Friday, July 12, 2019

Cool Stuff I'm Loving

Cool Stuff I'm Loving

Hello all, hope you're enjoying summer! If the heat's getting too oppressive, why not stay in and enjoy watching some shows or reading your way around the Internet? Here are a few things I'm enjoying right now.

Cool Stuff to Watch 

Chernobyl. This HBO miniseries tells the story of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, shedding light on what went wrong, the effort to right it, and the human cost. It's riveting and somehow had us hanging on the edge of our seats even though we already knew what happened. We finished this binge-worthy series in a few nights.

Good Omens. The Internet buzz for this show filled my Twitter feed for a month before we tuned in on Amazon Prime Video. We wanted to watch from Day 1, but decided to finish up a few other series before starting something new. With a fabulous cast featuring the likes of David Tennant, Michael Sheen and more (including Frances McDormand as the voice of God) as well as sets and effects that clearly spared no expense, this was a top-notch production. Throw in a great script and loads of humor, and you've got a show that's not to be missed. Hot tip: Keep an eye out for the swaggering saunter of David Tennant as the demon Crowley, an example of how a fantastic actor shapes his character in so many ways, right down to his walk.

Veronica Mars Seasons 1-3. Hulu dropped all three seasons on July 1 in advance of a new, fourth season coming to the streaming service later this month on July 26 (it ended it's original run in 2007). The show follows a teenage detective played by Kristen Bell in tackling mysteries both large and small, from murder to missing mascots. I'd never seen its original run, but halfway through season one I'm hooked.

Cool Stuff to Read Online

Ariana Grande's Vogue Interview. I can't claim to be an expert on Grande's music, but Twitter led me to this interview. She's open and honest about some hard things she's experienced, and equally honest about some places she just won't go. A good read.

Jane Austen Cosplay. Did you know people do Jane Austen cosplay? You know what, it doesn't matter – you'll find it interesting whether it's the first you've heard of it or not.

The "It Books" of Summers Past. Sometimes a book catches fire and becomes THE book of the summer, one you seem to hear about everywhere. This article looks at scorching summer hit reads from the last 50 years.

Cool Bookshop with Cool Online Presence

Parnassus Books. This indie bookshop in Nashville is co-owned by novelist Ann Patchett. Maybe having an author at the helm is part of why it's so great? They host many author events with exciting and acclaimed writers, storytime for the kiddies, and book groups. The store offers an array of cool stuff you can enjoy online as well. For instance:

Musing. This first-rate blog features: "tidbits, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and lighthearted takes on the bookish life." The site frequently pulls together great book lists, such as 20 New Books to Distract You From the Heat.

Shop Dogs! This may be the best thing you'll find at this or any other store, backed up with photos online. You see, Parnassus Books supports a bring-your-adorable-pup-to-work philosophy. You don't have to make it to Nashville to see these sweet little helpers, because the staff posts photos online from time to time. They even make videos! I'm enchanted.

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