Thanks everyone for entering the Jen Comfort giveaway! You recos for "commit to the bit" brought me (and I hope other readers!) so much joy. The winner by random draw is @thecathinator.
Cath please send me a message with your preferred mailing address!
Not a piece of art exactly, but the Pedro Pascal-Kieran Culkin "feud" this past awards season gave me so much joy! That's the kind of competition I love to see!
Lately, I think my favorite example of an author who went all in on a very silly premise (and it worked!!) is Lex Croucher’s “Gwen and Art Are Not in Love.” I absolutely adored it :)
Maybe it’s because I’ve been thinking about traveling a lot lately, but the first thing that came to mind is Anthony Bourdain. His travel shows were a constant for me throughout my life and I have episodes that are comfy faves. I feel like he committed to his bit as a jaded seen it all chef/author but still had so much love and wonder for the places he traveled to. He treated the people he met, their stories and cultures, with reverence and care.
Great choice! I've been watching old episodes of No Reservations for the first time and he really is so one of a kind and true to himself in his approach. Miss him very much.
Emma Thompson’s Golden Globes acceptance speech for sense and sensibility was a delight. She wrote and delivered it as if Jane Austen wrote it. I love it so much I go and watch it from time to time.
Just went to watch it! What a treat!! Emma Thompson is a gem. I want her to adapt every piece of Austen and Shakespeare and basically do whatever she wants always
Jen Comfort is a frickin delight, both as an author and a human being, and it always makes me so happy to see other people say the same. Of recent reads that commit to the bit, I would definitely cite Jenna Levine’s “My Roommate is a Vampire” for going all in.
I think that Daniel Radcliffe really seems to be picking movie roles that commit to the bit. Like, Now You See Me 2 was...adequate, but his specific role was so delightfully over the top. And why not? Get rich and do the weird stuff!
I’m going to have to go with Celine Dion’s entire personality! She’s a perfect example of how “committing to the bit” can sometimes mean being wholly, loudly, and unapologetically yourself. And she’s great at bringing everyone into that bubble with her. More specifically, I would like to submit that one clip where she’s singing Who Let the Dogs Out. A Queen!
So I’m a GenX Internet Crone so Imma go WAY back to the olden times of the 90s (lolsob) when Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin (look her up if you don’t know her!) brought us Strictly Ballroom. The big hair! The sparkles! The dancing! The romance! Kids, check it out if you’re not familiar with it.
I can’t think of a book because whenever someone asks for a book rec I’m like Whut R books?
I need to watch that movie! You're not the first person to tell me its a favorite. I dont know Catherine but will def check her out. Baz = commit to the bit across his body of work for sure.
Oh, my favorite commit to the bit would be Sarah Hogle's Just Like Magic. Is it crazy that the Spirit of Christmas in a magical human form would help a woman reconnect with her family? Yes it is. Does she manage to make him delightful and whimsical and hot too? Also yes. It was my first read this year and it definitely is one of my favorite books to recommend for " it sounds crazy but it's so good".
Meg Cabot! She has written so many different types of books: YA, Romance, “Chick Lit”, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance and Middle Grade to name a few. But when you’re reading one of her books it is always obvious you are reading one of her books. Her voice is distinctive, her main characters are relatable and I always snort laughing when I’m reading something she’s written.
ahh yes Meg Cabot is one of the authors who made me wanna write. I read everything from her YA — do you remember Avalon High?? — to her adult. She's incredible
I love when there’s a slash of silly in a book. Even my most favorite heart wrenching books from Raven Kennedy insert a perfect balance of comedy and silliness. I read to escape and need the lightness.
Speaking of top chef, I feel like Kristen Kish is definitely committing to that bit, especially since she’s been able to make what is essentially a 20 minute ad for Saratoga Spring water (aka The Dish With Kish) a weekly must watch for me.
Oh I haven't watched The Dish With Fish yet but I will give it a try now! I never got into any of the extensions of the show (there are sooo many), even last chance kitchen. I feel like I'm missing out!
Thanks everyone for entering the Jen Comfort giveaway! You recos for "commit to the bit" brought me (and I hope other readers!) so much joy. The winner by random draw is @thecathinator.
Cath please send me a message with your preferred mailing address!
Not a piece of art exactly, but the Pedro Pascal-Kieran Culkin "feud" this past awards season gave me so much joy! That's the kind of competition I love to see!
oh yes! so silly and fun. love their friendship
Lately, I think my favorite example of an author who went all in on a very silly premise (and it worked!!) is Lex Croucher’s “Gwen and Art Are Not in Love.” I absolutely adored it :)
Oh I have seen that cover and heard good things but haven't picked it up yet. You just moved it up my TBR :D
Maybe it’s because I’ve been thinking about traveling a lot lately, but the first thing that came to mind is Anthony Bourdain. His travel shows were a constant for me throughout my life and I have episodes that are comfy faves. I feel like he committed to his bit as a jaded seen it all chef/author but still had so much love and wonder for the places he traveled to. He treated the people he met, their stories and cultures, with reverence and care.
Great choice! I've been watching old episodes of No Reservations for the first time and he really is so one of a kind and true to himself in his approach. Miss him very much.
Also I’ve been wondering…. Does Patrick get his own book!? 🥺
Ok so I did not know so many people would fall for Patrick so quickly! No immediate plans for a Patrick book but never say never ;)
Emma Thompson’s Golden Globes acceptance speech for sense and sensibility was a delight. She wrote and delivered it as if Jane Austen wrote it. I love it so much I go and watch it from time to time.
Just went to watch it! What a treat!! Emma Thompson is a gem. I want her to adapt every piece of Austen and Shakespeare and basically do whatever she wants always
Jen Comfort is a frickin delight, both as an author and a human being, and it always makes me so happy to see other people say the same. Of recent reads that commit to the bit, I would definitely cite Jenna Levine’s “My Roommate is a Vampire” for going all in.
ahh I haven't read that one yet but fully endorse based on cover alone!
I think that Daniel Radcliffe really seems to be picking movie roles that commit to the bit. Like, Now You See Me 2 was...adequate, but his specific role was so delightfully over the top. And why not? Get rich and do the weird stuff!
OMG YES! I am such a Dan Rad fan. Love a short king!! Have you seen this from my fave defunct website (RIP) The Toast? https://the-toast.net/2015/08/10/daniel-radcliffe-boyfriend/
I don't remember that one, but omg! The Toast! So many of my online friends are from being Toasties!
I’m going to have to go with Celine Dion’s entire personality! She’s a perfect example of how “committing to the bit” can sometimes mean being wholly, loudly, and unapologetically yourself. And she’s great at bringing everyone into that bubble with her. More specifically, I would like to submit that one clip where she’s singing Who Let the Dogs Out. A Queen!
Absolutely 100% Celine. It's an honor to live in the same timeline as her!
So I’m a GenX Internet Crone so Imma go WAY back to the olden times of the 90s (lolsob) when Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin (look her up if you don’t know her!) brought us Strictly Ballroom. The big hair! The sparkles! The dancing! The romance! Kids, check it out if you’re not familiar with it.
I can’t think of a book because whenever someone asks for a book rec I’m like Whut R books?
I need to watch that movie! You're not the first person to tell me its a favorite. I dont know Catherine but will def check her out. Baz = commit to the bit across his body of work for sure.
Oh, my favorite commit to the bit would be Sarah Hogle's Just Like Magic. Is it crazy that the Spirit of Christmas in a magical human form would help a woman reconnect with her family? Yes it is. Does she manage to make him delightful and whimsical and hot too? Also yes. It was my first read this year and it definitely is one of my favorite books to recommend for " it sounds crazy but it's so good".
I USE THAT EXAMPLE ALL THE TIME. Sarah is SO GOOD. I love seeing her take big swings and her voice is still so crisp and consistent
Meg Cabot! She has written so many different types of books: YA, Romance, “Chick Lit”, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance and Middle Grade to name a few. But when you’re reading one of her books it is always obvious you are reading one of her books. Her voice is distinctive, her main characters are relatable and I always snort laughing when I’m reading something she’s written.
ahh yes Meg Cabot is one of the authors who made me wanna write. I read everything from her YA — do you remember Avalon High?? — to her adult. She's incredible
Matty Matheson is one of my very favorite parts of The Bear!
Isn't he so good? I love his chemistry with the actor who plays Richie :D
I can’t think of one specific example one right now. But thank you for the chance!
I love when there’s a slash of silly in a book. Even my most favorite heart wrenching books from Raven Kennedy insert a perfect balance of comedy and silliness. I read to escape and need the lightness.
Oh Raven Kennedy is new to me! Will check them out!
Speaking of top chef, I feel like Kristen Kish is definitely committing to that bit, especially since she’s been able to make what is essentially a 20 minute ad for Saratoga Spring water (aka The Dish With Kish) a weekly must watch for me.
Oh I haven't watched The Dish With Fish yet but I will give it a try now! I never got into any of the extensions of the show (there are sooo many), even last chance kitchen. I feel like I'm missing out!