Lovin' Lately no. 10
And a dress I ordered thats out of my comfort zone.
Hi! Danielle Wraith here! The Second Act is the weekly newsletter I always wanted in my inbox, packed with obsessively-curated recommendations, thoughtful reflections on books, feelings, life, and the art of making room for more. Whether you're seeking inspiration or connection. The Second Act offers a warm, inviting space for all.
Imagine we’re catching up over coffee and I’m gushing over what I’ve been Lovin’ Lately…
📚 Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress — This book had admittedly been sitting on my TBR for much longer than I care to admit, but I finally committed to reading it earlier this year and it easily sticks out as a favourite of the year so far. Part of the reason I enjoy my mid-year reading check-in so much is because it allows me the space to reflect on the staying power of certain books, and to think about ones I immediately enjoyed and soon forgot about and ones I continue to mull over. As an art history PhD candidate, I was intrigued by the premise of this one: NYC setting, elite art college, complicated relationships. Sometimes these types of narratives can be trite and overdone, but Angress’ angle was fresh and unique. Through each of the characters’ personalities—and their intertwined relationships with one another—she provided a nuanced take on the campus novel trope I won’t soon forget.
📺 “Dark Matter” on Apple TV+: I haven’t stopped thinking about Blake Crouch’s novel on parallel universes. Like ‘Sliding Doors’ on steroids, it uses quantum physics—a man has invented a box that allows him to hop between parallel realities, and visit other wildly different versions of himself—to explore existential questions around where we find meaning and the life choices we make. The adaptation starring Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly is an emotional roller coaster that captures the big questions posed by the book.
🎧 ‘She Has a Name’ Podcast: In this new-ish podcast, NPR reporter Tonya Mosley investigates the mysterious disappearance of her sister Anita in 1987. Only recently, a DNA match revealed that her body had been buried in an unnamed grave named, “Unknown Woman 1987,” and that she had been murdered. In this deeply personal and tragic story. Tonya interviews Anita’s son, Antonio, and connects the dots.
Sharing a few of my saves and other faves bc cool girls don’t gatekeep
This vest midi dress is a little differnt than how I normally dress but I was so drawn to it! Can’t wait to see how it fits when it arrives.
‘Poor Things’ had me thinking about the evolution of Emma Stone.
Fully on the mesh ballet flats trend and these are within budget.
Can’t get this song out of my head.
I’ve finally bought a pair of wide leg jeans and honestly, I WAS MISSING OUT. Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Like open mic at a coffee shop, via YouTube.
A fun interview between Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt.
A camera recovered by a receding glacier sheds light on a 50-year mountaineering mystery.
This cozy lounge set has been in my cart for weeks and I think I’m ready to hit order
More to read:
Alright, see ya next week! Leave me a comment on anything you’d like me to include in Lovin’ Lately in the future… Day in the life details? What’s on my TBR? Fave spots in Fresno? Got a question? Lemme know!
Free ways to support The Second Act that I’d be oh so grateful if you took a few second to do:
“like” and comment on this post on Substack
restack the post to help spread the word
share a screenshot on social media
forward to a friend