Nitehawks
Currently reading:
The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi
Out There Screaming, edited by Jordan Peele
Sunset Gun by Dorothy Parker
Books finished this week: 1
★★★☆☆
Where this book came from: Purchased on a recent Sunday at the Center for Fiction.
Why this book: Queer medieval cannibalism sounded too good to pass up.
Thoughts: This book tried to do a lot——in my humble opinion, too much. Because diving into so many different horrific aspects on top of an already shaky foundation just made for a slow-moving and confusing read. I loved the world-building at the start, which introduced us to life in the castle under siege, the desperation of the people trapped inside, and their belief in the Constant Lady and Her Saints. But the magic felt very much based on vibes rather than a solid internal logic, and I found some of the plot points and character thoughts repetitive. That said, I’d comp this to Lauren Groff’s Matrix——which was one of my favorite books in 2023——but with the caveat that The Starving Saints pushes farther and feels a bit more jumbled.
Library updates:
I spent a lot more time than usual out and about this week, as Brooklyn Horror raged on (and wrapped up yesterday, Saturday). For anyone curious, here’s my ranking of the movies we (Britt and I——hi, Britt!) saw:
Abigail Before Beatrice
Häxan
Affection
Slayed (a block of LBGTQ horror shorts)
Camp — beautiful to look at and the actors were great, but this was so boring
All the showings this year were at the Nitehawk Williamsburg (as I believe they were last year, as well). Needless to say, I feel very comfortable in that space. I love Brooklyn Horror for the movies I get to see, but also for the fun and familiarity of returning to the same theater day after day to see whatever the filmmakers have in store for me. I also have a soft spot for the Nitehawk queso.
One of the first pieces of art I remember seeing is Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, a print of which my mom has framed, and which she has proudly displayed in both places we’ve called home as a family. I loved the story in the piece, and the mystery——who are these people? Where have they come from? What brought them here? Where are they going next? Why can’t I be as cool as any of them? Anyway, I always think of that old-timey counter and the surrounding shadows when I get to visit Nitehawk; it makes me also feel mysterious and cultured.
I also went to my second to last tarot class, and got to see Florence Welch do a Rolling Stone interview and then perform three songs off her new album (Everybody Scream, which comes out on Halloween——AHHH). What can I say, the spooky vibes this week were off the charts. I talked to another fan as we waited in line to be let into the theater, and we both agreed that seeing Florence (I feel like she’d be fine with me calling her Florence) is like a spiritual experience. You just feel better, lighter, more powerful afterward. I needed some of that witchy, womanly energy, and I’m glad to report that I’m still feeling it, a couple days later.
Closing thoughts:
It all comes full circle. Notice the synchronicities and enjoy them.
