It’s that time of the month again folks, time to share my favorite pop culture finds from the past month…

Reading

I finally finished Someone to Run With and I LOVED it! Such a great story about two teens and a very cool dog, plus it takes place in Jerusalem, which is an awesome city (fun fact: I went in 2001).

I’m now reading Where’d You Go, Bernadette? which is a book I’ve had on my short list for the past year it seems. I got a Kindle for my birthday this summer and I am finally using it, which is AMAZING. Why did I take so long to get a Kindle? It’s awesome! And so is the book. I’m about half way through. Fun fact: the book was written by an Arrested Development writer!

I’m also still reading the Lazarus graphic novels and really enjoying them.

Watching

During the summer I often find myself marathoning a TV series. Sometimes I catch up on a series that’s part of the way through (yes I did that with Gossip Girl), and sometimes it’s an old series (Six Feet Under, United States of Tara). This summer I have been sucked into Scandal. It is the soapiest, most ridiculous show, but I can’t turn away. I’m half way through Season 2 and trying to finish before the new season starts!

We’re thankfully almost ready to return to fall TV shows. I’m excited for the return of Parks & Recreation, my favorite show! I also can’t wait for New Girl, The Walking Dead, Homeland and a new season of SNL.

This summer I’ve been keeping busy with The Bridge (love it), Under the Dome (it’s so bad, but I’m in too deep) The Newsroom (it’s better than last year!) and the final season of Dexter (am I the only one who liked the Colin Hanks season?)!

Listening

I’m listening to the usual podcasts I mention here (The Nerdist, WTF with Marc Maron, Pop Culture Happy Hour, Grantland’s Hollywood Prospectus) and the occasional one off interview I hear about.

I’m going to see The Lumineers this weekend so have been keeping them on rotate lately!

What about you? What are you reading, watching & listening to this month?

It’s that time of the month again to talk about all things Pop Culture that are making me happy this summer.

TV

Orange is the New Black– are you kidding me? This is the greatest TV show I didn’t know I’d love! The Lost style flashbacks are great, and a more honest than expected life in prison is pretty interesting. I have 2 episodes left, and I will be so sad to have to wait for more!

The Newsroom– I made it through Season 1 of the over the top preachy-ness from Sorkin, and was praying he’d learn from his mistakes in S2. The Season premier was a disappointment, but it’s getting better, and I’m buying every kid on my Christmas list Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile this year.

Under the Dome– I need to stop watching this show, but it’s summer and there’s not much else on. Some of the story lines are ridiculous, but the two kids who seem to hold a key to the dome keep me coming back for more.

Movies

I haven’t seen a ton of movies lately, or really often, but I have kept Pitch Perfect on the DVR and seem to be watching it about once a week. Sorry if you catch me singing Party in the USA.

A couple weeks ago my brother came to visit and we had a date to go see The Way Way Back. It was AWESOME. stop what you’re doing and go see it. So funny and sweet and watching Steve Carrell & Amanda Peet being awful was an interesting change. Sam Rockwell makes every movie better I’ve decided.

Reading

I’m still reading Someone to Run With and hoping to finish it by the end of the month. I got a Kindle for my birthday and have a long list of books to read. I’m so grateful for the KCLS ebook library! It will save me TONS of money. 

I also got The 5th Wave for my birthday from my dad. He wouldn’t stop talking about it, and I’m excited to read it!

Oh! And I got Y The Last Man (also from my dad) for my birthday. Such a great concept for a graphic novel, and I’m definitley intrigued to keep reading this series!

Listening

Not much new here- the Justin Timberlake & Jay-Z concert was AWESOME! There’s a new Civil Wars album out I need to pick up and start listening to on repeat, and I’m excited for The Lumineers concert in September!

So what are you reading, watching, and listening to this summer?

It’s that time of the month again where I share some of my favorite pop culture moments from the month. Feel free to share what you are reading/watching/listening to this summer in the comments!

Read

I finally finished The Sisters Brothers on my trip to New York and it was AWESOME. It’s not the kind of book I would think I’ll like, but I loved it! Part Western, part mystery, and all a story about brothers. It was great. Read it, trust me on this one.

Now I’m reading Someone to Run With, about a boy and girl and dog in Jerusalem. I’m not that far into it yet, but it’s a great story so far. Seems a little more heavy of a plot, makes me think of a fall/rainy day read. And it does that thing where there’s rarely a chapter, so it’s hard to pick up and put down for a couple of days, I have to recap a page or two, BUT the story is great!

Lazarus– here’s my graphic novel suggestion for the month. When I was in New York I went to Midtown Comics, the holy grail of comic book shops. And it did NOT disappoint  On Free Comic Book Day I read a preview in one of my comics for Lazarus, which is about a post apocalyptic future (yes, I am aware I really like this genre lately) and a rich family. It has some Hunger Game elements to it. The first issue came out in June, so it’s a great time to start this series!

Watch

Dexter-the final season is here and I couldn’t be happier! Dr. Vogel will hopefully be a really interesting way to tie this story together in a finale, and Deb’s distructive path is fascinating to watch. She’s one of the most overlooked actresses out there. I can’t wiat to see how this series ties up. Will Dexter get caught? Will he die? Will he & Deb & Harrison run off into the sunset?

The Bridge- This series has been hyped about as one of the best new series this summer, and the pilot was awesome. Exploring the El Paso/Juarez relationship is a great idea, and Demian Bichir is a fantastic actor. I will say that the female lead bugged me all through the pilot. I know she has Aspergers  it wasn’t that, it was the actress, it was like she was trying to hard. I hope she mellows out or explains herself in future episodes, I didn’t care for her at all, which is a problem, since she’s the co-star…

Under the Dome– This is a summer series that is just what I want it to be. It’s a good story, I want to know what the dome is and why it’s there, but I hate the kid who kidnapped his girlfriend, I could do without that creepy storyline. My guess is Stephen King’s book is a bazillion times better and I’m missing out by not reading it. I’ll keep with the series this summer, besides there isn’t much else on!

As for movies, The Heat, Much Ado About Nothing, The Way, Way Back & World War Z are all on my short list to see.

Listen

No new exciting music to listen to, but I am keeping up on my podcasts while I drive around the Puget Sound!

The Nerdist, Pop Culture Happy Hour, Grantland Pop Culture, and the Firewall & Iceberg pods are all on my short list lately!

Other Pop

Comic Con starts this weekend in San Diego. Someday I’ll make it there, but not this year. I know it’s going to be awesome and there will be a lot of cool stuff happening and news about upcoming movies, fall TV shows, and new comics I’ll have to check out. I can’t wait for my list of “needs” to grow!

What are you reading/watching/listening to this summer?