There’s still plenty of summertime left for these sizzling picks.

Watch

The Afterparty (Apple TV+)
Like if Knives Out was set at a high school reunion and turned into a mini series with each episode dedicated to one character telling their version of events, and in the style of their own personal “mind movie”. Made by the same people that made Into the Spiderverse, The LEGO Movie, and 21 Jump Street. Fun and very silly, and you’ll love the characters. I love how the different style of every episode matches the vibe of a character’s story and personality. Some banger original songs in there too! (Christie)

Dementia
Truly wild and unique film! A horror/noir with no dialogue, just a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown, wandering threatening city streets, committing heinous acts, and getting lost in the memories of her own trauma. Dementia was inspired by a dream of film’s star, Adrienne Barrett, who was director John Parker’s secretary at the time. Lots of feminist criticism texts will be needed to unpack this 55 minute long obscure cinematic gem. (Lauren)

Dredge (Black Salt Games, Steam/PC/Switch/PS4/PS5/XBOX)
Have you ever wondered what the life of a ocean fisherman is like? How about one from a Lovecraftian short story? Dredge is a game, ostensibly about fishing, that explores the horrors of the open ocean and of the human mind. With beautiful art direction, amazing sound work, and a satisfying gameplay loop you’ll find yourself dragged deep into its mystery. It’s a great time to pick it up as new DLC will be coming out in August! Let me know if you pull up anything particularly interesting from those dark waters. (Alanna)

Inside Out 2 (currently in theaters)
I took my 7-year-old to the theater to see this sequel. I loved it! Some of the teen angst moments were squirmy, but it was really well done, and didn’t have the surprise ugly-crying that the first movie caused for me. (Dana)

Killing Eve
So much action and such interesting characters. (Renee)

Pretty Little Liars (Max)
I loved the original show and finally got around to watching the spin-off and it’s even better! Lovely friendship and family storylines and intergenerational connections amongst all the drama and horror. (Hazel)
Check out our Max Roku to watch.

Shoresy (Hulu)
This Canadian TV show focused on a struggling Triple-A hockey team is a spin-off of Letterkenny. It’s totally irreverent but fun for fans of hockey and/or Canada. I love the strong female characters, queer characters and Native Canadian characters all played by authentic actors and legitimate hockey players.
(Deb)
Check out our Hulu Roku to watch.

Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
Based on the books by Mick Herron, this series is about a group of washed up spies who are kicked out of MI5 and sent to Slough House to spend their days doing nothing under the supervision of Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman. As my friend said, Oldman is so good in this role you can practically smell him. (Amber)

The Young Offenders
This is a funny, snappy, surprisingly heartfelt, and bizarre comedy for any Anglophile in your life. The protagonists, two flawed and loveable teens, hatch a plan get rich searching for a parcel of cocaine spilled from a drug seizure gone wrong. Yes, this is based on a true story, and, no, things don’t go according to the half-baked plan. This film was also developed into a TV series, which you can watch on Kanopy! (Lauren)

Read

An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good by Helene Tursten, translated by Marlaine Delargy
This little book is the perfect size to throw in a bag and bring to the beach! It’s a collection of sassy short stories about an elderly woman who casually commits crime in order to go on living her peaceful life. The stories are bite-size but her attitude is not! (Christie)

Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
This novel has such a fun layered plot: a little family/friendship history, a little publishing-world drama, and a little ecological fiction. It has a beautiful Maine coastline as a recurring location and characters I was rooting for. A great summer read! (Kate)

Girls of Flight City by Lorraine Heath
This feels like the stateside companion to The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar. Both really good. This one is the story of how one airfield in Texas was transformed by training British pilots for WWII and the friendships & families that were formed in the process. Great characters. (Deb)

The It Girl by Ruth Ware
I’m only a little bit into this book and I’m so hooked. It’s a mystery/thriller that takes place at Oxford, and has alternating present/past chapters that make me want to keep reading way past my bedtime. (Dana)

The Navigating Fox by Christopher Rowe
VERY cool worldbuilding in this fantasy novella – the titular fox won my heart. (Renee)

Nicked by M.T. Anderson
A hilarious caper featuring good-hearted pirates, adventurous monks and at least one grave robbery. Anderson’s a genius storyteller and his first book for adults is not to be missed. (Jen)

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
This one hooked me immediately! It’s a thriller that’s a true page-turner, with shades of unreliable-narrator to keep you second-guessing yourself. (Dana)

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
A touching story of Tova, a grieving mother to a son that mysteriously vanished decades earlier and a giant Pacific Octopus at the aquarium. They form a friendship while she cleans the aquarium at night. He helps her solve the mystery of his disappearance while also adding to her life while doing so. (Kerry)

Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Charlie is a down on his luck teacher with a mountain of bills to pay, so when he discovers his recently deceased uncle has left him an inheritance, he’s pretty excited. Unfortunately, said uncle was also a supervillain, and while that does mean he was rich, it also means he had enemies, which Charlie has now inherited. A quick, funny read. (Greg)

Listen

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, narrated by Aaliya Warbus and Jordan Waunch
A four-year-old Mi’kmaq girl goes missing from the blueberry fields of Maine creating a 50-year mystery. Good story, characters & settings. (Deb)

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, narrated by Emily Klein
Fifteen year-old Lina is a Lithuanian girl just living her life when the Soviets of WWII snatch her and her mom & brother away. Lots of WWII fiction involves Germans, but this was the first I read from the Lithuanian perspective. I really like Ruta Sepetys’s books. The settings were realistic & the characters likeable and engaging, except for the couple you are supposed to despise. Will definitely read more of her work! (Deb)

99% Invisible (Apple podcast)
Tackling how design is a part of our everyday lives, even and especially in ways we don’t notice – I’m really enjoying their series on The Power Broker. (Renee)

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
A near perfect romantic comedy full of messiness, mistakes, forgiveness and humor. (Jen)

Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford, narrated by the author
I’ve been meaning to read this memoir since it came out, and the audio in the author’s own voice was amazing. She has such a compelling story to tell about her life, her family, and her experiences. (Hazel)

The 13th Step (New Hampshire Public radio podcast)
The 13th step is a colloquial term for when a 12-Step old-timer (usually a man) hits on a group newcomer (usually a woman) with less than a year of sobriety. It can be for emotional, financial, and physical reasons but always involves someone in a position of power trying to take advantage of someone who is weaker. An eye-opening investigation into the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment network, who is alleged to have taken advantage of clients and employees. (Janet)

Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose
Those of you following any of the high profile court trials in the news recently will particularly enjoy this play put on by L.A. Theatre Works. Things can get complicated with 12 jurors arguing the fate of a 19-year-old accused of murdering his father, but it is nonetheless gripping. (Janet)