I love a good book or TV show recommendation. So much better than spending an hour scrolling through Netflix and still moaning “there’s nothing to watch!” So, this week I’m sharing what I’m reading and watching (both fiction and non-fiction), and what I think is cool.
All the recommendations have something to tell us about great writing and storytelling, so enjoy them for the fun of being entertained and to learn from expert examples of sharing stories. See—you’re not just binge reading or watching… you’re learning the craft!
Now, go forth and enjoy learn.
What am I reading? Non-fiction
This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch: The Joy Of Loving Something–Anything–Like Your Life Depends On It by Tabitha Carvan.
Why We Can’t Sleep meets Furiously Happy in this hilarious, heartfelt memoir about one woman’s midlife obsession with Benedict Cumberbatch, and the liberating power of reclaiming our passions as we age, whatever they may be.
Tabitha Carvan was a new mother, at home with two young children, when she fell for the actor Benedict Cumberbatch. You know the guy: strange name, alien face, made Sherlock so sexy that it became one of the most streamed shows in the world?
The force of her fixation took everyone—especially Carvan herself—by surprise. But what she slowly realized was that her preoccupation was not about Benedict Cumberbatch at all, as dashing as he might be. It was about finally feeling passionate about something, anything, again at a point in her life when she had lost touch with her own identity and sense of self.
What am I reading? Fiction
The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais
A coven of modern-day witches. A magical heist-gone-wrong. A looming threat. Five octogenarian witches gather as an angry mob threatens to demolish Moonshyne Manor. All eyes turn to the witch in charge, Queenie, who confesses they’ve fallen far behind on their mortgage payments.
Still, there’s hope, since the imminent return of Ruby—one of the sisterhood who’s been gone for thirty-three years—will surely be their salvation. But the mob is only the start of their troubles.
Funny, tender and uplifting, the novel explores the formidable power that can be discovered in aging, found family and unlikely friendships. Marais’ clever prose offers as much laughter as insight, delving deeply into feminism, identity and power dynamics while stirring up intrigue and drama through secrets, lies and sex. Heartbreaking and heart-mending, it will make you grateful for the amazing women in your life.
What am I watching? Non-fiction
Untold, a series of documentaries on Netflix.
Untold offers epic tales from the world of sports, including deep dives into what happened beyond the headlines, as told by those who lived these stories, to reveal grit, resilience, heartbreak, triumph, violence, comedy, and pathos.
Each volume consists of multiple films released in weekly installments, with each film covering a unique and lesser-known sports story. Debuting in 2021, Volume 1 consists of five films that covered a range of different sports including basketball, tennis, hockey, and more. Volume 2 was released in 2022 with four more films, covering football, basketball, and more.
What am I watching? Fiction
Only Murders in the Building starring Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short.
Three strangers share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth.
Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be living among them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it's too late.
What do I think is cool?
The new Michelle Obama Award for Memoir.
As the woman herself says, “I have always been passionate about helping young people discover the power of telling their own stories. Today, I am thrilled to share that Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books are launching the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir, a new creative writing award focused on memoir writing for public high school students.
“Apply today for the $10,000 scholarship and the opportunity to learn more about the publishing industry at michelleobamabooks.com/scholarship.
“I want young people everywhere to know that their voices and stories matter!”
What are you watching, reading, or thinking is cool? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to expand my repertoire!
Thanks,
Liz “Entertain Me” Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing
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