a great week to be terminally online
the Royal Family x Willy Wonka crossover no one saw coming, plus one of my favorite books of 2024 and why I think the fake dating trope is the worst
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Happy Leap Day, friends! Personally, I’m using this extra 24 hours to make sure you all know about the Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience x Kate Middleton Is Missing Twitter crossover event that has consumed my consciousness these last few days (i’ve linked a solid summary of each.) A great use of my time, you will see. Basically, for anyone with a healthier relationship to the internet than me, here’s what you need to know…
Kate Middleton hasn’t been seen in public since Christmas Day and the (increasingly outrageous) theories explaining her absence had already been circling. Cut to this week, when images from the failed Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience hit the internet. The immersive experience lead to the creation of an AI nightmare called The Unknown — a monster that supposedly lives in the walls of the chocolate factory, if I understand correctly. Yes, the Willy Wonka Experience had someone dressed up in the Babadook-esque nightmare of a costume (scene below) at an event targeted towards families and children.
And because people are unhinged and hilarious, of course they have connected this to Kate Middleton’s absence. To the point that “Royal Family,” “Kate Middleton,” “The Unknown,” and “Willy Wonka” have all been trending together.
*Harry Burns from WHMS voice* I spend hours, I spend days… giggling as I scroll through all this magnificence. Moments like these are the reason I cannot delete that godforsaken app.
You’re all caught up now. You’re welcome.
Reading Lately
The Women by Kristin Hannah
This book will easily be joining fellow February read The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams on my favorite reads of 2024 list. The Women tells the story Frances “Frankie” McGrath as she serves as nurse in the Vietnam War, as well the aftermath of returning home to a changed and divided America.
I cried — I want to say 10 times — while reading this book. Kristin Hannah sure does know how to yank at those heartstrings.
Upon finishing this book, I recounted one of the juicier bits to a friend I knew had no intention of reading, and I cannot stress enough how much fun it is to gossip about the characters in books as if they are people you know in real life.
Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar
Speaking of talking about fictional characters as if you know them in real life…oh man I cannot WAIT to discuss our Reading Lately Book Club book with the girlies IRL on Monday because I have THOUGHTS.
You might recall that this romance was billed as a modern When Harry Met Sally, and as predicted, that description just set the bar wayyyyy too high for me. And reading this book also confirmed for me that I do not enjoy the fake dating trope. At all.
I know I am in the minority with my disdain for this trope. I’ll mention this feeling to friends (though I think after reading this book, a few of them are now on my side!!) and I’m usually met with shocked gasps, them saying how much they like it. How fun it is!
To me, this trope displays immaturity in the characters. I understand the context behind the arrangement is always relevant, but there is something about an inability to express one’s real feelings that just feels very high school. Like, oh you’re getting jealous when she talks to another man and those feelings surprise you? But you’re going to keep on not saying that you like her for real? Grow up. You can read more about my thoughts on various tropes below.
Say You’ll Be Mine did not beat the fake-dating-characters-are-immature allegations, I’m afraid. If you read it, I’d love to know what you thought!
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A reminder that Reading Lately Book Club is now on IG! Follow and tag us if you’re reading along.
Watching Lately
Love Island UK All Stars
After what turned out to be only a 35 hour commitment (as a opposed to a typical season which can be over 60 hours), I finished the most recent season of Love Island.
I will not spoil anything in case you are behind or planning to watch, but mostly I’m relieved that now I can Instagram stalk all the contestants without worrying about ruining anything for myself. It’s the little things, ya know?
Veep
I’m currently rewatching Veep because my boyfriend had never seen it, and oh my goodness I forgot truly just how perfect a comedy it really is. Like I knew I loved it the first time through, but it’s hitting just as hard on round two. Julia Louise Dreyfus deserved every single one of those Emmy awards.
SAG Awards on Live Netflix
Speaking of awards, last weekend Netflix streamed the SAG Awards live and major shoutout to my brother, Drew, who was the creative producer of the show as part of the team at Silent House Productions. Yay, Drew! Plus the show gave us this iconic moment, so obviously, huge success. Stream it now if you haven’t already.
Last minute thoughts…
Quick reminder that I (try to) link all my outfits on LTK so if you follow me on other social pages and ever want to know where something is from, you can check that out HERE!
And if I can get myself organized, I’ll be sharing our Reading Lately Book Club March book tomorrow, so get excited for that!
Now I’ll leave you with the below reel…