I love discussing favorites, and for whatever reason, discovering what TV people watch tells me most of what I need to know about them right off the bat. Here are my favorites: Shows I stay up with, movies I re-watch, and books I’ve actually finished. What are yours? What do you love and why?
TELEVISION
Stranger Things
The most genius series ever written. Lovable characters, all the genres, friendship and love vs hate and anger–It’s flawless. Multiple powerful storylines expertly woven together.
The Mindy Project
The best cold opening pilot of any sitcom ever. The whole series follows our unlikely hero, Mindy Lahiri, as she “takes advice from a mean doll she just met.” Smart, current, funny is my favorite. To anyone who is a sucker for Rom-Coms and probably needs to get a grip, I present to you the Mindy Project.
Jane the Virgin
Truly an original, there has never been a show like this. It’s beautifully bi-lingual, smart and unpredictable. A strong Catholic woman is accidentally, artificially inseminated and her life turns into a telenovela. She’s a sassy, conservative, writer, so…you know.
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
This series awakened something in my soul. Jerry Seinfeld is the king of observational comedy, and isn’t all comedy observation? I love how he and his guests put into words the comedic process. It’s not about an immunity to pain, it’s the genius art behind watching life from a birds eye view, finding connections and reframing the bother.
MOVIES
Back to the Future
Marty McFly epitomizes cool. Even whilst confronting his generational family problem of being push overs.
The Greatest Showman
An orphan becoming someone who creates magic to make people smile. An interracial couple rewriting societies heavy handed expectations. Misfits finding their voice and celebrating their glorious worth. A father remembering to prioritize his family. All while dazzling us with brilliant songs and spectacular performances. What is not to love about this film? There’s reason why people went to see it in theaters 10 times (I saw it five).
What’s Up Doc?
A funny girl, who brings chaos in her wake, but doesn’t take no for an answer when it comes to winning the love of a man. Judy Maxwell is a hero.
BOOKS
Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Truly the best love story I’ve ever read. The movie could also be in the above category. In my unpopular opinion, Mr. Darcy’s got nothin’ on Gabriel Oak. The depth of a camaraderie forged over time, paired with a strong woman who discovers a simple yet complex need for one man.
Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
Another, deeper level love story, mostly about grief, loss and finding each other in the midst of our insanity.
A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis
I read this entire book standing in a Borders book store. It’s not long, but it is profound. It’s the unfiltered inward process of Clive’s despair following the death of his wife. What first piqued my interest to investigate this book was a quote about their beautiful friendship. Again, grief, friendship, camaraderie. I am a strong believer in this powerful type of love.
Betty Rae Today 