The Weekly Croissant: Art Hoe Roundup

Ta-Nehesi Coates / Intermezzo / His Three Daughters / Liv Greene

Hello Croissants,

I hope everyone is having a delicious weekend. The time has come for another Art Hoe Roundup. My husband has been working on a new album of old-time meets free jazz/minimalism. When I make fun of how insane his practice sessions sound, he says that he is the REAL art hoe of the family. And you know what, I have to say he is correct. If you have ever been subjected to John Cage’s “Imaginary Landscape” as house-cleaning music you will understand what I mean.

Anyway, here is some art that I loved this month.

Ta-Nehesi Coates has a new book out called “The Message,” and one section of it is about a trip that he took to Palestine. I listened to an interview with Coates on The Ezra Klein Show and was pretty blown away. I’ve been slow on reading Coates because I’m not great with non-fiction but after hearing this conversation I think this is gonna be a must and I’m looking forward to digging into “The Message.”

“Intermezzo”— Sally Rooney does it again

OK it’s no surprise that Rooney has written another banger, but STILL, she gets me every time. Reader, approach with caution, this book may send your emotions into overdrive. Of her four books, I think “Intermezzo” is currently ranking no. 2 for me after “Conversations with Friends”, and before “Normal People”. Here’s praying for another Hulu adaptation with the next Paul Mezcal.

Rooney also did an interview I loved recently. Her episode on The Daily, is called “Sally Rooney Thinks Career Growth is Overrated.” It’s a misleading title, implying that she doesn’t care about getting better as an artist or a professional. What she talks about in the interview is the modern obsession with novelty and hot takes. Rooney writes a specific style of novel and she does it better than almost anybody else (my words, not hers)… but she says in the interview that despite the inevitable criticism, she doesn’t feel the need to reinvent herself with each new book. Anyway, worth a listen, and ABSOLUTELY worth a read. Run, don’t walk.

I watched “His Three Daughters” with my mom while she was visiting, and we both loved it. It follows three siblings navigating the death of their father and takes place almost entirely in one small setting (their apartment), which I imagine could work well on the stage. It is avail for streaming on Netflix.

And last but not least, some tunes for your week. Have you checked out the new Liv Greene album “Deep Feeler” ?!?!?!

I was lucky enough to write the bio for this record, meaning I got an early listen. I have been patiently waiting for the rest of the world to hear this tremendous work from an incredible young artist.

Listen to “Wild Geese” and tell me you aren’t smitten!

Alrighty until next week!

Let me know what y’all have been watching, I need new TV!

Yours in Pastry,

Rachel