The Long Weekend Update

Summer togs for vacay, shows to watch, books to read, and other good things.

Hello Wonderful.

First time here? Welcome to our quiet corner of the web.

We’re Gina + Amy, founders of The What List, a community of 100k readers and members, who continue to believe that human connection beats anything technical. Curation and authenticity have become buzzwords, but it’s genuinely what we’ve been doing since our first newsletter in 1999. We try things, then tell it like it is. We’re not spammers, scrapers, or masters of scale. Just two dot com OGs using our human algorithm of taste to share our favorite books, articles, shows, products, wishlists, wellness hacks, and esoterica. We do this because we can’t help it. We’re lifelong indie media people, and even though our industry has tanked we keep chugging along.

Hope you’re doing something fun or relaxing (or both) this Memorial Day Weekend. If you’re in the mood to restock after all that Spring cleaning, here’s a link to the best sales from NY Mag’s The Strategist.

Love, Amy + Gina

P.S. We don’t paywall because we believe that if you enjoy THE WHAT, you’ll help keep us going. We celebrate our paid subscribers in The Wall of Fame.

THE BINGE. As Yellowstone fans (before the Kevin Costner drama nearly imploded the 5th and final season) we were happy to get a palate cleanser from Taylor Sheridan with the release of Madison starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell. You can binge watch the first season between the weekly drops of the critically-acclaimed Dutton Ranch, the continuing saga of the Dutton family as they make their new home in Texas.

THE BOOK. Commencement speakers are getting booed for bringing up AI at graduations around the country (FFS, read the room people!). After years of hard work, grads don’t want to hear how AI is reshaping the world (and possibly rendering their majors irrelevant). Let the yutes enjoy their day without a looming unknown as a backdrop. But when things settle there’s a great book to help all of us view AI more as a technology of coordination, not simply as a tool that’s going to eliminate humans. It’s called Reshuffle: Who Wins when AI Restacks The Knowledge Economy by Sangeet Paul Choudary. A must-read for AI skeptics and haters.

THE BALM. If you’re feeling frazzled, try these two animal cams Amy is addicted to. First is the Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam. At any given time there are 20k viewers watching live. We like to pop this up on a big screen as an ambient window to nature. And if watching squirrels sounds entertaining, you’ll want to follow @squirrel_boxes on Instagram.

THE BUDDY PIC. If you haven’t seen it already Project Hail Mary, starring the exceedingly hot Ryan Gosling, is the feel good movie you’ve been waiting for.

We want to know what’s on your WHAT List?

Hit comment. Tell us here👇

SUMMER UPDATE TO OUR SHOPMY

We keep a running list of everything we’re buying, trying, and loving. SHOP books, clothes, and other goodies here. Updated weekly. Check out the new summery additions to our Everyday Chic category.

And if you write your own newsletter, create your own store here and we’ll both benefit.

THANK YOU Bunny Zaruba, Dalya Estate, Melody Biringer, Karin Conroy, Maria Peevey, CA Couch, Beauty Shop, Sara Kirsner, Sarah Brennan, Kathleen Ralston, Jennifer Bevington, Susan Swig, Catherine MacPhail, Alicia Mullen, Jim Likowski, Tricia Ferrante, Jennifer Bevington, Jessica Farron, Moira Murphy, Natalie Wages, KM Neibert, Michelle Battelle, Marielle Leon, Elena Arecco Bridgmon, Hilary Coate, Sarah Brennan, Kara Sammet, Erin Gallagher, Angela Shock, Amy Hiett, Belena Stanford, Cheryl Raff, Katya Andresen, Asha Dornfest, Janet Levit, Bronwyn, Castelein, Tiffany Shlain, Carol Euser, Maya Seely,Holly Jacobs, and DW Stegman for continuing to support our indie newsletter and adding your name to our growing Wall of Fame!