Somehow I almost missed this post in July- whoopsy. So enjoy your First of August Friday with a list of things to read, listen to, and watch over the month…

Reading

Blankets– I got this giant graphic novel for my birthday and I’m LOVING it so far. About half way through and hoping to finish it up on the patio in the next couple of days!

William Shakespeare’s Star Wars– Another excellent birthday gift from some friends, it’s next up on my to read list! 

The Walking Dead: All Out War– this was a 12 issue arc in the ongoing comic saga, and it ended satisfactorily, but then the next issue picks up with a couple of pretty great surprises that have me excited for what’s in store! And after Comic-Con this weekend and the Season 5 preview, I need all TWD I can get till October!

Pocket– this isn’t a book, it’s an app that collects all the content you want to read when you have time online. I LOVE it! Any time I see an article on twitter I want to read and don’t have time for? I send it to Pocket! TV show review on an episode I haven’t watched yet? Pocket! It’s SO HANDY!

Watching

I’ve been on a big Friday Night Lights kick lately. Such a great series, I’m up to Season 4 (go Lion’s!) and love how perfect this show seems to be. It’s worthy of all the hype it’s gotten over the years.

Masters of Sex is also back. This is one of the greatest shows on TV, and sure there’s a lot of sex, but you watch it for the stories (and yeah, I know I sound like a 16 year old boy getting caught with a Playboy here…) but it SUCH A great show with such interesting characters, if you aren’t watching it, pray for some rain and marathon it to get caught up!

The Bridge- one of my favorite shows last year has returned! It’s weirder than last year, which I love, and has some great new characters this season that I’m enjoying (including Jerry from ER!)

The Leftovers- I’m going back and forth on this one. It’s so dark and there’s no redemption, but I can’t turn myself away. Everything I read and hear says it’s worth it, so I hope so. I trust Damon Lindelof, even though some think that makes me a fool.

Listening

Summer road trips mean Podcasts in our car. The latest indulgence is NPR’s Ask Me Another. HOW have I not been listening to this since the beginning of podcasts? It’s trivia and pop culture and SO FUN! It’s great to listen to with others in the car and race to get answers first!

Nerdette- here’s a new podcast I recently discovered. It’s about 25 minutes (a perfect drive time pod) and talks about things in lady nerd-dom. I love it!

So that’s it for me for August. I am sure there was more, but I spent a ton of time outside, enjoying my birthday, and hanging out with friends and family. Fingers crossed August has more in store inside & outside! What have you been enjoying in the pop culture universe this past month?

We’re coming up on a long weekend, where sitting on a patio or beach with a good book, an excellent playlist, and movies/tv to help sooth the sunburn are needed. Here’s a few of my top recommendations from the past month!

Reading

I finally finished The 5th Wave, and it wasn’t great. If you liked The Hunger Games (which I did) you might enjoy it. But whiney girly 14 year olds aren’t my favorite.

But then, I read Night Film in just a few days while on vacation earlier this month. It was exactly what I wanted it to be. Scary, interesting, pop culture infused, it was great. I loved the author’s first book, Special Topics in Calamity Physics, and this was right up my alley!

Hyperbole and a Half – wow, I haven’t laughed so hard at stories that reminded me way too much of myself in a LONG time. This graphic novel-ish book is so funny and quirky and easy to pick up and put down. A perfect fun summer read!

Watching

Orange is the New Black – Season 2 was somehow better than Season 1, I devoured this season and am so sad I have to wait another year to see what happens next. Good grief this show is fantastic!

Fargo- I know I mentioned this show last month, but that series finale was INCREDIBLE. Hurry up and watch it before FX hides it from us (seriously FX, can you help a fan out? on demand, on your site, netflix, amazon instant? I’d take ONE of these!). The fact that it was a self contained story was so wonderful, and Colin Hanks continues to be one of my favorite underdog actors!

Game of Thrones- Best Fathers Day episode ever.

Coming up on my DVR…Tyrant, The Bridge, The Leftovers, Masters of Sex, and finally binge watching Friday Night Lights this summer…

Listening

The Black Keys- I love this band, and their new album is a great for a road trip!

This American Life: The Radio Drama Episode– WOW, the first “drama” wasn’t amazing, but the 21 Jump Street Musical, new Mike Birbiglia & Sashir Zamata radio play were all fantastic!

May is always a great time for Pop Culture! Summer Blockbusters, Season Finales, The Song of the Summer, and sunshine means sitting outside on a patio with a beer and a good book, I love it! Here’s a few Pop Culture pieces keeping me entertained this month…

Watching

The Americans- The smartest and greatest show on TV, I LOVE this show and can not wait for Season 3 next year, WOW this is great!

Fargo- WOAH, FX is doing a great job with this series! I love everyone on the show, but there’s always a special place in my heart for Colin Hanks, even after what he did this week.

Mad Men – does that win trippiest finale ending yet? I can’t wait for the final 7 episodes in 2015, and think it’s really lame they split it into 2 seasons, big fail AMC!

Dollhouse- yes this show was on TV in 2009, but thanks to Netflix I finally watched it over the past month. With a sick dog at home, I’ve spent a lot of time snuggling on the couch, and this series was best watched marathoned I thought.

Much Ado About Nothing– I think this was the only movie I watched this month actually. I was missing Joss Whedon after finishing Dollhouse. This movie, a fabulous version of one of my favorite Shakespeare comedies, made me very happy!

Listening

Fitz & The Tantrums Radio – I recently took the time to play with iTunes Radio while I’m working. I created a Fitz & The Tantrums radio station and I can’t get enough. It’s a lot of great 60’s R&B that makes cleaning up my inbox a lot more enjoyable.

Dinner Party Download (Podcast) – my sister in law turned me on to this FANTASTIC podcast! Each Friday you get an hour podcast to make you a hit at your weekend dinner party. There’s always a couple great interviews (Jon Favreau! Steve Martin!), a themed cocktail of the week, and interesting food/party information (I really want to try Switchel now!)

Reading

I have 20 pages left in The 5th Wave– and we have a weekend trip to the Washington Coast where I am hoping to get some reading caught up on comics and books. The summer means warm afternoons on the patio and a lot more books being read!

Summer Short List

Here’s a few things I’m looking forward to this summer…

Chef – I love Jon Favreau and can’t wait to see this movie!

The Book of Mormon- Yup, it’s coming to Seattle & I have my tickets!

The Bridge- I loved the first season of this show!

Orange is the New Black- You know you’re excited for this amazing prison drama!

What’s on your list this summer? What pop culture are you currently consuming and loving (or loathing)?