Well, it’s officially fall. The backyard is a mess of wet leaves and an herb garden I really need to go prune back for the winter. Instead, let’s talk about pop culture! My husband and I were able to escape to Hawaii for a few days which is always a great place for my pop culture consumption. I read one of the best books I’ve read in a while, and enjoyed some great podcasts and shows along the way. Here’s how I’m surviving spider season…

Reading

I was able to listen to Kamala Harris’ memoir 107 Days as soon as it came out and it was really interesting if you’re a political nerd like me. It was weird to listen to it in October and realize the stories had happened just a year ago. It also reminded me of my own campaign and the stress and work that goes into running a good campaign with good people around you.

I read a few books on vacation and absolutely loved What Kind of Paradise. I wasn’t sure what to expect of a “what would happen if the unibomber had a daughter he raised in the woods with him?” but holy crap it was a great book that I will now recommend for the foreseeable future. I also really enjoyed Best Woman, it was a sweet and funny book to help me get into vacation mode.

Listening

The usual podcasts are bopping along in my rotation. I will say the recent episode of Wirecutter with Nick Offerman was GREAT. I am pretty sure all the nieces and nephews are getting his new book for Christmas. Amy Poehler’s podcast continues to be the most inspiring pod out there for me. Her episode with Rachel Dratch was so fun, but I really enjoyed the Mariska Hargitay episode. I’ve never watched an episode of Law & Order what ever she’s on, but she was so fun and it was a very Good Hang. I haven’t started the new season of Hush even though I know I’m going to love it, because I can already tell I’ll want to binge it, hopefully over Thanksgiving break!

Watching

October was full of BASEBALL at our house. Specifically Seattle Mariners baseball – which is not something that Seattle fans usually get to enjoy. It was SO fun to watch the Mariners this fall and even though the Bluejays clinched the ticket to the World Series, it was very fun to have baseball playoff season with a team I have loved my entire life.

I know it was typically the November 1st episode (I was on vacation so this is late, sorry!) but the Miles Teller episodes of SNL was the best one of the new season so far. I had high hopes since he’s such a great utility player on the show, and he nailed it.

The new season of The Diplomat was FANTASTIC. Right from the start with the VP decision, this season, and cast, were fantastic. I also seem to have liked Nobody Likes This better than most reviews I’m seeing. Although my favorite part is always the siblings relationship with each other.

Over vacation we watched I Like Me the documentary about John Candy. It was so sweet and funny and wonderful. Even if you just know him from Uncle Buck or The Great Outdoors his story and impact on comedy was fascinating to learn more about. I’d highly suggest filing this one for the “what do I watch with my family over the holidays?” (I texted my dad and brothers immediately to recommend it.)

I started a few shows that need to get finished and I am hoping to find some pockets of time to finish them up this month. I’ll continue to watch mindless fun like the Salt Lake Housewives and the latest season of Sister Wives (why is he the worst?!) and hopefully pepper in a few fun shows along the way. And I get to see the new Wicked movie with my niece over Thanksgiving. What are you excited for this coming month?

Oh September…It’s the end of summer, back to school, the weather is warm but then it rains and is cold, spider season is starting (my least favorite time of year!), then it’s warm again, and until the Emmy’s hit it’s quiet but you’re playing catch up to watch shows before the Emmy’s so you know what to root for! Here’s how I stayed sane this month…

Reading

I thoroughly enjoyed The Wedding People. It’s been on a lot of lists since it came out last year, and when I friend posted she read it I borrowed her copy and it was a great read. I’ve been in an audiobook slump this month, but I miraculously got 107 Days the night it came out on audiobook, so we’re diving right into it!

Listening

The Daily has started a Sunday Special episode that’s more focused on pop culture and it is excellent! I really enjoyed the Emmy’s episode with great conversations about a few of the top show. So far though, my favorite is the Sunday Special: What Makes a Restaurant Great? The episode is with two NYT food critics who talk about what they’re looking for in a great meal, and a great restaurant. As someone who has been known to travel for a dining experience it was an insightful conversation and gave me some new/better questions to ask my server moving forward. Good Hang continues to be fantastic, and the Olivia Coleman ep was a recent favorite.

Watching

Emmy season is weird, we’re finishing up summer shows, you have to wait for fall shows to start, you’re trying to catch up on one or two shows you hadn’t watched but now are getting nominated for everything so you should, so my watching habits feel off this month. I’m also saving a couple of shows to watch when we go on vacation next month.

The series finale of Acapulco was lovely. If you never watched this show, I am so jealous for the 4 season binge you are about to begin! I loved this show and all it’s quirky characters, and if Apple+ decides to revisit them in a few years, I would be in full support. I really enjoyed the beginning of Upload but these last two seasons were too spread out to really remember what was going on. I may rewatch the series as a binge at some point, but the final four episodes were good, but not great sadly.

My husband I watched Hostage after I read a few great things about it, and they were correct. The British PM’s doctor husband is taken hostage while on a medical mission and needs the French PM’s help to get everyone rescued. If you like The Diplomat or other political thrillers, add this to your list ASAP!

I stumbled upon another docu-series about Ruby Franke and binged it on a Friday night, and holy wow is Jodi a horrible evil person. Ruby & Jodi: A Cult Of Sin And Influence was really well done if you have followed this story and/or like a good true crime docu-series.

There’s one episode left in season two of Platonic which I have binged over the past few days. It’s another great season of chaos with these adult friends who are entirely too codependent. As always, I’m enjoying the absurdity of this season of Only Murders in the Building. If you need a good light hearted movie, my friend recommended A Nice Indian Boy and it was so sweet and funny. Highly recommend for a cute rom com night!

Alright, how was your pop culture consumption this month? What did you love? What are you excited for coming in October? I can’t wait for the new season of The Diplomat and will finally start The Morning Show…And the beach vacation book stack is starting to add up!