour? This is all you need to know about every university.