HELLO and welcome to the 308th installment of Things I Read That I Love, wherein I share with you some of the longer-form journalism/essays I’ve read recently so that you can know more about Las Vegas!! This “column” is less feminist/queer focused than the rest of the site because when something is feminist/queer focused, I put it on the rest of the site. Here is where the other things are.
The title of this feature is inspired by the title of Emily Gould’s tumblr, Things I Ate That I Love.
The People of Las Vegas, by Amanda Fortini for The Believer, February 2020
It was SO kind of this human being to write exactly a story I have wanted to read for so long, which is non-fiction about Vegas, a city whose existence and history I’ve always found fascinating. Also partially because for some reason I have been there 13 times despite not really having any particular fondness for it? You guys I have been to Vegas with… five different girlfriends/boyfriends
The Amusement Park Revolution, by Hal Sundt for The Ringer, February 2020
Wow, yet another piece that hits all my sweet spots! This one is really looking at this new generation of truly immersive rides and what that says about the industry and fandom and everything.
How Natasha Lyonne Battled Her Demons — and Won, by Alex Morris for Rolling Stone, March 2020
You can basically hear her saying every line she says in this piece.
The Word from Wuhan, by Wang Xiuying for The London Review of Books, March 2020
When I read this piece last week it felt so far away.
Replaying My Shame, by Emily Gould for The Cut, February 2020
Again: for me.
Deliverance, by Lauren Markham for The Atavist, March 2020
The case of Christina Boyer, a possible telekenetic who’s imprisoned for the murder of her daughter, a crime she insists she did not commit.
Katie Hill, After the Scandal, by Caitlin Moscatello for The Cut, March 2020
“Her rise to Congress heralded the arrival of a new and modern political generation. And then the pictures leaked.”
This Backpack Has It All: Kevlar, Batteries, and a Federal Investigation, by Ashley Carman for The Verge
This guy said he was gonna build this backpack that served so many functions but maybe it was just like, batteries in pockets? He raised money for it on kickstarter. Anyhow he didn’t make it. why not.
High on Hate, by Patrick Strudwick for Buzzfeed, February 2020
The arrest of Ed Buck is finally making space to discuss a chronic issue in LGBT communities and how rich white men are using meth to control and harm vulnerable black queer people who are lured in by solicitations for “party n play.” A three-part series. Very good, very important.
