I think this month's list is an especially good one. Books, movies & television show ideas for the month of May including a tv show that I'm obsessed with - yet cannot find a single OTHER person who is watching it. Unless you are?
For any of my readers who prefer reading material that's longer than 140 characters, and movies that surpass 30 seconds.
For anyone new, I like to include a quick review of things I do and do not love.
Table of Contents
Love
Books
TV
Movies
Geek Love, A Prayer for Owen Meany, The Book of Negroes, Lonesome Dove, Middlesex, A Man Called Ove, Little House on the Prairie series
Shameless, Sex in the City, Doc Martin, Call the Midwife, anything with Chris O'Dowd, Please Like Me, Downton Abbey, VEEP
The Menu, Women Talking, Parasite, Jojo Rabbit, Sing Street, any horrible Hallmark Mystery Movie, The Princess Bride
Didn't Love
Books
TV
Movies
Remains of the Day, A Gentleman in Moscow, self-help books, American Dirt, Where the Crawdads Sing
You, Game of Thrones, Grey's Anatomy, Fleabag, Westworld, Better Call Saul,
Titanic, Hamilton, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Banshees of Inisherin, Avatar, Deadpool, Where the Crawdads Sing (omgsoawful)
So now you know a tiny bit about my tastes you'll have a better idea if what I like might be something you'll like.
Just kidding. There is NO predicting what people like or don't like. Even *I* think I should have liked Game of Thrones. I didn't. At all.
Books
Currently Reading ... and undecided on it.
I knew I might end up being disappointed by this novel from Alice Hoffman because this genre is one of my favourites; circus folk. I've only read a few hundred pages and although it's good, I'm not finding the characters to be nearly as compelling as some of my other favourite circus themed novels.
I'll reserve judgement though (no seriously I will) until I've finished the book.
BUY or read more about The Museum of Extraordinary Things
If you're interested in circus themed books, these are my 3 absolute favourites.
The Spoon Stealer
Mercy House
I'VE READ IT
(an Art of Doing Stuff reader recommendation)
I'VE READ IT
Emmeline, a resilient woman, escapes her troubled family in rural Nova Scotia and settles in England. Living with her best friend Vera, a small white dog, she joins a memoir-writing course where her life story and personality captivates her classmates.
Emmeline is also a compulsive spoon stealer.
★★★★☆
Renegade nun Sister Evelyn and her fellow sisters protect abused women in a historic Brooklyn row house. An investigation jeopardizes their sanctuary where they employ methods forbidden by the Catholic church.
★★★☆☆
I liked The Spoon Stealer a lot. Be warned that it has so many typos and editing mistakes that I looked into whether it had been self published. It was not. This writer deserves a more attentive publisher.
I liked but didn't love Mercy House.
Lady Tan's Circle of Women
Horse
Lessons in Chemistry
WANT TO READ
WANT TO READ
WANT TO READ
In ancient China, Tan Yunxian defies societal expectations as she learns the art of Chinese medicine from her grandmother, becoming determined to help women despite the limitations imposed on her.
(I got an advance copy of this book courtesy of Simon & Schuster. This book will be available to buy as of June 6th, 2023 - but you can reserve a copy now)
"Horse" is a compelling novel that draws inspiration from the incredible true story of Lexington, a record-breaking thoroughbred. It delves into the realms of art and science, explores themes of love and obsession, and confronts the lingering issue of racism that still demands our attention
Set in 1960s California; Lessons In Chemistry is the brilliant, idiosyncratic and uplifting story of a female scientist whose career is derailed by the idea that a woman's place is in the home - something she most definitely does not believe - only to find herself the star of America's best-loved TV cooking show. (from Goodreads)
Horse has been on my "next to read" list for 3 months and Lessons in Chemistry for 2 months.
I'll get to them. I'm still very excited to read them.
The problem is - as I'm sure you can relate - I want to borrow it from the library but every time it's available, I'm already in the middle of reading something else.
Movies
I'm really not a movie person, mainly because movies can never seem to hold my attention.
I prefer the time a television series allows for character and plot development.
Now that we've established I'm super-smart with elegantly worded opinions on television, I will also say that I like tv series because they're rarely longer than my attention span for such things - 1 hour.
The first movie today, Tetris, held my attention.
The second movie The Mother, did not, but I watched it anyway while wandering around the house and working on my computer.
Tetris
The amazing story of Tetris. Yes, the game Tetris.
The Mother
A good movie to watch if you are just wondering if it's at all possible to make Jennifer Lopez look average and bland by putting her into khaki green with minimal makeup.
If you can't bring yourself to watch it I'll answer the question for you. It is not.
Television
BEEF
A near collision in a parking lot ignites a fierce competition of revenge. The type that you would never openly admit to wanting to engage in yourself.
I LOVED this series. I wasn't sold during the first episode, but then couldn't stop watching it.
The Power
The Power, adapted from the bestselling novel, explores the extraordinary phenomenon where women gain the ability to unleash electric power at their command, causing a global shift in the balance of power between men and women.
I don't know a single other person who watches this and I DON'T KNOW WHY.
It's one of my favourites from the past few years of television.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Shonda Rhimes pulled this offshoot of Bridgerton out of her pocket several months before the 3rd season of Bridgerton is set to air.
Based on the story of Queen Charlotte from the series Bridgerton. It's worth watching for many reasons, not the least of which is the scenery, gardens, set design and lighting. And acting. I mean all of it I guess so let's not pigeonhole it.
If you have a recommendation leave it below along with a couple of other things that you like for comparison.
Also - the costumes. I almost forgot the costumes.
Laurie
I mean, I’ll tell everyone they need to be watching Ted Lasso, but newer shows I enjoyed are Poker Face (Natasha Lyonne is a human lie detector on the run from scary casino owners) and The Last Thing He Told Me (Jennifer Garner. That’s all.)
Karen
Hi Laurie! I've included both Ted Lasso and Poker Face on past lists - I'll be very sad to see the end of Ted Lasso. I actually didn't finish watching The Last Thing He Told Me. I may try again. ~ karen!
Shannon
To Watch: The Art of Racing in the Rain - have the tissues handy!
To Read: Master of the Game - Sidney Sheldon - older book, but really good!
Kay
Book recommend: Doll Bones.
Yeah it's a ya short story. It's creepy. And short. And good for ya. Why not? ☕👻
Ruthi Q
Extraordinary Attorney Woo-Netflix. Addictive!
Ruthi Q
In books-Anything by Louise Erdrich-Start with The Round House.
Cheapdiva
You MUST watch The Diplomat! Owen Meany - one of my top 10. Lessons in Chemistry - meh!
Sandy
Queen Charlotte was very good. Loved the costumes, the HAIR, ooh the HAIR. What were they thinking? Thank goodness we don't have to tolerate that kind of style today. I know I'd never make it through one day. Loved the story and the sets. Lovely.
Roz
Anyone listens to podcast? For a good scare checkout The Magnus Archives from Dusty Quills. So addictive for spooks.
Also my favorite starring actress Julianne Moore, Case 63. I've listened to Case 63 three times and want more.
Babs
Just read William Landay's latest, "All That Is Mine I Carry With Me". Another page turner as are his other books. There is an eight part series based on his book, "Defending Jacob". The series is well done. Just also watched, "Sully", Miracle on the Hudson. Another gem with Tom Hanks but still my favorite is "Castaway". Have you read anything by William Krueger? Try "Ordinary Grace". Lastly have you watched, "Doctor Foster"? Full of surprises.
Roz
My daughter suggested BEEF so I binge watched the entire series in 2 days. Hated the ending. Also watched Queen Charlotte and wanted more. Watched The Mother, meh. The Power, I'm anxiously waiting for season 2 to see what develops from this...
April
LOVED Beef! Odd show, but after the first episode I couldn’t stop watching it.
Betta
A recommendation: Miss Willmott’s Ghosts by Sandra Lawrence. A biography of one of the leading botanists in Victorian England. A few reviewers said they weren’t happy with the ‘casual’ style of writing and I thought “that’s the book for me” as I don’t usually read biographies. Excellent writing - “She was a snowball of curiosity”.
Linda J Howes-Smyth
Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis. You will never look at dogs the same.
Michelle Merizzi
The Diplomat. On Netflix. Best series in many moons.
Leenie
agree!!! We just powered through it
KimW
I belong to a Post-Apocalyptic Fiction book club (yeah, it's a bit of a niche) and we read the book THE POWER was based on. Give that a try.
Linda J Howes-Smyth
Thanks, I will. Been reading a lot of that type of fiction lately, more by chance than choice as it is a bit depressing, I mean, we are living it. Anyway, can't seem to get enough. Looking forward (?) to it.
Karen
I don't know if I can go backwards from tv show to book, but I'll give it a shot! ~ karen
Terry
I heartily recommend The Diplomat on Netflix. I know of no one who didn’t (just watch but) binged it.
Hmm, books, I haven’t binged a book since gardening season began (February with seedlings!) but am liking Daniel Suarez’s Critical Mass, a sequel to Delta-V. A realistic future comet exploration scenario.
And as to movies, I wait to stream, and I’ve seen nothing since Top Gun:Maverick that proved worth the wait. There’s my kitschy recommendations! Back to my seedlings…
Karen
I loved Top Gun Maverick! I watched the first one the night before to reacquaint myself. Now sit down and get ready for this ... I tried The Diplomat and was bored out of my skull so didn't even watch episode 2, lol. A friend of mine was the same, but her 15 year old son LOVES it and makes her watch it with him.😆 ~ karen!
Mama Toto
Same here with The Diplomat. Boring and even silly. Maybe I should have persevered past 1 episode. I've said that ever since i almost gave up on Breaking Bad after 1 episode all those years ago.
Miriam Peacock
I loved Diplomat! I loved Better Call Saul! Gentleman in Moscow is one of my favorites. Crawdads sucked. Charlotte rules (I love a visual feast with a good story)
We may not agree on everything but I will still love you. ❤️
Karen
Yes! Well, (not necessarily loving me,) but there's no explaining comprehension of art. ~ karen!
Jenny W
The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor written by Sally Armstrong. Canadian author, & Canadian content. It is based on the first female settler on the Miramichi River - What a wild ride!! Reads like it should be turned into an epic mini series.
Karen
That sounds like one I'd like. :) I'll add it to my list! ~ karen
Kat
Spoon stealer! That would be one of my aunts! Lol(ish). She stole about half of our spoons / utensils, an ice tea spoon, or two, a measuring cup (1/4), and various other bits and bobs. :/ Mom discovered it was she while staying with her while visiting their sick mother in the hospital. She was already in shock from the hospital visit, then found our stuff in her sister's kitchen, which seems to have given her another shock. When she turned around her sister grabbed the stuff and ran off to hide it. Then mom noticed the necklace she was wearing looked just like one dad had bought her... Oy! At least she isn't blaming me for stealing the kitchenware anymore! (& for no reason at all!) Have you tried Despicable Me or the Minion movies yet? One of my sisters can't sit through movies either but those are some she will (sit through. Sometimes. Lol)
Books, yeah, ... those are good too... lol
Karen
I only like kids movies if I'm watching them with kids. And then I think they're GREAT. But I can rarely force myself to sit through the entire thing if it's me alone watching it. :/ ~ karen! ps i've never stolen a spoon or a measuring cup
Annie
I agree with the watching kids' movies without the kids comment, but...I had to do research before making a child's "Tangled" cake (I was clueless, as my kiddos are grown), and decided to watch the movie (alone). I loved it!
Karen
O.K., O.K., lol. ~ karen!
Mama Toto
I agree with you about watching a series vs a movie. I inevitably fall asleep so rarely see the end of a movie unless it's REALLY good, but I can stay awake with a series, even binge sometimes!
Karen
If I've been instructed by my film professor neighbour to watch a movie, then I do. Otherwise ... it's mainly television. :) ~ karen!
Sande
I read mostly history, so that doesn’t count. I enjoy old black and white movies, so that probably doesn’t count either. Like you though I did enjoy Downton Abbey, also The Chateau. My latest binge has been Hercule Poirot with David Suchet. Great production values! I think you have more hours in your day than most, at least it would seem so. Thank you for sharing some with us....
Karen
One of my sisters is the same! She reads history books, mainly in depth biographies of historical figures that no one has heard of, and black and white movies.~ karen!
Grammy
David Suchet's "Poirot" got my family through the pandemic. I was enchanted from the start because of the meticulous attention to the Art Deco period without ever making it scream "Look at another nifty artifact we put in the scene!" The buildings and every single room (beginning with Poirot's office) just put me there. Suchet was brilliant, all the characters were well-played, and I finally could see what all the fuss is about Agatha Christy.
Karen
I've always meant to give Poirot a shot! It seems like something you could put on at the beginning of a rainy Sunday and just keep watching. ~ karen!
Jennifer
The fact that your Read Love list contains A Prayer for Owen Meany, Lonesome Dove, and all things Little House is one of the many reasons I love you. I am going to get Horse on my library hold list right NOW.
Karen
I may break down and buy Horse after I finish The Museum of Extraordinary Things so I don't have to feel like I'm in a race to finish it before it needs to be returned. ~ karen!