Book Buzz

If you’re in certain circles of the internet—or frankly, a follower of the New York Times—you’ve probably stumbled upon the recent discourse surrounding Lindy West’s new book, Adult Braces: Driving Myself Sane. I read and enjoyed her 2016 memoir, Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, which essentially cemented her place in the pantheon of millennial feminist writers, and led to the production of a Hulu series based on the book and starring Aidy Bryant. I generally like to keep up with the things PNW writers are producing, so I put in a hold through Libby as soon as Adult Braces was available, and cruised through it in less than a week. 

In short, the book traces West’s journey east as she road-trips from Seattle to Florida in a rented, novelty-painted van and tries to work through the aftermath of a recent rock-bottom depression and her shifting relationship with traditional marriage (her husband essentially gave her an ultimatum to accept an open marriage or leave; he then goes on to break some of the ground rules they establish for said agreement and she chooses to stay and work through it)—all while trying to uncover her self-worth. It’s heartbreaking at times, enraging at others, and, because it’s Lindy West, funny as hell throughout. 

There’s a lot to be said about this book—and the internet does not hold back. Personally, I don’t feel qualified to talk about some of the topics that West dives into (I’m way too ragingly jealous to engage in polyamory, for one), but as someone who has suffered from debilitating depression in the past, I felt an enormous amount of empathy for her struggles with mental health. Normalizing talking about them is important, and I think that anyone who takes steps to do so is incredibly brave—regardless of who they love, marry, or sleep with. The tender moments of self-actualizing triumph made me cheer internally, whether it was getting a nose piercing on a whim or tackling hiking, one timid step at a time, all I wanted was for West to see herself as a deserving person—to not be afraid to reach out and demand the things she truly wants in life. 

Does she get there? You’ll have to read the book and draw your own conclusions: the internet seems wildly divided on this one. 

Catbird has Landed in U Village

Three years ago, when I left my previous magazine job, a good friend of mine took me to Bellevue Square, where the Catbird jewelry brand was having a pop-up. We both got permanent bracelets, and in some kind of poetic move on the universe’s part, mine stayed on until the week I accepted my job at Seattle magazine, at which point it randomly fell off one night. I’m not very woo-woo, but that felt like a sign. After opening boutiques in seven cities across the country (in addition to its original New York location), Catbird has finally landed in Seattle, opening a store in University Village. In addition to its forever bracelets and piercing services, the brand will offer its signature jewelry and charms, with an emphasis on sustainability—most jewelry is made with  95% recycled solid gold and recycled diamonds. To commemorate the opening, the store is offering two limited-edition charms—the most adorable little smoky quartz coffee bean (which will be available for pre-order, and which I must obtain), and a mother-of-pearl carved fish that you can purchase on the spot. 

Bonus: All weekend long, Catbird will be giving away custom tote bags filled with treats to those who make purchases of $350 or more. On Saturday and Sunday, shoppers can enjoy special treats, including wine and pastries, and mini bouquets with purchase. 

A Waterfront Welcome for Sub Pop

No fooling, on April 1, Sub Pop opened the doors on its new Alaskan Way retail shop. Called Sub Pop Waterfront, the space it packed with all the merch, records in plywood crates, and memorabilia you can imagine, and let’s be honest, it’s perfectly placed for tourists, who are likely wandering around the area anyway. As a downtown dweller, I’m always thrilled to see new businesses move into the neighborhood, and as someone with a turntable setup in my living room, this is a welcome—if slightly-dangerous-to-my-wallet—addition. 

Sup Pop Waterfront is located in the Maritime Building at 908 Alaskan Way.

Springtime Sippers

Last week, downtown’s Hotel 1000 unveiled the Rosebay Bouquet, a garden-themed pop-up that transformed its bar into a floral fantasy. With blooms around every corner, and flower-inspired craft cocktails, it’s the perfect pick-me-up on days when the weather feels more gloomy than bloom-y. (The space’s central fireplace helps with that as well!) If you’re with a group, Rosebay’s large-format cocktails—including a 4-person St. Germain Hugo Spritz and a Martini Garden tower—have got everyone covered. Bar bites come courtesy of Hotel 1000’s All Water Seafood & Oyster Bar and feature regional favorites like fresh oysters and Dungeness crab cakes.

The Rosebay Bouquet pop-up will run through May 31.