Reading: I just finished Max Perkins: Editor of Genius, which my mother gave me last winter and I only started reading in August. It was fantastic. I had never heard of Max Perkins (book editor at Scribner's who guided the careers of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Wolfe and scores of others) and now I think it's a must-read for any writer, editor, reader, or anyone who loves a portrait of a truly unique individual. I also found it helpful as a writer, partially because Perkins seemed to believe that it's normal and natural for authors to be basket-cases about what they do, partially because I realize that even people like F. Scott Fitzgerald procrastinated and dragged their feet (at least I didn't even borrow money from my publishers!), partially for this advice from Hemingway: "Always stop while you are going good. Then when you resume you have the impetus of feeling that what you last did was good. Don't wait until you are baffled and stumped." When I get some time I look forward to reading this more contemporary portrait of Perkins that originally ran in the New Yorker. I have now just started How To Be A Victorian: A Dawn-to-Dusk Guide to Victorian Life, which Steve gave me for Christmas after reading some good reviews and knowing my love of Old British Things (I've spent a lot of time reading biographies of British monarchs and watch not only Downton Abbey but Downton Abbey spinoffs--see below.) So far it's fun and interesting. I'm glad we live in the 21st century even if it feels awful sometimes. Anyway one of my goals is to read all the books in my house that I haven't yet before getting any new ones.

Watching: Steve and I watched the second season of The Comeback before we'd watched the first (which my friend Lila proclaimed "crazy!") We both really enjoyed the finale and are now watching the first season, which I imagine will feel more cringe-inducing but maybe less so knowing the second chapter of Valerie Cherish's life. We are one episode away from finishing Enlightened which was really great, although so sad at times. It really skewers a certain type of privileged holier-than-thou person who ignores all the little things while searching for a larger meaning (so typical: Laura Dern's character wrinkles her nose at a waiter to talks to her while she's at a reception honoring some limousine liberals.) Last night we started the British series Black Mirror, and not to give anything away, its pilot episode certainly grabbed us in a way very few pilots grab you, but if I told you what it was about, you'd say, "Well, sure." It was extremely disturbing, yet compelling. I'd be happy to check out more but maybe not right before bedtime. Also, sort of as a joke I started watching Million Dollar American Princesses, on the Smithsonian Channel, which looks at women who went to the UK to marry British aristocracy (based on Cora's character in Downton Abbey [which I'm also watching]--it's hosted by Elizabeth McGovern.) But I actually found myself pulled in, and I even got Steve to sit with me for the last ten minutes and watch it. I'll keep it up. Also, we have been watching a lot of Peppa Pig, which I secretly do not mind. It's cute.

I've also seen a ton of new movies for me this year: Boyhood (excellent, although I didn't cry, which is weird, since I cry at a lot of stuff these days); Gone Girl (pretty good but I liked the book better and I'm mad because I somehow blinked during the part where we get to see Ben Afflecks' peenie); Wild (great, but talk about crying, and also, it's funny how Laura Dern's character just seems like a happier version of her character in Enlightened); and Whiplash (great; I want JK Simmons to win every award, not just for that movie but for life.) I also want to see Birdman (which I pronounce "Birdmin" in my head thanks to Bill Hader) and Foxcatcher. This sounds like a joke but I had a dream that I watched Selma which I think means is a sign that I should.

Listening to: I confess I don't know any new music lately. The Taylor Swift album is the last album I bought and that's because I read so many descriptions of it being '80's-influenced girlie pop, which is in my wheelhouse. My two-year-old Paul loves "Shake it Off" and for some reason when we're horsing around and I'm tickling him we yell "You shake it off!" at each other. Anyway. I listened to Serial and am waiting for my dad to finish it so that I can talk about it with him (he tried to cheat and asked me if they solve the crime so he can quit listening to it at Episode Five.) I need to get back more into my podcasts, since I usually listen while I drive and I took time off between Christmas and New Years. Marc Maron has been on a roll lately on WTF: I absolutely adored his interview with Julia Sweeney (famed Zulkey.com interviewee!) I'm a devoted Savage Love magnum listener because I like to live vicariously through everyone who calls into that show. I also need to finish listening to With Or Without You by Domenica Ruta and The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer but I had a problem these days with losing track of where I leave off listening to audio books.