Let's go to the Kit Kat Club
Books that haunt and entertain with Lauren Voyles. And the last July meeting tickets!
Imo, Lauren has great takes.
They’re not necessarily hot takes, which I think is a good thing (this newsletter is not rage bait!)
But they are provocative takes. She will get you thinking.
Lauren is one of those people who can seamlessly blend pop culture references into larger intellectual commentary. And it’s so fun to engage with.
If you want more of Lauren’s takes, then go listen to her new podcast, Ugly Hot.
And now, let’s get Lauren’s takes on what we should be reading this summer.
Let’s go to the cluuuurb.
Lauren takes us to the Kit Kat Club
This summer I’ve been inspired by the newest revival of Cabaret, with its illustrious, sensuous, & disturbing take on the classic musical.
Now whether you loved or were terrified by Eddie Redmayne’s interpretation of the famous Emcee, the shows inside look of WW2 Berlin during the rise of the Nazis still bites through todays current events.
Cabaret’s relevance is due to its uncanny ability to lure you into the dazzling & hedonistic performance while creating a conversation about escapism, self-efficacy in the face of genocide, & overall societal apathy.
These book recommendations did similar magic tricks on me, haunting me for months after reading but were beguilingly entertaining.
I gift you these to help our brains stave off becoming sun-bleached & smooth this summer.
Tender is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica
“Working at the local processing plant, Marcos is in the business of slaughtering humans —though no one calls them that anymore.”
This book is intense, fast, & easily devoured. Although a concise read, it packs a punch (& then maybe a kick & an electrocution too). The entertaining side to this tale is the ability to humanize the impossible & challenge the readers appetite for survival & the spirit of ‘mind your f*cking business.’
Penance by Eliza Clark
“Do you know what happened already? Did you know her? Did you see it on the internet? Did you listen to a podcast?”
Strap in for an exploration about the ethics of true crime, homoerotic adolescent female friendships, tumblr fanfic culture, & a small town murder. Be ready to take a walk down your internet caused trauma & confront your ability to spot an unreliable narrator that makes you question, ‘what does it mean to tell the truth?’
I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel
“I stalk a woman on the internet who is sleeping with the same man as I am.” + “It’s very grown up of me to appear to be cool and detached while this post office whore gets irrational and angry.”
Brutally sincere & fiercely f*cked, I’m a Fan drags us through the mind of the modern neurotic woman. On the way through the River Styx, however, the reader is confronted with societal hypocrisies, the perversion of romance in the 2020’s, & the balance of interpersonal morality.
Bonus Documentary Recommendation: Eldorado: Everything the Nazis Hate
Ok, now it’s back to me, Liz. Thank you, Lauren <3
I think we need to read I’m a Fan for book club. It’s time!!! Lmk you’d want to read it in August.
Here’s the updated July calendar and tickets. In my last newsletter, the On Beauty venue was unconfirmed, but the full details and ticket links are now updated 😇
July Calendar + Tickets
On Beauty Meeting Series
Wednesday, July 17th at Wandering Barman reading On Beauty (Parts 1 + 2)
Wednesday, July 24th at Cherry on Top reading On Beauty (Part 3)
Tickets are linked here.
If you want to come, but can only make one meeting, dm me!
Cleopatra and Frankenstein
Thursday, August 1st at Selva.
Tickets are linked here.
I know this is technically August, but I’m counting it as a July meeting
See you next week,
Liz