Entertainment: 17 of my favorite books and tv series

Some of my favorite books:

Brave is the New Beautiful by Lee Wolfe Blum

A friend recommended this book to me and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  So many issues that all women can relate to.  The author weaves stories (hers and others) throughout to expand on her points.  So relatable!  Loved this one.  I give this book 4 stars.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

This was a tough story to read.  I cried throughout but at times found some comic relief too.  Emotional read but I’m so glad I read it.  A true love story- in the midst of evil, catastrophic events.  I give this book 3.5 stars.

Hope in the Dark:  Believing God is Good When Life is Not by Craig Groeshel

Questions we all have faced or will face when tragedy hits.  Such a good read if your going through a tough season.  Most of us could benefit from this book right now (with the pandemic & rioting)!  I LOVED it.  Thought provoking at every turn.  Craig relates some of his own questions and stories of conflict and tragedy.  I give this book 4 Stars.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

This book is fictional but based off a true set of horrific events that happened in 1939.  I couldn’t put the book down.  I cried throughout.  It was absolutely horrific.  The love of siblings and the fight the main character exuded was SO inspirational!  I give this book 4 stars.

As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner

I listened to this book on Audible.  I loved the narration.  Well written and well narrated!  The setting of this book is Philadelphia, 1918- during the Spanish Flu.  Its a fictional story (again) based on real events.  A family’s experiences of war, flu, and famine.  Another read I couldn’t get through fast enough.  Loved it.  I give this book 4 Stars.

The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

Great story of love, grace and redemption.  I have loved all of Francine’s books but this was especially enjoyable.  Beaty in seen through a mountain of hurt and pain.  I give this book 4 Stars.

Eat Cake.  Be Brave. by Melissa Radke

I listened to this book on Audible.  Melissa (the author) was also the narrator.  I loved it!  She is a lot of fun to listen to.  I’m convinced after listening to her book that no one is better equipped to read your story then you.  She’s funny, witty, and makes some great points.  If your a mom who needs a bit of inspiration and some humor in your life- read this!  I give this book 3 Stars. 

TV Series

We have Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.  I’m not familiar with whats available on some of the other streaming services.

Two of my favorites are not available on Amazon or Netflix :  Parenthood and This is Us.  

Parenthood:  This one was an emotional rollercoaster.  We laughed (a lot) and cried throughout.    There are 3 generations represented in this family.  Lots of twist and turns but again family is family and they stick together through it all.  I give this series 4 stars.

This is Us:

A drama series we got swept up in.  This is one you’ll want a box of tissues for.  I think I cried at least once during each episode.  Each family member struggles in some ways but family is always there!  I give this series 4 stars.

NetFlix

Nurse Jackie:

This series is about a nurse who has an addiction to narcotics.  She’s smart, funny, witty but she goes to ALL lengths in order to feed her disease.  Its a somber story.  Its hard to watch especially if you have no idea what addiction is like.  I watched it with my husband who is a recovering addict and he says its very real/candid.  If you want an inside look of what an addict (and their friends/family members) go through I highly recommend this series!  Be aware of the rating on this show.  It is a bit explicit at times.  I give this series 5 Stars

When Calls the Heart:

Think little house on the prairie.  Set in the early 1900’s, Elizabeth the main character leaves home (a life of privilege-rich) to follow her dreams of being a school teacher.  Her first assignment is along the Canadian frontier.  This show is clean.  You could watch this with your kids.  I don’t know they’d be interested in it but you could.  I give this series 3.5 Stars

Married at First Sight:

This is a chick flick series.  Its a modern day arranged marriage.  4 couples are matched by 3 experts (Sociologist, Psychologist, and Pastor).  I enjoyed this series because I could binge watch it and I didn’t have to think.  I could just simply watch non-sense.  I have to say its not as heated (by heated I mean sexualized) as the Bachelor but its also not clean.  I give this series 3 Stars.  It was fun to watch but its not something I would re-watch.

Call the Midwife:

This is a drama, set in the 1950’s London.  The main character Jen becomes a midwife and joins a convent where nuns were also nurses.  Its heartbreaking throughout but the story of friendship and life are brilliant and uplifting.  Love this series!  Again this is more of a chick-flick series I watch without the hubby.  I give this series a 3.5 star rating.

Waco: 

Is a short series based on the true events of a cult that formed near Waco, TX in the 80’s.  In 1993 the FBI got involved and the ending is tragic.  This movie really gets you thinking and is simply disturbing.  None the less it was done well!  I would highly recommend watching this!  I give this series 4.5 Stars!

Prime Video:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel:

I’m going to warn you this series can be kind of crude at times but if you can get over the language there is some great stories weaved throughout.  Its also incredibly funny.  Sometimes I laughed so hard I nearly wet my pants!  I give this series 4 Stars!

Sneaky Pete:

The first and last series are the best.  The middle got too violent for me.  Still the script writing is brilliant.  Pete is a con man.  Everything about this man is fake but does he have a heart to change?  I’m convinced he does.  Great GREAT acting in this and brilliant manipulation that is hard to catch- hence the name SNEAKY Pete. Be aware of the rating on this show.  I give this series 3.5 Stars.