Bookworm Cottage Style

Here is a round up of some of my favorite media (books, movies, TV, podcasts, etc) that I’ve consumed over the past couple of months, in no particular order. What have you been watching/reading/listening to?

MOVIES

Dune (2021) & Dune: Part Two (2024) // When I first saw Dune in theaters back in 2021, I thought it was kind of dull. I rewatched it recently in preparation for Dune: Part Two and it was so much more interesting than I remembered! Dune: Part Two (which I saw at the IMAX theater at Jordan’s furniture – IYKYK) was fantastic too! This trilogy sort of reminds me of Lord of the Rings, but with more religious commentary. 

Polite Society (2023) // This is a fun movie that I streamed a few months ago. It is pretty outlandish – kind of giving Everything Everywhere All At Once – but also sweet and silly and funny. 

Spy (2015) // This is a fun comedy about a CIA analyst who finally gets a chance to do fieldwork that reminds me a lot of the movie Get Smart with Steve Carrell. While I thoroughly enjoyed this and would happily watch it again, I must admit I was perplexed to see that this movie had a 95% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a great comedy, but it’s no Good Will Hunting IMO.

BOOKS

Fourth Wing (2023) & Iron Flame (2023), by Rebecca Yarros. These romantasy books are so much fun! I’ve been in a fantasy drought after finishing The Hunger Games series back in college, and this makes me want to find some other fun fantasy reads to escape with.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (2023) // It’s way too early to call it, but this is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. The main character, Martha Ballard, is a badass middle-aged woman working as a midwife in Maine during the late 1700s. Inspired by real people and real events, the story follows a murder case that Martha gets tangled up in as she searches for answers and justice. Martha is just an incredible character — so much gumption and self assuredness — the type of character that makes me excited to grow older and wiser. This is a niche reference, but I feel like if she were alive today she would be the type of woman who would be profiled (or have a column on) the blog Cup of Jo.

Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea (2023) //  I cannot pass up WWII novels about women in the allied forces and/or the resistance, and this book is no exception. This is a great WWII story about the unbreakable bonds of female friendship inspired by the author’s mother’s experience serving in “donut dollies” in the Red Cross. I also enjoyed reading the author’s note at the end to learn more about which details and characters were inspired by real-life. If you’re a historical fiction fan, definitely pick this up!

Atomic Habits by James Clear (2018)// This book really stuck with me! There were so many wonderful nuggets of wisdom and inspiration, and I feel motivated to implement small habits and small improvements.

PODCASTS

The Big Dig Podcast // I rarely ever listen to podcasts, but my friend Ashley recommended this 9-part series from GBH to my history-buff husband and me and we really enjoyed it. 

TV

The Bear seasons 1 & 2 (2022-present) // A coworker recommended this Hulu series and I absolutely loved it. This drama series follows a fine-dining chef who moves home to Chicago to take over his late-brother’s mismanaged, casual roast beef shop after his brother’s untimely death. Season 1 is great but season 2 is even better – especially season 2 episode 7, which just might be the best episode of television I’ve ever seen.

Washington’s Dream – SNL (2023) // Nate Bargatze is my favorite comedian, and I have lost count of the number of times I’ve watched this SNL sketch since it debuted in late October. 

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 5 (2017-2023) // This Amazon original comedy series by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls) is set in 50s and 60s in NYC and follows a young housewife who pursues a career in comedy. Seasons 3 & 4 kind of dragged, but I really liked the final season and how the show wrapped up.

What should I watch/read/listen to next?