My favorite question nowadays is asking people, “what are you consuming lately?” I want to know what has folks’ attention. Whether that is media, novels, concepts, and the like, I am interested to find out. In light of this, I gathered my interests to share. Giving and receiving recommendations are the foundation of many conversations between myself and strangers. I revel in putting people on and vice versa. And better yet, discovering what we have in common.
Since fall time is upon us, I gathered some recommendations you might enjoy on crisp mornings or chilly nights indoors. If you’re already hip to the suggestion, then comment your thoughts!
The recs are categorized so there’s something for everyone:
Watching (film & television)
Listening (music & podcasts)
Reading (books & articles)
Watching
Since my glorious dragons are resting until the foreseeable future, I was on the hunt for another show to fall in love with.
Interview with the Vampire
About: Adapted from Ann Rice’s gothic book of the same title, this series follows the life of business man Louis de Point du Lac in 1900s New Orleans who is enticed by the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt. The pair quickly become mutually enthralled by each other and create a home together with the addition of a vampire teenage daughter. The trio undergo decades of resentment, atonement, and love; all of which are captured by an astute journalist.
I don’t get too deep in my fantasy bag, but something about the sensual tension of old-timey vampires had me clutching my invisible pearls and verbally saying, “oh my heavens.” Best believe that the Interview with the Vampire series has an abundance of erotic undertones and dark melodrama. I’m so into this show, like reallyyy into it. So much so that I watched cast interviews and logged the book as TBR. Look, I cried on the second season’s finale. The actors were acting like rent was due yesterday!
Shōgun
About: Also adapted from a novel of the same title written by James Clavell, this show is set in 1600s Japan at the onset of a civil war. Lord Yoshii Toranaga, with the unlikely aid of a European, plays a combative game of chess with the high council that attempts to take over his position.
Months ago, my partner and I binged watched this show in a weekend. It was difficult trying to keep track of each character and their relevance to the plot, but we were so caught up in the story that we could not turn off the television. When I say this show was filled with messy historical drama, I mean it! Also, the series is well deserving of all the Emmy wins.
Notable mentions: True Detective: Night Country on HBO Max (a phenomenal mystery investigation), Presumed Innocent on Apple TV (a thrilling whodunnit), and Fargo (season 5!!!) on Hulu.
Looking forward to: Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix, coming 9/19.
Listening
No skip albums plus a podcast!
Gap Year! by Laila!
Favorite Track: if you’re listening (interlude)
Seldom do I come across a unique sounding freshman album with high replay value. I wouldn’t be surprised if Laila’s daddy, Mos Def, encouraged her to produce her own music. Ah! It’s such a great first album.
Songs In A Minor by Alicia Keys
Favorite track: Girlfriend
While playing Songs in A Minor, I realized how Ms. Keys shot to fame. Not only is it a timeless jazzy album, but it flows all the way through. The message is clear, the sound is clear, the lyrics are relatable. What’s not to love?
Morbid
It’s spooky season, Friend. Of course I’m going to slide in one of the best podcasts recapping creepy stories. The three episode breakdown on Ed Gein are especially heinous, like using human skulls as eating bowls level of depravity.
Fall 2024 sounds like:
Looking forward to: Got a Story to Tell by Thee Sacred Souls on 10/4.
Reading
The ultimate gritty, jaw dropping, and juicy sweater weather reads.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
About: A wealthy man’s great niece went missing 40 years ago. He hires a besmirched journalist who later tag teams with a peculiar girl who can investigate better than the CIA and FBI combined. And what they discover goes far beyond a missing person’s case.
Oh, my goodness. Is Larsson well? The graphic scenes in this book were uncomfortable but I could not tear my eyes away from the page. The movie was a fun visual companion, but it didn’t come anywhere near to the level of detail in the novel. I enjoyed this read to the point that I’m looking forward to reading the series. And I only read series for special novels like Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower (highly recommend).
Goodreads review: 5 stars. Wow wow wow! What a journey. If I knew the length of the before becoming attached to the characters, I may not have started it. But I'm so grateful that I did. This is a prime example of a juicy methodical mystery novel. I even enjoyed the mini plots! 10/10 recommend. The ending broke my heart.
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
About: An ostracized teenager who flew under the radar of her peers, suddenly becomes the talk of the small town once her secret of white passing was uncovered. This revelation could’ve been the sole focus, however, the teen has another secret that rocks the entire town into bloody silence on prom night.
I love how Jackson writes. I’ve been recommending her books (Allegedly, Grown, Monday’s Not Coming) to people who loved reading as children but lost the habit in adulthood. She writes young adult fiction with very mature themes, so the reading experience is easy with Shonda Rhimes level drama for short attention spans. About The Weight of Blood specifically, well, read my review.
Goodreads review: 5 stars. Ms. Jackson, you did it AGAIN! What a rideeeeeeeeee she put me on this time. I need this adapted into a television show asap. A thrilling, hook filled, creatively written story! I especially love that the third person view allowed us insight into all the characters' thoughts. You become attached to the characters and probably know people like them in your life. And the mixed media inclusion of podcast transcripts, testimonials, and book excerpts were *chef's kiss*.
Notable mention for non-fiction fans: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates - Hopefully I’ll witness this memoir become a classroom staple. Definitely check out the audiobook version!