Curated & Saved #21
Hearts in orbit, the TikTok royal wedding and the strange magic of childhood films
Welcome to Curated & Saved, a personal collection of things I’m loving right now.
Currently Consuming
📖Read: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
In Atmosphere, Joan Goodwin, a reserved physics professor with a lifelong passion for the stars, is selected to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program in 1980, training alongside a diverse and driven group of astronauts. As they prepare for spaceflight, Joan forms deep connections and discovers unexpected love, challenging her once-settled views on life and purpose. But when a mission in 1984 ends in sudden tragedy, Joan is forced to confront the risks of chasing her dreams and the true cost of reaching beyond Earth.One of my most anticipated reads of the year! This is a slight shift from Reid's usual pop culture-infused settings, with the story instead diving into the world of NASA and space exploration. Normally, the appeal of Reid’s books lies in how her characters navigate fame alongside personal struggles, but this time it was refreshing to see a stronger focus on Joan’s individual journey. When Reid subtitled Atmosphere ‘A Love Story’, she wasn’t exaggerating. There’s plenty of talk about stars and space, but the heart of the novel is in Joan’s relationships and inner life. It ends up being a surprisingly quiet book, especially compared to the almost Armageddon-level drama introduced in the opening chapters.
📚 In Progress: Mythica, Emily Hauser1, Strange Weather in Tokyo, Hiromi Kawakami, and The Persians, Sanam Mahloudji
🎶Listening to: Follow Excitement! Rizzle Kicks Ft Rachel Chinouriri
If I were to distill summer in on song, I think it would be this one. Admittedly I don’t think I was ever on the Rizzle Kick’s train when they were first on the scene but I have been hooked by this song featuring my fave Rachel Chinouriri.
📱Scrolling through: Madeleine White’s wedding
I don’t usually admit to having parasocial relationships with TikTok influencers, but I’m quietly obsessed with all the coverage of Madeleine White’s wedding in Greece. Maybe it’s because I’m deep in wedding planning myself, but there’s something genuinely heartwarming about seeing someone’s big day reflect them so perfectly.
You probably have no idea who Maddie is. In short, she’s a TikToker best known for her extravagant fashion sense and her talent for transforming high-end designer pieces into completely original looks. She’s built a reputation for fearlessly cutting up luxury items and reworking them into something bold, unexpected, and often stunning. Her creativity has earned her a devoted following, and her content always feels like a blend of couture and DIY.
So naturally, when she announced her wedding, expectations were sky-high. Would she go traditional, or reinvent bridal fashion altogether? Watching the lead-up to the big day (snippets of fittings, hints at themes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses) was like following a slow reveal, and it kept everyone guessing.
I’ll direct you to the Vogue article so you can take a full look but I am mildly obsessed with the story behind her Victor & Rolf wedding gown and her (handmade!) bridesmaids dresses.
The Long Form
Fail more, Fail Better: On writing a novel without knowing or planning anything (Issa Quincy, LitHub)
If you’ve ever felt paralysed by the pressure to plan every beat of your novel before writing a single word, this essay’s for you. In Fail more, Fail better, Issa Quincy make a compelling case for the power of uncertainty in the writing process. Instead of outlining, she writes into the unknown and places her trust in the power of discovery and surprise instead. Her call is to embrace the chaos and allow space for failure. What I loved most is that Quincy refuses to romaticise the process, but rather sit with the discomfort instead.
The Backlist
Sentimental Garbage (Episodes: Labyrinth with Juno Dawson, and Return to Oz with Shon Faye)
I’ve been catching up on episodes of Sentimental Garbage, a brilliant podcast hosted by Caroline O’Donoghue that delves into the pieces of pop culture often dismissed as guilty pleasures. This double bill features two fantastic writers and two equally fascinating films.
The first episode is a deep dive into Labyrinth with the wonderful Juno Dawson, and offers a great exploration of the 1986 cult fantasy starring Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie. I especially loved the discussion around Bowie’s role as a figure of sexual awakening for both Sarah and the audience, as well as the idea of the "girl’s place" in fantasy.
The second episode, with Shon Faye, focuses on the often forgotten but deeply unsettling Return to Oz, the bizarre and terrifying sequel to The Wizard of Oz. O’Donoghue and Faye unpack what made the film so haunting, reflecting on that strange era of children's television and filmmaking designed to scare kids senseless. Both episodes also offer thoughtful takes on the films’ places in queer culture, from their inherent camp aesthetics to the gay and trans allegories woven throughout their narratives.
On The Wish List
Ohora semi-cured gel nails
I’m trying to take breaks between gel nail appointments not only to give my nails a breather but to save some pennies too. I had been browsing Pure Seoul’s site for skincare but got completely sidetracked by Ohora's semi-cured nails. The more neutral colours are a natural draw for me, but I can’t help but be swayed by some of the more fun designs. Because who wouldn’t want to get nails with little squirrels or fried eggs! I do also love the more artistic designs as well.
Thanks for checking out this week’s Curated & Saved! I’d love to hear what resonated with you, or if you’ve got any hidden gems to share.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld, and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy of this book