October’s good
watch
“Pretty Hard Cases” on Amazon Prime
I haven’t seen a lighthearted detective show so well written since “Psych” and “Monk”. This show follows the lives of two women detectives, Sam and Kelly, at the Greater Toronto Police Department. One on hand Sam is an extremely optimistic and “by the book” type of person. On the other hand, Kelly has a very realistic viewpoint, but has a hard time trusting people. This is what makes the title of the show absolutely perfect when these two have to work together. They are pretty hard cases. But despite their differences, they work well at balancing each other out.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” on Amazon Prime
First and foremost, the cinematography is breathtaking. If you want to travel to the vast lands of New Zealand, then look no further than “The Rings of Power”. Prior to the time of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the story shows the lives of the elves, hobbits and humans before the creation of the nine rings. While the show takes a little time to let their story unfold, it is worth every minute. They show how each character has to face darkness. But hope and light are still present, especially in characters like Elrond and Durin. They will become character favorites. I promise. Their friendship is everything. And for all those shippers out there, they have rings of power couples. From the sweet Durin and Disa to the fierce Anrondir & Bronwyn and the highly debated ship: Galadriel & Halabrand.
“Abbott Elementary” on ABC & Hulu
A hilarious, amazingly written and well casted comedy about the ups and downs and being a teacher today. The characters are so endearing that they will have your heart from the very first episode. Each storyline varies from kind-hearted, sweet to outright hilarious. You will laugh until you cry. And sometimes you might actually cry. But, you will be one quote away from that burst of laughter once more. That is well written television right there. Each adventure these teachers embark on will have you add this to your comfort tv list as soon as possible. They really prove that laughter is the best medicine.
October’s good
read
“Seige & Storm” by Leigh Bardugo
While the first novel gives us a look of the world of Ravka, this story gives a look into each character’s heart and where their loyalties lie. The story poses questions of who the protagonist can trust and if they can trust themselves. It is tremendously captivating. I am currently reading it right now and it is so much fun to experience jaw dropping moments. No spoilers, but there is a new character brought into the mix that brings an exciting dynamic into the world of Alina Starkov. In each chapter, you see the character slowly unravel what terrifies them and motivates them. And that will always keep me reading more and more to see what becomes of their stories. Wow! I am so excited to explore the rest of this incredibly dangerous adventure.
“Emma” by Jane Austen
Jane Austen novels are classics and always will be. The main characters she wrote always speak their mind and they are not afraid to. And that type of authenticity is what makes writing is so real and relatable. This story follows the life of Emma Woodhouse. Emma is very strong and steadfast in her opinions and decision-making which can be empowering. But sometimes, Emma takes some of that decisiveness one step too far by trying to mold futures for ones she holds dear. Due to the consequences of her actions, you get to see Emma become a better friend to those she loves and become a better friend to herself. The moments of self-reflection are beautifully written to build a real connection with the reader. It’s one of those stories that will make you smile the moment you pick it up to read once more.
August &
September
good watch
“The Bear” on Hulu
This shows embarks on a heartwarming and heartbreaking journey with chefs that grow to work through their differences and become family. But it is not an easy road to get there. Not at all. There are moments of intense chaos to a peaceful assembly of dishes. You get to see each chef grow and how their dishes evolve with their growth. Grab your favorite snacks and bring some extra tissues.
“Extraordinary Attorney Woo” on Netflix
A lawyer show that is giving all the “Legally Blonde” vibes. This show has incredible heart and a ton of laugh out loud moments. The story follows a woman named Woo Young-Woo with autism spectrum disorder. She becomes a lawyer who can outsmart anyone. Joining the law firm as a rookie lawyer, the staff underestimate her at first. But as the cases begin, she shows her incredible legal skill and how much she loves practicing law.
August &
September’s
good read
“Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo
Mystery and Fantasy are among my top favorite genres. This book has all of that and so much more. The author, Leigh Bardugo, allows you to escape and live the adventure. A couple of months ago, I watched season one of the Netflix series and wanted to learn more about the “Shadow and Bone” world building. The “Shadow and Bone” world is expansive and so our the characters, especially the main character, Alina. She learns the power we have to speak our mind and fight for what we believe in. I can’t wait to read more of the series.
“The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy
When a book leaves you on the edge of your seat, flipping from page to page until you are scared to see what happens next, now that is a good book. And this book evolves to that intensity. First, they start off with establishing different points of view. It shows the sides of the protagonist, antagonist and the people caught right in the middle. Not starting off with the main character, Jack Ryan, is refreshing because the plot doesn’t revolve around him all the time. It revolves around how each person acts and reacts. Each decision that is made whether their roles are big or small will determine how the mission succeeds or fails.