tv

sometimes good is better than great

No Comments

Thursday I was excited to sit down to watch Hacks, which has consistently been on my top tv list. But actually on Wednesday I was also excited to sit down and watch High Potential and Will Trent, two shows not on my top tv list. We don’t always want to sit down and watch great tv. A lot of what I look forward to each week falls into different categories. Shows that are just… good. Easy to get into. Consistently entertaining. The kind of tv you’re happy to see show up midweek.

And to be clear, what falls into this category is pretty personal. There are shows I can’t get past for one reason or another. A character that doesn’t quite land, a premise I don’t fully buy. I know people who feel that way about entire genres. For me, if a show has a cast I like and a format that doesn’t demand my full attention, I’m usually in. Whether it’s a procedural, a comedy, or something in between here are some of the shows that came to mind.

  • Abbott Elementary (Abc) Still one of the most consistently sharp comedies. Strong ensemble, smart writing, and it makes it look effortless.
  • Bad Monkey (App+) I dig me some Carl Hiaasen chaos and they do a pretty good job of capturing the spirit with Vince Vaughn as an appealing not altogether together lead.
  • Elsbeth (Cbs) They took a favorite side character from the world of The Good Wife/Fight and put her in circumstances that let her shine, we see who the culprit is so it’s all about the interplay.
  • Emily in Paris (Net) Not good in the traditional sense but completely bingeable anyway, it knows exactly what it’s doing with its ridiculousness and outfits.
  • Ghosts (Cbs) Again with a fun ensemble in endlessly quirky scenarios and ongoing bits, gets funnier over time.
  • High Potential (Abc) Kaitlin Olson shines as the lead here and sails through each week’s crime with enough overarching story and a little romantic tension.
  • A Man on the Inside (Net) Ted Danson is always a charmer and this role is meant for where he is, each season brings (and brings back) a fun cast and an appealing light mystery.
  • Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) At its best it was on the best list but this trio of crime solvers may have gotten more ridiculous, it’s still a fun hang.
  • Peacemaker (Hbo) Big, chaotic, and very specific in tone, it commits fully and brings the outlier characters together in a way that brings you in.
  • Scrubs (Abc) A return that is one of the few that nail the tone in a continuation and it’s a comfort to sit down with these characters again.
  • Stumble (Nbc) A really fun and funny docu-style look at an underdog cheerleading team that brings the quirks and the heart with a fun cast and a great leading performance by Jenn Lyon.
  • Twisted Metal (Pea) Super weird but this post apocalyptic car race lands with its comedic and brutal over the top tone.
  • Wild Cards (CW) Light, playful, and built for easy watching the will they won’t they criminal + crime solving doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is part of the appeal.
  • Will Trent (Abc) I’ve heard complaints from those who read the books but for me it’s a fun take on the extra skilled detective formula with a good supporting cast.
  • Your Friends & Neighbors (App+) Jon Hamm heisting in his fancy neighborhood, heck yes, and of course it’s always on the edge of unraveling.

They’re the shows I actually keep up with. The ones I’m happy to put on first without thinking too much about it. The ones that fill in the gaps between the heavy hitters.

And honestly, that counts for a lot. What are some of your go-tos that are good, but maybe not great?

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 4/6-4/19

No Comments

I finished the middling second season of Cross and the not good first season of Scarpetta both on Amazon Prime, Prime is certainly claiming this tv based on book series. I also did a rewatch of Buffy to somewhat coincide with the release of New Sunnydale only to be surprised that the pilot didn’t get picked up.

Movie-wise I felt compelled to catch the second Wicked, For Good, which really should have just been a single movie. Is This Thing On brought a tough look at longstanding marriage with good performances but was short on laughs. I enjoyed Ballerina the latest John Wick-ish flick enough, mostly because I’m invested in the universe and mostly forgive the unbelievable relentless pace. I quite enjoyed Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice which was also brutal but had some charm and clever turns.

  • The Testaments (Hulu) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/8 – Based on Margaret Atwood’s book this is an evolution of The Handmaid’s Tale which I haven’t watched, supposed to be good but I just can’t with the world.
  • The Boys (Am) Season Premiere, Wednesday 4/8 – The fifth and final season of this uneven and yet compelling series, I was mostly reinvested after enjoying Gen V and I don’t think we’re done with spinoffs.
  • Big Mistakes (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/9 – This is Dan Levy’s latest comedy so that alone make it worth a watch and we follow him as one of two siblings blackmailed into organized crime.
  • Miniature Wife (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/9 – I just dropped Peacock but this dramedy could be fun as Elizabeth Banks accidently gets shrunken down.
  • Hacks (HBO) Season Premiere, Thursday 4/9, 9pm – The fifth and final season of this show that consistently makes my top ten, how will the ladies send it off.
  • Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 4/10 – This new chapter of this show brings us back for the parent’s 40th anniversary, this story was never my absolute fave but the cast is always top notch so curious to see where they pick up.
  • The Audacity (AMC) Series Premiere, Sunday 4/12, 9pm – I don’t get AMC anymore but this series has some good pedigree as it takes a comedic drama look at the power players of Silicon Valley.
  • Euphoria (HBO) Season Premiere, Sunday 4/12, 9pm – It’s been a minute but these high schoolers turned young adults are back.
  • Margot’s Got Money Trouble (App+) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/15 – I didn’t read this book but again a great pedigree and Dakota Fanning as Margot has promise.
  • Beef (Net) Season Premiere, Thursday 4/16 – I didn’t love the stress of the first season of this so not sure I’ll prioritize the latest chapter of this anthology.

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST, please check your local listings.

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 3/23-4/5

No Comments

We got the end of season 1 cute underdog cheer Stumble (NBC), and while I had Peacock (ending shortly) I also did Russian Spy action Ponies which I found fun. I finally finished up Black Rabbit (Net) which I found tiresome to watch their downward spiral. And Wonder Man hit Hulu so I didn’t have to wait for a Disney upgrade and this was Marvel but Marvel done best when it’s an actual standalone story that pulls you in.

As for movies I wasn’t up for anything significant so tried out War Machine which was admittedly not great but a fine way to distract oneself for an evening.

  • Daredevil: Born Again (Dis+) Season Premiere, Tuesday 3/24 – I don’t actually have Disney right now, but I liked the first season of this well enough to see how Murdock and Fisk face off.
  • Bait (Am) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/25 – Riz Ahmed stars as a struggling actor with a big break in this comedy and things maybe spiral out of control.
  • Something Very Bad is Going to Happen (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/26 – We follow a bride and groom heading up to their nuptials and as a horror series it might not go so well.
  • Your Friends & Neighbors (App+) Season Premiere, Friday 4/3 – I enjoyed the first season of this but maybe need to time my month of Apple for the end of this on 6/5 and pick up Shrinking.

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST, please check your local listings.

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 3/9-3/22

No Comments

These week’s catchups included finishing Fallout on Amazon, which didn’t quite match the first season’s fun. I also caught the first and unfortunately only season of Etoile, a bummer that didn’t get more eyeballs after the success of Maisel, this international ballet chaos was fun. I also finally caught up with Heated Rivalry on HBO which took a minute to hook me (the time jumps in the first couple of episodes felt stilted but it became emotionally compelling after a bit).

For movies I did Blue Moon on Net which felt a little stagey and unfun. I thought Rental Family on Hulu ended up being really sweet. Urchin was also a bummer and while probably well done not my fave watch.

  • One Piece (Net) Season Premiere, Tuesday 3/10 – I was surprisingly charmed enough by this manga adaptation that I’ll tune back in.
  • Sunny Nights (Hulu) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/11 – Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden’s characters team up to set up a spray tan business in Sydney and somehow get caught up in the criminal underworld.
  • Scarpetta (Am) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/11 – I used to read all of these books and while I don’t know that I love Nicole Kidman in this I’ll definitely be checking it out, the main character is a medical examiner who of course gets overly involved in the crimes.
  • The Madison (Para+) Series Premiere, Saturday 3/14 – Another Taylor Sheridan, this one with Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell covering a family from Montana to New York.
  • The Oscars (ABC) Sunday 3/15 – I don’t always watch this anymore once I’ve grabbed the best pic nominees for watching I’m usually set these days, and good outfits are all online.
  • Imperfect Women (App+) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/18 – This thriller looks at crime’s impact on three friends with Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington.
  • Deadloch (Am) Season Premiere, Friday 3/20 – The first season of this small town murder was a fun one.
  • The Faithful (Fox) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/22, 8pm – I just can’t get excited about a women of the bible dramatization.
  • The Forsytes (PBS) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/22, 9pm – A take on the Nobel Prize winning book series The Forsyte Saga.
  • The Count of Monte Cristo (PBS) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/22, 10pm – The old tale returns.
  • The Comeback (HBO) Season Premiere, Sunday 3/22, 10:30 – I had heard they were doing another of these series, Lisa Kudrow is great in this faux reality show though it can be a little too cringy for me to love.

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST, please check your local listings.

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 2/23-3/8

No Comments

I cruised through the final season of Queer Eye (Net) which I have to admit has always been good but not great, glad they were able to touch a few more lives before they tuned out. I also caught the series Big Boys (Hulu) which had been on someone’s best list, it was sweet but not in contention for me.

I’ve also managed to finish up many of the noted ‘best’ movies before I did my must see movies of 2025. Secret Agent and Twinless made the list but contenders Sacramento, Sentimental Value, Marty Supreme, Left Handed Girl, It Was Just an Accident, and Hamnet missed the cut. This weekend dialed out with lighter fare Predator Badlands which was actually kind of sweet and fun and Splitsville which was a bit too random for me.

  • Paradise (Hulu) Season Premiere, Monday 2/23 – The first season was entertaining enough, not sure I’ll appreciate the story shift in season 2 but we’ll see.
  • The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (NBC) Series Premiere, Monday 2/23, 8:30pm – Tracy Morgan return to series is a disgraced former football player rehabbing his image with Daniel Radcliffe.
  • CIA (CBS) Series Premiere, Monday 2/23, 10pm – I almost assumed this was one of the currently running CBS series but just another spinoff, this one is Tom Ellis as the loose cannon with a by the books partner in NY.
  • Scrubs (ABC) Reboot Premiere, Wednesday 2/25, 8/8:30pm – The gang is back with crews new and old.
  • Marshals (CBS) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/1 – One of the Duttons of Yellowstone brings justice to Montana.
  • American Classic (MGM) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/1 – Kevin Kline, Laura Linney, and Jon Tenney star in this comedy about a family full of drama.
  • DTF St. Louis (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/1, 9pm – A love triangle and one of them turns up dead.
  • RJ Decker (ABC) Series Premiere, Tuesday 3/3, 10pm – Scott Speedman stars as the title character, an ex-con and disgraced newspaper photographer who turns his skills to PI-ing, based on a Carl Hiaasen so sure.
  • Young Sherlock (Amazon) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/4 – Guy Ritchie brings us a look at the origin story.
  • This City is Ours: A Crime Family Saga (AMC) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/5 – Notorious gang boss steps back and triggers a violent power struggle.
  • Vladimir (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/5 – An English professor throws her life into chaos when she becomes enamored with a new colleague.
  • Rooster (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/8, 10pm – Steve Carell steps into a new comedy focusing on his character’s complicated relationship with his daughter.

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST, please check your local listings.

Continue Reading

best, movies

must-see movies of 2025

No Comments

I do watch movies year round. I try to do at least a movie a week instead of always being sucked into tv shows but with all the releases toward the end of the year it always feels like a race to the finish. Plus I like to see everything nominated for best picture (even though watching the movies seems to tank my choices in the Oscar pool).

  1. Frankenstein – I didn’t feel like as I was going to pick this as a best pic but overall I think the visuals and characters stuck with me. A visually rich reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic, this adaptation leans into both horror and humanity. Rather than focusing solely on spectacle, it probes the loneliness and longing at the heart of the story. The result is haunting, ambitious, and surprisingly emotional.
  2. The Secret Agent – A taut espionage thriller rooted more in atmosphere than explosions. Slow-burn tension, layered loyalties, and a morally ambiguous protagonist keep the story simmering. It’s smart, restrained, and trusts the audience to stay with it.
  3. Sinners – A bold, genre-blending drama that layers social commentary with pulsing energy and striking visuals. With commanding performances at its center, the film wrestles with morality, ambition, and the cost of chasing something bigger than yourself. It’s stylish, provocative, and impossible to ignore. And you know I dig a vampire.
  4. A Nice Indian Boy – Rom coms are harder to do than they look and this worked. A heartfelt romantic dramedy that navigates love, culture, and family expectations with warmth and humor. What could have been predictable instead feels personal and grounded, thanks to a charming lead performance and an honest look at identity, belonging, and what it means to choose your own path.
  5. Caught Stealing – A mess from start to finish in the best way balancing action and humor. A gritty crime drama with kinetic pacing and morally complicated characters. As its protagonist gets pulled deeper into a world he barely understands, the tension ratchets up steadily. Stylish and intense, it’s built on momentum and sharp performances.
  6. Companion – A sleek psychological thriller that starts intimate and spirals into something far more unsettling. What begins as a seemingly simple relationship story turns into a sharp exploration of power, technology, and control. It’s tense, stylish, and just off-kilter enough to keep you leaning forward the entire time.
  7. Train Dreams – A meditative, almost poetic portrait of solitude and survival in early 20th-century America. I don’t love a slow movie but this was thankfully under 2 hours. With sweeping landscapes and restrained storytelling, the film embraces quiet moments over bombast. It’s contemplative and deeply human, rewarding patience with emotional resonance.
  8. One Battle After Another – This movie was a lot and not always in a good way but as an ambitious, high-wire narrative that blends political tension with dark humor and propulsive storytelling it mostly works. Driven by powerhouse performances and bold direction, it’s a film that refuses to sit still. Big in scope but grounded in character, it’s the kind of movie that sparks post-credits debate.
  9. Twinless – An offbeat character study that finds dark humor in loneliness and connection. Focused on unlikely bonds and the awkwardness of grief, it balances absurdity with surprising tenderness. It’s quirky without trying too hard and heartfelt without tipping into sentimentality, the performances lock this in.
  10. Sorry Baby – A sharp, intimate dramedy that balances vulnerability with wit. Centered on a woman navigating unexpected upheaval, the film finds humor in discomfort without undercutting the emotional stakes. It feels specific, lived-in, and refreshingly honest.

What did I miss? Would love to know what some of your faves were last year.

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 2/9-2/22

No Comments

Finishing off and starting a few shows for my top tv post so Slow Horses (App+) was a win. Boots and Too Much (Net), the first had a lot of charm and the second had its moments. I also randomly picked up the Mad About You (Hulu) continuation, which felt like more of a downer than I remember from the first. Also finished Shifting Gears (ABC/Hulu) which is very TGIF but not much more.

  • Cross (Am) Season Premiere, Wednesday 2/11 – I was meh on the first season but will tune back in.
  • Love Story (FX/Hulu) Series Premiere, Thursday 2/12, 9pm – Ryan Murphy is tackling love this time with JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette.
  • Dark Winds (AMC) Season Premiere, Sunday 2/15 – This series overall is really good but I don’t get AMC anymore so wait for the eventual run on Netflix.
  • Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 2/16 – A doculook at one of the better trash tv shows, who didn’t learn about smizing.
  • 56 Days (Am) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/18 – Based on a bestselling novel a could fall for each other and then an unidentified body might show us where the relationship ends.
  • The Night Agent (Net) Season Premiere, Thursday 2/19 – I have yet to catch season 2 but it’s back for a third.
  • Watching You (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 2/20 – A one-night stand is captured on hidden cameras but that’s just the start of the drama.
  • Portobello (HBO) Series Premiere, Friday 2/20 – The true story of a beloved TV host accused of being in a criminal ring.
  • Strip Law (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 2/20 – Adult animated comedy about an uptight lawyer and a flashy magician.

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST, please check your local listings.

Continue Reading

best, tv

top tv of 2025

No Comments

I almost force myself to make this list so that when people ask me what I liked on TV I can actually try to remember (or have a good reminder). There were lots of good things that didn’t make the cut, and some flaws in those that did. And as always the order could very quickly vary.

  1. Murderbot (Apple TV+) – I was surprised this didn’t make more lists. A sharp, funny sci-fi series centered on a self-aware security android played by Alexander Skarsgård who would much rather binge its favorite shows than interact with humans, but keeps getting pulled into protecting them anyway. Action, humor, and unexpected heart all land. I’m very much looking forward to the next adventure.
  2. Slow Horses (Apple TV+) – I kept putting off starting this because there kept being more seasons to watch, but at only 6 episodes each I ended up tearing through this. One of the most consistently satisfying shows on TV. Gary Oldman remains perfectly feral, the ensemble is stacked, and the balance of cynicism, competence, and character-driven plotting continues to work season after season. Smart, tense, and surprisingly funny without tipping into parody.
  3. The Lowdown (FX / Hulu) – Ethan Hawke and the rest of the supporting cast were all wonderful, and I thought the slightly inept investigation actually held together. A grounded, character-driven series that digs into power, influence, and the personal cost of being close to the center of things, balancing tension with quieter, human moments.
  4. Dying for Sex (FX / Hulu) – This was honestly a tough one, but they did such a lovely job showing Michelle Williams’ character’s evolution, supported by a strong cast. A deeply intimate and surprisingly funny exploration of illness, sexuality, friendship, and what it means to reclaim agency when time feels uncertain. Raw without being voyeuristic.
  5. Hacks (Max) – Still firing on all cylinders. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are just so good. I always want them to get along, but there’s something compelling about them on opposing sides. This season doubles down on ambition, resentment, loyalty, and reinvention, anchored by razor-sharp writing and performances that continue to elevate the show beyond a standard comedy.
  6. Long Story Short (Netflix) – I’m not a big animation person but Raphael Bob-Waksberg has done favorites Bojack and Undone and finds a new lens that works. A clever, emotionally resonant series that uses time jumps and snapshots to tell a larger story about family, relationships, and how small moments echo across years.
  7. The Pitt (Max) – This show is relentless. I’m actually not sure it’s all that good, but you never get a chance to take a breath, and the cast is completely locked in. A tense, immersive medical drama that leans into realism, moral ambiguity, and pressure-filled decision making, capturing the intensity of systems stretched to their limits.
  8. Task (Netflix) – Not an easy watch, but the dual protagonists’ stories pulled you in and kept a pit in your stomach. A propulsive crime thriller that keeps raising the stakes, driven by strong performances and a plot that resists easy answers or clean resolutions.
  9. Pluribus (Apple TV+) – This didn’t work in its entirety for me, but I’m giving bonus points for the innovation and for the fact that Rhea Seehorn can pull off even the things I wasn’t sure I fully bought. An ambitious, idea-forward series that explores big social and technological questions through layered storytelling and sort of an ensemble cast, leaning more thoughtful than flashy.
  10. The Bear (FX / Hulu) – Not quite up to the first and second seasons for me, but they keep finding ways to bring the tension, pairing season-long arcs with standout episodes and character development. As stressful and electric as ever, the show continues to balance chaos, grief, ambition, and growth without losing the intensity that made it essential.

I’m still working through my HBO backlog. This year I watched a few things that would have likely made their respective lists. The Leftovers which was so weird but good but… and went back and picked up Mare of Eastown after watching Task (same creator) and Betty because who doesn’t love gals who skateboard.

What were your faves?

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 1/26-2/8

No Comments

Continuing to make use of my temporary Apple TV subscription, I had really started it to get Pluribus which was good, a little weird and I had some quibbles with parts of the story. I also caught Sugar which I enjoyed though the very noir crime vibe took a weird turn. And while I was there I caught the latest season of Platonic, and I didn’t love the first seasons so not sure why. I also finished up The Beast in Me on Netflix which was entertaining enough though a bit ridiculous. And the return of King of the Hill, a show I remember watching but not sure I stuck with it, the return with years passed opened some new opportunities but still a pretty standard sitcom.

On the movie side of the fence I caught F1 which was a fun enough sports arc, though again a little ridiculous. And watched The Friend on Hulu which I was actually expecting a bit more Great Dane hijinks than maudlin but of course good performances by Watts and Murray. Then hearing good things about 28 Years Later I went back and caught both 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, Days held up but Weeks and Years were both meh (and I don’t think Years acknowledged the plot of Weeks). I also picked up Eddington which while you can’t knock the cast, I found it kind of painful.

  • Wild Cards (CW) Season Premiere, Monday 1/26, 8pm – I find this detective + criminal caper series fun.
  • Wonder Man (Dis+) Series Premiere, Tuesday 1/27 – We follow an actor trying to get his career started with an opportunity to star in a remake.
  • Shrinking (App+) Season Premiere, Wednesday 1/28 – I’ve mistimed my Apple subscription and think I’ll take a month off before coming back from this, or I could delay further…
  • The Olympics (NBC) The opening ceremony kicks off from Milan on 2/6 and the sporting continues.
  • The Burbs (Pea) Series Premiere, Sunday 2/8 – Inspired by the comedy/horror film a family moves back to the hubs childhood home and stuff happens.
  • Super Bowl (NBC) Sunday 2/8 – This is actually happening in the Bay Area so I need to keep my eye on activities (to avoid).

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST, please check your local listings.

Continue Reading

best, books

best books of 2025 (aka the books I read)

No Comments

I snuck in a few selections along with those I read for book club* and hoping to keep the streak going for 2026. And of course I do listen to a decent amount of nonfiction stuff whilst getting my steps in, usually a mix of coaching stuff, business stuff, and various skill stuff.

  • The Last Nude by Ellis Avery* – A historical novel inspired by the real-life friendship between artist Tamara de Lempicka and her model. Art, obsession, ambition, and the complicated cost of being someone’s muse in pre-war Paris. There was a de Lempicka exhibit locally so fun to do that and discuss the book, enjoyed but had some issues with the balance of chunks of it.
  • North Woods by Daniel Mason* – A novel that spans centuries, all anchored to a single piece of land. A meditation on place, time, memory, and the way human lives leave traces long after they are gone.
  • Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar* – A debut that tackles grief, faith, addiction, identity, and meaning with humor and emotional depth. Big questions, sharp writing, and a narrator who feels vividly alive. Generally well liked with some quibbles.
  • James by Percival Everett – A reimagining of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim’s perspective. Smart, biting, and deeply intentional, this novel interrogates power, language, freedom, and whose stories get centered. A few of the book clubbers got this book when seeing him speak after we had read Dr. No, and enjoyed this alt take on Huck Finn (which maybe I read in high school but maybe not).
  • Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange* – An intergenerational novel exploring Native identity, trauma, resilience, and survival. It moves between past and present, carrying the weight of history while staying firmly rooted in the now. Probably enjoyed There There a bit more but still a good read.
  • All Fours by Miranda July – Strange, funny, and intentionally uncomfortable. A novel about desire, reinvention, and what happens when you disrupt your own life in unexpected and deeply human ways. Another one where some book clubbers went to hear her speak after having read The First Bad Man, I feel like this one took off in the ethos, definitely interesting.
  • Good Material by Dolly Alderton* – A breakup novel told from the man’s perspective, complete with self-justification, blind spots, and emotional messiness. A sharp look at modern relationships and storytelling. Others enjoyed this sad sack more than I did but a decent ‘beach read.’
  • The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector* – Short, philosophical, and quietly devastating. A novel about invisibility, poverty, authorship, and what it means to be seen. This was weirdly quoted in our last two book club reads, we appreciated more than enjoyed but a short read.
  • Deacon King Kong by James McBride – A community-centered story set in 1960s Brooklyn, full of humor, heart, and interconnected lives. A warm novel that still grapples with serious themes of faith, race, and redemption. We’ve done a couple of his in book club, so folks did as a side read, and a very good one.
  • Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt* – A hopeful, emotionally grounded novel about grief, connection, and unexpected friendships, including one very perceptive octopus. This also felt like it was in the ethose, some quibbles but a charming ‘summer read.’
  • The Serial Killer’s Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard – True crime meets travel guide, exploring San Francisco’s darker history and the unsettling stories tied to familiar places. I enjoy a quick little mystery and the local setting helped this otherwise average read.
  • Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk* – A philosophical eco-mystery narrated by an eccentric, opinionated woman. Darkly funny, political, and delightfully strange. A friend had recco’d this again and again so we finally picked it, fun story and characters.
  • Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – A novel about friendship, creativity, ambition, and the long arc of a relationship over decades. Video games are the backdrop, but human connection is the heart. Another that others had already read I really enjoyed the relationships and passage of time, minor quibbles.
  • Colored Television by Danzy Senna* – A sharp, satirical look at race, class, ambition, and identity through the lens of Hollywood and creative success. Smart, uncomfortable, and very aware of its own commentary. I appreciated this but didn’t love the ambling toward trouble.
  • Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips* – A quiet, haunting post–Civil War novel about trauma, memory, and the long process of recovery after violence. I picked this one because I like to do the Pulitzers but this story wasn’t a fave.
  • Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – A reflective, tender novel about love, youth, memory, and the stories parents tell their children about who they once were. I love me some Patchett, and others had already read this, a gem.
  • You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue* – A surreal and inventive imagining of the meeting between Cortés and Moctezuma. Playful, political, and historically untethered in compelling ways. I just could not get into this, usually I can start to track but the language and characters but this felt like a chore (there were some good moments), not all agreed with me.
  • Tuff by Paul Beatty* – A satirical, provocative novel skewering politics, race, power, and absurdity with Beatty’s signature sharpness. Not subtle and not trying to be. We’d read and liked The Sellout by Beatty, this one was well liked though discussion as to whether the following the character allowed for as strong of a story.

Nonfiction

  • Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman – The idea that we only have so much time so want to be thoughtful about where we’re spending our time.
  • How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Kary Milkman – This overlaps a big with some of the habits books, but liked her take on our real goal, which is change, and the science-backed studies for us to get there.
  • Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek – I so far always love his writing and use of concrete examples, which runs very much in line with the work I do around Clarity.
  • The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance: What Women Should Know by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman – A great science-backed perspective on issues around confidence and how to get it.
  • How to do the Work: Recognize Your Patters, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Dr. Nicole LePera – A more psychological approach focusing on holistic psychology, interesting perspectives, and experience.
  • The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhou – I appreciated this insight from an early Facebook employee and her lessons a little more focused on a fast-growing company/role but still lots of great insights.
  • The CHAOS Cure: Clean Your House and Calm Your Soul in 15 Minutes by Marla Cilley – I didn’t love this insight into cleaning things out, I wasn’t sure it got the issue and sort of did some hey buy my product though the overall approach of progress over perfection always lands.
  • Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman – Definitely dug this approach to leaders can make all the difference in how productive (and engaged, happy, etc.) their team is.
  • Nonviolent Communications: Create Your Life, Your Relationships, and Your World in Harmony with Your Values by Marshall Rosenberg – This is one of the communication cornerstone books (along with Crucial Conversations) and appreciated many of the merits of what’s a bit of a unique take on communication.
  • Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don’t Agree with or Like or Trust by Adam Kahane – Told by a true collaboration expert, although less instructional than maybe I would have thought the examples and insights were impactful.
  • Steal Like an Artist Audio Trilogy: How to Be Creative, Show Your Work, and Keep Going by Austin Kleon – A helpful source for anyone who wants to lean more into their creativity, maybe better referenced in hard copy than audiobook.
  • Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower by Therese Huston – A great resource not only for those difficult conversations but for the missed opportunities you might not be thinking about.
  • The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip Heath and Dan Heath – I got a lot more out of this book than I was expecting, and while the focus wasn’t completely on workplace situations there were enough direct examples of that to start to understand the possible impact.
  • The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen – A classic on why successful companies fail by clinging to what made them successful. Still painfully relevant and a sharp reminder that doing everything “right” can still hold you back.
  • Hyper-Efficient by Mithu Storoni – A neuroscience-based take on productivity and energy. Some interesting ideas, don’t let the title scare you, it’s mostly about understanding the way the brain works, what tasks are best for various levels and where we have some control.
  • Empathy Works by Sophie Wade– A grounded look at empathy as a real leadership skill, not a personality trait. Strong alignment with the relationship gaps I see leaders struggle with most but to be honest while I love me some empathy the scenarios didn’t always hit, maybe it was too much pandemic focus for me.
  • Transitions by William Bridges – This one is a classic, it focuses on the internal experience of some changes that make them transitions, not just the external event. A consistently useful lens for reorgs, new roles, and identity shifts at work.
  • The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler – A nuanced, compassionate take on perfectionism that doesn’t default to “just let it go.” Especially relevant for high performers who are exhausted but still over functioning, I loved her perspective and lens of being an adaptive perfectionist vs maladaptive. I immediately recommended this to a few folks.
  • Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon – Short, powerful, and thought-provoking. A personal perspective that translates into challenging assumptions as to how we treat gender.
  • Stop Letting Everything Affect You by Daniel Chidiac – A blunt take on emotional boundaries and choosing what deserves your energy. There were a lot of science backed really specific takes to try here, I want to listen again or maybe buy a hard copy.
  • The No Asshole Rule by Robert I. Sutton – A clear case for why tolerating bad behavior is bad for people and business. Still incredibly relevant if you’ve ever seen “brilliant but difficult” get a free pass.
Continue Reading