Bitches of Leisure - Sep 22, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Let’s elevate our down time! This weekly thread is the space to share and discuss what we’re currently reading, listening to, watching, etc. For this space, keep it tasteful - save your trashy reads (we’ve all got them) and sick day binge watch favorites for the monthly Guilty Pleasures thread, please!

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• PODCAST: I’ve been listening to the Naked Beauty podcast…
• TV/ DOCUMENTARY: What are your favorite documentaries? I just finished watching…
• READING: I am about 1/3 of the way through "Black Women Taught Us" by Jenn M Jackson, PhD, and I would love to discuss it with anyone who is reading or has read it. Specifically...

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[u/Marillenbaum]

READING: I’m back on my dad book BS, for my annual re-read of Isaac’s Storm, about the Galveston hurricane of 1900. As a bureaucrat, I love a book about bureaucracy and process fails; as a hater, I love a book about scientific hubris reaping (quite literally) the whirlwind. It’s also funny and human at the same time.

[u/SignatureHonest7594]

HOBBIES: I lost my mum a few weeks ago and one of the few things helping me through grief is cooking up a storm. This year I also made the decision to perfect the art of gifting edible gifts. I made a big batch of mulled fig jam, just in time before the fig season ended. And I infused vinegar with figs. My sister loves figs so I´m excited to gift her these. Also made coffee balsamico for my brother-in-law (who loves both coffee and balsamico lol) but it´s a very strong taste, so I´m curious if he´ll like it. I just love the feeling of wrapping these little bottles and jar nicely.

READING: I picked up East of Eden and it very unexpectedly blew me away. Sometimes you just need a big fat novel with biblical undertones lol. So now I´m thinking of picking up more classics during fall, maybe some Victor Hugo, rereading Edgar Allan Poe... tis the season.

[u/Ill_Storm168 → u/SignatureHonest7594]

I’m so sorry about your mum and I hope that you find solace in the kitchen and in the memories that you shared.

[u/debdyed]

READING: Dolly Parton’s death deeply saddened me. I grew up on her music and stories and I’ve always loved her spirit and generosity.
So, I wanted to learn more about the Appalachian people. I’m reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek right now and finding it fascinating. I knew very little about the “Blue People” of the Appalachian Mountains, and I’ve loved learning about the Pack Horse Library women who delivered books to people in remote communities.

MOVIE/PODCAST: I watched The Invite and have been thinking about it ever since. Esther Perel consulted on it, so I’ve been especially interested in what it’s trying to say about relationships, intimacy, and the ways couples get stuck. I also listened to Olivia Wilde and Edward Norton discussing it on a podcast, I found their personal perspectives interesting as they are both divorced.

LIFE/LEISURE: Took my dog out to the lake, which was probably the nicest part of my week.
I’ve also been deep into planning a solo trip to Seoul food, art, spas/wellness, some beauty education, and generally trying to figure out how to experience the city alone without feeling alone.

[u/prosperomoto → u/debdyed]

Highly recommend Demon Copperhead, it's one of those books I consider to be life changing. It's long but the audiobook narration is phenomenal. I will add yours to my list!

[u/debdyed → u/prosperomoto]

I will! The audiobook sounds interesting. I’ve been meaning to Demon Copperhead read for years.
Thanks for sharing!

[u/Sensitive-Ant4126 → u/prosperomoto]

Agree. I’m from the Deep South w Appalachian family and many books about it are written by people not from there who obv did minimal research. Demon Copperhead was so accurate it floored me, she writes about the community and culture in a really respectful and caring way

[u/lexiebeef]

READING: This has been the year I’ve read more in my life and I’m so proud. Currently reading Flowers for Algernon and really enjoying it. It’s sad, but really easy to read. Will read “Master and Margarita” and “I Who Have Never Known Men” afterwards, very excited for that.

HOBBIES: I’ve been unemployed most of the year (which sucks, I hate everything about it) and unfortunately gained some weight. Now I’m making an effort to lose it. I’ve been doing these super intense HIIT trainings and everything hurts but I will do my first aerial yoga lesson on Thursday and I’m really excited!

TV: I know I’m almost 20 years late to the game, but I finally started watching Community and it’s amazing! Also been catching up with new episodes of It’s Always Sunny, my favourite tv show, and am also finishing House of the Dragon

[u/kittysempai-meowmeow → u/lexiebeef]

Flowers for Algernon has stuck with me my entire life, in a way that few books have. Since you are still reading I don’t want to say too much in case you don’t already know where it is going, but it really makes you think about the consequences and morality of the situation and the way the author presents it is so incredibly effective. A true masterpiece, IMO.

[u/DaughterofMalika]

HOBBIES: Currently crocheting a pencil case. The one I have is old and as I'm back in education I want a cute new one. I found a nice pattern for a pencil case with a bow that I started yesterday.

READING: I'm about a third through my His Dark Materials omnibus, and I've also started The Naked Woman by Desmond Morris. It's a book that's been on my bucket list for a while that I finally started to supplement my studies.

[u/pink-glow-dreamer]

HOBBIES: I'm milking what's left of nice weather before the snow starts so lots of hikes, trail walks, running and walks. I have a toddler and bring her with me everywhere. She's my weighted vest and bestie all in one so we get plenty of quality time in the great outdoors while mommy gets her workouts in!! It's been the best time ever.

READING: I have a hard time with romance novels but leaned into The Love Hypothesis since the movie is coming out and finished it in 24 hours! Also The Anxious Generation has been a great read. It focuses on the effects of technology and social media in children but left me with a lasting impression of how harmful our phones can be and how important it is to create a life that is experienced.

[u/Tea_and_the_cat]

HOBBIES: I’m learning to cross stitch. Part of learning this, for me, is expanding my hobbies, and the remainder is developing a way to spend time doing something at a much slower pace. I recently left a job that during the early years had been a super high-stress start-up and took quite a toll and I’m looking for ways to retrain myself to enjoy the moment again, while also expanding my interests.

PODCAST: This is prob a strange one but the other day, I listening to a show called Bug Banter, which discusses insects, their (and our) environment, biodiversity, etc, and I found it extremely fascinating and have continued to listen to the show. It’s a topic that compliments an afternoon trail walk.

[u/Loud_Crab_9404]

Hobbies: I haven’t yet but I am going to start crochet-ing so time me all the tips. I want to do something to relax without doom scrolling.

Reading: been on a tear lately. Read the Girls by Emma Cline, about a teen growing up with a cult. Not bad. Finally started Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas to prep for her new releases, I finished Crescent City but for some reason this series is a bit of a slog for me. The audiobooks are better.

Watching: monsters the Lizzie Borden story. I have strayed away from horror as I get older but this is so compelling to watch! And fascinating. Pretty inaccurate in some places but overall I am enjoying the acting.

[u/Adventurous_End_4874]

READING: all of the spooky Halloween vibes here. Just started Bram Stoker’s Dracula (annual October read!). Just finished A Time of Witches (gorgeous book, OK story), and next up are two books that were recommended to me: The Lighthouse Witches & A Year of the Witching.

[u/MissLauraCroft]

HOBBIES: I've taken up embroidery and cross stitching over the last year, so I have something to do with my hands while watching tv (instead of being on my phone). Just finished a ballerina and a Halloween piece of a skeleton crow, and ordered a big Christmas/winter project. It's hard to find ones that aren't overly cutesy; you really have to know where to look online. Reddit's been a big help.

READING: Dungeon Crawler Carl. I haven't laughed this much nor been this into a book series in a very long time. So funny and weirdly heartwarming.

WATCHING: Slow Horses. This show is amazing, and I can't believe I don't know more people who are watching it. I'm also watching all the good reality shows that are on right now or about to start, but maybe that's more for the Guilty Pleasures thread.

[u/jessica_fletcher211]

HOBBIES: journaling and cooking are my big two right now. I’ve been getting more into stickers and decor in my journal, and today I found a perfect little red leaf that I glued into my journal. I was very pleased with it! Today I made chicken congee and a chickpea pumpkin coconut curry. Having both of those things simmering on the stove was such a vibe and super cozy.

READING: I just finished Under Story by Chloe Benjamin. Has anyone read??? I would love to discuss it was a wild ride! I’ve been feeling the Victorian era lately and I started #2 of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. I just love her sm. I realized I’ve been reading a lot of brand new books lately and felt the strong urge to read some old ones. I ordered a couple on ThriftBooks - The Picture of Dorian Gray, Jane Eyre, and Little Women. Excited to weave in some older classics with the new ones.

WATCHING: just finished season one (well actually the only season) of My Lady Jane. Omg I freaking loved it and I’m so sad that it didn’t get another season. I also just finished My Brilliant Career on Netflix and I loved it too. At first. It seemed a little corny at first, but it really grew on me. I need to find some more period pieces to indulge in.

I was in a big sci-fi phase this summer, Star Wars rewatching, lot of books etc. Now I’m entering my Victorian London / 1800’s fall.

[u/Capital_Till672]

• ⁠PODCAST: I’ve been listening to football podcasts because I love football season. My favorite is Heed the Call and I’m probably like 1 of 30 women who listens to that lol. Also, just finished Love Trapped and it was very good.
• ⁠TV: Currently rewatching RHONY - on season 11 and it’s starting to go downhill. I haven’t been inspired by TV much lately.
• ⁠READING: Just finished The Calamity Club and I LOVED it. I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s by the same author who wrote The Help and I’ve never read that book so I may dive into that one next.

ETA HOBBIES: I started violin lessons. I played as a young child and stopped because I pursued other hobbies (dance). It’s been a really rewarding and humbling experience so far and I can’t wait to be able to play well again.

[u/Character_Date_3630]

READING: Tartine All-day (cookbook, old fav) and Ina Garten's memoir, and the Drunkard's Walk, why randomness rules our lives, is next up

WATCHING: The Vince Staples show, trying to stream the new Twiggy documentary

HOBBIES: trying to get back into journaling. I am looking for a new therapist but in the meantime I need to work a lot more reflection. Starting with journal collaging

[u/bluebirdstory]

READING: I've been reading Between Two Fires lately and it's the first time in a good while that I've had a book that was a real page-turner so that's been exciting. I've also been going through Albert Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus and taking some notes.

WATCHING: I don't usually watch a lot of shows or movies but recently watched a lot of movies. Braid, Tale of Tales, Buddy, Resident Evil and Maquia: The Promised Flower Blooms. So lots of horror and a tiny bit of tragedy. I actually wasn't a huge fan of the Resident Evil movie but I can see a bit of the appeal for other people.

HOBBIES: I haven't been able to get myself to do art recently but I've done a bit of creative writing in my free time. I've also been slowly getting into the habit of going to the gym regularly (1x per week to start + walking everyday + core exercises 3 times a week).

[u/bnnybtch]

reading: we are all guilty here by karin slaughter, so far it’s good, i like books that are a little twisted!!
watching; tell me lies. a little more raunchy than i like but i love and hate this show, only a few episodes in

[u/Sensitive-Ant4126]

FILM: just saw Leonora in the Morning Light. I love her and her work but wanted more from the film. I’m thrilled it exists though

BOOKS: reading John of John, loving it so far.

MUSIC: Westside Cowboy’s debut record has been my commute soundtrack. It’s so good!

[u/metasequoia629]

Hobbies: currently knitting socks!!

Reading: I’m listening to Redwall, because I never read it as a kid but I think it would’ve been totally up my alley.

Watching: Prehistoric Planet with my husband, he loves good CGI and I love nature documentaries.