Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Damn, Elizabeth Strout can write! Beautifully developed, complex characters abound in this series of glimpses into interlinked lives, all having a degree of connection to Lucy Barton (the main character in a previous book by Strout, My Name is Lucy Barton).

Strout is amazingly insightful, able to delve deep into emotions and motivations and describe them for readers like few others can. Her work is intelligent and compassionate and, yes, grim as hell. But so, so good. 

What to Watch December 2021

Santa's not the only one delivering gifts this December; streaming services have a sackful of goodies, too! I'm looking forward to the third and final season of Lost in Space on Netflix, And Just Like That ... and Station Eleven (based on the outstanding book) on HBO Max, Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett on Disney Plus, and much more! 

As always, I've compiled a list of shows I'd like to see that are coming soon, and I'm sharing it here along with links to everything coming to those streaming services so you can go through and pick your own must-watch viewing. Most of what I've collected is on streaming, but a few shows can be found on old-fashioned network TV. And away we go! 

Sweet Virginia by Caroline Kepnes

Sweet Virginia by Caroline Kepnes
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This started out with a hinted at promise of a fun, light treat to read, but that promise did not hold long AT ALL. Mostly, it's plain obnoxious.

The author mentions Hallmark movies a lot, which initially seemed like it could be a cute(ish) theme. It wasn't. If there was a train to fun she could've taken a spin on using the theme of sweet 'n' cheesy Christmas movies, it departed without her. 

Then there's the boring, repetitive used of the phrase "the Baba." That's what the main character and her husband called their baby. And it seemed like sometimes they called the mother that as well? I don't even know wtf was going on with that constantly repeated word, really, all I know is it became grating to hear.  

Not All Diamonds and Rosé by Dave Quinn

Well, well, well, where to start with this one? It serves up a few tasty tidbits about the Housewives casts from all the cities (except Salt Lake), and I think hardcore fans of the show will find enough here to make it worth their time. But, honestly, there aren't as many big reveals or juicy behind-the-scenes revelations as I'd expected (much of it was things fans already know), while other shocking claims found in it didn't always ring true — and there's no attempt to follow up or verify those claims. Read this book with a gigantic grain of salt at hand (along with a glass of rosé, of course!).

This book is basically a straight-up oral history. Cast, producers and the like are interviewed, and their answers transcribed here. It's organized into chapters for each of the Housewives franchises. 

May You Live in Interesting Times by Laraine Newman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laraine Newman was situated in the exact right place and time to be a part of a lot of cool things, often at their onset. She partied hard with many famous friends and boyfriends, and lived to tell the tale with this audiobook.

Newman was a founding member of The Groundlings. She was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live (which she talks about in depth, offering up a few scintillating details of the experience and her fellow cast members). She even had insider information on a key aspect of the Robert Durst murder investigation and testified at his trial. 

What to Watch November 2021

Turkey time's a'coming, and so are some new shows for November! I didn't make a huge list this time, but there are certainly some goodies to be found. The three-part documentary The Beatles: Get Back drops on Disney Plus, along with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings; season 2 of The Great hits Hulu; The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip descends on Peacock; and much more arrives to tickle your fall fancy.

As always, I've compiled a list of shows I'd like to see that are coming soon, and I'm sharing it here along with links to everything coming to those streaming services so you can go through and pick your own must-watch viewing. Most of what I've collected is on streaming, but a few shows can be found on old-fashioned network TV. And away we go!