Spaced Out

4 Replies

I finally have some entertainment to talk about, so let’s go…

Books

I wait to post until I have at least two books that I’ve loved because I know that is what most of you come here for. I don’t want to recommend things that are “fine,” because who has time for fine? Well, I finally LOVED something.

Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir  

If you read and loved The Martian by Weir, you will also love this. If you only saw the movie and loved it (a rare example of the movie being ((almost)) as good as the book), you will love this. The movie version of this book is coming out in March, starring Ryan Gosling; perfect casting, btw. Basically, a man wakes up in space and has no idea who he is or why he is there. He slowly remembers; the sun is dimming and he, a junior high school science teacher, is on a mission to save Earth. Just a heads up, this is a thick book. I often have an issue with long books; they need editing. (All The Colors of the Dark – good book, way too long.) Not a problem for me here, I did not want it to end.

Atmosphere – Taylor Jenkins Reid  

While we are in space, let’s hang out a bit. I really enjoyed this one, too. Joan is a college physics professor who becomes one of the first women to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 80s. I tend to mostly like Reid’s books, but this is one of my favorites. It explores relationships, identity, a little discrimination thrown in and it’s got humor.

On the lighter side, I really liked Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez and It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. Both entertaining and well-written.

TV

I’m having a little problem with TV lately. Most of the new shows coming out are dark; in tone, in color, all the definitions. I don’t really want that right now. Another issue I’m having was addressed in a NY Times article in April 2024, titled “The Comfortable Problem of Mid TV.” The shows aren’t bad per se; they have great casts, they are made by people who know what they are doing so they look great, but they’re just kinda meh. Often, they are both dark and meh – I don’t have time for that. If I’m watching eight episodes or more of something, I want to really enjoy it or have been really moved.

Here are some that I have loved:

The Pitt – HBO Max  

15 episodes; each one is an hour in a day of the longest shift ever at a Pittsburgh ER, beginning at 7 am. I’m not gonna lie, we almost didn’t make it past episode one. It’s a lot. Persevere – you can do it! So worth it. The Pitt deserved every Emmy it got this year. Season Two is slated for January so you have time to prepare.

The Diplomat – Netflix

Season Three was a rollercoaster! The acting/cast is great, the plot is bananas but fun and the writing is smart, though you definitely need to suspend some disbelief. That’s ok, it’s worth it!

Also worthy to continue watching; Hacks, Severence (see previous post), The Bear, and Nobody Wants This.

Documentaries

If you’ve flown Delta and checked out their entertainment options, you may have seen Music Box: Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary. I’m not sure what streaming service it’s on, but it’s likely somewhere. It was fun and you learn what qualifies as Yacht Rock and what doesn’t, plus you get to hear a lot of great music with backstories, which is always fun.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes is on HBO Max. It’s a two-part, six-hour doc but it doesn’t feel that long. I was not aware of how brilliant a songwriter/musician he is/was. The doc covers his childhood, alcohol struggles, multiple marriages and band/label issues. Even if you think you only like him a little, by the end, you’ll like him more and you will definitely be entertained. You’ll certainly appreciate him.

Movies

My cousin wrote, directed, produced and starred in a movie called Re-Election. It’s primarily about a guy who never got over losing his high school senior class presidential election, but it covers the polarization of politics, father-son relationships, measuring oneself to others, and gender-neutral bathrooms among other current issues/topics.  It is rated PG and would be good family viewing if you are looking to watch a movie together over the holidays. Click here to read more. It should be available for streaming in December.

Touring

We just saw Nate Bargatze on his Big Dumb Eyes comedy tour. It was a great show, but he’s never been funnier than in this skit from SNL a couple years ago where he plays George Washington. The second one was funny too, as was the birth of TV version from his hosting stint at the Emmy’s, but the original, here, is the best.

Wishing you all a happy, safe and yummy Thanksgiving!!

TV Time

Leave a reply

I’ve been in a bit of a reading rut. I only like to post when I have books I highly recommend, so that’s why it’s been a minute since my last entry. Luckily, TV is picking up the slack!

TV

“Severence” – Apple TV – A little reminiscent of “Lost” in that you have no idea what is happening but everything must mean something, you just don’t know what it could be. “Severance” is two seasons and has just been renewed for a third.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 – I challenge you to not get up while Kool & the Gang performs; I was dancing by myself. Cher is sassy, Foreigner will remind you why their music is so good, plus Dionne Warwick and Dave Matthews – it’s always a great show and watching the star-studded crowd enjoy this one-of-a-kind concert is fun, too.

Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music – while we’re into the tunes, this is a wonderful time capsule of music from the last 50 years with really interesting stories of who performed on the show and the legacies that followed those performances.

If you didn’t watch “Shrinking” or “The Diplomat,” why not? Fantastic both. “Will Trent” is also great again this season (especially because my girl, Gina Rodriguez, from “Jane the Virgin” joined the cast!).

“Black Doves “– Netflix – more diverting than fantastic, still entertaining and every man seems to love Keira Knightly so you can watch with your husband if you are looking for a show to watch together.

“American Idol “– my annual plug because it’s SOOOO good but this year we know someone competing!! Watch here for Slater’s audition.

Books

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon follows Mrs. Martha Ballard, a midwife and healer during the post-revolutionary war. She is smart, no-nonsense, and a person of high morals; very likeable and admirable. Life is (so) hard but her marriage is solid and enviable which is refreshing to read in a novel these days. Based on a real person of the same name, this book is well-written, vividly recalling a time I didn’t know much about but was captivated by.

Back After This by Linda Holmes is for when you need a break after reading a book like The Frozen River. Holmes also wrote Evvie Drake Starts Over which I looooooved. This one follows Cecily, a podcast producer, who becomes the reluctant host of her own show in which a relationship expert is going to find her a match. Smarter than it sounds, it’s funny and cute – a great vacation read.

Movies

I’ve seen a lot of movies lately, including those nominated for Oscars, but I haven’t loved any. My husband and I did just watch the documentary Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause and learned that there was much more to Grodin than we knew. It was a reminder of how many spectacular films he made and how easy he made playing those characters look. Just as interesting is the impact he made outside of film advocating for justice; I had no idea. Keep an eye out for it if you’re interested. In the meantime, watch Midnight Run again.

Sleeping Aid

Having trouble falling asleep? Does your mind race at night? Mine sometimes does. I do some games on my iPad in bed to quiet my brain, but it doesn’t always work. I saw someone on Instagram with a suggestion, I tried it, and it worked! Recently, the NY Times wrote about a similar exercise, so I decided to share them with you. 

The Instagram version is to come up with a short name, like Amy or Tony. Take each letter, one at a time, and think of three adjectives/adverbs that begin with that letter, then move on to the next. So, for Amy – A; adorable, adventurous, acrimonious. M; macho, menial, malevolent, etc. If you aren’t asleep by the last letter, do it again with another name.

The NY Times version was to think of any word – build, smack, etc. Similarly, think of words that begin with each letter but think of as many as you can. When you are done with a letter, move on to the next. Good luck and sleep well!

Happy spring and good luck to all of the high school seniors (and their parents) out there!

My 2024 Highlights

2 Replies

Happy 2025!!

Below are the books I read in 2024, in the order I read them. If they have an *, I recommend them:

  1. * Maybe Next Time – Cesca Major
  2. If You Would Have Told Me – John Stamos
  3. Normal Women – Ainslie Hogarth
  4. *You, With a View – Jessica Joyce
  5. *Iron Flame – Rebecca Yarros
  6. Love, Me – Jessica Saunders
  7. A Court of Thorn and Roses – Sarah J. Maas
  8. *The Exception to the Rule (novella) – Christina Lauren
  9. *Mercury – Amy Jo Burns
  10. *Bride – Ali Hazelwood
  11. *Simply the Best – Susan Elizabeth Phillips
  12. *The Backup Plan – Jill Shalvis
  13. Worst Wingman Ever (novella) – Abby Jimenez
  14. *How to End a Love Story – Yulin Kuang
  15. *Chain-Gang All-Stars – Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
  16. Good Material – Dolly Alderton
  17. *Just for the Summer – Abby Jimenez
  18. Tangled Up in You – Christina Lauren
  19. *Check & Mate – Ali Hazelwood
  20. **Tom Lake – Ann Patchett
  21. The Husbands – Holly Gramazio
  22. *Funny Story – Emily Henry
  23. *The Guncle Abroad – Steven Rowley
  24. Eruption – Michael Chrichton & James Patterson
  25. *Summer Romance – Annabel Monaghan
  26. *Slow Dance – Rainbow Rowell
  27. Welcome Home, Caroline Kline – Courtney Preiss
  28. *A Court of Mist and Fury – Sarah J. Maas
  29. *The Paradise Problem – Christina Lauren
  30. A Novel Love Story – Ashley Poston
  31. *Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew – Emmanuel Acho & Noa Tishby
  32. Always Remember – Mary Balogh
  33. *Not in Love – Ali Hazelwood
  34. **Sandwich – Catherine Newman
  35. *The Rom-Commers – Katherine Center
  36. *The Women – Kristen Hannah
  37. *Sylvia’s Second Act – Hillary Yablon
  38. *The Wedding People – Alison Espach
  39. *Here One Moment – Liane Moriarty
  40. Variation – Rebecca Yarros
  41. *The Life Impossible – Matt Haig

My faves from this list (if there’s no explanation, see past posts):

  1. Tom Lake – Audiobook – Meryl!!
  2. Sandwich
  3. How to End a Love Story
  4. Chain-Gang All-Stars
  5. The Women – I listened to this one and thought the narrator did a wonderful job. I have not previously read a book about Vietnam, I don’t think. This is my favorite Kristen Hannah book so far.
  6. The Wedding People – I also listened to this one and further realize how important the audiobook narrator is, as I’m listening to different book now and am not enjoying it as much because I don’t like the narrator. Anyway, I was hesitant about the plot in the beginning, but it won me over. Some good lessons learned here.
  7. Here One Moment – A woman on an Australian flight goes row by row informing passengers (whether they want to know or not) at what age and how they each will die. Chapters alternate between specific passengers, post-flight, and the woman. It’s an interesting question, one I’ve posed here before (with regard to The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin), if you could find out how and when you will die, would you want to know?
  8. The Life Impossible – This book is not going to be for everyone, and it may not be for you at this moment. I do think it has something to offer people who need to hear some of the messaging. Grief and guilt and hard beasts to tame, and life is not always easy. The sad/bad, however, allow us to appreciate the happy/beautiful.

Movies I saw in 2024 that I gave an A or A-:

  1. Irena’s Vow – A-
  2. Remembering Gene Wilder (documentary) – A-
  3. The Holdovers – A-
  4. The Fall Guy – A-
  5. Inside Out 2 – A-
  6. Twisters – A-
  7. Thelma – A
  8. Will & Harper (documentary) – A
  9. Wicked – A

Will & Harper is a wonderful documentary (available on Netflix) following Will Ferrell and his close friend, former head writer at SNL – who has come out as a trans woman – Harper, as they road trip across the country. Heartfelt and educational for those who are afraid of what they don’t understand, it’s a must watch. Plus, you will come away thinking the world of Will Ferrell.

TV I loved:

“Shrinking” – my fave!

“Nobody Wants This” – adorable

“The Diplomat” – that last episode!

“High Potential” – smart and sassy

“Hacks” – season 3 was its best yet

“Matlock” – clever and yay for Kathy Bates!

That’s it for now – may 2025 bring good health and happiness to you all!

Timing

3 Replies

I tend to wait to write a blog post until I have at least one book I love that I can rave about since that’s what most people ask me for. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of rom coms because that’s what I’ve been in the mood for as opposed to, what I call, the “book club book.” There are a ton of great books out there, I just haven’t been in the mood to read them. Maybe once the onslaught of election commercials ceases, I’ll feel differently. On that note, since I’ve already voted (and I’m betting most of you have as well), I figured reading this would provide you a decent distraction.

Books

Sandwich by Catherine Newman    One of my biggest complaints about books is that they are too long. A book isn’t made better with more words. I often ask, out loud, “Where was the editor?!?” This book is small and mighty at 236 pages, a two-day read that you will wish was longer – THAT’S the sign of a great book! At this time in my life, I absolutely relate to Rocky who is with her family on their annual week-long summer vacation to Cape Cod. I don’t think you have to be a 50-something wife/mother/daughter/empty-nester going through menopause to fully appreciate this gem, but it doesn’t hurt if you are, or if you have one in your life. All I know is, I teared up, I laughed out loud, and I loved it.

A bunch of my go-to’s wrote another book! 

Funny Story – Emily Henry

Summer Romance – Annabel Monaghan

Slow Dance – Rainbow Rowell

Just for the Summer – Abby Jimenez

Not in Love –  Ali Hazelwood

All are enjoyable reads; if you like these authors, you will like these books. I would like to put a spotlight on Rainbow Rowell for a sec since it’s been a while since I’ve talked about her. If you haven’t read her books, please do. Eleanor & Park is one of my all-time faves. I also loved Attatchments, Landline and Fangirl. Give her a try!

On a more serious note, if you would like to better understand the conflict in Gaza and how we got there, listen to the audiobook of Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew by Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby. I heard Acho speak recently and he also recommends you listen because it is Acho and Tishby doing the reading, with additional material recorded after October 7th that is not in the printed book. Questions are asked that you may have also, and are answered with history and with candor.

Movies

In the theater, I really enjoyed Inside Out 2 and Twisters. The former took all the good stuff from the first film and moved forward expertly (puberty!!). The latter took all the good stuff from the first and basically did it again (see Top Gun: Maverick and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) but the effects are better, as is the tension.

On a different note, I highly recommend Thelma. I recently watched it on a plane and laughed out loud, a lot. My friend Kim was sitting by me and when I was finished, I told her that I thought it was really funny. She said, “We ALL know!” Thelma is an elderly grandmother who gets duped by a phone scammer and then sets out to take back what is hers. This film touches on a lot, primarily aging and how it affects us at every stage. This movie will hit you differently depending on what phase of your life you are in.

TV

If you haven’t already, you should watch “Nobody Wants This” on Netflix. Created by Erin Foster (daughter of music producer David Foster) and based a bit on her real life, it follows Joanne (Kristen Bell), a shiksa (non-Jewish) podcaster, as she meets and falls for an adorable Rabbi (Adam Brody). Hilarity and real life ensue. Season Two is happening so get on it.

I know I’m one of the few people who watch (and still have!) network TV, but I am really enjoying “High Potential” on ABC/Hulu. Kaitlin Olson plays a single mom with exceptional abilities who helps cops solve crimes. It’s fun and clever.

“Shrinking” and “The Diplomat “are each back for season 2!!!

Podcast

“Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus” got me through the summer. Enjoy three seasons of her conversations with iconic older women who have a lot to tell us but are often never asked. I especially enjoyed Jane Fonda, Ruth Reichel, Carol Burnett and Bonnie Raitt (the intro on this one made me tear up). Life lessons are shared and some golden nuggets of advice are given.

Be sure to vote, and have a happy November!

Summer Suggestions

2 Replies

Happy almost summer! Need something to read, watch and/or listen to? I’ve got you!

Books

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Warning, this is not easy reading. (Shout out to Chris W for keeping on me about it.) Like a Hunger Games for prisoners, Chain-Gang All-Stars is set in a mildly dystopian, current day setting in which convicts (disproportionately black) can “escape” their prison sentences by competing in live-broadcast, to the death, battles against other convicts. Fighters are divided into teams, Chains – in which they can help each other or kill each other, with the hope of winning enough matches to earn eventual freedom. As repulsive as this sounds, you can see how this “sport” would be alluring and “good tv” to people, almost like a live video game. This fictional world is anchored to our reality via the footnotes at the bottom of many pages noting actual facts, laws, real-life victims, etc. It’s a sobering read, not without humor or emotion, and with a lot to say about our current penal system, among other things.

How to End a Love Story – Yulin Kuang

On a much less-violent note, I really enjoyed How to End a Love Story. Kuang is the adapting writer/director of Emily Henry’s Beach Read and the adapting screenwriter of Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation which is a good enough pedigree for me! Her debut novel follows Helen and Grant, who are linked by a tragic accident from the past and must figure out how to work together despite it and move on. Theirs is a love story that can never be…?

Movies

I really enjoyed The Fall Guy! Funny, entertaining, action-packed and well-acted (Ryan Gosling! Emily Blunt!) – exactly what you want out of a summer movie at the theater.

Meryl Streep appreciation corner

I try not to write about books/tv shows before I finish them because I take pride in offering up options to you that I have fully endorsed, but I’m about to do it. Let me also remind you that I prefer reading/holding an actual book to listening to it or using a Kindle. Every now and then I make an exception. When I heard that Meryl Streep was the narrator for Ann Patchett’s latest book, Tom Lake, obviously I was going to choose listening. (Shout out to Shari for making that possible!) (Side bar, friends and I went to go hear Ann Patchett on her book tour for Tom Lake and she is delightful! I could listen to her talk all day. If you feel the same way, or, if you have no idea because you haven’t heard her speak before, you should follow her on Instagram via the account of the bookstore she owns in Nashville, @parnassusbooks.) I’m only halfway through the book and am in no rush to finish it because I cannot get over how delightful Meryl is to listen to. (I know I used “delightful” twice. I mean the adjective wholeheartedly in both instances.) I listen while I go on walks and I catch myself smiling and laughing as I walk alone, surely looking like an idiot. I don’t care. So far, the book is perfectly diverting, although it almost doesn’t even matter to me at this point. I am thoroughly enjoying Meryl describing Lara’s tenure acting in a production of Our Town in Michigan, and then recounting that time, much later, to her daughters. 

While we’re here, let me also plug the third season of “Only Murders in the Building” because, again, Meryl is awesome. All the other actors are great, too, (Paul Rudd!) and the plot gets better every season, but Meryl steals the show for me. Bonus, she will also be in season 4, premiering August 27th!

Father’s Day suggestion

My 17-year-old son wanted to watch the South Park special roasting Ozempic, titled “South Park: The End of Obesity” (it’s a little long but it is funny), so we got a trial for Paramount +. If you subscribe to this streaming service, or go the route we did, let me add to the many people who told us to watch and recommend “The Offer.” Not to be too stereotypical but, assuming your husband’s/father’s favorite movie is The Godfather, he will love this. Albert S. Ruddy was the producer of the film and this limited series (10 episodes) follows his experience in getting the movie made. Some stories I knew, most I did not. More importantly, my husband loved it and yours probably will too.

Hamas

The hostages need to be freed/released. Hamas does not care about a ceasefire. They want the bloodshed. People do not understand that there is no negotiating with Hamas because it is not a rational thinking organization. Please listen to this podcast: The Bright Line Between Good and Evil with Sam Harris (linked). 

Thanks for reading and use SPF!

2023 in review

5 Replies

Happy New Year! Let’s get right to it!

Rather than list all the movies I’ve seen, I am listing the films I graded with an A or A-. Here they are, in order of my viewing:

  1. Avatar: The Way of Water   A-
  2. Air   A-
  3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3   A-
  4. The Little Mermaid   A
  5. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny   A-
  6. Past Lives   A-
  7. Barbie   A
  8. Are You There G-d, It’s Me, Margaret    A-
  9. Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One  A-
  10. Taylor Swift Era’s Tour   A

Following are the books I read in 2023 (in the order I read them). If I recommend it, it will have an *:

  1. *Love on the Brain – Ali Hazelwood
  2. *The Most Likely Club – Elyssa Friedland
  3. *The Bodyguard – Katherine Center
  4. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing – Matthew Perry
  5. *Loathe to Love You – Ali Hazelwood
  6. The Hunter – L.J. Shen
  7. *Georgie, All Along – Kate Clayborn
  8. *Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt
  9. Before We Were Strangers – Renee Carlino
  10. Priest – Sierra Simone
  11. Eight Perfect Hours – Lia Louis
  12. Neon Gods – Katee Robert
  13. Someone Else’s Shoes – Jojo Moyes
  14. *Romantic Comedy – Curtis Sittenfeld
  15. *Happy Place – Emily Henry
  16. Pineapple Street – Jenny Jackson
  17. *The True Love Experiment – Christina Lauren
  18. Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan
  19. *Love, Theoretically – Ali Hazelwood
  20. Best Men – Sidney Karger
  21. *The Guncle – Steven Rowley
  22. Bad Summer People – Emma Rosenblum
  23. Cassandra in Reverse – Holly Smale
  24. Grumpy Cowboy – Max Monroe
  25. *Mad Honey – Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan
  26. Do Tell – Lindsay Lynch
  27. *Same Time Next Summer – Annabel Monaghan
  28. *When in Rome – Sarah Adams
  29. *Someone Just Like You – Meredith Schorr
  30. *Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver
  31. *Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers – Jesse Q. Sutano
  32. My Roommate is a Vampire – Jenna Levine
  33. *Fourth Wing – Rebecca Yarros
  34. *Maybe Once, Maybe Twice – Alison Rose
  35. *Mother-Daughter Murder Night – Nina Simon
  36. *The Woman in Me – Britney Spears

My favorites of the bunch:

  1. Romantic Comedy
  2. Mad Honey
  3. Remarkably Bright Creatures
  4. Fourth Wing
  5. The Guncle
  6. The True Love Experiment
  7. Happy Place/Love on the Brain/Loathe to Love You/Love, Theoretically
  8. Demon Copperhead

Favorite TV:

  1. “Shrinking”
  2. “The Last of Us” – esp ep 3 “Long, Long Time”
  3. “The Bear” – my fave episode was “Forks” but there was a great write up in Entertainment Weekly (linked) of how they cast the frenetic episode “Fishes” if you’d like to read it.
  4. “Lessons in Chemistry”
  5. “Will Trent”

Concerts

I saw SO many amazing concerts this year! If you get the chance, go see: John Mayer, Taylor Swift (duh), Stevie Nicks, Paramore, Bryan Adams, The Cure, Beyonce’, Adele, the B52’s, Depeche Mode and Queen ft Adam Lambert.

All things Taylor Swift 

If you can’t get enough, read the terrific article in Time Magazine (linked) which named her Person of the Year for 2023 and listen to the episode of The Daily, The Year of Taylor Swift (linked).

Thanks, as always, for reading!!! May 2024 be healthy, happy and full of many lovely moments – happy new year!!

Quick recs

Leave a reply

Can you believe it is already December?! I think I say that every year at this time. For some reason it always shocks me how quickly we go from Halloween to Christmas!

This entry will be brief – the next one will include my year end round up. Here, I’m offering a couple recs for you to take on your vacay or to watch/read while you are home looking to be entertained. Here we go…

Movies –

If you are sad that you were unable to go see Taylor Swift in concert for her Era’s tour (best concert I’ve ever seen, hands down), do not wallow – go see the movie! If you were fortunate enough to have seen the concert and are thinking, “Been there, done that,” nope! (Tho honestly, if you’ve seen the concert, I know you could not possibly think that!) Your view of the show will be better and you will feel like you are right there. I loved it! I want to own it and watch it all the time, I’m not kidding. It’s coming to streaming (with three bonus songs!) but I do think the theater was a fun place to see it.

If you want a quiet, thoughtful movie (I saw it in the theater but viewing at home will do quite nicely) try Past Lives. It’s about home, immigration, friendship and (lost) love. This one will stay with you long after you finish watching.

TV – 

I’m a little behind so not too much here but the adaptation of “Lessons in Chemistry” on Apple TV was very entertaining. They changed it a bit from the book but, if you are making an 8-episode show from a novel, I think you have to do that. My only complaint is there’s not enough Six-thirty.

You know I love “Ghosts.” Since the strike halted the fall season of scripted shows, CBS did a smart thing and aired the UK version from which the US version was based. We’ve been watching it and it is pretty funny. I like the US version better but I’m not sure if that’s because I started with that one? Regardless, great way to pass the time!

Books – 

I have four recs – a serious, 2 light-ish and a dystopian!

Mad Honey – I am not going to give away any plot points because I think it may be more powerful if you don’t know, but I will say that I think everyone should read this book. The overarching plot is that a teenage boy is put on trial for the murder of his girlfriend. Beautiful writing and powerful storytelling, this is my first Jodi Picoult in years and she, along with co-writer Jennifer Finney Boylan, really impressed me.

Same Time Next Summer – Annabel Monaghan also wrote Nora Goes Off Script which I liked better (if you haven’t read it, please do) but this one is great also. Sam thinks her life is going swimmingly until she goes to her family’s beach house and sees the man who broke her heart at seventeen. It’s also got a little music business in there which I love, as does…

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg– (if you are hearing Stevie Nicks singing in your mind, you are correct) – Maggie has two dreams; being a singer and being a mother. She has the talent for the first but life keeps throwing her curveballs. As for the second, two contenders weave in and out of her life but will either one be the right puzzle piece?

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros– If you love The Hunger Games and Divergent, this is the book for you. It is over 500 pages but, before you groan, hear me when I say, I read it in three days. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I am absolutely not joking. I was annoyed when I had to go do actual things because that meant I’d have to stop reading. The second one is out now, Iron Flame. I bought it but I’m saving it for my trip later this month. I cannot wait to read it!!!! 

That’s it for now. Happy holidays! May this next year bring peace and good health to all of you!

I Am Woman

2 Replies

We have SO much to talk about! Let’s start with..

Movies

Let me begin, again, by encouraging you to go to the movie theater to see a movie. Most of these movies were made for you to enjoy on the big screen. All these movies I’m about to recommend will show at their best in that environment. Theaters had a couple big weekends this summer which is great (they really needed them) but that’s not the norm. Go support!

Barbie

While it’s an A for me, I know it’s not for everyone. I thought it was wholly entertaining and a visual spectacle. The acting was fantastic and everyone had a lot to say, much more and much more deeply than I was anticipating. When America Ferrera gave her speech, I teared through the whole thing (side note, I cry at almost anything remotely emotional, but I did not expect to cry through the last fifth of this movie.) I loved it.

The Little Mermaid

I’m a little late recommending this one, for which I apologize, because seeing it on the big screen was a joy. I was blown away by this film. Halle Bailey all but glowed the entire time, she is pure light. I was also impressed with how they made this film; I actually want to see a “how they did it” because they had me believing they were under water talking and singing, like you do. Another A.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

If you love Indiana Jones (how can you not?), go see this movie. In the spirit of, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” it is everything you would want from this franchise. Jones is coming to terms with his age and is retiring, but that doesn’t stop the adventure (brought to him by his goddaughter) from swooping him up. Throw in some great cameos and callbacks to the series’ past installments and you have a more than worthy final chapter.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

I LOVE the Mission: Impossible and Jason Bourne movies! This latest entry is no disappointment, in fact it is a GREAT time!! It’s a two-hour 43-minute film that does not feel long at all, and it’s only part one! The stunts are unreal (I cannot stop thinking about the train sequence) which is why we go. It isn’t really for the story because the plot is a bit unwieldy (I still haven’t quite figured it out – but who cares?!). Basically the AI in this version is bad news. I do recommend a little homework, if you haven’t seen the last couple M:I’s, it’ll make it easier to follow if you watch them first.

TV

I was alone in my house for about a week so I did some major TV catch up. Way back when, I recommended “Never Have I Ever” on Netflix. I really enjoyed the first season but, as is often the case, I didn’t stick with it because new shiny shows came along. Well, I caught up and I loved it! I kinda think it was made for people my age which is funny since it’s about an Indian teenager navigating her way through high school, but it gave me all the feels and John McEnroe (the narrator) is fantastic.

“The Diplomat” – I love Keri Russell. This show is also on Netflix. Russell plays Kate Wyler, a career diplomat who, out of nowhere, lands a high-profile job where a lot is expected of her from the second she steps foot in England. Is it realistic? Nope. Does it matter? Nope. She is a smart cookie amid chaos and that’s always fun to watch.

“The Bear” – on season one (Hulu), Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) plays a fine dining chef who returns to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop. I liked it and was happy to give season two a go. Season two is a totally different program. Carmy is trying to open the restaurant he wants to open and, this time, everyone involved gets a little time in the sun, and each episode showcases unbelievable cameos and character depth arcs. Highly recommend.

Women’s issues

Recently I have been pointing out how women’s health has been largely ignored by every facet of the health industry/community. Turns out, big surprise, ignoring women’s issues is prevalent in every area. The Gist is a 4x-weekly newsletter that focuses on sports, often zeroing in on the women playing them. Edition #833 from July 16th was eye-opening to me (here is a link to The Gist but you may have to search for this particular issue). The whole issue is interesting, I hope you’ll read it all the way through, but this little nugget has stuck with me (regarding how often research has excluded women and yet applies its results to us as a gender): “One study of obesity’s effect on breast and uterine cancers failed to include any female subjects.” WHAT?! Also this, “…studies on the effect of aspirin, estrogen, or diet and exercise on heart disease – the leading cause of death for U.S. women – enrolled between 8K and 22K men…and zero women.” Astonishing. Equipment is often not made with the female body in mind either, affecting competitive cyclists, among others. It goes on and on.

In the same vein, if you can take more, try listening to the first episode of the most recent season of the Serial podcast called “The Retrievals.” (linked) Dozens of women seeking to become mothers went to a fertility clinic at Yale. You will not believe how these women were ignored, their pain was disregarded and how they were made to feel (crazy, shameful, problematic). No one listened to them when they were telling them what was going on.

Also, if you read or listened to the NY Times Magazine article on menopause that I mentioned previously, the author, Susan Dominus, had a really interesting follow up on The Daily, you can listen here.

Books

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

The title may make it seem like a frivolous read, but there is real depth here. Gay Uncle Patrick, due to a tragic event, has agreed to care for his niece and nephew over the summer. I laughed and cried and laughed some more. Apparently a movie version is in the works.

My usual suspects; Emily Henry, Christina Lauren and Ali Hazelwood all have new books I highly recommend. You just can’t go wrong with them as long as you enjoy well-written, funny, charming, intelligent romance. You should check out all three!

Happy Place

True Love Experiment (helpful to read The Soulmate Equation first)

Love, Theoretically

Happy back to school, for those going through it! May this school year go well! And happy rest of summer to all! Thanks for reading – xo.

Diversions

1 Reply

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!! Following are a few entertainment suggestions for the long weekend…

I’ve been waiting for that elusive fantastic show (movie/TV) – e.g., Shrinking and The Last of Us – to sweep me off my feet before writing this, alas, it never came. However, plenty of diversions are available in the theater, streaming, and on network TV. If you are looking for some fun, mindless entertainment, go ahead and try Air, Dungeons and Dragons, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Ghosted, The Mother, Citadel, Will Trent and Not Dead Yet. (Side note, do not be afraid to go to the movie theater. The past few times I’ve gone it has been virtually empty – you get the whole movie experience without a lot of distractions.)

Books

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

I LOVED this book! Sally Milz is a sketch writer for a tv show (that is SNL but is called something different). When pop star Noah Brewster shows up as the host and musical guest, sparks fly. This book is so well written and laugh out loud funny; I am a sucker for a book that makes me laugh.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This is another quirky one (see Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, etc.) so you may have to give yourself a moment to get into its groove, but it’ll be worth it. A bit of a mystery tied up with lessons in love, friendship and the genius that is the octopus.

Concerts

EVERYONE is touring! I know it’s easy to talk yourself out of going to shows because it seems like a hassle and the tickets and fees are stupid expensive, but if you can afford it and you have the opportunity – GO!!!!

I recently saw John Mayer even though I didn’t really know his music outside of radio play. He kinda blew me away; no sets, no back up singers – just him, a bunch of guitars and good old fashioned storytelling. I added a few of songs including this one: “Shouldn’t Matter But it Does.”

However you choose to spend your weekend, I hope you have fun and stay safe!

A Couple Standouts

2 Replies

This is a quick one, I just wanted to make sure you were aware of a few things before I head out of town.

TV

I do not play video games and I do not enjoy horror/scary stuff but I am really impressed with “The Last of Us” on HBO. This series is based on a video game of the same name and takes place after a global pandemic has basically destroyed civilization. I do not watch it Sunday nights as it airs, I watch it during the day with all the lights on. In the spirit of full disclosure, this show can be intense, violent, creepy and gross, but it does a good job of not being those things every episode. Some episodes are truly beautiful, whether it be cinematically or in its sensitive storytelling (episode 3 WILL win awards, mark my words). (In fact, if I’m not selling you, go ahead and just watch episode 3, it is mostly a stand-alone episode.) The acting is also terrific, you may recognize both leads from their star turns in “Game of Thrones.” It is not an easy watch but it’s worth it.

If comedy is more your thing and you were/are a fan of “Scrubs,” “Cougar Town” and/or “Ted Lasso” – all Bill Lawrence shows – then you must watch “Shrinking” on Apple TV+. I LOVE IT!! Jason Segel stars as a widowed therapist, but he has a daughter and patients who need him, and life must go on. It may not sound funny, but it is (especially after the first episode). I love all of those Bill Lawrence shows, so I knew I was in, but the other co-creators are Segel and Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent on “Ted Lasso”), a no-brainer! It also stars Harrison Ford, in his first stab at comedy!

You’re a reality TV fan? Let me say again that you really should be watching “American Idol” on ABC. If you enjoy music, there is no better show. The talent is beyond impressive (watch this season’s first episode), and the stories of these people’s lives move me to tears just about every time. Plus, the judges really care and actually help these kids. I cannot believe good this show is and I do not understand why everyone isn’t watching it.

Books

If you are looking for a beach read, may I recommend Ali Hazelwood’s books? She is a neuroscience professor who writes romance novels centering on women in STEM fields and academia. The books are smart, cute and fun to read. I recommend them all; The Love Hypothesis, Love on the Brain and Loathe to Love You.

I’m bringing some hefty books with me on spring break so I will get back to you with some more substantive reading.

In the meantime, I’ve noticed a disheartening occurrence thanks to some articles I’ve read recently regarding women’s bodies and our health. The New York Times published an article last year (that was one of its top 5 most read articles of that year) titled “Half the World Has a Clitoris. Why Don’t Doctors Study It?” Then, on Sunday, February the 12th, the podcast The Daily featured Susan Dominus reading her article from The New York Times Magazine titled “Women Have Been Mislead About Menopause.” (Both articles are linked within the titles but you need a NY Times subscription to access them. You can listen to The Daily podcast for free.) One statistic that shocked me was that 70-80% of women have hot flashes and no one knows why. Basically, there hasn’t been enough research on women’s body parts or our health issues, therefore these topics are just not taught in medical school. I’m guessing if men had night sweats/hot flashes, sudden weight gain, bouts of anger, continued bleeding, bone loss, memory lapses and, frankly, a clitoris, there would be some research happening. In my post from September 2021, I recommended an episode of “The Good Doctor” (season 4, episode 14) which also touches on how women and our symptoms are often ignored or discounted. Very upsetting all around.

On a lighter note, happy spring break to those traveling. Thanks for reading!