Reading, Watching, Listening (October 2026)
/So many great entertainment options this fall . . .
READING
(1) American Wife - This summer New Yorker listed American Wife, a fictionalized portrait of Laura Bush’s life, as a “great American novel”. At times I found the main character difficult to understand, maybe not fully fleshed out? But the book’s portrayal of a (mostly) happy marriage was, for me, spot on. Particularly, how much you can love someone without always understanding their motives and decisions.
(2) All Our Yesterdays - In the past year I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of post-WWII feminist Italian female novelists (sort of niche, right?). It started with two of Alba de Cespedes’s novels (she’s amazing) and lead to this book by Natalia Ginzburg. And, wow, this may be the best book I’ve read this year. The story of the war is told through bourgeoisie villagers in a small town, rather than on the front lines. All the characters are multi-dimensional and frustrating and even the novel’s hero is more of an anti-hero. Highly recommend.
(3) Transcription - I can’t even really explain what this book is about. According to the NY Times it’s about the boundary between human and machine, but it’s so much more than that. Despite this lack of characterization, I felt oddly emotional while reading Transcription and I found myself crying a few times because of the novel’s portrayal of of time passing and how hard it is to communicate between generations. Somehow the lack of traditional plot made these emotions even more vivid. I couldn’t stop reading. Every sentence felt like a gift. I may have to read it again.
(4) My Phantoms - This was a tough one for me. It’s a cold book. Primarily composed of conversations between the narrator and her narcissist mother. Reading this felt like someone had torn me open and stolen my core memories. An unnerving scary feeling. This complete stranger, in many small ways, somehow documented my life.
(5) The Things We Never Say - Elizabeth Strout is one of my favorite writers, but this was a hard book for me to read. The novel begins with the narrator - a 50-something father and high school English teacher named Artie - contemplating suicide while everyone around Artie considers him to be one of the happiest men they know. The plot goes on from there, but basically centers on how hard it really is to “know” anyone (sort of like You Can See Everything, though from a very different perspective). It’s a good read, but as an compulsive oversharer (hence this blog), I found Artie a little boggling.
(6) All That’s Unseen: An Appalachian Memoir - The separation between Northern Virginia and Appalachia is so profound that it seems impossible that we’re part of the same state. And reading this memoir made the gap seem even bigger. The narrator goes from speaking in tongues to almost marrying a pedophile (who is her high school sweetheart) to becoming a student at Harvard. The writing is not great (it’s fine, but not exactly poetic), but the story is fascinating.
(7) The Bell Jar - I ended up rereading the Bell Jar through a somewhat indirect path. First, I read Janet Malcom’s the Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughese, which is the story of Malcom’s attempt to write a biography of Plath. The Silent Woman mainly deals with the hurdles involved in accessing Plath’s estate (the estate is controlled by Plath’s sister in law, who didn’t exactly like Plath) and the overall mystery of trying to get to know a dead stranger (is such a thing “really” possible?). I hadn’t really thought a lot about Plath since college (I read the Silent Woman primarily because of its theme of the elusiveness of biography in general), but the book piqued my interest again, so I reread the Bell Jar and loved it as much as I did 30 years ago. Plath can WRITE. And it’s crazy how many of the issues she deals with (date rape, depression, autonomy as a woman, etc.) are still so relevant today.
WATCHING
(1) The Invite (Theaters/Amazon) - Every few weeks I take the afternoon off from editing and go by myself to a matinee at Alamo Drafthouse - where I binge on loaded fries and watch a movie. I knew the Invite was a comedy/drama, but wow, does it get rather dark. Don’t get me wrong - it’s a really good movie. But it was hard to go home and edit wedding photos after watching it.
(2) Married at First Sight, Season 20 (Peacock) - Usually I find the MAFS franchise a little dull. I think it’s the editing. But something changed this season (not sure whether it was the cast or the production) and I was riveted. Is everyone toxic these days? Dating (even when disguised as marriage) seems so much worse than I remember.
(3) Coyote vs. ACME (theaters) - Okay, so I sort of loved this movie. It’s clever. And funny in ways that I wasn’t prepared for. Some parts moved a little slowly (as expected from a children’s movie). But still, so creative. I love the little guy takes on the big guy theme, esp. since the little guy loses.
(4) East of Eden (Netflix) - I read East of Eden in college and remember being entranced and quoting it all the time (“timshel”!!). And then life moved on and I forgot about it for the next few decades. So I really have no idea how true to the book Netflix’s newest adaptation is. But from what I’ve read, some critics are mad that Florence Pugh’s character, Cathy Ames, is portrayed sympathetically in the 2026 version. Since I can’t really remember the original, I don’t have any strong feelings about that. But, wow, was this a fun show to watch.
(5) You Can See Everything (theaters) - Was this three hour movie worth sitting in the second row of a movie theater until 12:30 in the morning because it was the only show with tickets still available? 100% yes. I’m not sure I liked anyone in it (except Amanda Seyfried). But it was similar to watching a fascinating game of truth or dare. I’ve never had 3 hours go by so fast - even that late at night. Also, I highly suggest watching the Dropout before you watch this documentary, it helps a lot with context.
(6) The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Season 5 (Hulu) Unlike the Housewives this show always seems like the most “real” of reality tv. I think because the cameras are on almost 24-7. And despite the fact that Taylor Frankie Paul has absolutely no impulse control, she’s magnetic to watch. I binged all five episodes in an afternoon and I can’t wait for more.
(7) Furious (Hulu) - Wow, this was, simply, great TV. Killing Eve meets Epstein. So many layers.
LISTENING
(1) Cameron Winter Live at Carnegie Hall - I know Cameron Winter and Geese are having a bit of an oversaturated moment lately, but, nevertheless, this album is so so good. Melodic and poetic.
(2) Slayyyter/ The Wor$t Girl in America - This is my new go-to for pump-me-up, slightly angry loud music. It’s like a dose of caffeine. I play it before weddings to get ready for the day.
(3) Charli xcx/ Music, Fashion, Film - Everyone seems to love this album, and I’ll admit it is quite catchy (but isn’t Charli always catchy?). But also a wee bit self serious. Did I need Charli to explain death to me? Or tell me that she’s afraid? Is it me or is SS26 super trite? Oh, well, I love Rock Music because it’s funny. And the term majong sofa is also amusing.
(4) Phoebe Bridgers/ Lost Weekend - Bridgers waited six years since her last album, Punisher, to release her newest album. During that time her dad died and she fell in love. Hence this album is full of sadness (Lost Weekend Reprise) and elation (Bobby). Not to overcheese, but every single song is a work of art. I’ve had this on repeat constantly for the last month or so and I cannot hear enough.
(5) Westside Cowboy/ It Goes On - I had high hopes for this album and, honestly, it is a little more uneven than expected. But most of the songs are still pretty catchy. Esp. “Well Done Kid, You Did It”.
(6) Willow Avalon/ Pink Pocket Pistol - Such a fun grouping of songs, somewhat campy. A little angry. Sort of like a modern day Loretta Lynn.
(7) Christina Applegate/ You With the Sad Eyes, Memoir (Audiobook) - I listened to the audiobook while driving to Connecticut to see Freya at college and, though slow at times, most of the stories are fascinating and funny. Who else but Christian Applegate would dump Brad Pitt at an award’s show to go home with Sebastian Bach? (anyone else remember him? Skid Row was so cool once upon a time).
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.