Turn up the summer heat with these picks.

Watch

Blue Lights (Kanopy)
Set in Northern Ireland, a police squad battles crime as well as those who don’t want to be policed. (Amber)

Lucha Mexico
For those who aren’t familiar, lucha libre is the professional wrestling style that originated in Mexico during the 20th century. It features (mostly) masked wrestlers, truly impressive high flying acrobatic moves and so much more. In my household we stan Pénta El Cero Miedo aka Pentagón Jr. as the best luchador, but this documentary features the stories of several other fantastic luchadors including Shocker, Blue Demon Jr., Sexy Star, and El Hijo Del Perro Aguayo. (Liz)

So Weird (Disney+)
An older Disney Channel show all about the paranormal and other weird stuff that happens in daily life. It follows one family for the whole series, so those bonds get explored in a really great way. (Hazel)
Check out our Disney+ Roku to watch.

Read

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia Manansala
A small town cozy mystery that’s also full of yummy Filipino recipes! Lots of good friendship and family connections and I never could have expected the twist at the end! (Hazel)

Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur by Lev Grossman
This highly anticipated fantasy adventure does not disappoint! Don’t let the hefty page count deter you–the action, dialogue and plot are positively crackling with energy. (Jen)

Elements of Style: Designing A Home and A Life by Erin Gates
I checked out this book because I needed inspiration for decorating my new home. To my surprise, it ended up being more than just a decorating book. The author combines design advice with stories of her own kitchen renovation disaster, her past struggles with anorexia, and her conflicting feelings about starting a family. It felt like I was listening to a best friend. Her best advice: none of our homes or lives are perfect. I feel so validated. (Tessa)

The Fisherman by John Langan
A short page turner about love, grief, and the creeping dread of the unknown. And fish. (Roy)

Full of Myself by Siobhán Gallagher
Did the author watch my entire life and then turn it into this masterful graphic memoir about struggling with one’s body image? No, she did not, but it certainly felt like it. This validated so many body image related feelings that a lot of people struggle with on a daily basis (I certainly do), and I am grateful to the author for sharing it with the world. (Liz)

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
Chick Lit about a portraitist who suddenly is stricken with face blindness. Cute story. Love Peanut & Dr Nicole. (Deb)

The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man’s Quest to Be a Better Husband by David Finch
Disclaimer: Asperger Syndrome was previously used as a term for a neurodevelopmental disorder with similarities to Autism Spectrum Disorder, but in 2013 the name was removed from the DSM-V as a separate diagnosis. People who had previously been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome would now be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This memoir was published in 2012, so the author uses the term Asperger Syndrome, with which he was diagnosed with well into adulthood. A married father of two at the time, the diagnosis explained his growing list of quirks, tendency to meltdown in social situations, and refusal to compromise on things. After receiving his diagnosis, Finch spent two years learning about his Asperger Syndrome in a quest to become a better father and husband. This is a well written, very funny, humanizing and endearing medical memoir that anyone interested in family dynamics, Autism Spectrum Disorder or self improvement would enjoy. (Liz)

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
A fun love story with some family complications. (Kelly)

Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine by Nicole Melleby
Need a good cry? 12 year-old Winnie Nash has been sent to live with her grandmother for the summer, but she’s been told to keep secrets, not to tell her grandma she’s gay, but she really needs to go to Pride. She’s dealing with a lot of emotions and doesn’t know what to do. Emotional, powerful, and resonating. I may have cried a few times. (Ash)

Listen

Dying of Politeness by Geena Davis, narrated by the author
I only vaguely recognize Geena Davis as a celebrity name, but I decided to read her memoir anyways. What a story she has! So many groundbreaking roles and I love her work on trying to create gender equality in Hollywood. (Hazel)

The Sevens Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Alma Cuervo, Robin Miles, and Julia Whelan
Aging Hollywood star (reminiscent of Elizabeth Taylor & Ava Gardner) schemes a relatively unknown journalist into writing her biography. It seems there’s a reason for the choice, but it remains hidden until the very end. There are some teeny foreshadowed hints, but they’re so subtle, I didn’t notice them in the moment, only hindsight. I thought this might be a shallow read but I was pleasantly surprised. (Deb)

The Spindle of Fate by Aimee Lim
Twelve-year-old Evie’s mom has disappeared and her family and friends believe the worst has happened. When Evie is visited by a talking monkey who tells her that her mom isn’t dead, but trapped in Diyu, the netherworld of Chinese mythology, Evie travels there to try to save her. Gritty and darkly funny. (Jen)