What Are you Reading, Watching, Listening To?

[Melissa]

Mwana, that's the best policy.

Jordan, exactly.

[Karen]

Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It really brings it home that those..."

What about fictionalized true crime? I thought we'd run out of Nordic noir, then we found this Swedish series: The Lørenskog Disappearance on Netflix. Has anyone else seen it? I didn't read the opening credits (distracted by something else), so it wasn't until the second or third episode that I realized it was based on a true crime. Very Nordic this one, and kind of the sort that you keep watching just to see where it's going...

[Josh]

Melissa wrote: "Josh wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Josh wrote: "I admit, I wasn't a fan of the original Quantum Leap, but the new one looks sort of fun."

Josh, le gasp! Not a fan? Sacreblue, lol. Dr. Sam Beckett was li..."

I HAVE had a busy life. :-D And an interesting life. Which I have to remind myself of sometimes when I start feeling dispirited about everything I haven't done.

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It really brings it home that those..."

It is definitely depressing, and I have to monitor how much of it I watch because I do start to get depressed and anxious. I remember when I was binge watching DISAPPEARED I started texting my nieces (who were pretty young at the time) safety tips.

SAFETY TIPS OUT OF THE BLUE. :-D

[Josh]

Melissa wrote: "Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It really brings it ..."

Yes. Dateline in particular does a nice clean overview with (usually) some kind of resolution. Offering the illusion of a world still somewhat in control. ;-D

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It r..."

The three commonalities in Dateline stories that most depress me are adopted children who grow up and murder their parents, ministers who murder their wives, and former highschool sweethearts who eventually murder their spouses.

Those in particular are just... WHAT??? WTH???

And there are a startling number of them--although the fact that they make Dateline hopefully means that they're unique enough to be newsworthy.

[Josh]

mwana wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It r..."

LOL

Well, that's kind of disheartening!

[Josh]

Karen wrote: "Jordan wrote: "True crime always depresses me in a way that fictional crime does not. I think part of it is the way it's delivered in these super serious, dry monotones almost. It really brings it ..."

It's in my watchlist. I haven't got to it yet.

I still enjoy Nordic noir TV shows, though we don't watch them as voraciously as we originally did. I guess we finally had our fill of hangings in churches and flaming swans. ;-D

[Jordan]

Karen, I could probably do fictional stories based on truth. I’ve not yet seen Nordic noir though. I’m sure it wouldn’t be a favorite genre, but maybe one or two every now and then might be enjoyable.

Josh, those Dateline commonalities... like... I’m struggling with the fact that they’re common?! Wow.

[Jordan]

Next year I’m planning to read one of Katherine Ramsland’s true crime anthologies where she documents these true stories. I got two of them at the Writer’s Police Academy years ago, even signed by her, but I’ve still not read them!

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "Karen, I could probably do fictional stories based on truth. I’ve not yet seen Nordic noir though. I’m sure it wouldn’t be a favorite genre, but maybe one or two every now and then might be enjoyab..."

I know! Common enough that when an episode begins and one of those three scenario factors is present, the SO and I immediately yell, "GUILTY!!!"

[Josh]

The SO and I watched Hallmark's Nikki and Nora: Sister Sleuths.

https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysterie...

It was, well, it has potential. Maybe I think so because it was better than the incoherent mess that was the previous week's Francesca Quinn, PI. THAT was truly terrible.

The leads here were engaging and had actual chemistry together, the mystery held at the seams and actually even sort of made sense, and there's potential for a lot more.

So that was a relief. Hallmark still has one decent mystery series left.

[Melissa]

I just watched a series on netflix called The Bodyguard. It's a british show full of spy stuff, and political intrigue, murder. I enjoyed it. Was glued to the screen the entire time. Only 6 episodes, but it's wrapped up well.

[Jordan]

Oh, that sounds fun!

[Josh]

Melissa wrote: "I just watched a series on netflix called The Bodyguard. It's a british show full of spy stuff, and political intrigue, murder. I enjoyed it. Was glued to the screen the entire time. Only 6 episode..."

I've seen that listed for a while and wondered. Maybe I'll give it a shot.

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "Next year I’m planning to read one of Katherine Ramsland’s true crime anthologies where she documents these true stories. I got two of them at the Writer’s Police Academy years ago, even signed by ..."

Oh! That would be interesting!

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Next year I’m planning to read one of Katherine Ramsland’s true crime anthologies where she documents these true stories. I got two of them at the Writer’s Police Academy years ago, ..."

The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation is the one I'm thinking of reading next year.

[Melissa]

Jordan wrote: "Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Next year I’m planning to read one of Katherine Ramsland’s true crime anthologies where she documents these true stories. I got two of them at the Writer’s Police Academ..."

Jordan, that sounds interesting. None of my libraries have it though, so bummer there. I do enjoy books that teach me about history and this one seems like it would be very enlightening and maybe even teach you things to look for and thus people to avoid. Maybe. :/

[Jordan]

My library doesn’t have it either. I forget if I checked to see if we could buy it. You might find a used copy somewhere online.

[Jordan]

The other one I have by her is The Devil’s Dozen: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

(I DO wish the GR app would let me properly link books!)

[Jordan]

I just finished watching The Day the Earth Stood Still. It’s not a surprising plot at all, lol. That’s us, shoot first. Ask questions later.

[Karen]

Jordan wrote: "I just finished watching The Day the Earth Stood Still. It’s not a surprising plot at all, lol. That’s us, shoot first. Ask questions later."

I kind of love this one — although it was the cause of numerous childhood nightmares with that flying saucer landing in my backyard.
An iconic Cold War tale.

[Karen]

We're watching Andor, a prequel to Rogue One (which I haven't seen yet). My Star Wars viewing is spotty. I saw the first trilogy films when they opened, starting in 1977. Cringed through two of the second prequel trilogy films. Enjoyed Rey in the sequel trilogy, but maybe missed the third as well. Watched The Mandolorian space cowboy series because Grogu was cute and the drawings in the closing credits were awesome.

Andor is more aligned with the sequel trilogy in quality and doesn't spoon feed viewers. It has a rather fragmented way of constructing the story which seems to have become popular in a lot of series we've watched recently, but a lot of the plot snippets come together in episode 3.

[Melissa]

Jordan wrote: "I just finished watching The Day the Earth Stood Still. It’s not a surprising plot at all, lol. That’s us, shoot first. Ask questions later."

The "new" version or the black & white 1950's version? I like the original, I assume original, not sure, more than I like the newer one with Keanu Reeves.

[Melissa]

Karen wrote: "We're watching Andor, a prequel to Rogue One (which I haven't seen yet). My Star Wars viewing is spotty. I saw the first trilogy films when they opened, starting in 1977. Cringed through two of the..."

I don't really have an interest in the Star Wars continuations. For the longest time I had only seen the first original movie, and at some point, probably when they were randomly on TV, I saw the next 2, but I can't say I liked them. They just were, you know?

I did see the origin movies that were released many many years ago, and eh. Sci-fi and stuff just isn't really my thing, so I don't really care to see more. Though I did see one of the newer ones in the theater where (view spoiler)[Hans Solo dies (hide spoiler)], but that was for my Dad's B-day, I took him to the movies.

Karen, good luck, and may the force be with you! :D

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Next year I’m planning to read one of Katherine Ramsland’s true crime anthologies where she documents these true stories. I got two of them at the Writer’s Police Academ..."

You won't sleep for a week. ;-)

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "I just finished watching The Day the Earth Stood Still. It’s not a surprising plot at all, lol. That’s us, shoot first. Ask questions later."

LOL

Once upon a time I used to watch movies/scenes like that and think NO WAY WOULD ANYONE BE THAT STUPID AND VIOLENT.

Now I think, Oh right. Of course. :-D

[Josh]

Karen wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I just finished watching The Day the Earth Stood Still. It’s not a surprising plot at all, lol. That’s us, shoot first. Ask questions later."

I kind of love this one — although it w..."

:-D :-D :-D

Oh yes!

[Josh]

Karen wrote: "We're watching Andor, a prequel to Rogue One (which I haven't seen yet). My Star Wars viewing is spotty. I saw the first trilogy films when they opened, starting in 1977. Cringed through two of the..."

I REALLY liked Rogue One, so maybe I'll give this a try.

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Next year I’m planning to read one of Katherine Ramsland’s true crime anthologies where she documents these true stories. I got two of them at the Writer’..."

Nope. I probably won't!

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I just finished watching The Day the Earth Stood Still. It’s not a surprising plot at all, lol. That’s us, shoot first. Ask questions later."

LOL

Once upon a time I used to watch m..."

Yup, I used to think that too. :-(

[Josh]

True crime documentary INTO THE DEEP: The Submarine Murder Case.

https://www.netflix.com/title/80239100

I found this unexpectedly moving. The crime was interesting, yes, in fact, it was truly disturbing. But what really got to me was the effect of a sociopath on a small, intimate community. It was kind of heart-breaking, in fact.

Highly recommended. Having said that, it's a bit confusing because it flashes back and forward in time, so you have to be patient and pay attention.

[Antonella]

A friend of mine often shares quotes from https://thelanguagenerds.com.

Finally I decided to check it. It is indeed full of hilarious stuff, like for ex. following mistakes and quotes:

https://thelanguagenerds.com/2019/wor...?

This list is also great: «To demonstrate what a crazy language English can be, we have put together a compilation of how people were driven to complete madness by English.»

https://thelanguagenerds.com/2022/utt...?

[Karen]

Antonella wrote: "A friend of mine often shares quotes from https://thelanguagenerds.com.

Finally I decided to check it. It is indeed full of hilarious stuff, like for ex. following mistakes and quotes:

https://t..."

Thanks, Antonella. Still smiling. I often explained English spelling and grammar to my young students prefaced by, "English is weird."

[Karen]

I read two books over this week that surprised me in a good way. Key word: intelligent. :)

Kaje Harper's Hidden Blade, the first book in the multi-author The Road to Oktoberfest 2022 series, is probably the most intelligent book about rock musicians I've read. A well-paced story about a brilliant mid-20s musician who can't perform live and a mid-30s musician who needs a reboot to move his career onward and upward. Kaje is brilliant.

Snowed In with Benefits features intelligent internal and external conversations by two very different creative minds/musicians — both struggling with their next steps in life. Not what I was expecting from the clever title and the snowbound trope. There's much more depth in this tale about the stories "no one" is interested in hearing re the exchanges made for fame. Also domestic discipline is described in a convincing and empathetic way that is neither preachy nor prurient.

Don't let the covers put you off. ;)

[Josh]

Karen wrote: "I read two books over this week that surprised me in a good way. Key word: intelligent. :)

Kaje Harper's Hidden Blade, the first book in the multi-author The Road to Oktoberfest 20..."

Speaking of intelligent and well-written, I love your sharp, quick little reviews, Karen. You manage to say so much with so few words.

[Josh]

Antonella wrote: "A friend of mine often shares quotes from https://thelanguagenerds.com.

Finally I decided to check it. It is indeed full of hilarious stuff, like for ex. following mistakes and quotes:

https://t..."

This is the kind of thing I love. ;-)

[Josh]

The smart, slick reboot of UNSOLVED MYSTERIES has returned for a third season. It might be my imagination, but this season is a bit more gruesome? Or maybe I'm just more squeamish now? But interestingly, with their latest episode, they're following the lead of the original series and asking viewers to help find a suspected murderess.

https://www.newsweek.com/unsolved-mys...

It'll be interesting to see whether viewers of this generation are as engaged (and useful to law enforcement) as the original viewership.

[Josh]

Also watched Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold. Fascinating for both the insight into an influential writer's life and times. Very poignant. Also inspirational.

[Josh]

Pretend It's a City. Fran Lebowitz is a national treasure. Welllll, maybe a New York treasure. But I love her so much.

[Josh]

Having trouble sleeping with disaster looming over us?

When LB Gregg and I were on Catalina last fall, she introduced me to a feature on the Calm app called The Shipping Forecast.

https://blog.calm.com/blog/soothe-you...

It's hilarious, but also very effective.

[Antonella]

I used to be very much into traditional music from Brittany.

Here a version of «Amazing Grace» by the Bagad de Lann-Bihoué. Basically the marching band from the naval base of Lann-Bihoué, but it represents the French navy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1VLA...

But in fact I used to listen more to this kind of folk dance music
(random band, I'm still able to dance this folk dance):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdSIb...
or this (Tri Yann is one of the most famous groups in Brittany):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I_vQ...

[Antonella]

Josh wrote: "Having trouble sleeping with disaster looming over us?

When LB Gregg and I were on Catalina last fall, she introduced me to a feature on the Calm app called The Shipping Forecast."

I don't know about the app, but I remember hearing it live on BBC.

[Karen]

Josh wrote: "Having trouble sleeping with disaster looming over us?

When LB Gregg and I were on Catalina last fall, she introduced me to a feature on the Calm app called The Shipping Forecast.

https://blog.c..."

I think my husband needs this…
I think I need this. :)

[Karen]

Antonella wrote: "I used to be very much into traditional music from Brittany.

Here a version of «Amazing Grace» by the Bagad de Lann-Bihoué. Basically the marching band from the naval base of Lann-Bihoué, but it r..."

Love all of this — especially how the audience in your second link runs to join in and then there’s a line of dancers of all ages moving to the music!

[Antonella]

Karen wrote: "Love all of this — especially how the audience in your second link runs to join in and then there’s a line of dancers of all ages moving to the music!"

As I was young I loved going to traditional festivals, not only for the music but also for the dancing. For a long time these kind of folk dances was the only kind of dance I was able to dance.

BTW traditional folk dancing had a revival in France and in Italy in the last few years. There was even a film made in 2018 about a gathering which takes place every year in the French countryside (in Auvergne), with some 2000 people coming together for dancing for 8 days. See the trailer with English subtitles here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzDSR...

[Josh]

Antonella wrote: "I used to be very much into traditional music from Brittany.

Here a version of «Amazing Grace» by the Bagad de Lann-Bihoué. Basically the marching band from the naval base of Lann-Bihoué, but it r..."

That is just wonderful.

I'd love to go to Brittany one day.

[Josh]

Karen wrote: "Josh wrote: "Having trouble sleeping with disaster looming over us?

When LB Gregg and I were on Catalina last fall, she introduced me to a feature on the Calm app called The Shipping Forecast.

h..."

It's truly soothing.

[SamSpayedPI]

I need a TV show. I can't seem to get interested in anything. I watched two episodes of Sister Boniface, one of The Long Call, and one of Sharp Objects, and nothing is pulling me to return to the series.

Although now that (view spoiler)[David Tennant and Catherine Tate are back as (hide spoiler)]Doctor Who(view spoiler)[and Donna Noble (hide spoiler)], I have a lot of catching up to do before November!

[Jordan]

I'm heading into National Novel Writing Month so I'm cutting back on my tv watching, not that I watch much anyway. lol. I don't stream anything so I stick to older shows I've not seen, and some I have.

I did start season two of Hillstreet Blues recently, but won't get back to it until December most likely. And I'm contemplating Stargate SG-1 for next year. I saw a few random episodes years ago, I think. I'd like to give it a serious try.