BInge-Worthy TV: Younger (Or Why I Stayed Up Late Too Many Nights Last Month)

If you follow my blog, you know that my primary form of entertainment is reading books not watching TV. I love TV, but with a 10-year old at home and my not so late bedtime, my time to watch grown-up shows is highly limited. So usually, in order to get my TV fix, I choose one show to work my way through. This usually takes a long time.

Then, I started watching Younger (streaming on Hulu and TV Land) while hubs had a string of out-of-town trips. This meant I could choose a show that was just for me that I knew hubs would never want to watch together AND it meant I had no one to say, “Hey babe, it’s getting kind of late and maybe we should tun off the TV.” In other words, I was left to my own devices and ended up not getting enough sleep many a night in the last two months or so because this show is SO fun. Plus, it is a master at the cliffhanger. “Just one more” became a regular mantra. I made it through all five seasons in no time at all.

So, let’s back up, if you have no idea which show I’m talking about. The premise of Younger (the show’s based on a book) is that a 40-something year old Liza is recently divorced (her husband cheated) and is now left with no job and has to pay for her daughter’s college tuition. She tries to get a job in publishing, the career she was in before she became a mom, but she’s been “out of the game too long” according to everyone she interviews with. She’s frustrated and desperate. Her friend suggest she lie about her age. Liza gets a millennial makeover, claims to be 26, and lands an assistant job at Empirical Publishing. That’s the set up. Good hook, yeah?

Well, even though the show is based on this one thing—Liza lying about her age and trying to pull off being a millennial when she is definitely not one—it’s not a one-trick pony. The cast of characters is so funny and likable, the storylines so engaging, and the romances so sexy that I gorged on the seasons like candy.

The episodes are short (less than 30 minutes) so they’re easy to devour, and they are so good at the end-of-episode cliffhanger that I couldn’t help clicking to start the next one too many times. I think I particularly enjoy the premise because I was born at the end of 1979 and sit on the border of the Gen X and Millennial years, so I can laugh and appreciate both generations as they poke fun at them.

Also, the show is set in publishing, so of course I love that. However, be warned, though they get some things right, many of the things they do in publishing are NOT accurate, lol. (Cue me talking to the TV often: “That’s not how it works!”.) Also, the episode focused on romance publishing (which did a cool shout out to Smart Bitches, Trashy Books!) was a little annoying as it didn’t dispel the stereotypes non-romance readers have about the genre. However, the end of that episode made me feel a little better and not quite as annoyed. ;)

Also, if you need no other reason to watch, then watch to appreciate the male beauty of Josh (Nico Tortorella) and Charles (Peter Hermann). I’m actually using Josh as inspiration for Kincaid’s hero (looks wise) in book four of The Ones Who Got Away series.

Josh…

I'm Still Going To Walk You Home Though, Cause I'm A Gentleman GIF from Suttonfoster GIFs

Charles…

Of Course GIF from Peterhermann GIFs

So if you’re looking for something fun that’s full of strong female friendships, steamy romance, and the world of books, you can’t go wrong with this one. Now I’ll be tapping my foot until season 6 arrives.

Seasons 1-5 can be streamed on Hulu or TV Land.

Anyone else a Younger fan? What have you binge-watched lately?

What I'm Watching This Summer

Summertime is the time of sunshine and the outdoors...well, in other places. Here in Dallas, summertime is full of sunshine and unbearable heat. Today it's 90 and it feels like autumn to me because we've been dealing with 105-110 temperatures for over two weeks and 90 truly feels like relief. We'll get a few days of this before the temperature races back up again.

But all this is to say that in summer, I often end up catching up on TV watching because we're indoors hiding from the heat. So I thought I'd pass along what I'm watching this summer both on TV and YouTube. And I'd love to hear what interesting shows you've found recently!

For pure soapy reality TV

Big Brother on CBS

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I'm a long time Big Brother fan. I look forward to it every summer, and it's become a family tradition. Hubs and I love all the strategy and personality dynamics. Kidlet loves all the competitions. (We fast forward through any not-safe-for-10-year-olds moments.) It's quite a commitment with three episodes a week, but I eat it up like candy. My favorite contestant this year in Tyler. I love that he came on and was all "I'm just a dumb, cute lifeguard" and has turned out to be the most socially strategic and smart player so far. The writer in me loves characters, and Big Brother always gives me good fodder for analysis.

Fun for the Whole Family

The Middle

Last summer kidlet and I picked a show to binge watch together for device-free summer. Last year was The Goldbergs, which has become a family favorite (and kidlet obsession) now. This summer, we've picked The Middle. (Side note: finding a truly family friendly modern sitcom is a challenge! But this one fits the bill.) We're almost done with season 2 and are really enjoying it. If you want to binge watch this one, it's not streaming anywhere for free (last I checked) but Freeform and the Hallmark channel have been running the seasons marathon style and we've been taping them, so look for that.

For the Music Lover

The Big Interview with Dan Rather

This is one hubs found on one of his favorite channels AXS. Dan Rather interviews famous musicians. (He may interview more than musicians, but the ones we've watched have all been musicians.) These interviews were taped a few years ago, but they are fascinating. Dan Rather is a master interviewer, and if you love music, you'll love the stories he pulls out of the people he puts in his interview chair. So far we've watched interviews with Greg Allman of The Allman Brothers, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Even if you don't know much about the particular band/artist (I knew hardly anything about The Allman Brothers) the interviews will pull you in. Highly recommended.

For Nostalgia or a Peek Inside 90s Teenhood

My So-Called Life

I mentioned a while back that I was so excited that one of my favorite podcast duos were starting the My So-Called Podcast where they rewatch episodes of My So-Called Life and then comment on them. This has been so much fun--to rewatch one of my very favorite shows from my teen years through adult eyes and then follow each episode up by listening to Jillian and Patrick pick apart the episodes in a funny yet respectful superfan kind of way. It's made it such a multi-layered experience. It's made me laugh a lot but also has made me wonder what the hell I was thinking loving Jordan Catalano (played by Jared Leto) back when I was 14. I mean, yes, he's beautiful, but dude, he was SUCH a jerk on that show. Adult Me totally wants to yell at him for his behavior. Anyway, if you want to rewatch or watch for the first time. Here's where you can stream it and here's where you can find the podcast.

For Your Brain

The 2000s on CNN

CNN has made series about many of the decades and every time, I am so here for it. I believe they started with The Sixties. That's the first one I watched at least, and they've gone on to make a series for each decade. This summer it is The 2000s. The show is produced by Tom Hanks and is done in such a great way that I get hooked every time. Each show will take one topic of that decade and do a deep dive. So, for instance, the episode we watched this week was all about technology and the "I-Decade"--the iPod, iPhone, iPad, social media, etc. Even though we all lived through it, it's fascinating to look back and really think about how much has changed so quickly. There was also an episode on TV shows in the 2000s and then there are the political ones (9/11, the Iraq War, etc.). I believe there is a music one coming up. All very well done. And if you haven't watched the previous seasons--60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s--they've all been fantastic.

For Your Body and Mind

Yoga with Adriene

I am trying to create a yoga habit, but I have trouble making it to classes because the timing never works out. So I've started doing yoga in the mornings at home. There are tons of free videos on YouTube, but I've found that the ones I like the best are from Yoga with Adriene. The videos are well shot, the routines are doable, there are lots of routines of varying length if I don't have a lot of time. Plus, Adriene is easy to follow and comes across as very down to earth. If you're looking to get some yoga into your life, check out her channel.

For the Planner Lover and Writers

Heart Breathings with Sarra Cannon

Y'all know I love a planner and anything having to do with productivity systems. I recently returned from the RWA (Romance Writers of America) conference where I met up with the writer/planner group I'm in online. So fun! And I happened to sit next to author Sarra Cannon who had brought her 90-day planner. I loved her set up and found out she has a YouTube channel where she talks about all things planning and writing. I blame her for the kanban board I put together this week. But if you're a planner girl (or guy!) like me, her channel is worth checking out. 

That's all I've got for y'all today! Tell me what you're watching and loving this summer. : )

Recs for Your Ears: Year of Yes & My So-Called Podcast

Hi, y'all! Guess what? I TURNED IN MY BOOK!!! 

This book (book 3 in The Ones Who Got Away series) was, by far, my most challenging book process-wise yet. You'd think that by my 15th full length novel, I'd have this whole writing thing figured out. Yeah, turns out, writing just gets harder as you go, lol. Processes change, different books require different skills, characters refuse to cooperate with your plan, and then there's the self-inflicted pressure of always trying to outdo yourself. So all that to say, I AM SO HAPPY to have it turned in! There will still be edits to do when my editor works her magic, but for now, I get to actually see the sun for a little while and do things like...blog!

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had a chance to share much with you guys, but I haven't stopped reading or listening to things, so I have a few recommendations for you today. This time, they're both for your ears (though one you can get in print.) I'm finding myself drawn more and more to audio because it's so darn convenient. I can listen in the car, while I'm cooking, while I'm getting ready in the morning. I love it.

For Inspiration:

First up is Shonda Rhimes' Year of Yes. I know this book has been out a while and I'm behind here, but sometimes you need to wait for a book to come into your life at just the right time for you. When Year of Yes first released, I was in a season in my life where I needed to learn to better say the word NO, not yes. I was overbooked and overextended.

However, this year, I decided that, though I still need to be selective with my yeses, I also need not say no to things just because they scare me. See, I'm an introvert, a to-the-core shy person. So, getting up in front of people, doing phone interviews, giving workshops, going to signings, etc. all make me anxious, and I want to hide in a cave. And saying no in the name of being too busy (even though I am actually busy) can sometimes be a crutch and prevents me from experiencing things I'd enjoy. Because almost inevitably, I angst about these things to a ridiculous degree beforehand, and then once I do them I'm like--oh that was fun! Which, for some reason, does not make me any less anxious the next time. *shakes fist at brain*

So when I started listening to Year of Yes and heard Shonda describe how she reacts in similar social or public situations, I was like YES. PREACH. She was absolutely speaking my language. If you've read the book, she has a story about sitting in President Obama's box at an event--her initial reaction would've been mine. So hearing how she decided to change things and how she went about it was truly inspiring to me. I HIGHLY recommend getting this one in audio. I'm sure reading the book is great, but I'm not sure it could compete with hearing Shonda read it in her own voice. It feels like she's sitting down with you for some wine and a chat. Plus, she includes the live recordings of the speeches she's given within the audio. Super ultra fantastic.

For Some Retro Fun: 

Alright, next up I have something a little different and that will probably only appeal to my fellow children of the 80s/90s. My So-Called Life was THE show when I first entered high school. It premiered in 1994 and followed angsty 15 year-old Angela Chase, played by Claire Danes, who was trying to navigate adolescence, love, parents, and high school. It also featured young Jared Leto as Jordan Catalano, who was the most beautiful boy I'd ever seen. *insert teen Roni swoon*

Jordan Catalano Shade GIF from Jordancatalano GIFs

It only lasted one season, and y'all, my 14-year old self was DEVASTATED when it was canceled. I wrote letters to the network, y'all. (And I mean letters with stamps. Email wasn't a thing yet.) I may have cried a little... (shut up, I was 14 and very angsty.)

Jordan Catalano Are You Crying GIF from Jordancatalano GIFs

So, I was probably a little TOO excited when I heard that two of my favorite podcasters (who do the True Crime Obsessed podcast--another fantastic podcast if you love both true crime documentaries and humor) were going to do an episode-by-episode podcast about My So-Called Life. The hosts, Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle, are hilarious, clever, and true superfans, so although they are picking fun at certain things in the episodes, it is from a place of love. 

So if you want to have some fun and flashback to the 90s, I highly recommend it. I'm rewatching the episodes of My So-Called Life as new podcast episodes come out. (It's an interesting experiment to watch it through my adult/mom eyes now, lol.) It's streaming free on ABC.com and you can also get it on Hulu.

So, that's what I've been listening to. What's been keeping you entertained lately?

November's Read & Watch Challenge Theme: COZY

It's that time again--the beginning of a new a month and a new theme for the Read and Watch challenge. You don't have to use it like a literal challenge, but hopefully it inspires you to pick up something new to read and watch this month. I, for one, can't resist a good what to read/what to watch recommendation list. 

This month's theme is COZY. Fall is finally here! Down in Texas that is a huge reason to celebrate because it means an end to the oppressive summer heat. We've finally gotten a snap of cooler weather this week and I am so here for it. I hate when we have hot Halloweens. This week I was even able to light the first fire of the season. Hurrah!

So, I'll give you some of my picks and then tell you what I hope to read and watch this month.

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What to Read:

The Men at Work trilogy by Tiffany Reisz

Tiffany Reisz's Men at Work books are such a great seasonal treat. Each one tackles a holiday, all are sexy, and they're super fun. Plus, they take place in the Pacific Northwest, so perfect cozy up weather as a setting. You can read any of them as standalones but they are a great trio to grab.

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

The concept of Hygge is kind of a trend right now so you may have seen it around, but I really enjoyed this brief little book on how to Danes do things. Hygge is ALL about the cozy. I read this in the summer and it made me YEARN for cold weather. Fireplaces and comfort food and candles and blankets and friends. Bring it on.

This Is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick

I'm about two-thirds of the way through this one, but I've really enjoyed it so far. I may write a full post on it when I'm done, but I think it plays well to the theme of cozy. The premise is learning to love where you live. I really like the idea of this. No matter where you live, there are always going to be things you don't like or places you might think are better. But each city has its own charms and unique features. This is a book about digging into those and embracing them. I love the idea of being happy right where you are.

Off the Ice by Julie Cross

A super adorable YA story about family, falling in love, small towns, and hockey. I read this book in its early stages because Julie and I are friends, but it stuck with me. It's the perfect winter read to cozy up with (and I know nothing about hockey, so that's not a requirement.) 

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What to Watch:

via GIPHY

When Harry Met Sally

Do I really have to explain this one? A must watch.

Wanted It GIF from Wanted GIFs

You've Got Mail

Meg Ryan gets all the best cozy fall movies. New York and fall and bookstores. What's not to love? This one is due for a rewatch by me.

College movies with Robin Williams in them...

Still breaks my heart knowing we've lost such a great talent. Prepare the box of tissues for both of these.

Dead Poet's Society

Poetry, Beauty, Romance, Love GIF from Deadpoetssociety GIFs

Good Will Hunting

It's Not Your Fault GIF from Goodwillhunting GIFs

Gilmore Girls

I overloaded on the movie suggestions this time, but if you want a cozy watch for TV, you can't go wrong with the GIlmore Girls. Small town, much coffee drinking, lots of scarves. 

Dramatic GIF from Lorelaigilmore GIFs

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What I'll Be Reading

I have a few possibilities in mind. I haven't chosen yet, but these are the candidates.

Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams

I realized the other day when I saw the preview for Murder on the Orient Express that I used to love Agatha Christie books. Well, the modern day version of that style is called the cozy mystery. So it's perfect for this month's theme. And this cozy mystery is based at a book retreat--so mystery and books! I'm in. Plus, after two many grim thrillers, it's sometimes nice to read a mystery that's fun and free of gore.

The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine by Kate Angell, Jennifer Dawson, and Sharla Lovelace

This cover totally got me. I mean, that just screams cozy fall read.

Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence

A librarian writes love letters and break up letters to books. I love this concept and plan to put this one on my bedside table to read in little bites.

My Kitchen Year by Ruth Reichl

What's cozier than a food memoir? This is the story of what happened to head editor Ruth Reichl after Gourmet magazine was suddenly shut down and she found herself without a job. She turned to food and cooking to process everything and heal. There are recipes in here but I've been told it reads more like a memoir, not a cookbook.

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What I'll Be Watching

Stranger Things

I loved the first season of Stranger Things, so I can't wait to dive into season 2. Nothing like a good, spooky TV show for the fall.

Murder on the Orient Express

I read the book in high school (because I had awesome English teachers who assigned cool books) and I'm so excited about the movie. Also, it's been so long since I've read it, I don't remember who the murderer is, lol. So I'll be surprised!

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That's my list for the month. What will you be reading and watching?

Self-Care Tip: Why I'm Going Old School for News

Earlier this week, I retweeted an article I wrote last year about the Highly Sensitive (HSP) personality type and how it’s important to practice self-care, particularly when there is a tragedy being reported in the news. This week the horrible and tragic situation in Vegas brought this to mind again because in our 24-hour news culture, it has become the norm to replay traumatizing videos over and over again and to dissect every small piece of it and to interview victims who are still bloody, in shock, and processing the event themselves about all the gory details.

Seeing the videos and interviews is disturbing to everyone because the whole thing is awful and tragic and terrifying, but to some of us, it can feel like more because we can’t dial down the empathy or separate ourselves from the intense emotion of it all. Seeing it over and over can send us into a spiral of imagining the victims’ pain, picturing horrible things, thinking about what their families are going through, and feeling deeply anxious or distressed. It’s a bad and unhealthy cycle to get caught up in.  

Whether you want to label it “highly sensitive” or not, I’ve known this about myself for a long time. I’ve always had an intense empathy response. It was what led me to become a social worker and therapist. I wanted to help people. It’s also what made me realize social work might kill me because I couldn’t mentally leave things at the office. I worked with kids and the stresses and problems they were having went home with me each night. It takes a special person to be a social worker, nurse, doctor, first responder, etc. It takes someone who can separate emotions out in order to do their job effectively. I realized I wasn’t the right fit for it. 

But I’ve learned that this quality is also what makes watching the barrage of daily breaking news so difficult and stressful. I want to know what is happening in the world so that I’m informed and can take action when and how it’s needed (I still have that desire to help), but I don’t gain any additional information by seeing these traumatic things running all day long over and over again. Plus, outside of being sensitive or not, I don’t see how it helps victims to stick a camera in their face an hour after the scariest and most devastating moment of their lives to interview them about what it was like to see people killed around them. How does that help anyone to do that?

This is obviously just my opinion, but that “breaking news” dissection of every event, not to mention the constant yelling over issues on the national news stations (regardless of political leanings) has turned me away from news pretty much completely. I watch my local affiliate at night for the weather and that’s about it. The morning news show I watched for most of my adult life is no longer watched. And frankly, Twitter has become much of the same for me. I used to spend time there to socialize during writing breaks (and I'd get news that way), but now I only pop in and out to respond to people and announce book/blog info because otherwise, there’s so much anger and arguing that it's often a stressful place to be. I’m not saying the anger isn’t justified, but I can't invite that into my day every day. I’ve had to step back from all of it because otherwise I would just spend my day anxious, depressed, or pissed off and get nothing else done.

However, I still want to be an informed person and citizen. Total avoidance swings too far in the other direction. Sticking my head in the sand and ignoring everything doesn’t help either. So this week, a possible solution hit me: ingest the information in a different, calmer, more controlled way. The old school way. For the first time in my life, I subscribed to . . . a newspaper. Yes, the paper kind delivered on your front doorstep. They still do those. Shocking, I know. But after researching, I realized that it could offer a good solution to my dilemma.

Benefits to the newspaper over TV/internet:

• There are no looping videos like TV and the internet that show traumatizing content.
• There is no need to constantly repeat the same stories or obsess over every minute detail as “breaking news” to fill 24-hours of airtime (on the contrary, there is limited space so only the most important stories make it in.)
• There is no scrolling news ticker at the bottom or competing videos in the sidebar, which help create information overload and that anxious feeling.
• A newspaper will have some local, in depth coverage so that I know what’s going on in my city and state.
• In addition, a newspaper will cover other important stories you're not hearing about on TV because one big headline tends to dominate TV news for days at a time. There's a whole world of news going on out there (nationally and internationally) that gets lost in the noise.
• Positive stories are included as well (which seems to be becoming more rare on TV, though my local news does try to highlight at least one positive story each night.)
• Fact-checked news that hopefully covers stories from both sides. (I researched which newspapers were the most even-handed because even though I lean strongly one way, I think it’s important to get opinions from all sides.)
• Bonus—there is no comments section to raise your blood pressure and no pundits yelling at each other! I can read, process, and develop my own opinion without all the racket.

There are more benefits (paying to support writers, getting local restaurant/event information, movie reviews, etc.) but those in the list are pretty huge in my book.

I’ve also decided to try out a few magazines since I also like in depth dives into different topics. I’ve subscribed to The New Yorker, National Geographic, and Scientific American.

Yes, it’s retro and Luddite of me maybe, but sometimes the old way of doing things isn’t always the inferior way. For those who need to step back for their own emotional well-being or simply those who want information without the barrage of noise and repetitiveness, I think this could be a solid answer. I just started my subscription and am going to get the weekend editions, so I’ll report back how it goes.

Is anyone else in the same boat with the 24-hours news culture? Anyone still subscribe to a newspaper or magazines?