Books + Bits

Books + Bits

Share this post

Books + Bits
Books + Bits
Bits #22

Bits #22

Things to read, watch, listen to, chew over

Pandora Sykes's avatar
Pandora Sykes
Jan 17, 2025
∙ Paid
139

Share this post

Books + Bits
Books + Bits
Bits #22
13
7
Share

“It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do”

Jerome K. Jerome, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow, 1879

10 notes from the week:

  • a press release excitedly tells me that Victoria Beckham’s “beauty secret” is Willy’s apple cider vinegar. For the love of womankind, let’s keep it factual: it’s injectables, expensive serums and aestheticians that keep a face that supple, not vinegar

  • giraffes can’t walk uphill bc they don’t trust themselves not to fall over 💔

  • sexism is linked to dementia — the findings of this study are fascinating

  • in yet another attempt to help me understand what ‘post-modernism’ actually means, my husband described it to me as “unserious shit”. Feels… not inaccurate?

  • ‘pro-pube positivity’ is flourishing and as a bikini wax denier, I’m thrilled. I do however now have this Smack the Pony sketch going round my head on a loop

  • that I bought a Freckl pen when I already have freckles (and that I look like Sponge Bob when I apply it) is proof that I need to divorce viral beauty trends

  • With Love, Meghan has been postponed ‘till March, which is absolutely the right call

  • I only just found out about the Measure app — oh, oh, the joy! I’ve been carrying a tape measure around for years

  • do menopause supplements actually work?

  • if you read one piece this week, let it be a story on Kiena Dawes. 3 women in England and Wales take their own lives every week due to intimate partner violence — but it is almost always impossible to charge their abusers with manslaughter. We must bear witness to this injustice


You’ve hit the paywall! Upgrade your subscription to access my thoughts on Babygirl, bibliotherapy, the dark side of “me time”, my favourite budget life-enhancers + lots more

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Pandora Sykes
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share