Another full year of great WRL.

Watch

The Boy and The Heron
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest animated film is a masterpiece. It’s a love note to Miyazaki’s creative process with his friends and colleagues at Studio Ghibli, tinged with the implicit question, “What will become of the studio once Miyazaki can no longer make movies?” Bonus: I saw the English dub only because I wanted to hear Robert Pattinson’s unhinged heron-man performance, and he did not disappoint. (Michelle M.)

Death And Other Details (Hulu)
This murder mystery series has Agatha Christie vibes mixed with the raciness of The White Lotus. Great acting and lots of surprise twists. (Kate H.)

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (videogame)
I realize this is not a movie or show, but I’ve been watching my partner play through the game and it may as well be. Kojima is super inspired by film format and directs his games as if they’re an interactive long-form movie narrative. This game is a sequel to the first Death Stranding game, set in a post-apocalyptic future where the human race is fighting extinction, and the barriers between life and death are broken in catastrophic ways. The main character, Sam, works to help reconnect the world via the “chiral network” (basically the new internet but it runs on the power of dead souls, fun!) and rebuilding literal paths between surviving humans, all while fighting demi-god-like bad guys. This installment of the series focuses on found family, hope, trauma, and what it means to be human. (Christie)

How Are You? It’s Alan (Amazon Prime)
A BBC mockumentary in which Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge persona addresses Britain’s mental health crisis through the lens of … you guessed it … his own mental health crisis. Awkward interviews and misguided observations will make you wince and chuckle through the schadenfreude. (Lauren)

Into The Fire: American Women in the Spanish Civil War
This documentary is about the role and experiences of US women who served in the Abraham Lincoln Brigades during the fight against fascism in Spain from 1937 to 1939. It paints a picture of the under-recognized work of nurses, drivers, and lab techs. The footage from the war is interesting but the real selling point is the more recent interviews with aging veterans who tell their stories with clarity and conviction. (Margaret)

Missing From Fire Trail Road
The documentary begins as an investigation into Mary Ellen Johnson Davis’s disappearance from the Tulalip reservation in Washington, and broadens its scope to address the alarming rate Native women go missing or experience violence in the US thanks to legal loopholes that benefit non-Indigenous perpetrators. The film also includes discussion of the impact of the boarding school system on the community, emphasizing the generational trauma Indigenous people still suffer from. (Michelle M.)

Sinners
Incredible movie. I went in with nearly no expectations and if somehow you haven’t seen it yet, I think you should, too. (Renee)

Read

Becoming Ms. Burton by Susan Burton and Cari Lynn
Susan Burton’s memoir takes you throughout her life, beginning from incredibly unfortunate circumstances in her childhood, through her time in prison and to recovery, after which she starts reentry homes for women and their families and organizes against the injustices of mass incarceration. This is both an incredible personal narrative of a woman overcoming incredible odds and a lesson in the power of building community to change unjust systems. (Renee)

Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson
Hen, a professional artist, becomes convinced that her neighbor, Matthew, may be a murderer. But is he? Or is this another case of her active imagination getting away from her? This is a breezy, fast-paced thriller perfect for a rainy fall day. (Roy)

The Hunter by Tana French
The sequel to The Searcher, my favorite mystery writer Tana French brings her signature style and eye to a western-inspired narrative set in a small village in Ireland. The characters are funny and complex, the landscape is rich, the plot is thick. Real good stuff. (Christie)

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I read this at Greg’s recommendation! A proper eerie gothic horror novel set in an old English silver mining town in 1950s Hidalgo, Mexico. Socialite Noemí Taboada travels there from Mexico City to check in on her ailing cousin who has recently married into a declining English family. I personally enjoyed the references to Mexico City (fun fact, you can still visit various Palacio de Hierro department stores across the country like Noemí, but certain especially fancy ones in the capital serve gourmet eats), as well as the truly creepy imagery that emerges when the protagonist engages with the incredibly unsettling house. (Michelle M.)

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
In case you missed Renee’s recommendation of this book back in June! The book is a clear and deeply felt reflection on Western democracies’ support for genocide in Gaza and a call to turn away from the systems that have enabled it. (Margaret)

Red City by Marie Lu
It’s been a big year for dark academia, and Red City, Marie Lu’s adult debut, fits right in. Magic schooling, shady corporations, deep relationships between characters who keep being pitted against each other – this book has it all. (Renee)

The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner
This children’s chapter book might be one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s a story of a boy mourning the loss of his father by climbing the Adirondacks. It’s written in verse and incredibly moving. For anyone who says children’s books aren’t literature, this book will change your mind! (Kate H.)

Listen

Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood, narrated by Claire Skinner
This story of a burned-out mother is so honest and relatable. Grace has been knocked down by life, and even when she’s unraveling I was rooting for her to find her way. An easy listen with lovely narrator. (Kate H.)

The Firewatcher’s Daughter by Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile flirts with rock-and-roll, country-folk, and pop on this album and doesn’t miss! (Margaret)

How To Raise a Healthy Gamer by Alok Kenojia, narrated by the author
This book helped our family a lot. It doesn’t vilify video games or screens (like so many books do), but teaches how to set healthier boundaries and routines by explaining what psychological and social needs games tend to replace. It gives specific plans for parents who need them — but I think this book would benefit anyone who has a complicated relationship with technology. (Kate H.)

Less daylight means more time to stay in watching, reading, and listening.

Watch

About Elly
Starring Golshifteh Farahani (Paterson, My Father’s Dragon) and Peyman Maadi (A Separation), a group of friends invite an acquaintance to a seaside weekend trip in hopes of setting her up with their divorced friend. When she suddenly disappears, they are confronted with not only the mystery of her disappearance, but also just how little they knew her. The truth is elusive, nothing is certain, and everyone seems to be hiding something in this mesmerizing offering directed by Asghar Farhani. (Michelle M.)

The Great British Bakeoff (Netflix)
I’m not much of a baker, but the camaraderie among contestants, the amazing looking bakes and the British accents all combine to make for some very wholesome, gentle content. (Allison)

I Saw the TV Glow
I thought this was going to be a scary movie about a nostalgic show that bleeds into the real world. I was partially right- but this focuses much, much more on identity and leaves the viewer wondering if maybe the real world isn’t so real after all. Also, this made me cry so warning for all my fellow sensitive people. (Liz)

The Lowdown (Hulu)
Ethan Hawke stars in a new original series about a deadbeat journalist (a self-described truthstorian) who tries to uncover a local conspiracy in Tulsa. Really fun, surprising, and I can’t wait to see what happens next! (Christie)

The Rainmaker (Peacock)
I love a good legal drama and this one based on the John Grisham novel delivers! It’s about a scrappy young lawyer who comes across a major coverup at a local hospital. The casting is great and the suspense has me waiting for new episodes every week. (Kate H.)

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
One of my favorite films! Painted in gorgeous watercolors, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is an adaptation of a Japanese folktale. The film delicately contemplates the fleeting nature of life, and how well-meaning parents can invertedly counteract their children’s happiness in the very pursuit of it. While the themes are heavy, The Tale of Princess Kaguya maintains a joyous childlike awe of nature and celebration of life, no matter how brief. (Michelle M.)

Trouble (Netflix)
A ridiculous, dumb, fun action comedy. (Todd)

Read

Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen
A sweet and unexpectedly deep YA graphic novel with a two-person love triangle, an adorable mascot costume, and some of my favorite illustrations in a long time. From the author of The Magic Fish! (Renee)

Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America by Julia Lee
This was an interesting mix of memoir, history, and contemporary issues about being Asian in a world of Black and White and all the complications that come with that. (Hazel)

Deep Undercover: My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America by Jack Barsky
Unbelievable story about an East German who became a Soviet Spy. Fantastic book until the last few chapters, which ruined the book for me. (Todd)

Heart the Lover by Lily King
We don’t learn the narrator’s first name until the last page, but fans of King (with better memories than me) will likely know who’s story this is. I finished this book in just over a day and nearly picked it up to read again straight away. I loved it. (Amber)

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
This novel follows a character from a boyhood in Mexico, time spent living with and working for Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky, to the post WWII communist “red scare” in America where citizens were investigated and black listed for holding or being suspected of holding “anti-American” ideas. It was an interesting read given the current climate where anti-fascists are being classified as terrorists in the Unites States. (Allison)

Life is Strange: Dust by Emma Vieceli
If you’ve played the Life is Strange game(s), this is a wonderfully written and illustrated graphic novel series that picks up where the first game left off. It’s so fun to see the characters continue their story and build new relationships. The authors have really created something special, exploring parallel universes and interesting moral and relationship dilemmas. (Christie)

The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson
An unputdownable, culty YA psychological thriller about an influential man moving onto a college campus and controlling the lives of unsuspecting students. Based on the case of a student’s father at Sarah Lawrence moving into her dorm and stealing thousands of dollars from students. I read this in a day. (Renee)

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
If you like occult schemes, cursed films, film history and exasperated women holding it together so that the men in their life don’t accidentally die, then this book is for you! (Liz)

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elizabeth Tova Bailey
A patron recommended this book and I’m so glad I read it. It’s a quiet, thoughtful memoir of a woman with a chronic illness who finds company with a snail from her garden. It’s a nice reminder of how precious time and health are. (Kate H.)

Listen

All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini
A lot of people LOVE this book. I’m pretty middle-of-the-road about it. I enjoyed the story. I would not call it a thriller. The twists are great. The middle is too long. Some parts got glossed over and other parts should have been. The writing style & grammar are often annoying/just plain incorrect. The ending is satisfying and that is its saving “grace”. (Deb)

All The Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert, narrated by the author
This new memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat Pray Love) has been pretty polarizing. It’s a brutally honest (and important) glimpse into addiction based on the author’s own lived experience and her late partner’s. This one will stay with me for a while. (Kate H.)

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas, narrated by Elizabeth Evans
I finally took the plunge into the world of Sarah Maas (best known for her Court of Thorns and Roses series), and now I can’t stop reading them. This book is a prequel to the Throne of Glass series, and a good intro to the characters and world building of the series. (Kate H.)

The Future of Truth by Warner Herzog
This brief memoir muses on the nature of truth and asks how we can find it in a post-truth era. Honestly, I could listen to Werner Herzog recite the digits of pi and still be riveted. (Liz)

Midnight Burger (podcast)
I’m late to the game on this one but that doesn’t make me any less obsessed. A longform radio theater show about the rag-tag crew of a time and dimension-travelling diner. Ridiculous, funny, heart-wrenching, unique, and so well-acted. (Christie)

That Sh*t is Geniuser by Dillinger Four
A remaster of one of my favorite punk albums from the late 90s that was released a few weeks ago. (Todd)

Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stoner, narrated by the author
Yes, it’s another celebrity memoir, but they go beyond the struggles of being in Hollywood and discuss important mental health topics that don’t get addressed enough. (Hazel)

This Summer Will Be Different by Carly Fortune, narrated by A.J. Bridel
Chick-Lit. Good Characters. This takes place on Prince Edward Island, so it’s inspiring me to go back and read Anne of Green Gables which I missed as a youngster. (Deb)

We Won’t All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall, narrated by Jess Nahikian
A fun, quick horror read. (Todd)

No tricks, all treats.

Watch

Alien Earth (Hulu)
I love a strong female character, so naturally the Xenomorph is my favorite alien. I recommend this for fans of the Alien franchise and science fiction in general. The practical effects are superb and I am particularly fond of Timothy Olyphant’s portrayal of Kirsch, a synthetic human who is probably more than he appears. (Liz)

The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix)
A personal favorite of mine, the miniseries tells the story of the Usher family, a wealthy pharmaceutical clan whose power is based off the suffering of others. After years of evading justice, the family begins getting picked off one by one in grisly fashion, all of which are inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe. A great Halloween watch, but be warned, it gets gory. (Greg)

The Pitt (HBO Max)
The Emmys are right – this show is incredible and you should watch it (if you don’t get grossed out by medical procedures). The show is funny but gritty, and doesn’t shy away from the reality of working in an ER! (Renee)

Task (HBO Max)
An FBI agent, reeling from the death of his wife, is pulled from the job fair circuit to lead a task force to solve a series of violent robberies. This show, from the creator of Mare of Easttown – another must watch, is intense and devastatingly sad, and so extremely well written and acted that I need to remind myself it is fiction. One of the rare shows that actually has me tuning in when it airs. (Amber)

There Will Be Blood
Epic tale of an oilman and his relentless drive for money and power. (Katherine)

Wellington Paranormal (Apple TV+)
This is a mockumentary comedy horror show about cops who investigate paranormal activity in New Zealand. I’m pretty squeamish about horror but even I could handle this, and it is SO funny. (Margaret)

Read

Defiance: Anarchist Statements Before Judge and Jury (Detritus Books)
A brief introduction from the editors says, “Every one of these statements is imperfect, none of these people were/are heroes. Fortunately, we don’t find inspiration in perfection or heroics. We find inspiration in defiance.” With statements of accused anarchists starting in 1871 and going through 2016, I’m enjoying how many of them mix fiery political rhetoric with straightforward narration of the “crimes” committed.(Margaret)

The Fisherman by John Langan
One of the best cosmic horror stories I’ve read in recent years. Two widowers go to the Catskills for some fishing, but get more than they bargained for. You see, the creek they’re going to has a dark past, and something very old and very hungry lives in its waters. (Greg)

Ma guerre d’espagne à moi: Une femme à la tete d’une colonne de combat by Mika Feldman de Etchebéhère
C’est la vraie histoire de Mika Feldman de Etchebéhère, une femme qui commandait une colonne antifasciste dans la guerre civile espagnole de 1936-1939, un document unique puisque c’est écrit par Feldman de Etchebéhère elle-même. Elle a surmonté les objections des hommes et est devenue une des seules femmes occupant des positions de pouvoir militaire dans la guerre. (Margaret)

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
You already know a new R.F. Kuang is going to be compulsively readable. I found this one to be somewhere in the middle of Babel and Yellowface – magic and fantasy and dark academia like in Babel, criticism of the academy and a complicated protagonist like in Yellowface. Definitely recommend! (Renee)

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monae
Based on the world she created in her music albums (Dirty Computer, ArchAndroid, Metropolis, Electric Lady – listen to themmm!), Janelle Monáe wrote a novella along with other short stories exploring the lives of characters in a dystopian future where androids live alongside humans, and social behavior that is deemed “deviant” marks people as “dirty computers”. Memory librarians harvest memories from the citizens and police their memories, personalities, and histories in an effort to maintain order. The characters in these stories struggle against the system and against their own ideals, from the perspective of those enforcing the rules as well as the rebels. And so much queer representation in beautiful, nuanced ways! It took me a little to get into it, but now I’m hooked. (Christie)

Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating-Disorder Recovery by Mallory Tenore Tarpley
This memoir combines the author’s personal story with others’ experiences and facts about the true struggles of living with an eating disorder and what it means to be not acutely sick and also not “fully recovered.” It’s really the first book of its kind. (Hazel)

The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen
The Martini Club is back with its second fun installment. Former spy friends have retired to a seaside town in Maine where everyone minds their own business. Somehow they become entangled in another town crisis. For a tiny town there sure are a lot of mysteries, a la Murder She Wrote! And there’s a teaser at the end for a Martini/Reacher crossover! (Deb)

The Woods by James Tynion IV
When the students and staff of Bay Point Preparatory High School are suddenly and inexplicably transported to an alien moon they must figure out how to adapt to their new environment. Unfortunately, the current inhabitants of the moon don’t make it easy, nor do the strangely glowing stones that seem to take over some people’s minds. I loved it! (Liz)

Listen

The Beaches
This band is fun and whip-smart. Some of their older music is available in Hoopla. (Amber)

Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II by Elyse Graham, read by Saskia Maarleveld
Interesting history of how librarians and professors innovated to spawn modern spycraft. (Deb)

Home Front by Kristin Hannah, read by Maggi-Med Reed
Before Kristin Hannah wrote The Women, she wrote Home Front, a story of a female helicopter pilot gone off to war. Deeply emotional…you feel great empathy & frustration alongside each character. (Deb)

Otherworld (podcast)
Ordinary people share their supernatural experiences in this podcast hosted by Jack Wagner. As an avid X-Files enthusiast I give this five stars. (Liz)

The Strange Case of Starship Iris (podcast)
A great audio drama about a woman who is the last person alive on her spaceship when its escape pod explodes with her whole crew – and the people who save her life. (Renee)

There Is No Other by Rhiannon Giddens
This was my first Rhiannon Giddens CD and it did NOT disappoint. She packs so much clear, aching emotion into her voice across all the genres explored on this album. This is a collaboration between Giddens and her husband, Italian jazz musician Francesco Turrisi. (Margaret)

Heading towards fall with our latest picks.

Watch

America’s Sweethearts: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Netflix)
Even though I am a die-hard Steelers fan (an NFL team without cheerleaders), I absolutely love this show. This season was even better than the first! (Amber)

American Delivery
This thoughtful documentary explores the growing maternal health crisis in the U.S., where more women die in childbirth than any other wealthy nation. Highlighting the efforts of nurses, midwives, and birthing centers to improve these outcomes, Director Carolyn Jones presents a pragmatic framework for improving health outcomes for mothers and babies. This was an inspiring watch. (Tessa)

Fantastic Four: First Steps (in theaters)
Not the best superhero movie I’ve been by any means, but it stars Pedro Pascal, so it was still (kind of) a win in my book. (Dana)

Prisoners
Gripping, intense, and a great watch start to finish! (Katherine)

The West
Because I am extremely cool and interesting, a trip to Death Valley got me interested in the history of mining in California. This eight episode Ken Burns produced documentary was just want I needed! (Liz)

The Wild Robot (Netflix)
Oh my god. What a tearjerker and what an EXCELLENT and original animated movie. (Renee)

Read

A Well Behaved Woman by Therese Ann Fowler
Fans of The Gilded Age will enjoy this historical fiction that centers on the life of Alva Smith Vanderbilt – the inspiration behind the character Bertha Russel. We first meet Alva during her courtship with William Kissam Vanderbilt and follow her subsequent social maneuvering to establish the Vanderbilts as one of the most prominent families of the Gilded Age. Ultimately though, Alva will have decided between being a well-behaved woman or being true to herself. The book ends before Alva becomes actively involved in the women’s suffrage movement, so you will need to pick up an another book if you wanted to learn more about that part of her life. (Tessa)

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
WOW this book blew me away! Excellent worldbuilding and a gut punch of a first chapter. Tonally similar to Babel but with a (slightly) more propulsive plot. Make this your next standalone fantasy read! (Renee)

Body of Truth: How Science, History, and Culture Drive Our Obsession with Weight and What We Can Do About It by Harriet Brown
This book really turns your head on diet culture and body image and makes you think about what our bodies need to truly live a healthy, thriving life. (Hazel)

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
Excellent and pioneering sci-fi. I love when science fiction has no magic, nothing out of the ordinary – like our world, but a little to the left. Le Guin presents a world where anarchism is the rule, and shows that not only is it possible to dream of this, but it could be possible to do it. (Renee)

Fight by Sloane St. James
A broken-hearted wildland firefighter and an EMT who fled a religious cult cross paths. Sparks fly! (Liz)

Ginseng Roots by Craig Thompson
Part follow up to Thompson’s 2003 autobiography Blankets, part socio-political look into the realities of American farming, Ginseng Roots quickly became one of new favorite graphic novels memoirs. Thompson’s pages are unbound by frames, weaving visual metaphors into a richly layered account. If you love detailed images in graphic novels (see also Thompson’s Habibi), combined with personal narratives, your eyes will be in for a treat with Ginseng Roots. (Michelle)

Step Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection by Kate Beaton
I loved Beaton’s jokes about Wuthering Heights, Nancy Drew, and historical figures such as Julius Caesar and Napoleon. You can read the collection straight through like I did, or savor each comic for a dose of humor. (Michelle)

This Book Won’t Burn by Samira Ahmed
This YA novel about high schoolers fighting book bans hits the topic a little too hard on the nose at times, but still got me really pumped up about intellectual freedom. (Not that I wasn’t to begin with, but still.) Plus, there were likeable and complex characters as well as romantic sub-plots, which are always fun. An enjoyable, inspiring, and timely read. (Dana)

Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror by Ashley Cullins
As someone who loves the Scream movies, this deep dive into the making of the films was an insightful read (Ash)

Listen

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, read by the author
Read by the author, Crying in H Mart details Zauner’s complex relationship with her Korean mother, feelings of not quite belonging to either half of the two cultures she is the product of, and, most poignantly, processing the grief over losing her mother to cancer. As someone who used to live in Koreatown in L.A. (and who deeply misses her favorite seolleongtang joint), I particularly enjoyed Zauner’s reminiscing and reliving their relationship through her favorite Korean dishes her mother used to make. (Michelle)

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn, read by Saskia Maarleveld
I love how Kate Quinn picks some bold, courageous woman out of a war zone and introduces her as a heroine! This one honors Lyudmila Pavlichenko: young single mother turned Russian sniper! (Deb)

I Am The Swarm by Hayley Chewins, read by the author
A short poetic young adult fantasy novel about a young girl coming of age in a deeply dysfunctional family. (Hannah)

The Physics of Sorrow by Georgi Gospodinov, read by Toby Stephens
I’ve never read anything quite like this before. The Physics of Sorrow starts as a fragmented novel about a boy who can experience his ancestors memories and discovers a minotaur among them, perhaps metaphors for empathy and generational trauma. By the end of the book, Gospodinov muses about post-Soviet Bulgarian identity, death, and a yearning for the past that intensifies with age. I enjoyed the read, though next time I will opt for the physical book to help keep the labyrinthine layers straighter. (Michelle)

There’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy these staff picks!

Watch

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025, currently in theaters)
This “Legacy Sequel” wasn’t necessarily “good” but it was fun, because the real fun was in the call backs to the first film. I’d really only recommend to fans of the original film. (Ash)

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Rewatched in anticipation of the new legacy sequel hitting theaters this summer. It wasn’t as good as 14-year-old me remembered it, but it’s fun for some late 90s nostalgia with a great late 90s soundtrack and clothing styles you’ll remember from that time. (Ash)

Murderbot (Apple TV+)
An incredible adaptation (and I say that as someone who was skeptical about the casting). Such a different perspective from the books. I can’t wait for season 2! (Renee)

Point Break
Wowee this movie is a wild ride! Surfing, bank robbing, fist fights, sky-diving, close encounters with lawn mowers! I had never seen this before, and Coolidge did a free outdoor showing on the Charles River Greenway recently on 35mm. It was incredible to see on the big screen, had way more actual substance than expected, and is an incredible time capsule of a specific place & time. It was also just a real good time. Oh and Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Lori Petty are all in their *prime*! Would (and will, soon) watch again! (Christie)

The Sandman (Netflix)
Our favorite brooding Endless returns, this time to right past wrongs. The tone of Season 2 is darker, more somber and reflective than Season 1, and demonstrates some personal growth for the Sandman. Some highlights include Morpheus’s story arc with his son, Orpheus, as well as deepening the bond between Dream and his sister, Delusion. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of Season 2 brings! (Michelle)

Station 19 (Hulu)
I started a rewatch along with its sister show Grey’s Anatomy. I love the found family aspect and all the drama! (Hazel)
Check out our Hulu Roku to watch.

Read

Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slater
Incisive and thoughtful accounting of how teens and adults responded to a racist social media account tearing through a local school. (Michelle)

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
You’ll be holding your breath and then sobbing by the end. Reid so perfectly captures the struggle of existing in a world not made for you. Told through Joan, a want-to-be astronaut in the early 1980s, where women aren’t exactly welcome in the field, and if found out, her relationship could destroy everything she’s worked for. (Ash)

The Author’s Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White
Cozy and funny, with a good dose of feminist rage and an old Scottish castle. Refreshing and fun! (Christie)

Can You Solve the Murder? by Antony Johnston
An adult Choose Your Own Adventure style mystery. (Roy)

The Country Under Heaven by Frederic S. Durbin
The Wild West is extremely weird in this novel from Frederic S. Durbin. Ovid Vesper is a wandering Union veteran of the Civil War who has visions of other worlds and creatures beyond description. He’s looking for something that is still unknown to him, but his visions are slowly but surely leading him in the right direction. This book is great for fans of Louis L’Amour and H.P. Lovecraft. (Liz)

Poets Square: A Memoir In Thirty Cats by Courtney Gustafson
I loved this memoir by a young woman who takes care of feral cat colonies. So thoughtful and nuanced, and a good reminder that animal welfare and human welfare go hand in hand. (Kate)

Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez, narrated by the author, Christine Lakin, and Zachary Webber
Abby Jimenez books are my go-to when I want a feed-good read. This romance novel about two singles trying to break a dating curse is a delight. (Kate)

No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris
No More Tears fits squarely into the ‘enlightening and Infuriating’ subset of journalism. Gardiner Harris delves into decades of corruption and blatant disregard for public health in the name of profits. Chapter after chapter details not only debilitating side effects, but also death that J&J, “A Family Company” knew their drugs and products were causing, but ignored and continued to bribe physicians and lobby legislators to ban the use of alternative, safer drugs. Engrossing, and disturbing, I’ve had to put this one down a few times while reading it. (Michelle)

Real Queer America by Samantha Allen
Samantha Allen, a trans woman journalist, travels the southern US to find queer communities organizing and thriving during the first Trump presidency. I found this book unexpectedly hopeful, and with trans rights under attack in an even more severe way during Trump’s second term, this book is a reminder that it is the strength of our communities that will protect the most vulnerable among us. (Renee)

What You Are Looking For Is In The Library by Michiko Aoyama
A sweet collection of short stories of how a trip to the library can change your life! (Hazel)

Listen

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
Terrific audiobook! Each character was so richly described, including the house, that was a character in its own right. It managed to cover McCarthyism, racism, domestic violence, LGBTQ rights, birth control… all very organically… oh! and a murder or 2. The afterward is fantastic, covering which events or characters are historically accurate and which have been tweaked. And the audiobook has an interview with the author & narrator that I also really enjoyed! (Deb)

Father Knows Something (podcast)
An insightful podcast between family members as people write in and ask for advice. I find it very interesting to hear the wide range of advice for all kinds of problems. Scratches the same itch as listening to ‘gossip’ podcasts with a more wholesome lean. (Alanna)

The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
A contemplative, melancholic, and heart-wrenching vampire novel. It was much slower-paced than I expected but in a good way – classic gothic horror pacing. The prose is beautiful, and the shifting from present to past tense was seamlessly done. I started listening to this because I wanted another book narrated by Saskia Maarleveld (she is an amazing voice actor!!) and was intrigued by the premise. Her narration really brings the novel to life, especially with her talented accents. Turns out it’s probably one of my favorite books I’ve read in the past five years! The debut novel by author Jacqueline Holland – really looking forward to whatever she writes next. (Christie)

The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker, narrated by Cassandra Campbell
Goodreads said it well: Orphan Train meets Before We Were Yours meets Water for Elephants in this compelling multigenerational novel of survival, love, and the families we make. It brings a lot of empathy to the reasons parents cannot always keep their children. (Deb)

Open Throat by Henry Hoke
I took this audiobook out, forgot about it, and then tuned in without really knowing what I was getting into. The book follows a mountain lion living in the hills above L.A. and protecting a homeless encampment. It works SO WELL as an audiobook, and every few sentences I would be taken aback. I definitely recommend (and then come to our Queer Lit Book Group on 9/16 to discuss!) (Renee)

Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan
This was great! As an avid audiobook listener, learning some of the background for how they’re recorded was fun! And the characters were terrific! (Deb)

Have fun in the sun with our July picks.

Watch

The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox (Netflix)
My husband loves baseball but unfortunately he married me, a woman indifferent to baseball. That being said, this documentary season about the 2024 Red Sox was both engaging, funny and gave me a better appreciation for baseball as a whole. (Liz)

Echo Valley (Apple TV+)
This is a powerful, heartbreaking story of a mother’s love. Tough to watch (I had to watch one scene through my fingers while audibly gasping), but so beautifully acted. (Amber)

Leverage: Redemption (Hoopla)
The “new” (as of a couple years ago) Leverage reboot continues to deliver satisfying heists where the rich and the powerful face justice. It’s just as action-packed, funny, and sometimes ridiculous as the original series, and the characters still really shine. Plus there’s now a young gay black woman on the Leverage team! (Margaret)

Severance, season 1 (Apple TV+)
Would you accept a job position that required employees to undergo a medical procedure known as “severance” that ensures you have no personal memories while at work and no recollection of your job when you leave? Sounds like the perfect solution to work-life balance. However, something more sinister is happening behind the scenes at the biotech corporation Lumon Industries. This workplace psychological thriller will have you on the edge of your seat. This TV series received 14 nominations at the 74th Emmy Awards and earned 2 wins. (Tessa)

Your Friends & Neighbors (Apple TV+)
Coop is living a life at the top, but when he loses his job he turns to a life of crime. Initially unsure if I’d be able to suspend my disbelief about the premise of this one, I was soon hooked. (Amber)

Read

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
I’m late to the party but this book was so good. At first, you’ll be like, “Ok, but I’m not really sure what the heck is going on.” Embrace it, and end up reading some of the most beautiful verbalizations of life and love I have ever read. (Renee)

Beach Read by Emily Henry
I went to the beach, so I thought this would be a fitting, light and chipper thing to bring along. And it was! Cute characters. (Deb)

Deaf Republic: Poems by Ilya Kaminsky
This is the first poetry I’ve read in years, but I found it easy to read because the poems link together to tell a story, becoming a play in multiple voices. So even if you don’t usually read poetry, don’t be shy! It’s the story of a town and its people, collectively struck deaf when an occupying soldier shoots a deaf boy in the street, and how they resist. Gave me chills, made me cry, fortified me with hope. (Margaret)

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
Ocean Vuong is so in touch with the emotions and reality of our shared world it is remarkable. His writing is ethereal, honest, penetrating, and insightful – making ordinary, everyday life extraordinary, otherworldly, and spectacular. What a gift he has with words – The Emperor of Gladness is storytelling at its finest. Read it, share it, talk about it. The perfect pick for a book club or dinner party with close friends. (Molly)

Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements
My first 5 star read of the year. An incredibly creepy and atmospheric horror novel about how staying in one place can be its own kind of monster. (Ash)

The House of Last Resort by Christopher Golden
Lured to their ancestral town in Sicily by the promise of a beautiful, inexpensive house, a married couple realize they have gotten in way over their heads and there may sinister forces at work. Featuring demons, exorcisms, earthquakes and a home renovation that goes straight to hell. (Liz)

Metal From Heaven by August Clarke
In the midst of a magical Industrial Revolution, butch/femme lesbian highway robbers fight a class war against the captains of industry! I’m not totally sold on the writing, but this is a fierce and gripping whirlwind of a story that left me totally astonished. (Margaret)

Oh, Mary! by Cole Escola
Tony Award winning writer, actor and campy chaos genius Cole Escola’s script for Oh, Mary! is one of the greatest pieces of theater ever written. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? Out. The Merchant of Venice? No, thank you. Oedipus Rex? Check, please! Oh, Mary! is an delightfully unhinged alternate history of Mary Todd Lincoln as a rather well known niche cabaret legend desperate to return to the stage as the Civil War draws to a close. Absolutely not for children, the easily offended or those interested in historical accuracy. (Liz)

Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins
The newest installment in the Hunger Games universe, this book takes place during the 50th anniversary of the games. The story follows Haymitch Abernathy (who later becomes Katniss Everdeen’s mentor) as he navigates surviving the Quarter Quell. Although I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I relished President Snow’s backstory in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, it is still a must read for a Hunger Games fan.

The Thief of Always by Clive Barker
A dark fantasy for both children and adults. Ten-year-old Harvey is in the doldrums of February, so when a mysterious man offers to take him to the wonderous Holiday House, he can’t resist. True to form, the house is a place of miracles, where every morning is Christmas, every afternoon is the 4th of July, and every night is Halloween. But the magic of this place has a sinister price, and if Harvey can’t solve the mystery of this dark gift, he and his friends will suffer terrifying consequences. (Greg)

Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods
This dark fairytale is a mash-up of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. (But not for kids!) It’s totally mesmerizing and really well researched. (Kate H.)

Listen

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
This tell-all memoir by a former Facebook exec was riveting. From her experience as a woman and mother in start-up culture to her expose of Facebook’s role in global politics, this book was a real eye-opener! (Kate H.)

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova
Lisa Genova always does an amazing job of putting the reader in the shoes of everyone involved in an illness that she’s writing about: the sufferer, the doctors, the family, the friends, etc. This one is similar in that way. A great deal of empathy is created by imagining what each must be going through. The topic of this one is Bipolar Disorder in a college-aged young woman. (Deb)

Stampede by Orville Peck
A recent trip to the Mojave desert ignited a desire to listen to some modern country. Peck’s most recent album doesn’t disappoint. (Liz)

Let the summer watching*reading*listening begin!

Watch

Andor: The Complete First Season
I’m a casual enjoyer of Star Wars, not a serious fan, but Andor is top-notch TV that’s worth watching whether you’re into Star Wars or not. It’s a tense and unflinching anti-imperialist political thrilled whose characters had me totally hooked. It’s a great time to (re)watch Season 1 now that Season 2 is coming out! (Margaret)

Etoile (Prime Video)
Fun new tv show from the creators of Gilmore Girls featuring the same fast dialogue and even some of the same actors. What I love most about it is that they chose to use real dancers and that makes it feel more real. (Ash)

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Netflix)
Recommended to me by Hannah in the Teen Room, I’m officially addicted to Frieren. Following an elven mage over 1,000 years, Frieren focuses more on the protagonist’s character development and her transformation over time through her friendships with exciting adventures and side quests thrown in. Frieren is funny, contemplative, and moving, and beautifully demonstrates how we are all collections of memories and experiences of our favorite people. (Michelle M.)

Sinners (Apple TV)
The trailer does not do this movie justice. I was not expecting a southern gothic horror film with whimsical vampires and sweeping musical numbers. (Ash)

Read

Is She Really Going Out With Him by Sophie Cousens
To avoid online dating, a 30-something divorced mom of two allows her kids to pick her dates. Clever and funny—an ideal start to your summer reading list. (Amber)

Let the Record Show: A Political History of New York, 1987-1993 by Sarah Schulman
Don’t be intimidated by the 700 page count. This book was shockingly easy to read: it’s made to be read by people who want to act up! It’s full of gripping stories about people who organized to end political neglect of the AIDS crisis, and the tactics they used. Read this for Pride Month! (Margaret)

Memories of Distant Mountains: Illustrated Notebooks, 2009-2022 by Orhan Pamuk
Nobel prize winning author Orhan Pamuk curates selections from his notebooks in which he paints, documents moments of his daily life and writing The Red-Haired Woman, A Strangeness in My Mind, and Nights of Plague. I enjoyed not only the beautiful illustrations born from Pamuk’s surroundings and dreams, but also a behind the scenes look into the writing process of one of my favorite authors. After reading Distant Mountains, I’m inspired to break out my paints and similarly document my own life, and I hope you might be as well. (Michelle)

One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
An unflinching reflection on the West & the United States’ complicity in and enabling of genocide in Gaza. I found this to be an incredibly clear-eyed reading, and one I hope many people read for its grounded perspective. (Renee)

The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers
Yes! Julia Child really was a spy in WWII! This is fun, insightful, historical fiction so of course laced with some heartbreak. And it takes place in a part of the WWII not often covered: India, Ceylon & China. (Deb)

The Tell: A Memoir by Amy Griffin
An incredible story; I couldn’t put this down. (Amber)

There is Nothing So Whole As a Broken Heart: Mending the World As Jewish Anarchists by Cindy Milstein
This timely book grapples with how people and culture survive and create in the face of immense grief and oppression. The collected essays in this book are varied in content and even genre, from the poetic to the practical, representing a wide and sometimes conflicting array of contemporary Jewish anarchist thought and practice. Whether or not you’re Jewish or an anarchist, this book offers powerful food for thought for anyone interested in social change. (Margaret)

Woodworking by Emily St. James
My most anticipated read of the year, and for good reason. This story follows two trans women: an out teenager, and her closeted English teacher. I found this book so full of heart and so genuine, and I was crying chapter by chapter as I neared the end. 5 stars, YOU should read this book. (Renee)

Listen

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister, narrated by Emilia Fox
This thriller starts off at a breakneck pace. New mom can’t possibly believe her husband is perpetrating this crime. The second half is a little slower but I enjoyed the ride. Wrong Place, Wrong Time has a more creative and intriguing writing style, but I definitely enjoyed this too. (Deb)

Live at the Opry by Patsy Cline
This classic country album had a bunch of my favorite Patsy Cline songs and introduced me to a couple songs I wasn’t familiar with. One thing I love about Patsy Cline is that while every single song on this album is about romantic heartbreak (impressive!), there’s a huge tonal range, from upbeat and dancey numbers to slow, emotional ballads. (Margaret)

Run, Bambi, Run (Apple podcast)
The story of Laurie Bembenek, a Milwaukee police officer who was fired from the force and later found guilty of murdering her husband’s ex-wife. Those following the Karen Read trial may find uncanny similarities between these two women accused of crimes they say they did not commit. (Amber)

Uptown Girl: A Memoir by Christie Brinkley, narrated by the author
I consider this music bio-adjacent given Christie’s marriage to Billy Joel, and I’m a sucker for a good music memoir read by the author. Contrary to what I’ve always believed though, Uptown Girl was not written for Christie, nor for Billy’s first wife. You’ll have to listen (or read) to get the full story! (Amber)

*May* you find your next pick from our list of recs.

Watch

Adolescence (Netflix)
We need to talk about it. I feel a pop-up “book” club format coming for discussion. (Kelly)

Game Changer (Dropout)
Season 7 of Game Changer just began with one of my favorite episodes of television ever. This is not a season to miss! (Renee)

Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer (Netflix)
Not your average serial killer doc, this limited series focuses on the victims as their families struggle to bring justice to their daughters, sisters, and friends in the midst of Long Island police corruption. (Michelle M.)

Il Postino
A poignant and funny film about a man who lives in a small Italian fishing village and becomes the personal mailman to poet Pablo Neruda, who is in exile from his home country of Chile. The scenery and cinematography, the witty writing, the incredible acting — it’s all 10/10. I can’t believe I’d never heard of it before. Definitely worth a watch, especially if you’re a fan of Cinema Paradiso (you’ll recognize the actor who plays Neruda). (Christie)

The Residence (Netflix)
This murder mystery set in the White House was a really fun watch! All the characters are over the top and super memorable, and Uzo Aduba plays a great eccentric detective. Her conversations with the fictional President’s mother-in-law had me laughing every time. (Rachel)

Read

All The Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman
I normally don’t enjoy books that have unlikeable protagonists, but this was an exception! A mystery set in London, it follows a misfit mom trying to find her son’s missing bully before her son becomes a suspect. It was full of twists and turns but not too dark, and was pretty funny in places. The main character drove me a little crazy, but the rest of the book was good enough to make up for it. (Dana)

Delicious by Ruth Reichl
Totally delightful! Food, family, friends, romance, mystery, library & historical fiction all rolled into one! I want to make that gingerbread cake! (Deb)
Editor’s note: Deb did make that gingerbread cake, and it is delicious!

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
I love this book. The Devil comes to 1930s Moscow to host a magic show, and chaos ensues. Hilarious and heartwarming, this novel promotes the importance of courage, hope and art through the use of witches, explosions, and a talking cat who drinks vodka. (Greg)

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
This book feels very important. Historian Snyder uses twenty bite-sized chapters to show how fascism rose to power in the first half of the 20th century, and draws parallels to what is happening today. Though depressing and scary, the book also shows how we can resist making the same mistakes again. (Dana)

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
I’m a couple months behind the craze but finally reading the third installment of the Fourth Wing series. As a bearded dragon momma, I like to imagine I could be a dragon rider in this universe. (Christie)

Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin
She is one of my favorite writers; this is short and easy and reads like a brief summary of her past books. I enjoyed it! (Kelly)

Stag Dance by Torrey Peters
Three short stories and a novel that takes gender to places I wouldn’t have expected to go. I especially liked the title story, Stag Dance, about a lumberjack site hosting a dance where some of the men “volunteer” to be women and get courted. Highly recommend! (Renee)

To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick – And How We Can Fight Back by Alden Wicker
An enlightening and harrowing look into the dyes used by garment industry and its impact on our physical health. (Michelle M.)

The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington’s Most Famous Hostess by Meryl Gordon
One of the joys of working here is you stumble across titles you might not have been looking for. Fascinating. (Kelly)

Listen

Costello Music by The Fratellis
Yet another nostalgia album for me! This one’s a lot of fun – a high-energy mix of Britpop, punk, and garage rock. (Dana)

The Last Love Note by Emma Grey, narrated by Leeanna Walsman
This starts out very funny, becomes very sad. Really enjoyed the ride with these characters. (Deb)

Preacher’s Daughter by Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain speaks to my post-evangelical heart in a way no other artist can. In honor of her upcoming tour and new album releasing this summer, I’ve been listening to her first full-length album again (let’s be honest, I don’t ever go long without listening to it). It’s the perfect blend of bittersweet nostalgia and coming of age angst. Makes me feel like I’m in a David Lynch film, in the best and worst ways. (Christie)

Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne, narrated by the author
This was fascinating and enlightening and generated a lot of empathy, since I cannot claim to be a sociopath. I think Patric will do the sociopaths of the world a huge service of being an advocate with her unique combination of education and perspective. (Deb)

Stories: All New Tales edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio
Similar to Gaiman’s anthology Trigger Warning, and in fact, one of Gaiman’s own stories from that anthology makes an appearance, each short story raises emotions from curiosity, bemusement, horror, and intrigue. (Michelle M.)

April showers bring more time to watch, read, and listen.

Watch

100 Foot Wave (Max)
Incredible history of surfing 80-100ft waves in Nazaré, Portugal. I had the privilege of watching a big wave competition at Nazaré recently, and it was amazing to watch this series track the history of surfing at this incredible place. Truly evidence of the indefatigable human spirit. (Renee)
Check out our Max Roku to watch.

Dune: Prophecy (Max)
Fear might be the mindkiller, but Emily Watson absolutely kills it as Valya Harkonnen in this miniseries set 10,000 years before the events of Dune. As Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit, Valya wields immense power and influence. When a new threat to the Bene Gesserit emerges she must use every skill at her disposal to ensure the order’s survival. Even folks who haven’t seen Dune will appreciate this intricate science fiction story of political intrigue and conspiracy. (Liz)
Check out our Max Roku to watch.

Landman (Paramount+)
A friend recommended this show and, initially, I was not sure I wanted to go past the first episode. But, it’s hard to look away from Billy Bob Thornton. Taylor Sheridan’s Texas-sized ego aside, this is an entertaining series. (Amber)

Little Stones
Sophia Kruz’s 2017 documentary was a worthy watch for Women’s History Month. The film follows four women artists from around the world who are using the arts – music, art, design, dance – to transform women’s lives. We meet a Brazilian graffiti artist who creates street art to speak out against domestic violence, a Senegalese hip-hop musician who educates young women in Africa about the perils of female genital mutilation, an Indian dancer who developed a movement therapy program for victims of sex trafficking, and an American fashion designer who provides training for women in Kenyan women so they can make a living by sewing clothes. It was a very moving documentary. (Tessa)

Matlock (Paramount+)
Kathy Bates plays the title character in this new iteration of the classic courtroom drama. It’s clever and well written, and I eagerly await the new episode each week! (Kate H.)

The Pitt (Max)
Like many of the patients that come through the doors of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, I am in agony…waiting for the next episode. This is not your mother’s ER! (Amber)
Check out our Max Roku to watch.

Shrinking (Apple+ TV)
It took me so long to start watching this and it is seriously AMAZING! Highly recommend. (Seana)

Read

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
Okay, I’m only 100 pages in, but I’m so hooked. Engrossing and rich, a literary drama with a sci-fi robots plotline, it is literally everything I have been wanting to read this year. (Renee)

Funny Story by Emily Henry
Cute chick-lit. Fun characters, kind story. (Deb)

Obsessed: A Memoir of My Life with OCD by Allison Britz
An incredible story about Allison’s experience with OCD as a high schooler. (Seana)

README.txt by Chelsea Manning
Chelsea Manning’s memoir is a jarring and intriguing look at life in the military under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, as well as Manning’s decision to leak hundreds of thousands of documents about the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A gripping and informative read. (Renee)

A Scout is Brave by Will Ludwigsen
This short novel, set in the world of H.P. Lovecraft- specifically Innsmouth- follows Bud Castillo, a young Boy Scout who moves to the decaying town of Innsmouth, MA when his father accepts a job as a deep sea welder. He befriends the only other child in the area, Aubrey Marsh, and together they form the town’s first Scout Troop. As Bud and Aubrey grow closer it becomes more and more apparent that something is off in Innsmouth. The pair, united by Scouting and a relentless pursuit for knowledge are determined to find the truth, no matter the cost. (Liz)

The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
This is the second title in the Wild Robot series — the first of which was made into a major motion picture last year. I liked this one even more than the first! Heart-warming and nourishing for adults and kids alike. (Kate H.)

Listen

Cher, Part One: The Memoir by Cher, narrated by the author and Stephanie J. Block
I have loved Cher for as long as I can remember, but I love her even more after listening to this. Some of the book is read by her, but most is read by Stephanie J. Block, the actor who portrayed Cher in The Cher Show on Broadway (and won a Tony for her performance). TBH, there were times I forgot it wasn’t Cher herself! (Amber)

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline, narrated by Caroline Lee
So good! Listened to this audiobook. Could not wait to get back in the car. Something dramatic happened during every drive. Characters elicited such compassion for their situations and hardships. Well, except for the villains and there several of them… (Deb)

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore, narrated by Angela Brazil
The information here is fascinating & terrifying. I love that it is told from the perspective of the women versus the science or the lawyers or the corporations. (Deb)

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis, narrated by Linda Jones
Art, Egyptian artifacts, the Met Gala, and family. I enjoyed it. (Seana)

Worlds Beyond Number (podcast)
Everyone’s heard me say this before, but this is the best storytelling podcast airing right now. I may have even submitted it before, I don’t know. If you kind of like DND, or kind of like fantasy, or kind of like complicated characters, or have watched anything on Dropout.TV ever, you should listen. (Renee)

Spring forward with our monthly picks.

Watch

Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
This Irish dark comedy follows a close knit family, the Garvey sisters, who will do anything to protect each other. The question is how far have they gone to do that? highly recommend for a good laugh and great characters. (Catherine)

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
A really engaging, surprising, and dark thriller set on a fictional island in the Scottish Hebrides. The back and forth narration between the main characters gives juxtaposing perspectives on their relationship that slowly help you piece the puzzle together. More than one surprising twist at the end, and it’s short enough that it feels like watching a movie play out in your mind as you read. Plus I loved vicariously hanging out on a Scottish isle! (Christie)

Big Boys (Hulu)
Big Boys is a funny and heartfelt coming-of-age comedy about two university students, Jack and Danny. Watch as they navigate the awkwardness of forming new friendships, the journey of self-discovery, the weight of grief and loss, and the generally overwhelming challenges of growing up. (Lauren)
Check out our Hulu Roku to watch.

Chungking Express
One of my all time favorite movies, from the master of romance director Wong Kar Wai. His style, especially with cinematographer Christopher Doyle at helm, is so distinct and the characters so quirky and endearing. This dual-storyline movie explores the idea of what it means to be a stranger to someone, and how even the shortest (or imagined) connection can have a lasting impact. What even is romance? What does it mean to be awake to life? What is the power of possibility? What does it take to break out of a rut? (Christie)

Ludwig (BBC One)
Ludwig is a mystery series starring David Mitchell (from Peep Show and That Mitchell and Webb Look) as a puzzle maker whose twin brother, a local detective chief inspector, disappears. Mitchell’s character steps in for his missing twin brother, uncovering hidden secrets, navigating dangerous twists, and cracking cases with his brilliant puzzle-solving mind. The show also offers plenty of humorous moments, with Mitchell’s signature deadpan delivery adding a touch of levity to the overall tension. Great supporting cast, too! (Lauren)

Rain Man
It had been years since I saw this Oscar-winning film and it mostly stands the test of time. Tom Cruise plays a jerk and Dustin Hoffman brilliantly plays an autistic savant, loosely based on the life of Kim Peek, who (among other things) correctly predicted that the plummeting Skylab space station would land near Perth, Western Australia. This movie also features an epic cross-country road trip. It’s a familiar movie trope, but is both gorgeous and touching in the hands of director Barry Levinson. (Janet)

Talk to Me (Kanopy)
A group of teens use an embalmed hand to make contact with spirits. Horrific highjinks ensue with solid jump scares, Australian accents, and some very gnarly special effects. (Liz)

X Trilogy (Max)
After a years-long break from watching horror, I’m baaaaaack! These movies are atmospheric, smart, and very R rated. (Amber)

Read

Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg
When you miss hearing the voice of an audiobook narrator after the story is over, you know you’ve struck gold. In this case, that voice belongs to Whoopi Goldberg. This book is about her childhood and the amazing trajectory of her career. It is also about her close relationship with her brother Clyde. But most notably, it is an homage to her amazing mother Emma, who died in 2010. All these years later, Whoopi is still not over the death of her mother. I was crying in the car toward the end. You might too.

Dune and Dusted by Lyla Sage
This sweet but steamy contemporary cowboy romance will have you saying, “yee-HAWT!” (Liz)

Eager: The Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb
I love books about animals, and I learned so much about beavers and the role that play in our ecosystem. Well researched and engaging — and a nice change of pace from my usual novels! (Kate H.)

Finistère by Fritz Peters
Published in 1951 and set in the 1920s, this best-selling novel is considered an early example of unapologetically gay fiction. It is also a story of a teenage boy whose family and lover ultimately fail him, with tragic consequences. The writing is spare and gorgeous and I could not put this book down. (Janet)

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
I was worried this book was overhyped, but I was hooked from the beginning. I simultaneously wanted to get to the end so that all would be revealed, and also never get to the end so I could keep reading it forever. (Dana)

Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell by Sy Montgomery
Fans of The Soul of an Octopus might enjoy another book by author Sy Montgomery. I found this informative, enlightening, encouraging! (Deb)

A Stone is Most Precious Where it Belongs by Gulchehra Hoja 
A memoir showcasing cultural pride, and identity of the Uyghur people in the face of political control in China.  (Hannah G.) 

Visible Mending by Arounna Khounnoraj
Anyone who has been paying attention to the Makerspace recently has seen my personal love of mending coming through. This book is great for beginners with detailed descriptions and full color pictures. There are great tips to make interesting and cool patterns no matter your skill level. I personally love this movement, and can help anyone get more life out of their clothes, towels and even upholstered items. (Alanna)

Listen

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, narrated by Aaliya Warbus and Jordan Waunch
I couldn’t stop listening! (Catherine)

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
A cozy fantasy romance novel following a pair of women opening a bookstore and selling tea. (Hannah G.)

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers, narrated by Lucy Scott
The title of this new release caught my attention and was a really great listen. It’s a story about an artist who lived in seclusion for decades and the community that rallied to take care of him. It left me with a lot to think about and had a great ending. (Kate H.)

Making It So: A Memoir by Patrick Stewart
Memoir from living legend Sir Patrick Stewart, also narrated by Sir Patrick. From Yorkshire and Shakespeare to the U.S.S. Enterprise and X-Men. Fun name-dropping. Cool behind-the-scenes Next Generation dirt. (Deb)

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, narrated by Robin Miles and Victoria Christopher Murray
Historical fiction based on the life of Belle da Costa Greene, the personal librarian of financier J.P. Morgan. An intriguing story of a powerful woman… very rare for the time & probably impossible if people knew her history. (Deb)

Talking Sopranos (podcast)
The Talking Sopranos podcast is a deep dive into the iconic TV show The Sopranos (yes, I’m just now watching it!). It’s hosted by former cast members Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) and Steve Schirripa (Bobby Baccalieri). This start-to-finish rewatch of the series shares so many neat behind-the-scenes stories and features interviews with cast members, crew, and writers. It provides unique insights into the making of The Sopranos and offers a fresh perspective on its characters and storylines. Also, production of the podcast began during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, during lockdown, which adds an extra layer of interest. Michael and Steve frequently discuss how the pandemic has changed their lives and influenced their experience revisiting the show. (Lauren)