Let's Swap Some Recommendations
Something About My Journey
Before we jump into recommendations, a little about what’s been going on with me so far this year. It was difficult to get motivated to drum up “business” in February which means pushing my book. But as I like to allude to in my book, it seems like fate, luck or something like that intervened. I had two people reach out to set up book club meetings for March and April. How serendipitous! This is great as one of my bingo card resolutions was to do 2-3 book clubs in 2025. Voila!
It also made me realize that I am planting seeds and like a seed, I may not see what is happening underground but sometimes something will pop up through the soil and a tender shoot will take hold. I know I must be patient and let nature or the cosmos take control sometimes.
Something about Music, Books, TV, Let’s call it Pop Culture
To get down on February a bit more…February feels like the longest month of the year and this week has been particularly tough in Connecticut as it has been cold, icy, windy, and generally difficult to get out and do much of anything constructive. As we continue our winter hibernation, it seemed like a good time to share with you what I’ve been reading and watching. It was so nice to hear that many of you also enjoyed the Van Gogh Immersive Experience. I’m hoping we can replicate the feeling of connection by finding out what folks are watching or reading.
Here is what I’ve been reading (another square on my Bingo card). I read two books by Chris Whitaker: All the Colors of the Dark & We Begin at the End. These are not my normal type of books but both were beautifully written with a very complex plot. The topic is pretty dark; lost and damaged children trying to survive in an uncaring world. My only complaint is the characters were too similar in both books.
All the Colors of the Dark was the pick for my fairly new romance book club. I joined the club for some lighthearted reading. This book was not lighthearted, nor was it romantic. It was a heart-wrenching love story of sorts. But be forewarned, dark stuff and serial killers are a part of the story. Even though I tried, I was flummoxed by the ending. I had to sit with the book once I finished and retrace the story now that I knew the ending and I determined that the ending was nothing short of brilliant.
Another book I can highly recommend is God of the Woods by Liz Moore. It is set in the Adirondacks which feels close to me here in Connecticut. It’s a great story with amazing characters and it lives up to the hype. Another book with a serial killer wandering around.
My final book recommendation is The Wedding People by Alison Espach. Set in Newport, RI so another familiar setting for me. A cool thing happened after I read this book, my book was included in an Amazon deal where if you purchased two books you got one 50% off and so was The Wedding People. (There were tons of other books but I did a fun tie-in for Again and Again Back To You and The Wedding People that went like this.
1) Newport RI plays a role in each,
2) both author’s initials are AE and
3) buy both and get one 50% off deal. (It’s over now)
What am I watching?
What We Do In the Shadows is a quirky vampire show about three vampires living in Staten Island. They have no clue about the modern world and the show is about how they fumble along. Their “familiar” (think Igor or Renfield) is the best character. Guiremmo saves the day constantly but gets no credit. Watch out, the vampires’ very funny accents get stuck in your head. We are in Season 3 already.
Apple Cider Vinegar - is out on Netflix and based on a true story. The acting is fantastic and the story is a sick look at the wellness industry. Belle is troubled and you can’t help but feel sorry for her and her narcissistic ways.
SNL 50th Anniversary - it was wonderful to relive some memories from the show I used to watch when I babysat our neighbors down the street on Saturday night. I didn’t realize it was a new show back then and I’m not sure I understood a lot of the material, but it felt so cool and fun. I wished they had shown more clips from all the best sketches over the years. The best clip they did show was Steve Martin and Gilda Radnor’s sketch Dancing in the Dark where they have a spontaneous and very harmonious dance in a bar.
The Gameshow channel recently started showing old Jeopardy episodes and we are watching the Ken Jennings’ 72 game run. It is fun to watch, knowing how this historic run changed his life and ours as he ultimately was named as the replacement for Alex Trebek.
Please share what you are watching and reading. Books and television certainly help keep us sane during the cold inclement winter months.
I see what you did, you incorporated people’s favorite words from your previous newsletter into this newsletter. How fun.
There are so many books to recommend, however, since I am reading the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, I’ll recommend that. A lot of magic and supernatural creatures that make for a great read. Vin, the heroine, is a great character. And of course the Jack Reacher books are good if you like that sort of read. I think Netflix has a Reacher show out, that I have yet to watch. Read on.
We are on the same page! LOL I just finished ‘The Wedding People’ and downloaded the Chris Whitaker book to read on my long flight to Shanghai next month. Wedding People was a Christmas gift from my daughter who is also an avid reader. I laughed my way through it and would highly recommend. Reading is such a good way to get through our long New England winter.