What I Loved This Week (54)

I'm all about MGM+, discovering my new favorite show and $12 leggings this week

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📚What I Read and Loved

I have some questions for you: The best way to describe this book is to tell you that it's the love child of the first season of Serial with Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History' (an odd pairing, but it works here). Engaging and fast-paced, the author tells two equally engaging stories: one in the past and one in the present.

This book is a provocative critique of true crime followers and creators, as well as providing insight into how human error, omission, or preconceived notions can have life-changing consequences.

A successful film professor and podcaster, Bodie Kane is content to forget her past—the family tragedy that marred her adolescence, her four largely miserable years at a New Hampshire boarding school, and the murder of her former roommate, Thalia Keith, in the spring of their senior year. Though the circumstances surrounding Thalia’s death and the conviction of the school’s athletic trainer, Omar Evans, are hotly debated online, Bodie prefers—needs—to let sleeping dogs lie.

But when the Granby School invites her back to teach a course, Bodie is inexorably drawn to the case and its increasingly apparent flaws. In their rush to convict Omar, did the school and the police overlook other suspects? Is the real killer still out there? As she falls down the very rabbit hole she was so determined to avoid, Bodie begins to wonder if she wasn’t as much of an outsider at Granby as she’d thought—if, perhaps, back in 1995, she knew something that might have held the key to solving the case.

📺 What I Watched and Loved

I will call this week the MGM+ week, as I was dying to see 'American Fiction' and the best way to stream it was through this mostly unknown streaming service. Because I had a whole week of a free trial, I had the opportunity to watch more titles. My verdict: give this streaming service a chance! At least, try the 7-day free trial.

American Fiction: I’m not a fancy movie critic, but this has been my favorite Oscar-nominated movie so far. Enough has been said about it, and you must be sick of hearing everyone recommending it, but if you haven’t watched it, I urge you to do so. (MGM+)

Mean Girls: I was misled! This was a musical! It was never advertised as a musical. I dislike most musicals. But, good news, I enjoyed the refreshed take on the story. Renee Rapp shines throughout, and I just love a Connie sighting (from 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'). Would I have paid for this? No! Does it compare to the original? Never! (MGM+, Paramount+)

'From': This is where it gets interesting. WHY is anyone talking about this show? This show needs to be more popular. I’m blown away. I don’t think there’s anything like it right now, and the best way to compare it to something is ‘Lost’ but make it horror. I am glued to the TV. I’m watching with my husband, so I can only consume two episodes per night, and all I do all day is look forward to watching this at night. (MGM+)

Bonus 'Xanax' show:

My Life with the Walter Boys: Just what my anxiety brain needs right now. Cute teenage romances and gentle stories. (Netflix)"

🛍️ What I Bought and Loved

2024 is the year of the Old Navy renaissance. The activewear is getting better and better, and the pricing can’t be beat. This week I scored two PowerSoft leggings at $12 each in select colors. Perfect for Pilates, yoga, or other low-impact workouts—ALSO, pockets are included

💕 Micro-Joy

Coffee gives me joy (and alertness!) in the morning. This is how I’m taking my coffee these days:

• Coffee of choice: Cuban coffee goodness

• 1 cup of almond milk, frothed with my cheap frother

• Brown sugar - sugar free syrup

• Cinnamon powder

🕵️‍♂️ Hack of the Week

• Book recommendations from people you look up to

🐰 Rabbit Holes I Went Into

• Everyone is talking about Kate and this is the best timeline I found to follow what the hell is happening with the Royal Family

• For all the NYT games fans, don’t sleep on Vulture games

• I’m always going to be invested in a round-up of totes

• Crowdsourced ideas on fitness hacks that I loved

• Interested in an extra income source?

🧜🏼‍♀️  Articles and Bits I loved

• This is terrible. Influencer parents, don’t shill your kids!

• What’s happening with the “Gay best friend”

• words from eliza
  articulates a thought I’ve been having around everyone sounding the same

• Are we dating the same guy?

• We need to talk about astrology

😄 Funny or Cute

• My idea of fun

• Fair punishement

• Accurate

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