Reading, Watching, Listening (June 2025)
/Some entertainment suggestions for these super humid and super rainy summer days . . .
READING
(1) The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War - When I visit a new country I try to read a book about its history and this memoir about Nicaragua didn’t disappoint. Growing up I remember hearing about Regan and the contras, but never really understanding what was happening. Belli’s story about her life as both an aristocrat, poet, and Sandinista is, to put it simply, fascinating and heartbreaking. Rarely are war memoirs told by women and/or poets and Belli does such a wonderful job detailing the sexism, danger, and optimism involved in a revolution.
(2) Show Don’t Tell: Stories - I fell in love with Sarah Curtis’s writing while reading Romantic Comedy. And these stories about women facing middle age were so relatable and, yet also, unexpected. Sometimes the perfect book comes around at the perfect time and, for me, that was this book.
(3) Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism - Has anyone else read this memoir about behind the scenes at Facebook? Because, um, wow. WTF? On one hand, I didn’t really like the narrator/author, as she was always the hero of every story (EVERY! STORY!) - the book literally begins with her saving herself from a shark. That being said, I love that someone finally decided to break all NDAs and spill the tea. So much tea. Sandburg buying lingerie for her employees. Zuck’s insecurities and god complex. Wynn-Williams didn’t hold anything back.
(4) The Winner - The Winner - a novel about rich people with summer houses on the east coast - starts off slow and then becomes a page turner, I could totally see it as a movie (at times, reading it felt like watching a movie). Jacob Elori must play the main character. Demi Moore - the mom. And I’m mixed on the daughter - maybe Kiernan Shipka? I don’t want to say too much about the plot, but critics have compared it to both the Graduate and Talented Mr. Ripley. If you want to just sit on the couch, binge-read and not deep think too much - then this book is for you.
(5) The Persians - My goal for 2025 is to read more Women’s Prize winners and finalists, hence, how I discovered the Persians. This book, which centers on three generations of Iranian women, started off so strong, but the end lost me a little. The story alternates between five different female narrators, each with vastly different stories and personalities. I really enjoyed how all the men in their lives served as background characters (like an upside down Bechdel test). And all in all I really enjoyed reading it, but the book’s ending seemed more like a comma than a period, which frustrated me.
(6) There’s No Turning Back - I have no idea how I stumbled on this little known novel by Alba De Cespedes, a female Italian author. Originally published in 1938, There’s No Turning Back focuses on the stories of eight women/girls from vastly different backgrounds who are living in a convent in Rome while attending college. The translation was a little murky at times. But the girls’ stories were so vivid and relatable, despite being written almost 100 years ago. I can’t wait to check out more of Cespedes’ writing.
WATCHING
(1) The Pitt (Max) - I was never a huge ER fan and I started this show because I needed something (really, anything) to watch while editing. But by episode 3 I was hooked. It is so good! The Pitt’s 15 episodes all take place during one night in the ER. And this show gave me a whole new respect for all medical staff (a respect I should have had for years). As well as a complete fear of America’s weakening health system. Seriously, a much watch.
(2) The Four Seasons (Netflix) - I’m not sure if a show about three vacationing couples who have known each other for over 30 years is for everyone, but it is definitely for me. Middle age is hard. Marriage is hard. Long term friendships are amazing and worth holding onto.
(3) Sirens (Netflix) - I thought this would be another generic Netflix binge-watch and in some ways it was. But it also tried to go a little deeper - the characters ended up being complex and three dimensional. Esp. regarding the friendships/relationships between strong, yet flawed, women. Plus the cast is amazing- Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy (ever since White Lotus season 2 I will watch anything she is in), and Keven Bacon (in a fisherman’s sweater! Be still my heart!).
(4) One of Them Days (currently on Netflix) - Rarely do my kids ask to watch a movie with me, so the fact that Parker wanted to spend a night with popcorn on the couch with Sza, Keke Palmer, and me (and me!! did I mention me?) is sort of a big deal. One of Them Days is a feel good movie about two friends just trying to get by (basically a female version of Friday) and it made us both happy.
(5) Overcompensating, Season 1 (Amazon Prime) - I expected this new comedy show about two friends during their first year of college to be raunchy (it was) and somewhat basic, but surprisingly, the characters had depth. Even the villan wasn’t completely one dimensional. Honestly, I was somewhat shocked by how much I enjoyed it. And I’m looking forward to another season.
(6) White Lotus, Season 3 (Max) - I know some people were disappointed with season 3 (it would have been hard to beat the perfection of seasons 2). But I still love the White Lotus. The weird music. The costumes. The incredible cinematography. The pacing. The question marks. And Parker Posey!!! (I know we are supposed to make fun of Posey’s character, but I genuinely loved her). And Thailand! I can’t wait for season 4.
LISTENING
(1) Mt. Joy/ Hope We Have Fun - I am full out obsessed with this album. A song about a gas station t-shirt proclaiming “God Loves Weirdos”. The energy of Highway Queen. The refrain of More, More, More. Freya and I saw them live at Merriweather a few days ago and the songs were even better in person.
(2) Lucy Dacus/ Forever is a Feeling - I wasn’t really expecting Lucy Dacus to release an album full of love songs (albeit, not always in the traditional sense of what a love song is). But apparently she fell in love with her boygenius bandmate, Julien Baker, and became smitten. Anyways, it works.
(3) Julien Baker & TORRES/ Send a Prayer My Way - See above. Though I love her work in boygenius, I’ve never really connected with Baker’s solo work. Well, until now. This album is happier and lighter than her previous stuff (probably because of her relationship with Dacus). Send a Prayer My Way makes for a nice, happy listen. Esp. Sugar in the Tank, which I can’t stop playing.
(4) Craig Finn/ Always Been - Finn is best known as the front man of the Hold Steady (one of Dan’s favorite bands), but I’m more into his solo stuff. Each song is a story. Usually a sad story. All centered around a fictional pastor. People of Substance is probably the catchiest, most likable. But I love the haunting tale of Bethany.
(5) Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour Setlist - I really loved Cowboy Carter (the album), so I splurged on tickets to Beyonce’s July 4th concert. What seems more American then Beyonce? And now I can’t stop listening to the setlist. So excited to FINALLY see her live.
(6) Yasmin Williams/ Acadia - I’m not usually a fan of instrumental albums, I only tried this one because almost every music critic but it on their best of list for 2024. And I understand why. Each track is beautiful. Williams’ music feels like nostalgia for some far away place. I can’t really explain it, but it is like listening to happiness. Highly recommend.
WHAT ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE? ANY GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS?
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Darcy Troutman Photography is a Northern VA/Washington DC/Maryland documentary-style family photographer, who believes in capturing real moments. Interested in learning more? Please click here to sign up for my newsletter or schedule a session.