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)