STUFF YOUR EYES WITH WONDER: Top Pop Culture Recommendations | Idealchemy
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Hello Friends,
Does anyone else feel like we’ve been dropped into a dystopian epic? Which is precisely why I’ve named this month’s edition of the newsletter “stuff your eyes with wonder”—a line from Ray Bradbury’s 1953 dystopian masterpiece Fahrenheit 451. In an age of looming book bans, I’m more committed than ever to safeguarding literature—much like the character Granger’s mission in Fahrenheit 451. Stories like these unite us and remind us of our capacity for resilience.
Books have taken on an even deeper meaning for me recently. I lost my dear friend Karleen last month, and revisiting the titles she recommended but that I have yet to read has been like finding small but profound messages she left behind—J.M. Coetzee’s Elizabeth Costello, Doris Lessing’s Love, Again, and Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life. When my father passed away, I experienced a similar sense of comfort in reading his favorites for the first time, including Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven, and Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind. They both left parting gifts encouraging me to keep reading and keep going.
Speaking of gifts, Kendrick Lamar elevated the Super Bowl halftime show with visual symbolism and literary allusions that forcefully championed diversity, equity, and inclusion—and denounced the efforts to dismantle them. Meanwhile, Jane Fonda used her SAG Awards platform to clarify that being “woke” simply means caring about one another. Pair that with Robert De Niro’s new Netflix series, Zero Day, tackling the pitfalls of political corruption, and it becomes clear we are not short on real-world plot twists.
On a more somber note, this week we lost one of the greatest actors of his generation, Gene Hackman. He was my father’s favorite performer—someone Dad looked to when refining his own approach to acting. Who can forget Hackman’s impressive range? From his Academy Award–winning portrayal of Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection to his over-the-top turn and last film role as Royal Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums, his work was nothing short of genius.
Amid all this, we have the Academy Awards coming up on Sunday night—a spectacle of cinematic achievement and red-carpet glamour. My personal favorites among this year’s nominees are Sing Sing, featuring the incomparable Colman Domingo, and Conclave, boasting a star-studded cast of Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini. On the other hand, I must admit Anora and Emilia Perez left me cold.
How are you “stuffing your eyes with wonder?" Email me by responding to this newsletter and feel free to share any must-reads or must-sees you’ve discovered. For me, my wonder involves a cozy reading nook, a steaming London Fog (Earl Grey + oat milk + a splash of vanilla + honey—it’s pure bliss), staring at my handsome husband, and my cat Tippi purring contentedly on my lap.
Here’s to open minds, open hearts, and open books.
Warmly,JenieEditor, Idealchemy Newsletter
i: @idealchemyf: @idealchemy
P.S. Gmail readers, be sure to click “read the rest of the email” below so you don’t miss a single word! There’s plenty of wonder to explore.
READ
Such an unusual and beautiful novel that captures how so many of us feel alienated. Adina Giorno—possibly an extraterrestrial or neurodivergent—is born as Voyager 1 heads into space. Her uncanny observations about life on Earth are spot on, conveyed through transmissions to her extraterrestrial kin via fax machine. Brimming with empathy and resilience, Beautyland reminds us we might never be as alone as we think. | Good Dirt brings together an intriguing blend of storylines—a heist gone awry, a bride abandoned at the altar, a young woman grappling with PTSD, and the legacy of an enslaved potter in South Carolina. I loved the chapters that trace the fascinating history of a centuries-old jar and shed light on a rarely told piece of American heritage. This book unfolds with mystery, and is grounded by an underexplored chapter of the past. |
If you’re hooked on FX's The Bear, you’ll devour this behind-the-scenes peek into the relentless pursuit of becoming the world’s best restaurant. It’s not just a feast for foodies; it’s also packed with brilliant examples of how personalized, creative, and genuine hospitality forges deeper bonds with customers—all while igniting the server’s own joy. I’m definitely pinching a few of these ideas to bring back to my own team! | I’ve been wanting to read Octavia Butler for ages, and Parable of the Sower feels more urgent than ever. Set in 2025-27, it unnervingly mirrors today’s worries—water shortages, rampant fires, climate change, unchecked violence, and deepening race and class divisions. Hard to believe Butler wrote it back in 1993, but it’s a clear warning: if we don't create our future now, her dystopia could become our reality. |
WATCH
The French film The Taste of Things (La Passion de Dodin Bouffant) starring Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel is one of the most sumptuous films I’ve experienced, it passionately blends haute cuisine and sensual romance, offering exquisite “food porn” visuals that linger long after the credits roll. Set in 1889, it follows a cook and her gourmet employer, weaving culinary artistry, unforgettable passion, and stirring emotion into every frame. | Sing Sing, inspired by the real Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, reveals how creativity, art, and literature empower incarcerated individuals to rediscover hope and purpose. Starring Best Actor nominee Colman Domingo, alongside real alumni of the program, this moving film underscores the transformative impact of creativity, art, literature, self-expression, and collaboration on the human spirit. |
If you enjoyed Hulu's first season of The Rivals, you’ll love this fast-paced Australian series, The Newsreader, now streaming in the US. Set in a cutthroat 1986 newsroom, ambitious reporter Dale Jennings teams up with the news anchor Helen Norville to cover groundbreaking events—from the Challenger disaster to Halley’s Comet and the AIDS crisis. Their personal and professional lives intertwine in a grand, unconventional romance. I was instantly hooked and can’t wait for two more seasons. | Hulu’s new series Paradise plunges us into a post-apocalyptic underground bunker that resembles Disneyland's main street created for a handpicked few. Combining dystopian and political thrills, it follows Secret Service agent Xavier Collins, who hunts for the truth behind the President’s murder. From the creators of This Is Us, it stars Sterling K. Brown and features a standout performance by James Marsden as the President. Ready to discover more? Watch Paradise. |
LISTEN
I’ve stumbled upon The Book Riot Podcast, which might be a bit lengthy at times—but is well worth the listen. The biggest draw? Tuning in to Jeff O’Neal and Rebecca Schinsky as they discuss the latest releases, adaptations, and publishing happenings. As the largest independent editorial book site in North America, Book Riot offers diverse content, from podcasts to newsletters, catering to readers of every genre. I wish they would hire me as a freelance contributor! | I’m always on the hunt for my next great read, and NPR’s Book of the Day never fails me. I love tuning in during my commute, because it delivers today’s titles in quick, digestible segments—about 10 minutes each. This perfect combination of thoughtful insights and breezy book talk fits any reading mood. Whether I’m seeking literary depth or an entertaining escape, there’s always something new to spark my curiosity. Now, it’s become my daily must-listen. |
SHOP
Check out the latest We Need Diverse Books merchandise! This 501(c)(3) nonprofit has already raised over $58,000 from more than 3,400 supporters, and proceeds from their shop go directly toward their twelve initiatives—everything from mentoring marginalized writers to donating books to students nationwide. Even more importantly, they’re using funds to help fight against book bans. PLUS —this mug would be perfect vessel for a London Fog. | As a lifelong bookworm, I’ve always searched for ways to share my love of stories. Out of Print’s mission makes it easy: they partner with artists, authors, and publishers to create iconic shirts, totes, socks, and more. I’m fond of their Richard Scarry collection—a homage to my 1970s childhood. Every product is a playful nod to beloved characters and stories that shaped us. It’s the perfect chance to wear, share, and celebrate our favorite reads. |
SUPPORT
I spent the first decade of my career working in the book industry and it taught me just how essential it is for people to have unfettered access to stories of all kinds. This conviction is why I support Unite Against Book Bans—a coalition of more than 200 partner organizations and tens of thousands of individuals who stand against censorship in every form. That includes readers, parents, students, educators, librarians, and authors, all united in their belief that the freedom to read must be preserved.
Led by the American Library Association (a 501(c)(3) organization), Unite truly represents the majority of Americans who insist on the right to explore new ideas without fear of banning or restriction. If, like me, you believe in the transformative power of books—both for children discovering new worlds and for adults continuing to learn—please consider supporting Unite Against Book Bans. Together, we can protect every reader’s access to the stories that shape who we are.
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