Hi Friends.

It’s already February 1, so I need to do this now or never. But first, I want to share with you how I’m publishing my writing moving forward and how it affects you.

When I began this blog, I named it the Raw JAW (my initials) because I need a place to be raw in my writing and have it be seen. This is key to my healing and my growth as a writer. My mantra is, “Release Your Story.” Theoretically, I believe we heal when we speak out loud or write the stories we keep secret. But to actually do it is scary as hell, including for me.

In the past, I’ve done this several ways. Ten years ago or more, I had a personal blog. I deleted that blog and changed my online username from Jewellspring to Jenny Wells Reads when I tried to brand myself and my bookstore (gross). I regret it now (Friends, never throw your writing away!!).

But as you know, blogging as it was ten years ago has changed. So for me to risk writing how I know I’m supposed to write - raw - there has to be some kind of buy-in from my readers besides clicking on a link. I’ve thought about all the ways. And I’ve settled on transitioning to an email newsletter. It feels only fair to me that if I’m going to be honest and messy in print and online, I at least want people who read my words to honor me with a small “payment.” So I decided to ask for your address. This means The Raw JAW will show up in your inbox instead of here.

The blowback of anger and misunderstanding I got in 2021 was just too scary and painful. It was from people I’ve been in the closest relationships with, not trolls (If you encouraged me and wrote kind comments, I thank you from the bottom of my heart). It’s just not right that I would do the hard work, be honest here, and be exposed to those who aren’t willing to provide anything but their criticism and judgment. Not to mention the withdrawal of their love. I’m an Enneagram 2, and it’s like they take a knife to my heart when they do that.

Some of you are already on the email list I collected two years ago. Soon, I will have a pop-up on this blog on how to share your email if you haven’t. Meanwhile, you can sign-up for my newsletter here. I expect to drop the first one this month and then each week. I will be staying in my lane of self-awareness in post-Christianity, plus what I’m reading, watching, and listening to.

Alrighty, let’s move on to the fun stuff!

Again, when I was running the bookstore, I changed my online brand (gross) to Jenny Wells Reads. Well, since the pandemic, my attention span for paper and ink books has become almost non-existent. I still read a ton, but it’s nearly all online or through audio, and almost always nonfiction. My fiction now is through television. There is so much quality TV now! I’m making up for the rest of my life. So let’s start there!

My Netflix Superlatives

I watched several things this year that “everyone else” did, too, including a few from the 90s. Some of what I watched was super sexy! Yes, envelopes keep getting pushed, but I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. One was complete trash but so popular (story to come in my newsletter). The shows I watched with the zeitgeist were: Bridgerton (duh), Maid, Virgin River, Sex/Life, Schitt’s Creek, New Girl, Twilight Saga, Firefly Lane, and Dawson’s Creek.

The one that made me sob: Maid

The one that I most related to: My Youth? Dawson’s Creek. My Current Stage? Virgin River

The one where laughter really is the best medicine: Schitt’s Creek. So glad I finally got on board.

The one I had the most fascinating conversation about: Sex/Life. Trash. And fascinating. Story to come.

Todd and I finished “The Last Kingdom” based on the Bernard Cornwell books and can’t wait for Season 5. “Destiny is All!”

The one we shut off: Cobra Kai. Sorry, Ralph Macchio.

I hardly watch movies anymore because I like diving deep with series, but “The Trial of the Chicago 7” was totally worth it. My beloved Eddie was in it. I was so proud of his American accent!

My Favorite under-the-radar: Offspring. Romantic comedy from Australia. I was obsessed, and #TeamPatrick.

The best one my 26 yo son recommended: Bo Burnham Inside. Guys. Watch this if you want to understand what young adults are going through during the pandemic coupled with off-the-charts creativity.

Best Documentary: Pray Away. It is about conversion therapy. It includes leaders involved in Exodus International before they were honest about their (unchanging) sexuality. I remember the Exodus seminars when I was a young adult. The documentary broke my heart and gave me hope at the same time.

Not on Netflix Superlatives

The One I Get Teary Just Thinking About. The One That Hit it Out of the Ballpark: Ted Lasso. Guys, WATCH THIS. Whatever your chosen genre, this is for you. My 23 yo son watches comedy, and I always like what he pushes me towards, even though comedy is not my go-to. So I finally tried it. I get teary just thinking about it. My husband cried several times; he was touched so much. Ted Lasso is a real person, friends. He will become a part of you. WATCH THIS (even you, Tangled Faith. I know it’s on Apple TV, but you can get a subscription and then cancel it.).

The One That Changed My Mind and Heart: Impeachment. It’s a mini-series based on Monica Lewinsky’s story. Friends, we were so awful to her. When I say “we,” I mean evangelical Christians in the 90s. She was the age of my children, and I can’t think about all that happened to her without crying. The present-day Monica was involved in the production. I follow her on Twitter and respect the shit out of her. This production also shows Linda Tripp’s side sympathetic and complicatedly. I actually “repented” while I was watching it for slut-shaming when the power dynamic with Bill Clinton was SO SKEWED! Highly recommend.

Whew! This list is getting long. I think I’ll stop there. PS My celebrity crush this year was Joshua Jackson. Pacey will be in my heart forever. I respect Jackson’s acting and career. I even made myself watch Dr. Death.

I’m changing my mind about sharing my 2021 reads and listens right now. After all, my favorite listens right now are podcasts about what I’m watching. Also, I skimmed a lot of books but don’t feel the need to spend time writing about them.

I hope something here nudged you to something new. Remember, you can sign up for my newsletter here.

Much love,

Jenny