Reading, Watching, Listening (November 2020)

I’m a little surprised that I haven’t written one of these posts since June, as since I’m practically inhaling digital content lately (especially while editing - there are approximately 25,000 photos to cull in my current queue - thanks to all my clients for their patience! And don’t worry, I’m not taking a break, I’m just writing this post while I wait on downloads). But sometimes I find it easier to digest things than to contemplate things. Oh well, here goes . . .

READING

1. Monogamy - Sue Miller’s the Senator’s Wife is one of my favorite novels, so I had high hopes for this and they didn’t disappoint. That being said, it wasn’t necessarily an “easy” read. I wouldn’t say it is sad per se. But there’s a lot of sadness in it.

2. The Memory Police - This novel seems like a simple enough fairytale/story (about a land in which objects vanish and a Stasi-esque police force assures that nobody will keep or remember them), but then gets weirder and weirder (while still staying so well-written) and by the end I had no idea what happened. Someone please read it so we can discuss.

3. Lustre - Um, has anyone else read this? I don’t even know what to think. It is INTENSE for lack of a better word. And I sort of hated all the characters. But once you read it, you cannot forget it.

4. Cool For America - I’ve read a lot of great things lately, but so many of them seemed like a chore, whereas every page of this felt like a gift. I didn’t want to finish Cool For America too quickly, for fear of the loss I’d feel when it ended. All of the characters are messed up and don’t seem to know what their next steps should be, which - for me - made it the perfect covid read. (As summarized by the NY Times - “Martin’s characters — the men especially, but Leslie too — tend to be well educated (he almost dares us to say overeducated) but aimless, certain of their genius but chronically unable to deliver on it. “My friend,” one seductress says to her besotted mark, “I think it’s time someone told you: You are not as special as you think you are.” Which makes the poor mark — “a leading editorial assistant” at an “august, maybe dying small magazine” — wonder, “Was anyone, though?”)

5. What Kind of Woman - I fell in love with Kate Baer via her instagram account and am so excited about her first book - everything she writes resonates with me. Like this. And this.

6. A Promised Land - Just bought, can’t wait to dive in.

LISTENING

1. Nice White Parents - I’m not a huge podcast fan (though I keep trying . . .) but I really enjoyed Nice White Parents (about NYC’s public schools). It raises lots of issues without a lot of answers. But I feel like this show should be essential listening for all public school parents (on and off the PTA).

2. Phoebe Bridger’s Punisher - I love how every song is a story but also musically great.

3. Hot Jazz Saturday Night (WAMU) - When the kids were little the best “date” nights consisted of good takeout, a decent bottle of wine (maybe two bottles), and Hot Jazz Saturday Night on the radio. Now the kids are older, but Hot Jazz Saturday Night is still our date night go-to (and will always be).

4. Dayglows’s Fuzzybrain - I’m a little obsessed with this album. It’s catchy with good lyrics. Freya overheard me listening and said “wow, Mom, you have the musical tastes of an indie teen”, which may be the best compliment I’ve gotten lately.

5. Reply All - The Case of the Missing Hit - Another podcast recommendation, though just one episode. I hate the idea of things being lost to time, thus I found this story fascinating - “A man in California is haunted by the memory of a pop song from his youth. He can remember the lyrics and the melody. But the song itself has vanished, completely scrubbed from the internet. PJ takes on the Super Tech Support case.”

6. This Indie Covers playlist. Because it’s random and fun.

WATCHING

1. Better Things, Seasons 3 & 4 (Hulu) - Up until now, I’ve been a little mixed on the fx/hulu show Better Things (about a single mom raising three daughters) but there are so few really good shows about raising teenagers and lately this show hits every note just right (aging, motherhood, etc.). I’ve heard that season 3 is the first season Louis CK didn’t co-write and no-offense to Louis fans but the script is so much better without his input. I cried. A lot. And this video hits all the heart strings. (Actually the whole soundtrack is really great).

2. A Teacher (Hulu) - Is anyone else watching this? So far Hulu has only released 4 episodes and everything about the relationship between the characters is so wrong, but Claire, the teacher, comes off as likable in the first few episodes (though now she’s getting creepier). I keep yelling at the screen, “DON’T!!” (More here).

3. Grand Army (Netflix) - Am I the only adult viewer of this show (my kids are super into it)? I’ve heard it referred to as Netflix’s answer to Euphoira, but I thought GA was so much better. Yes, some of the plot lines are a little cliched and overdone. But the rape scene. There’s a lot to discuss.

4. Bachelorette Season 16 (ABC) - I know I’m making a controversial statement, but this is the first time the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise presented a love story worth cheering for (within the first four episodes, no less). No competition. Very few cheesy rose ceremonies. Just a good old fashioned love-at-first site/instagram-stalking story. Yay Clare!

5. The Great (Hulu) - Some episodes of this Hulu show (a farce/comedy about the rise of Catherine the Great) are better than others. But the king/husband is hysterical and when the show hit the right notes I couldn’t stop laughing.

6. 30 Day Fiance the Other Way (Hulu) - Where do they find these people? And if an American moves to another country, shouldn’t he/her/they be the one trying to learn the language (and not assume everyone else will speak english)? So much to talk about.

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So those are my recommendations. What about everyone else? Have you come across anything interesting lately?

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Darcy Troutman Photography is a Northern VA/Washington DC/Maryland documentary-style family photographer, who believes in capturing real moments. Interested in learning more? Please click here to sign up for my newsletter or schedule a session.