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What are you reading? Watching? Listening to?

I’ve spent the past two weeks holed up in a rather dingy airbnb with my spouse. (I was exposed to the virus almost three weeks ago and decided to take myself out of circulation.) I’ve been reading, watching TV, and listening to music far more than I normally do. (I’m too old for video games!)

I’ve been reading Grace Draven’s upcoming Dragon Unleashed, which will be released in June. It is set in the same world as her superb Phoenix Unbound (our DIK review is here) and features a healer and a draga. I am enjoying Dragon Unleashed tremendously although it’s more leisurely paced than the first book in the series. I’m also reading Heart and Seoul by Erin Kinsella which is lovely–it was the next pick for my local romance book club.

My husband (he’s a physician and has shuttered his practice for the time being) and I have been obsessively watching Shetland (via Britbox) which, somehow, we’d completely missed. It’s set on the Shetland Islands and stars Douglas Henshall as the most compassionate Detective Inspector on the planet. (He’s the Scottish Tom Hanks if you ask me.) The first couple of seasons–very short–were good but the third and fourth are riveting. (We just started season five.) It’s also one of the most beautifully shot shows I’ve ever seen. I normally have a hard time watching more than an hour of TV a day but we’ve been watching two or three episodes a day and I am grateful it is so diverting.

As for listening, I work every morning to different Spotify playlists. (Right now it’s Feel Good Piano.) I don’t normally work to music, but I’m out of my element here and there’s something terribly comforting about having this unfamiliar space filled with soothing/happy/evocative melodies. And when I walk my dog, I listen to audiobooks. I am almost at the end of Justina Ireland’s Deathless Divide (our DIK review is here) which I am enjoying although not as much as I adored the audiobook of Dread Nation (our DIK review is here).

How about you? What are you reading/watching/listening to?

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CarolineAAR
CarolineAAR
Guest
03/25/2020 1:31 pm

Foyle’s War – I’m not sure what services it’s on, but it’s an absolutely impeccably acted mystery series set in home front Britain in WWII.

KesterGayle
KesterGayle
Guest
Reply to  CarolineAAR
03/25/2020 5:58 pm

Foyle’s War is wonderful!

Blackjack
Blackjack
Guest
Reply to  CarolineAAR
03/25/2020 5:58 pm

I watched Foyle’s War years ago! It’s kind of low budget or it was when I was watching. The writing and acting is good though.

Connie
Connie
Guest
03/25/2020 10:32 am

Dabney thank you for the Shetland recommendation. My husband and I are hooked! Also thank everybody for their recommendations. Lets all be safe and hope this is over soon. It feels like Groundhog Day!

Elaine s
Elaine s
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/25/2020 12:22 pm

Grantchester?

Elaine s
Elaine s
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/25/2020 1:51 pm

No, don’t think so. The lead has been taken by 2 actors during the course of the seasons with James Norton first but actually, I find Tom Brittney in S4 and S5 more interestong with his back story. And Robson Green makes a good foil. There is also Foyle’s War, set in WW2 with the brilliant Michael Kitchen. Last series was in 2015. Much missed.

Elaine s
Elaine s
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/25/2020 3:07 pm

Tom Brittney ain’t bad neither!! :-)

Eggletina
Eggletina
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/25/2020 1:38 pm

I’ve been thinking of trying Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. I’ve heard good things about the books and Season 1 is on Amazon Prime. I think you need Acorn TV for other seasons.

Connie
Connie
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/25/2020 1:44 pm

Midsomer murders? Rosemary and Thyme. Neither recent but probably easy to find. BBC i think.

Nan De Plume
Nan De Plume
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/25/2020 4:00 pm

Did you try the Frankie Drake Mysteries that take place in the 1920s? They looked pretty good in the commercials I saw.

I’m not much of a mystery fan, but there are two movies somewhat in this category that I would recommend: “Sea of Love” (1989) and “The Public Eye.” (1992). “Sea of Love” is more of an erotic thriller than a mystery (although there is an element of mystery), but there is not a huge amount of blood. “The Public Eye” is a sorely underrated neo noir film about a freelance photographer in 1943 Brooklyn who becomes involved in uncovering a black market gasoline scandal. Again, not exactly a mystery as it mixes and mashes genres, but I LOVE this film. Just be aware there is some blood in certain scenes. I wouldn’t call it a gore fest- except maybe in the climax. On the violence and gore scale, I would say it is similar to “The Godfather.” Well worth watching though.

Usha
Usha
Guest
03/24/2020 11:23 pm

I am drowning……….in converting to online teaching, managing lectures, labs, student stress, varied IT capacities and learning styles and loads of other work related issues. I am hoping that all shall smooth out by the weekend and I can get to Madeline Hunter’s Rothwell Brothers series. The four books are sitting in my Overdrive.

Blackjack
Blackjack
Guest
Reply to  Usha
03/25/2020 5:57 pm

Sorry for the transition blips, Usha. I was fortunate to transition to hybrid classes years ago and then fully online with a number of the courses I teach in recent years, but it’s certainly not an easy, overnight process. I don’t have labs though and think humanities courses might be easier to manage online. I do though have science colleagues who already have been doing lots of their course work online. There are so many resources out there as distance ed has been around for a while now. The technology is so good now too and so if it has to happen, now is a relatively good time in the technical world. I think in the end, distance education is really going to take off after all is said and done, though I also think many teachers and students will still prefer the collegiality of a traditional classroom.

Chrisreader
Chrisreader
Guest
03/24/2020 8:25 pm

First of all I am sorry about you being out of your element. There’s nothing that can make you feel more displaced than going through a tough time when you are out of your home. Hang in there.

I’ve been working from home and trying to keep my older parents from going anywhere as the idea of them contracting this is terrifying.

I’ve definitely been turning to lighter reading. I’ve burned through (what I thought was about 5 but it’s actually more like 6-7) Molly Harper books and novellas. And I am still going strong. They are quirky and funny and never get too heavy. I also pulled out Jane Austen’s Emma again as I have seen the newest version and I wanted to mentally compare the movie versions against a fresh reading of the text. (Side note: the new movie was entertaining but made some odd choices. Also I am not the target audience because I am too old and do not find this Mr. Knightley attractive)

I picked up a subscription to Disney plus and watched a few older animated films and an episode of the Mickey Mouse Club last weekend. Can you say escapism?

I started my first Kresley Cole and am eager to see how it turns out.

Chrisreader
Chrisreader
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/25/2020 9:08 am

Yes, all the Half-Moon Hollow related ones. So mostly vampire ones but right now I am working on the one about the witch and the guy who I think is a probably a shapeshifter. They’re all very cute and put me in a good mood. I’m thinking of trying her other related series when I finish burning through these.

CarolineAAR
CarolineAAR
Guest
03/24/2020 6:36 pm

Lords and Ladles on Netflix!! A group of three chefs visits historic Irish manor houses. One cooks a menu from a past meal served at the house (1900, 1700, medieval, whatever). One learns about ingredient origins (visiting greenhouses or going shooting) and the third studies the history of the house and attends the meal. It’s just wonderful.

Nan De Plume
Nan De Plume
Guest
Reply to  CarolineAAR
03/24/2020 7:34 pm

What you’re describing reminds of Chef Staib, who used to have a Colonial American cooking show on cable. Many of the foods he prepared were described in a cookbook by Hannah Glasse, which she wrote in the 1740s. He used the actual cooking utensils from the time period and gave little history lessons while he was preparing authentic meals.

CarolineAAR
CarolineAAR
Guest
Reply to  Nan De Plume
03/25/2020 7:10 am

That’s A Taste of History, which is also great!

Nan De Plume
Nan De Plume
Guest
Reply to  CarolineAAR
03/25/2020 10:21 am

Thanks for supplying the title. I just remembered it after submitting my post.

Elaine s
Elaine s
Guest
Reply to  CarolineAAR
03/25/2020 11:40 am

A zillion thanks for pointing out this programme. I just watched S1/E1 and I am hooked. My 2 favourite interests – cooking and history!!!

Blackjack
Blackjack
Guest
03/24/2020 6:11 pm

For romance and romantic comedy viewers, the Turkish TV show “Erkenci Kus” (“early bird”) (2018-2019) is so addictive. It’s subtitled and on YouTube. Just google actor Yan Camen and you’ll know why it’s so popular.

Fleabag is probably my favorite recent TV show. I think it’s on Amazon prime. It’s wickedly funny and so well acted. Kudos to the showrunners too for ending its short rrun on such a high note for artistic reasons. It’s just brilliant.

I was also surprised by how much I enjoy The Crown (Netflix). Very high production values, great writing, and wonderful acting.

I’m about to watch Babylon Berlin (Netflix) after hearing great reviews. I can’t recommend it yet, but the people whose tastes coincide with mine highly recommend it.

For reading, I think SImone St. James’s The Sun Down Motel has been my favorite book this year. I’m excited to read Sandra Antonelli’s next book in her romance-spy series, True to Your Service, out April. 1. Finally, for anyone who hasn’t checked out the romance serialized graphic novel “Lore Olympus,” you are so missing out. There are approx. 103 chapters published and each one is a treat. You can access it on Webtoons for free.

Em
Em
Guest
Reply to  Blackjack
03/24/2020 9:01 pm

Love Fleabag, too!

Eggletina
Eggletina
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/25/2020 8:42 am

I only tried the first three episodes of season 1. I really disliked the main character so didn’t continue. I suppose she grows over the course of the series.

On an unrelated note, I discovered an app that identifies plants you take pictures of. I’m having great fun snapping away at all sorts of things sprouting in the yard.

Em Wittmann
Em Wittmann
Member
03/24/2020 1:47 pm

I’m trying to clear my TBR. But since I’m a teacher, I’m working, too. I teach PE and Health which seems like it would be low stress – but I teach every middle schooler! So I have approximately 500 students I am interacting with each day. I’m prompting them via a Flipgrid video prompt to get them moving. Since the district wants us to continue taking attendance (OMG), it’s a long day everyday. Between getting kids/parents online and hooked-up the work, and troubleshooting the 15% or so that can’t seem to make any of it work…well, I haven’t had a ton of downtime.

Our family is currently re-watching Parks & Recreation, and – don’t laugh – we’ve been watching America’s Funniest Videos together. I laugh every night.

I’m also still running & when I run, I listen to audio books. I started the Bridgerton series on Monday & am enjoying it. Frankly, I barely remember the books!

KarenG
KarenG
Guest
03/24/2020 12:59 pm

Currently, I’m reading Grace Burrowes and catching up on my huge TBR pile. I’ve caught some movies on TCM and am trying to figure out how I will get Disney + since my older model Roku doesn’t support some of the new streaming channels. I may have to break down and buy a newer model. Since all of my usual activities are on hiatus, I do get out and walk daily and I’ve been visiting my 83 year old Mother when possible. She always has a list of chores she needs done. There are also several projects around my house that keep calling my name., but I’m trying to ignore them. I haven’t seen Shetland but thanks for the suggestion. I’m one of the few people who never saw The Sopranos when it originally aired, so I have finally gotten around to watching it. Good show.

Eggletina
Eggletina
Guest
03/24/2020 12:47 pm

On audio I just started listening to Stolen Time by Danielle Rollins. Now that I’m working from home I need to carve out more time for my audiobooks. I used to listen during my daily drive. I’m doing a lot of online meetings and training for work, so can’t really listen to audiobooks while working. I need to incorporate it into my walks and ramp up daily work outs.

Over the weekend hubby and I watched Slumdog Millionaire (neither of us had seen it before). I also started streaming episodes of Penny Dreadful. Only three eps in so far.

Some movies my teenage daughter has recently streamed (after doing her online classes for the day): The Princess Bride, Legally Blonde, and How to Train Your Dragon.

Nan De Plume
Nan De Plume
Guest
03/24/2020 12:04 pm

I recently watched “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” a delightful documentary about Mr. Rogers that I had checked out from the library a few weeks ago. I’m such a library hoarder that I still have things to read and watch. Soon, I hope to watch “Rocketman” and “Pulp Fiction,” which I also luckily have checked out.

Currently reading “Chances” by Jackie Collins on e-book from the library. It’s a long book, I think about 600 print pages (?), so it’ll be a while until The End.

YouTube takes care of my sporadic music needs. Also Streema, which is free radio from around the world. If you haven’t tried Streema, it’s worth looking into!

Other than that, I have been getting a lot of writing done.

stl reader
stl reader
Guest
03/24/2020 11:57 am

Okay, not a book or movie, but on YouTube, you can find global versions of The Voice, from this year as well as from recent years. You can find individual performances as well as compilations (for example, Top 10 Kids’ Performances, 4-Chair Turns, Fastest Chair Turn for a Performance, Best Male Performances, and so on).

From what I can see, these are all available legitimately on YouTube courtesy of The Voice franchise.

Wondering what The Voice – Mongolia has to offer? The Voice – Germany? Voice Kids – Holland? Wonder no more. I’ve discovered some excellent singers as well as a few great songs I’d not heard before. Here are some search suggestions to get you started:

– Ayoub – Jar of Hearts – The Voice Kids Holland
– Claudia Emmanuela Santoso – The Greatest Showman – The Voice Germany
– Henry Olonga – This is the Moment – The Voice Australia
– Siki Jo-An – The Click Song – The Voice South Africa
– Stephanie Stuber – Lamb Of God – Ghost Walking – The Voice Germany
– Vendulka – Karma Chameleon – The Voice Australia

Seriously, there’s something for everyone.

Also, if you’ve never seen it, do a search on the audition of Jonathan & Charlotte on Britain’s Got Talent. If you enjoyed Susan Boyle, I think you’ll enjoy this classic feel-good audition.

Connie
Connie
Guest
03/24/2020 11:53 am

Thanks for the recommendation of Shelton. My husband and I are in our New York City apartment. Not a bad place to be self quarantined but looking for something to watch. Friends are raving about Versailles but This sounds right up my alley! We are fortunate enough to own an elliptical and I have been working out to Stella Riley’s Rockcliff series, Alex Wyndem iis an amazing narrator! Every morning I check out AAR and thank you so much Dabney it really makes my day..
.

Dabney Grinnan
Dabney Grinnan
Guest
Reply to  Connie
03/24/2020 1:46 pm

We are all in this together. If you haven’t watched the BBC’s Unforgotten, I can’t recommend it enough. We watched it right before Shetland. It’s amazing.

And thanks. I want our readers to have a place to connect. <3

Elaine s
Elaine s
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/24/2020 1:55 pm

Yup, Unforgotten also brilliant. Now watching Belgravia which is shaping up very nicely.

DiscoDollyDeb
DiscoDollyDeb
Guest
03/24/2020 11:24 am

We’re all home now (I work for the school district, so no work for me right now; husband is in IT/Training, so is able to work from home; oldest daughter is considered “essential” because she works with mentally-disabled adults; and the youngest two, twins, are taking their final college classes—they’re graduating in May—on-line via Zoom) and are working our way through our dvd collections: Poirot, Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes, Midsomer Murders, Inspector Lewis, and Inspector Gently. We’ve seen them all before, but love them. (We’re also big fans of Shetland and Vera, but have seen all the episodes available on the streaming services we subscribe to.) One of my daughters and I love to watch The Great British Baking Show Master Class and plan to try various recipes (although usually end up just making banana-nut bread). We’ve also gotten involved in a show called Blown Away which is an art glass competition where artists compete to make beautiful pieces of art glass.

As for reading, I’m making full use of my Kindle Unlimited membership and reading some books that I’ve had in my KU wish list for a while. I haven’t really changed the tone of what I read—I still like angsty and (often) dark, lots of crime/mob/mafia romances with forced/arranged marriages and (very) morally-ambiguous heroes. I have more time to read, but the things I like to read haven’t changed…yet.

elaine s
elaine s
Guest
03/24/2020 11:03 am

With much nagging from a good friend, I have borrowed a box set of Mad Men which I’ve never seen and will be settling down with it this week. I might re-read the Outlander books as there are 8 of them and most of them are +/- 1,000 pages so that will keep me occupied for a while. That’s after I try to clear around 65 books on my kindle that I have yet managed to read – I have ordered about 10 in the last week alone. And a big thumbs-up to Shetland which my husband and I watched with great pleasure having spent a week there on holiday a few years ago. It’s a wonderful place, along with the Orkney islands which we also visited on that holiday, if you like wild scenery, abundant wildlife, friendly locals and Neolithic remains. And the food was great! Lots and lots of lovely seafood and in Orkney I got to taste the fabulous Orkney lamb which feeds on seaweed – insanely delicious and a rare and wonderful treat.. And Dabney is spot on about Douglas Henshall!!

Chrisreader
Chrisreader
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/24/2020 8:14 pm

It was a brilliant series but it’s definitely not the equivalent of “comfort food”. It’s quite serious in tone although there is definitely humor mixed in. Sometimes the tension is almost unbearable. The acting and dialogue is great but there is very realistic heartbreak. The ending was fantastic and a mixed bag of happy and not happy at all endings. It’s wonderful if you are in the right frame of mind for it.

Chrisreader
Chrisreader
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/25/2020 9:09 am

Agreed! I am going for cheerful or at least distracting at the moment.

Elaine s
Elaine s
Guest
Reply to  Dabney Grinnan
03/26/2020 3:53 am

So far, so good. It is a world long gone but it is one I can just about remember. If my Mom was still alive she would recognuse it so well. I can remember watching the Jackie Kennedy tour of the redecorated White House as a child. My Mom thought Jackie was the utter epitome of glam. How times have changed but it is a brilliant window on the near past. Even those appalling lampshades in the Draper house rang a bell.

Blackjack
Blackjack
Guest
Reply to  elaine s
03/25/2020 6:10 pm

I’m a huge Mad Men fan and think it’s one of the best shows out there in recent years. It is as Chrisreader said a complex show, but I think it’s so worth it and definitely a show that requires all of your attention when it’s on. I miss it!