March 2023
We are springing forward with these recent picks.
Read
All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers
A winding whodunit with a hometown reporter asking all the questions. If you read this and like it, you can also tune in to a podcast called Crime Junkies by the author. (Deb)
All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley
This memoir is about Patrick Bringley’s ten years as a guard at the Met. Full disclosure: I was a guard at the Met for five of those years and Patrick is a former colleague, so I’m biased. But as someone who has always enjoyed behind-the-scenes stories, especially from the perspective of support staff, I think I still would have enjoyed this even without the personal connection. This book is an ode to the transformative and healing power of art, and also to the diversity of both the Met’s visitors and staff. (Cathy)
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Cute. Light. Fluffy. Chick-lit. (Deb)
Bye Bye, Binary by Eric Geron
This is one of my toddler’s current favorites. He loves pointing and yelling “baby!!” as they pop out of a gender-reveal cake. (Dana)
Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck
Great WWII fiction featuring a real-life, strong female American spy working for the Brits in occupied France. (Deb)
Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypacker
Funny, smart and resourceful, Leeva is a character to cheer for. Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and the Clementine series. (Jen)
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Beautifully written, lyrical and devastating. This one is going to stay with me for a long time. (Dana)
Run Toward the Danger by Sarah Polley
I love when writers explore the concept of memory – how we remember formative or traumatic events in our lives, how those memories morph with time, and how they often stand in contrast to how others remember the same event. Sarah Polley examines all of this so movingly and wisely in this essay collection. Also, like Jeannette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died, this book is a searing indictment of the exploitation and neglect of children in the entertainment industry. (Cathy)
She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran
Literary gothic horror (my favorite) explores themes of belonging and colonialism and a sinister horror novel. (Ash)
Watch
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (in theaters)
My first trip to the movies in a year (yay mom-life!). It was okay; sufficiently entertaining. (Dana)
Extraordinary Attorney Woo (Netflix)
I’ve been watching this Korean drama about a lawyer with autism with my parents. It’s extremely wholesome and endearing, while highlighting real issues neurodivergent people face. I would be curious to hear from members of the autism community about this show, because I feel the portrayal sometimes leans on cliché a little bit. But overall, the writing is very sensitive and thoughtful, and I’m really enjoying it. (Cathy)
Luther: The Fallen Sun (Netflix)
I don’t like to share bad reviews, but I feel I would remiss for not forewarning fans of the Luther series to skip this one. There’s no comparing this movie (Idris Elba and Dermot Crowley are the only returning cast members) to the well-done and brilliantly terrifying BBC series. (Amber)
Check out our Netflix Roku to watch.
Pamela, a love story (Netflix)
Although the book (Love, Pamela) is better, I can think of worse ways to spend 90 or so minutes. (Amber)
Check out our Netflix Roku to watch.
Perry Mason, season two (HBO)
Everything about this series is divine. (Amber)
Check out our HBO Roku to watch.
School Spirits (Paramount+)
A teenager is murdered during school, and wakes up as a ghost who can’t leave school premises. But who murdered her? I’m enjoying the mystery so far. (Ash)
The Sopranos (HBO)
It’s spring time, which means its time for my annual bingeing of television’s best drama. Get the baked ziti ready! (Elle)
Check out our HBO Roku to watch.
The Unseen World by Liz Moore
Favorite novel of the year so far – it kept me up till 2AM several nights last week! It is the most immersive and captivating coming-of-age novel I’ve read in quite a while. I loved the characters, structure, and slow-burn mystery element. Also, I cried at the end which is rare for me with fiction. (Cathy)
Listen
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi, narrated by Sneha Mathan
Great story. Strong women in a culture that might be less encouraging of strength in women. (Deb)
Pop by U2
I revisited a favorite album from my teen years. It didn’t hold up. (Dana)
Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
Some parts laugh-out-loud funny. Some parts heartbreaking. Some parts made me very hungry. (Deb)
A Touch of Darkness, A Touch of Ruin, A Touch of Malice by Scarlett St. Clair
This trilogy is set in New Athens, where the Greek gods are alive and well ruling in a modern world. It follows the imagined love story of Hades and Persephone as she comes to terms with leaving her life in the mortal world behind and ruling with Hades in the Underworld. (Elle)