I’ve been told by a few people that they love the Stories Well Told section at the end of each newsletter (well the ends of the ones that aren’t series posts like Storytellers I Admire). In the spirit of newsletter trends and to share a large backlog of ones I’ve collected over the past year, I thought I’d share with you the stories and posts and things I’ve read or seen and loved and tagged, but have not gotten around to sharing with you in my quasi postscript. I think they’re all great examples of well thought through and executed stories in long, short, and random form. Let me know which ones you loved, hated, or are excited to see.
Articles & Books
When Cicely Tyson died last January, I was already too overwhelmed by how 2021 seemed to be turning out to give in to that additional sadness. But she is a woman who lived a life that had always left me in awe and grateful for her talent and representation of brown skinned beauty in all its glory. One of my favourtie culture writers at the New York Times wrote a lovely appraisal of her life following her death.
My friendships are really important to me. They are a huge part of how I understand and connect with the world around me. So these poems on friendship shared by one of my favourite daily newsletters really hit a chord. I hope they’ll give you new ways to think about friendship in your own life.
I may have shared this one already, I certainly must have tweeted it. It is an article by an emerging writer featured in Roxane Gay’s newsletter, “The Audacity” about what it looks, feels like, and means to be poor in America. It is an oddly harrowing and beautiful read all at once
Levar Burton. What a delight. He may not be the new host of Jeopardy, but boy is he wonderful. Meanwhile, Jane Goodall? Also a delight and making room for hope for humanity, despite…everything.
Art
I took a course through the University of Alberta on Indigenous history in Canada back in 2020. As part of the course, students are encourage to explore this interactive painting by Leah Dorion. You get to learn about the historical influences and stories in the her work. It’s a beautiful lens into Indigenous culture and history.
I’ve been obsessed with reading this newsletter by Isaac Fitzgerald. It’s him on walks with writers talking about life, and writing, and existence and so much more. It is just so very human and bare and real. Highly recommend you check out Walk it Off for some excellent real life storytelling.
Movies
I love Michelle Yeoh. I actually believe she can do no wrong when it comes to acting. She is legendary in my eyes. But mostly for action and dramatic film roles. So when I saw she was doing a fantastical, surreal, exploration of multiverse storytelling I was ready. I meant to see it in Austin at SXSW where it premiered, but didn’t have the patience to wait in line, which means I got to see it at my favourite small theatre here in Toronto a few days ago. The film, Everything, Everywhere, All At Once…is…a… trip. That’s all I’ll say about it. I didn’t love it, but I’m glad I went to see it and that it exists and got made. It is experimental and opens up the realm of storytelling in film in news ways simply because it is out in the world and people are loving it. I’d recommend giving it a try just to bend your brain a little bit when it comes to stories. Let me know what you think if you do.
Podcasts
I’ve started listening to a new old podcast lately and am loving it. For Colored Nerds is a revamped show hosted by Brittany Luce and Eric Eddings formerly of The Nod at Gimlet media. The show is a pop culture podcast that dives into the many layers of Black culture in America and is just a smart show I love diving into.
Socials
I’ve shared Morgan Harper Nichols’ work here before. But not this particular contemplation about art and sharing art that I think parallels a lot of the things I think about when I think about storytelling. It’s also beautiful and provides a lens into her creative process. If you don’t follow her you are missing out on gorgeous, heart affirming storytelling in the visual form.
This little bit of musical joy may also represent the best group chat ever. A text rendition of a scene from Dream Girls. Need I say more? Go get your joy.
Toni Morrison. I will stan forever:
Everything R. Eric Thompson tweets is a delight (but if you’ve watched Severance, this ranking will make you cackle and nod your head in agreement):
That’s it for this week. Keeping it light as I am heads down on a couple of longer (and I hope useful) posts for you in the coming weeks. Can’t wait to share them with you. Let me know what you think of these recommendations in the comments and please please please share any stories you’ve enjoyed recently that you think others should dive into.
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