Between political antics, heartbreaking images of war, and the biggest ick of all—Harvey Weinstein—there are times when a person needs to inoculate themselves with a heavy dose of upbeat. And so that’s the focus of this week’s Friday Links.
What to Listen To: Audible
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt
(Or, the book no one thought would sell—as Alexandra Alter writes in “How ‘That Octopus Book’ Won Over More Than a Million Readers)
Curmudgeons beware—this is not the book for you! An adult fairytale, not dissimilar in spirit to Fredrik Backman’s, A Man Called Ove, Remarkably Bright Creatures features a “cranky, mischievous octopus” named Marcellus, in a story that oozes hope and second chances. (The reason I’d opt for Audible here, is that the narrator does a great job of bringing snarky, yet wise, Marcellus to life.)
I can’t help but wonder if Disney or Pixar are considering turning Remarkably Bright Creatures into a film?
What to Watch:
Astrid, or in the original French, Astrid et Raphaëlle
Continuing the theme of quirky, Astrid—one of my favorite series—features a headstrong French police inspector, Raphaëlle, and her neurodivergent sidekick, Astrid. As cop shows goes, it’s lightweight versus gritty, and the real charm comes from watching the unlikely friendship between these two women unfold.
What to Read:
Richard Osman’s delightful, The Thursday Murder Club series is great escapist fare, and clearly, I’m not the only one who has allowed themselves to be hooked by this contemporary version of Murder, She Wrote. (The parallel being that it doesn’t relegate pensioners to the land of the irrelevant.) And the real fun came in this week’s Netflix announcement that Chris Columbus is writing and directing a film version to star, Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Ben Kingsley.
Newsletters:
Every Thursday, I look forward to receiving Frank Bruni’s weekly newsletter which includes an insightful, well-written, (but often not-too-joyful) essay on the state of the world. But it is his For The Love of Sentences series that I look to with particular anticipation, because more often than not, there’s a little joy-nugget within that is guaranteed to deliver a smile. This week’s favorite:
“In The Guardian, the characteristically caustic critic Jay Rayner thrilled to the look of a new Spanish restaurant in London: “When I die, a moment keenly anticipated by certain chefs, I want the team that did the interiors at Lita in Marylebone to knock up my coffin. Because darling, the joinery! It’s an orgy of tongue and groove, dovetail and pocket. They haven’t stinted on the finish either. There’s a soft gloss and polish to the place that would, I think, lend a comely glow to my corpse in repose.” (James Bullock, Edmonton, Alberta)”
Weekly Dose of Inspiration:
You know what I love? People who refuse to buy into the notions of “old” or “it’s too late”—this week’s favorite is the Instagram powerhouse, Train with Joan.
At 57, Joan was not a fitness icon—far from it—but 20 years later—she is. I particularly like this before and “now” photo array here. Go, Joan! And thanks for reminding us that it’s never too late to start.
Looking for some healthier recipes to try out?
Try signing up for Dr. Mark Hyman’s Recipe newsletters. Love the look of Asparagus Soup with Pickled Chilies.
Wishing you all a fabulous weekend filled with delight!
Diana
Thanks Diana. A hopeful octopus? Why not : )
What a great collection! I look forward to consuming Remarkably Bright Creatures and also to next edition of this post!