We went from winter straight in to summer here in the Northwest. For those of us (including me) who enjoy reading outside more than inside, the jump was welcomed for the most part (I mean, a week or two of spring wouldn’t have been the worst thing…) The pups are also enjoying more time outside (big surprise.) Here’s a few things I’ve been enjoying indoors, outdoors and while on dog walks and driving around town…

Reading

The best book I’ve read so far this year is Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. It was a beautiful and wonderful book. From childhood friends to famous video game designers this story is not what I expected and I will be thinking about it and talking about it for a while.

My second favorite book of the year was next up on my stack – Lessons in Chemistry. I knew I would love this book, and knowing that Brie Larson will play Elizabeth Zott in an Apple TV series makes me VERY happy. This was a funny and smart read, as I told a friend – don’t judge this book by it’s cover, this is NOT the chick-lit you think it is. I promise.

I am loving Samantha Irby’s new book Quietly Hostile, which I thought was called Quiet Hostility (both work TBH…) It is hilarious and fantastic and I love her writing.

Watching

A lot of shows are starting, deep in their seasons or finally wrapping up their series. I’ll probably write more about Ted Lasso’s final season next month since it just came out today. I have been doing a rewatch of season 3 leading up to the finale and I will say that’s worth doing…

I did however watch the Succession finale on my flight home this holiday weekend and it did a great job of wrapping up the show while leaving everyone as miserable as they deserve to be. What a horrible group of people. Also, why was that funeral episode so exhausting? I watched it TWICE and could barely stay awake either time. Maybe I shouldn’t watch it on Sunday nights or maybe it wasn’t great?

I really enjoyed The Power, it was a great book a few years ago and the series did it justice. It’s so smart and terrifying and in the moment. If you’re missing (that might be the wrong word…) The Handmaids Tale, check this out. We also really enjoyed the second season of BelAir on Peacock. It’s a smart modern dramatic take on The Fresh Prince and it really works…

We finally wrapped up watching Searching for Mexico with Eva Longoria. It’s not as good as Stanley Tucci’s Italy version, BUT there are SO MANY TACOS. Just a fair warning, you will want tacos when you watch this.

I waited to binge Schmigadoon‘s second season and I’m glad I did – it was so much fun, but a much better binge. The Sweeny Todd/Annie mashup was something I could never have imagined I needed in my life. And yes, I did cry at that finale.

Well this month seemed to fly right by! Between March Madness (holy busted bracket!) to spring break (even for those of us without kids) it was a busy month with some GREAT pop culture! Here’s what kept me going on stormy beach trips…

Reading

We need to have a conversation about books written by white women (usually) about rich white people where nothing bad happens to them but all their author friends (with books you like and have read and enjoyed) blurb that the book is “hilarious!” “incredibly timely” and other crap like that. I feel like I have started off this year reading a slew of very MEH books. My friend and I joke about how we are embarrassed that we regularly love a Reese’s Book Club recommendation, but she knows good storytelling!

Listening to Rob Delaney read either of his books is such an incredible gift. I listened to A Heart That Works earlier this year and gushed about it. If you’re a parent and don’t want to read a book about a young child dying (even though the book is very funny), try his first book – Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage. Trust me. It’s fantastic.

Listening

I haven’t talked about podcasts lately but two are really keeping me going lately. I’ve mentioned Into It before and it continues to be a fantastic pop culture podcast that is now out TWICE a week (huzzah!) Sam Sanders who hosts Into It also has a podcast with two of his friends called Vibe Check which is incredible. Each week the three gay black friends get together to talk about what’s going on in the news AND pop culture. This week included The TikTok ban AND the new John Wick movie. Trust me. It’s a vibe.

Watching

Shrinking finished an incredible first season and I can’t wait to see more of these characters in the future. If you haven’t started it yet, while you wait for new episodes of Ted Lasso each week, make sure to catch up on this sweet and funny show. I am loving the new season of Ted Lasso, and am curious how the series will wrap up. The addition of Zava is a fun wrench for the team, and I am loving watching Jamie deal with it.

Succession is back and I could not be happier. We did a rewatch of season 3 before the new season started this week and I am so grateful. I forgot so much about the last season (the whole family joking about Logan & Kerry, Logan finding out what a giant pervert Roman is). This show is back and more bonkers than ever, I can’t wait to see what the kids do and what Connor’s final election night numbers are.

What about you? What pop culture are you enjoying (or not!) this month? Any new books or shows you’re looking forward to this spring? Share your thoughts in the comments!