The World's Common Tater

This week I watched one movie, read one book, and watched a lot of TV. Here’s the recap.

Movies

We watched Encanto on Disney Plus. My daughter was home for the weekend and told us she watched it and it was very good. She suggested we watch it with her. It was very good. I loved the music. I loved the story. I still walk around singing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” at least once a day. It was the feel-good movie I didn’t know I needed.

TV

I spent time catching up with shows I watch with my daughter. Her priority was Next Level Chef. I like this one a lot more than I expected. I have my favorite chefs and get nervous when they are being judged. I really like the concept and they execute it well.

We caught up on Ghosts. It is our new favorite comedy.

Our second favorite comedy is Home Economics. I’m afraid this one will not get a third season.

I watched the first three episodes of Astrid & Lilly Save the World on Syfy. Two outcast high school girls accidentally open a portal and now have to fight the monsters that come through in order to close it again. I love the two main characters. I love that they cast actors who are not the traditional Hollywood lead types. They have done well with the monster of the week with a possible season Big Bad setup. I would recommend it.

I’ve watched a lot of the Olympics. I get bored with curling but have enjoyed speed skating, halfpipe, moguls, and various other skiing events.

Books

I finished one book this week.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris – Nella is the only Black woman working in a New York publishing company. She is excited when a new Black woman s hired, but soon Hazel is the new office darling while Nella is left behind. When someone starts leaving notes on Nella’s desk telling her to leave the company she wonders if Hazel is the one behind everything.

It took me a while to get into this one. I almost gave up on it. I decided to give it a little more time and did get to a point where I wanted to read more. I can’t really get into plot details without spoiling it. I will say that it did earn its comparison to Get Out. The end of the book as you get more into what is happening is very good. I loved the ending. The problem is that it takes too long to get there. It starts very slow and only picks up toward the middle of the book. I wish it had been better.

On Deck

I have no movies from the library. We might see if we can get Ghostbusters: Afterlife at Redbox at some point.

It looks to be another somewhat slow TV week with some networks avoiding competing with the Olympics.

I am about to start reading Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn.