Here’s what I’ve consumed in April and May:
Books
Uncommon Type: Some Stories – Tom Hanks
I was pretty impressed that Tom Hanks wrote some decent short stories. They weren’t all necessarily stories that I loved but Tom Hanks knows a bunch of different subjects. The stories aren’t all related and some reference each other but the only thing they each have in common are typewriters.
Spoonbenders -Daryl Gregory (Audiobook)
The Telemachus family all have some sort of special ability. Think like minor level X-Men characters. When the children were young, they used to travel around performing for audiences, but after a mishap on a nationally broadcast show, the family has gone into obscurity. Then the father, Teddy, meets a young woman and things quickly turn for the family and they have to get their stuff together to help each other.
This book was fun to listen to. I paced it out towards the end because I was anxious of the outcome and I didn’t want it to end. It was very original and fun.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck – Mark Manson (audiobook)
Mark was a blogger and entrepreneur turned practical self help author. The book teaches you not necessarily to give no fucks, but to be cautious and deliberate about what you choose to give a fuck about. My notes from the book say “this is a Gap brand Tyler Durden manifesto”. It’s okay and probably really practical if you are an able bodied well to do white male.
Educated: A Memoir – Tara Westover (audiobook)
Honestly, this book will have to get it’s own blog post. I feel so many things about it and haven’t stopped telling people about it. Lauren told me she was listening to it and it was very intriguing and I had Audible credits so I gave it a go. Tara grew up in rural Idaho in a fundamentalist / survalist Mormon family. They were ready for #endtimes and don’t believe in public school or going to the doctors. They stockpiled food and gold and guns and hauled scrap and everyone in the family participated. And now Tara (she’s like 32??) has a PhD from Cambridge.
Read it. Read it now.
TV
I rewatched all of Rick and Morty again. I also bought a pack of Rick and Morty socks from Target. I’m part of the problem. I also started Community over and knocked out S1.
Aggretsuko – S1 (Netflix)
She’s incredible cute. She’s a red panda. She works a terribly 9-5 and hates her job. OMG it is fantastic.
Movies
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
I mean seriously. If you haven’t seen it yet there’s nothing that can be done for you. I’m good and ready for the movie to be released so I can re-re watch it. There was not enough Cap in the movie but I assume that will be corrected next year when the sequel is released. I have invested 10 years in this movie franchise and I had many many feelings about it. Tears were shed.
Candy Jar – Netflix (2018)
Ok listen up. Netflix is putting out movies. I forgot that was a thing. Anyway Candy Jar is a super cute romcom about two high school seniors that have been rivals at their private school since forever. They’re both going out for head of the debate team. Starring Jacob Lattimore, Sami Gayle, Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, and Uzo Aduba. It’s very predictable but very, very cute.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
This is my third Star Wars movie ever. I know all the things becuase I live on the internet and it’s just like how you kind of pick up on Harry Potter culture. Anyway Addy said we could go see the movie on Memorial Day as a pity date because we never went to see The Last Jedi in theaters (and I bought the DVD and still haven’t watched it). Anyway, we all enjoyed Solo. Well, Addy will say she did not because of the ending but she did enjoy it. Full disclosure, I was really just there for Donald Glover’s Lando and it was worth the price of admission but it was fun. Woody Harrelson is very good in it but when is Woody not good in something? The answer is never. There was not enough Thandie Newton. L3-37 is a fantastic robot.
Music
Ray Lamontagne – Part of the Light
Ray has a new album out but I haven’t paid too much attention to it. He’s on tour later this year.
Lake Street Dive – Free Yourself Up
It’s so good! I’m so excited to see them again this summer.
I have a lot of shows that I need to finish this summer and with basketball being over I can finally clean out my DVR, mainly Barry and Atlanta, and catch up on Handmaid’s Tale if I avoid the news. Summer blockbusters are on the way as well but I’m really just wanting to see Hotel Artemis and Ocean’s 8. I wasn’t going to see Jurassic Park 2 II but they showed a trailer of a TRex roaring at a lion and 11 year old me would be very upset if I didn’t go see how that came to pass. Oh and Tom Cruise is going to fight Superman and I HAVE TO SEE THAT AS WELL.
What have you been watching / reading / listening to? What are you looking forward to this summer?