Credits

January 2023

Starting the new year by Watching, Reading, and Listening to these titles.

Read

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel A. van der Kolk (Molly)

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
This was a gentle story with memorable characters. (Ash)

Parklands: Trails and Secrets from the National Parks of the United States edited by Robert Klanten, Andrea Servert, and Florian Siebeck
A gorgeous coffee table book – fun to read or just flip through. Also a good bedtime read if your kids like learning about new places! (Molly)

Rabbit & Bear series (Book One: Rabbit’s Bad Habits)
This fun chapter book is great for young readers! With silly humor and colored illustrations throughout, adults will enjoy reading it aloud to kids as well. I certainly did! (Seana)

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
I’ve been reading all of Becky Chambers’ books and this (Book #3 of the Wayfarers series) was such a heartfelt and hopeful way to start the year. Bonus rec for A Psalm for the Wild-Built! (Renee)

She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey
This (very) in depth narrative from the journalists who broke the Harvey Weinstein case is a tough read, but an important one to understand how truly inspiring women can be. It was also just adapted into a motion picture that came out in November! (Elle)

Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
So far, I am loving it! (Seana)
Available in print and digital formats.

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
I may have found my favorite read of the year already. Part reporting, part memoir, this book is a response to our society’s tendency to focus on exceptional DREAMer stories when discussing undocumented immigrants in the US, rather than on their complicated humanity. Cornejo Villavicencio was undocumented herself when she wrote this book, so an impersonal, detached approach is impossible for her, and we see her form long lasting relationships with the people she meets. Reading this made me think about what journalism would look like if it was comprised of people who share the background and experiences of those they are writing about. (Cathy)

Three O’Clock in the Morning by Gianrico Carofiglio, translated by Howard Curtis
This slim coming-of-age novel recounts a teenaged boy and his father’s short visit to France. The author’s ability to evoke a sense of place is strong. (Amber)

We Don’t Know What We’re Doing by Thomas Morris
I resolved to read more short story collections in 2023 and I’m off to a very strong start with this one. If you enjoy short stories that are a bit melancholy, quite funny, and cathartic to read (but not in a heavy handed way), I recommend this lovely book about people stumbling through life in a small town in South Wales called Caerphilly. I particularly recommend to fans of Lily King. (Cathy)

Watch

Death in the Dorms (Hulu)
A very bingable true crime series. (Ash)
Check out our Hulu Roku to watch.

The Dragon Price (Netflix)
Highly enjoyable cartoon by the creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender, incredibly diverse characters and fun for all ages. (Renee)
Check out our Netflix Roku to watch.

Finding Your Roots
Fantastic series, very excited for season 9. I’ve been hooked since the first episode aired in 2012! (Moll

Firefly Lane (Netflix)
I love following Kate and Tully’s friendship through high school, college, and into adulthood! (Seana)
This series is based on the book by Kristin Hannah.
Check out our Netflix Roku to watch.

The Last of Us (HBO)
A terrifying and realistic twist on a zombie apocalypse based on the popular video game also known as The Last of Us. (Karina)

M3gan
I’m not a horror person so I can’t believe I went to see this. So glad I did. I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much at the movies. Don’t watch the trailer, which makes it look terrible. (Cathy)

White Lotus season two (HBO)
This show has pushed Italy up on my list of places I’d like to visit, particularly if I win the lottery and can stay at the Four Seasons where this was shot. (Amber)
The first season is available on dvd.

Listen

101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna West
Written more as affirmations, this collection of essays does truly encourage you to think about yourself and others in a myriad of ways to create better connections and communication. Its been a great book to start the year off with. (Elle)

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
If you enjoyed Daisy Jones & The Six, run, don’t walk! This is a similar premise – a fictitious reporting on the rise and fall of a famous rock duo in the 70s – but even better, partly because the duo is interracial which makes for a more complex story. With a full cast, this is one of the best audiobook experiences I’ve had. Just vibrant and dazzling. Also, theatre fans: AndrĂ© De Shields is one of the narrators! (Cathy)

Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
Narrated by Prince Harry, this has been keeping me company on my commute. Coming in at over 14 hours, it’s not a quick listen, but it is does provide an interesting perspective on Harry’s life in the “gilded cage”, and his side of what happened when he met and married Meghan Markle. (Amber)

Yerimayo Celebration
Honestly, I’m listening to (and loving) anything by Baaba Maal right now. Looking forward to his forthcoming album Being. (Molly)
Other titles by this artist are available in physical and digital formats.