Summer is here! That means I tend to slow down, watch some Netflix and read a few books. I compiled a few lists of things to watch and read for this post. But I want your input. Look through the lists and tell me if it’s worth my time. Let me know if you’ve seen some of these shows or read some of these books.
Summer Reading List
Outlander (book one)– I’ve been working on this one for a while, but I’ve also started season one on Netflix. I know what some of you will say- READ THE BOOKS! But, should I hurry and finish the book before I finish watching season one?
Lilac Girls– I’m around chapter 18 of this one. I was on the waiting list in the Overdrive app for the library, and when I got it, I started reading and was loving it. The end of the school year and my book club book got me distracted, and then it was gone after my two week loan period. It’s a historical drama about three women and their experience during WWII, specifically their time associated with the Ravensbruck concentration camp. I was really enjoying it, and to be honest, I don’t care if y’all don’t recommend this one. I’m finishing it.
Where’d You Go Bernadette?– How can I not read this one? It’s got my fur baby’s name in the title. No, in all seriousness, I saw the preview for the movie coming out in August, and I thought I needed to read it. I had picked it up at a thrift store several years ago, but I haven’t cracked it open yet. Anyone read it? The reviews are wonderful, and apparently it’s going to be really funny.
Sunset Beach– Mary Kay Andrews rarely disappoints. She is southern and delightful, and her books zoom by. This is our June book club pick, so I’m excited to dive into it. Who’s read it?
Daisy Jones and the Six– This has been on my radar for a while, and I think I’m number six in line for the audiobook on the Overdrive app. It sounds so interesting, and if you’ve read Taylor Jenkins Reid before, then you know she’s bound to deliver something that’s equal parts scandalous and heart.
When We Left Cuba– I just finished Chanel Cleeton’s Next Year in Havana and could not have loved it more. Her writing is so beautiful and the descriptions so vivid it’s like you’re there. Cleeton is of Cuban decent and very into politics, so I learned a lot about the revolution that took place in Cuba when Castro took over. There was an excerpt in the back of Next Year in Havana for When We Left Cuba; I just read it last night, and holy moly, and I definitely looking forward to visiting these characters again. Yes, please!
Summer Watch List
Riverdale– I always binge this show in the summer. I always record it during the regular air time, too, but I never stop to watch it as it goes. Did anyone watch already? Did it get silly or should I go for it? Last season with the killer was kind of silly…but Cole Sprouse…
Outlander– As I mentioned earlier, I’ve started season one on Netflix. I’ve only watched one episode and am in the middle of episode two. I know there are crazy fans of the show that will say to do it, and good gracious is the actor who plays Jamie incredibly good looking, but you book people- do I read it first?
Fosse/Verdon– I’ve been watching this one as it’s been released weekly, but I got behind. This show is on FX and highlights the life of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. They were married and divorced, but they still collaborated on projects. The man who directed Hamilton is the one who created this show, and it’s truly fantastic if you like learning about people in Hollywood and people from the stages of Broadway. It should be available On Demand if you’re interested, too.
You– As a lover of Gossip Girl, I’d watch this show simply because it stars Penn Badgley. But I keep hearing fantastic things about this show. It’s a bit scary as it’s about a stalker, but is it too scary for me to watch and potentially watch alone? Will I think people are watching me? I don’t like to be scared.
Stranger Things– I know I just said I don’t like to be scared, and this show scares the crap out of me, but I LOVE it! Season three comes out July 4, and I’m here for it!
Ozark– Paul and I really liked season one, and now that we’ve got no more regular season TV, we decided to start this one. We’re a few episodes in, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. It gives me tons of anxiety to think of having to live my life like that. Always watching your back, indebted to some seriously scary people…I don’t know. I do know that Laura Linney is positively masterful. I love her in this role. But Paul may need to adopt this one as his own. Ladies, did you stick with it?
Yellowstone– Season two comes out June 20, and I think I want to watch. I quit watching season one because it just seemed too over my head. I don’t know anything about ranching, so Paul finished it without me. I restarted it yesterday, and I am really paying attention to what’s going on. It’s very involved, in my opinion, but strangely interesting this go round. Season one is only nine episodes, so I’m planning to give it a real try.
Big Little Lies– Season two starts Sunday, June 9, and I cannot wait to get back into the lives of these women and see how their story continues after season one (and the book) ended. I watched an interview where Reese Witherspoon said that Liane Moriarty is the one who wrote the story that the season is based off of, which makes me feel better because I wanted it to be a story from the author and not just the show writers. Not that they aren’t great. I appreciated the differences in the show, but I am happy that Liane has revisited these characters and come up with the aftermath of the tragedy that took place at the end of the book.
Dead to Me– I feel like I’d just be watching this because everyone is talking about it. Is it really that good? I heard it got picked up for season two, so maybe so. Christina Applegate is so freaking good at everything, so I’m sure I’ll like her in it. Whatcha say about this one?
Quite a few more on the watch list than the reading list, but that’s the beauty of summer break! Okay, tell me all the things. Tell me in the comments, tell me on my Instagram, tell me on Facebook. And do you have any other suggestions to watch or read? I’d love to hear!
