Weekend Edition #2
A binge-worthy tv show, an upcoming summer read I'm loving, a (controversial?) opinion, an awesome best backlist books list & more
Hello! How’s your weekend going? I’ve been getting back in the swing of things after a quick trip to Cancun last week. It was so nice to feel warm again and be in the sun for several days in a row. This weekend edition is something I’m contemplating keeping as a regular post, so please let me know if you like it. I tend to enjoy reading newsletters with a variety of links, tv show/movie recs, etc and those types of newsletters are also fun to put together. Ok, in the interest of writing something you can scroll through quickly, I’ll jump right into the content:)
Love is Blind - I spent Thursday and Friday bingeing the first 6 episodes of Love is Blind Season 6. THIS SHOW! It’s the ultimate potato chip show - the best kind of salty, crispy, can’t just eat one so you end up eating the whole bag type of potato chip. I literally told my husband I would watch one or 2 episodes and then proceeded to stay glued to the tv for 4 straight hours to finish all of the episodes. And the thing is, I never regret a moment of watching this show- and this season is on fire. After a (below) mediocre season 5, this season is bringing the drama and hopefully the true love. I won’t give away any spoilers, but there are couples who were clearly disappointed with each other when those doors opened and they saw each other for the first time. And THAT is what makes this show so fun to watch. I’m eagerly awaiting the next episodes to drop on Feb 21. Are you watching this show? Who’s your favorite couple(s)? Who do you think will actually get married? Hmmmm….do we need a weekly discussion thread to chat more about the show? Let me know in the comments!
Argylle - We saw this new movie last night and it was pure entertainment. My husband and I love going to the movies so that in and of itself is always a good time, but this outrageous movie was great fun start to finish. I’ll add a quick synopsis below. While this is not high brow, sophisticated entertainment, it does what it set out to do - entertain!
Reclusive author Elly Conway writes best-selling espionage novels about a secret agent named Argylle who's on a mission to unravel a global spy syndicate. However, when the plots of her books start to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization, the line between fiction and reality begin to blur
Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky - This was an interesting story about Margaret Murphy, a weaver of fantastic tales because in her world the truth is too much for one little girl to endure. When the story begins we see Margaret and her best friend go off alone to play and only Margaret returns. Margaret narrates the rest of the story with interjections from “poor deer” (her conscious? her alter ego?) throughout. While I felt for Margaret, there was something that kept me at arm’s length from her – I felt emotionally distant from her and I would’ve preferred to feel more connected. There was a fairytale like quality to how the story was told and maybe that was what contributed to me feeling distant. Overall, I liked this but didn’t love it
Ilium by Lea Carpenter - This is a literary espionage thriller that doesn’t seem to be getting the attention it deserves in my opinion. It’s a story of a young woman who unwittingly becomes a perfect asset in the long overdue finale of a covert special op between the CIA and Mossad. And that is just the very basic premise of this complex, intricately plotted story that blends literary fiction with elements of a thriller. I was immediately compelled by the interesting opening scene- which hinted at secrets and betrayals to come - and the story delivered on that! While at times I did feel confused I just trusted in the author to pull the threads together and she delivered by the end. I found the story to unexpectedly bittersweet (there’s also a love story in the mix) and I enjoyed the moral complexity of the dilemmas faced by making a “regular” person a sly. This is not fast paced, but if you like complicated characters, a smart plot, and interesting spy craft this could be for you
Congratulations, The Best Is Over by R Eric Thomas - I just started doing a listen/read combo of this collection of essays. I saw this pop up again and again on people’s best books of 2023 lists and my Libby audio hold finally came in. I love listening to an author narrate their own work!
The Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo - (June 18) I don't typically read this far in advance of publication dates, but I’ve been in a family drama mood and this upcoming summer release tempted me. It’s about a wife who has “found herself on the placid plateau of mid-life.” And she is completely unprepared for the surprises coming her way- from her grown son, her teenage daughter, and even her unplanned trip to a grocery store. I’m about halfway and I’m loving the writing style, as well as the pace and surprises being unveiled. The characters feel like real people, flaws and all.
Food for thought? Lots to contemplate in this article ….It’s Not the Kids With the Cellphone Problem, It’s the Parents (NY Times)
Shelf Life: Tia Williams’ Book Recommendations - Her one sit read recommendation reminds me that I wanted to read this last year and forgot!
Katy Perry’s surprise announcement on Jimmy Kimmel
A Creepy Book Cover - it does make me want to read this book though
Is Double Cleansing Worth It? - Something I might consider if I have sunscreen on otherwise I think I’m a staying a single cleanser
Wintry shows and movies to binge watch
This best books from 2014 list is fantastic - thanks to Kathy for sending my way. I’ve read- and loved- many of these but I also added a couple to my tbr. Yet another reminder that I need to read Station Eleven!! 2024 is the year you heard it here:)
I love a great debut, here’s 10 fiction debuts to check out
People Magazine’s Best Books to Read in February
I LOVE Love Is Blind! It is the ultimate potato chop show and for this reason I won't start watching until the entire season is available so I can binge it like the glutton I am! I am dying to read the new Claire Lombardo. I loved The Most Fun We Ever Had and have been waiting for a new novel for years! Definitely one of my most anticipated 2024 releases.
The weekend edition is great! Love the suggestions and links to the world of entertainment outside of books (as well as inside). You and Tara are making me want to watch Love is Blind 🤭