Reading

I had my mind set on reading two books in Hawaii and neither of them were available at the library or Powells, so I went with a few paperbacks that had been on my list. Hopefully I will get off the wait list for Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Lessons in Chemistry soon, but it wasn’t this month!

I love Emily St. John Mandel and have been making my way through her books. Last Night in Montreal is a great story of a girl taken from her home by her father and is on the run for her whole life. Unlike other St. John Mandel books that have multiple characters and stories that jump all over, this was more linear storytelling, and just as compelling.

After reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo I knew I wanted to read more from the author. I picked up Malibu Rising and didn’t realize that the authors books all take place in the same universe. I can’t wait to read Carrie Soto is Back after her appearance in Malibu Rising. I really enjoyed the story of these four siblings and the 80’s setting was great.

I have had Mexican Gothic on my shelf for a while now and thought this might be the perfect trip to read it. I really liked the story but it definitely is a book better read in fall (it’s kind of creepy – but not in a jump/keep you up at night way), to get in the holiday/spooky season mood.

I really liked All Her Little Secrets last year so picked up the authors new book Any Where You Run which was a great story of two sisters in the south in the early 60’s. Again, not really a beach read, but a good story with characters you can invest in.

My friend joined us for the last couple of days on the trip and handed me The Authenticity Project when she finished it. We had to come home (boo!) so it’s been stuck on my end table and hopefully I can finish it up soon. Although Spare became available at the library and that’s jumped the line right now!

Watching

I was prepared to binge a few shows while we were in Hawaii but with all the family and activities not as much evening tv happened. I finally downloaded and started to watch Paper Girls on the flight over. It’s great so far, I need to make sure I go back and finish it (side note, why is Prime SO HARD to navigate?)

My friend has been suggesting Acapulco on Apple+ for a while now, two seasons of this comedy and it’s GREAT! It was a fun vacation show to watch as it takes place at a resort in the 80’s in (duh) Acapulco. It reminds me of Jane the Virgin with it’s story telling style. It is very sweet and funny.

We were flying the night Aubrey Plaza hosted SNL, so I had heard about the Parks & Rec cameo and was so excited to watch it on Sunday! This is probably my favorite episode of the season so far. She was a GREAT host and those George Santos jokes were perfection.

I am sad that Yellowstone is on a break till this summer, but happy that All Creatures Great and Small has returned. I watched Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris on the flight home and it is delightful – if you like All Creatures make sure to catch Mrs Harris.

The season finale of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake was everything I hoped for as far as fast forwarding to Jen Shah’s trial and sentencing. Also, HOW did Heather get that black eye? Real fans want to know…

I’m not listening to much new in the podcast arena lately but when I do I promise to update you. What pop culture has kept you going into the new year?

1. I’m Glad My Mom Died – I am still thinking about this incredible memoir that has the most accurate title of the year.
2. Where the Crawdads Sing – My dad recommended this to me after years of resisting. One thing I have learned in the last couple of years, Reese & I share a lot of the same taste in books.
3. Sea of Tranquility – I love Emily St. John Mandel and that each story is stand alone, but the characters subtly show up throughout. If you can, read this book in one sitting.
4. When the Moon Turns to Blood – I had been following the story of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell over the past couple of years, and to have one of my favorite journalists (Leah Sottile) write this book was fantastic.
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo– I had heard great things about Taylor Jenkins Reid and didn’t know which book to start with. This was an excellent recommendation and I will continue to catch up on her books!
6. Emily Henry– I read all three of Emily Henry’s books this year. The People You Meet on Vacation, Beach Read & Book Lovers. When I can’t get into a good reading routine, I have found that a fun and light romcom is exactly what I need. (see also, Drunk in Love and Nora Goes Off Script)
7. More Than You’ll Ever Know – Another book I can’t stop thinking about. A woman has two husbands, one in Texas and one in Mexico. And then one murders the other. It’s a great story that takes you back to the 80’s and into the present day.
8. Invisible Storm – I have followed Jason Kander for years, and this story of his struggles with PTSD and running for office was inspirational and thoughtful. I highly recommend the audiobook for this.
9. Small Things Like These– There’s a reason this book is ending up on everyone’s best of list this year, it’s a gorgeous little story about a horrible time in Ireland’s history that we don’t talk about.
10. Cover Story – I think part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was that I had just finished watching Inventing Anna on Netflix. This was a fun read with great writing devices.

What books got you through this past year? What books are you looking forward to in 2023?

1. The After Party – I wasn’t sure how this show was going to turn out, but I knew I loved a lot of the people in the cast. This was the MOST clever show, give me a murder mystery but make every episode a different genre of movie? I loved it! If you’ve missed this, it might be a great binge with the family (or alone!) over the holidays.
2. Bel Air – Having grown up with The Fresh Prince I was curious how this dramatic interpretation would do and I was blown away by how they could take such a light and fun sitcom into a 2022 drama.
3. Minx – I almost missed this show and I am so glad that my friend pushed me to make sure and watch. A feminist in the 70’s begins an erotic magazine – sure! A fun holiday binge (but probably not with your parents or kids?)
4. Hacks – I love this show so much. I love the characters, I love the relationships, I love it all.
5. Ms Marvel – This is the best of the Marvel superhero shows since WandaVision. I loved the comic books when it first came out and the show lived up to it!
6. Loot – Maya Rudolph is ALWAYS the right answer, and I am so glad she finally has the sitcom world she deserves. This fills the Ted Lasso hole in my heart.
7. A League of Their Own – I still think about these characters and their relationships and how they survived and lived and hid in the world.
8. Julia – I have always heard snippets about Julia Childs bio but never really delved into it. This show made me want to read more and learn more about this incredible woman, her friends and family.
9. Bad Sisters – I love a murder mystery where you know who’s dead and just watch the story unfold from everyone’s POV each week. These are sisters I want to be friends with and never want to upset.
10. White Lotus – I was happy to be back in Tanya McQuiod’s world, even if it was only seven episodes (why isn’t this show longer?!). I would also follow a spinoff of Grandpa Bert farting his way through Italy.