listening, watching, reading

by Kaylah Stroup

Twice in the past I’ve shared posts titled “listening, watching, playing” (Find them here + here) This mini series of sorts started after a reader recommended something similar to my what I’ve been reading posts, except with movies, shows, music and more. It’s been a while since my last installment, long enough that I’m finally listening and watching different things, so I figured it was time for an update!

Listening
According to last.fm I’ve been listening to a lot of AFI…because apparently I’m fifteen again. The Art of Drowning has just been on repeat. There are very few albums out there that I can listen to and enjoy the whole thing and this is one of them. A few others, off the top of my head, include Taking Back Sunday’s Tell All Your Friends, all Man Man albums, and most recently, Aesop Rock’s The Impossible Kid.

I’m still really into Spotify’s recommended playlist, Discover Weekly, that they make at the beginning of each week. Some weeks it’s way off but the majority of the time I find at least a handful of new songs to listen to on repeat. As someone who gets stuck in patterns of listening to the same thing over and over again, it’s fun to hear a variety of new things.

Watching
Like everyone else in the world, I watched and thoroughly enjoyed Stranger Things. I’m impatiently waiting for season two. What else on Netflix have I been watching?
Jane the Virgin why do I love this show so much!?
Animism – a documentary about people who love objects. Yep...
Shameless Why, oh why aren’t the rest of the seasons on Netflix? I’m obsessed.
St. Vincent Caused me to ugly cry. It was a good one, for sure.

Other than that, I was excited to find that there was a new season of Expedition Unknown available to stream. I don’t have cable or anything, just Netflix, so I’m always a season behind on things. Josh Gates is basically the best TV show host, ever. He’s hilarious, super smart, and adorable. I’m pretty sure Jeff and I both want to be him. In this show he investigates legends and mysteries, often looking for lost treasure or lost cities. I wish there were unlimited episodes (…and that him and Guy Fieri were hosts of every TV show because I love them so very much.) If there is only one thing from this post that you check out make it Expedition Unknown!

Nearly forgot to add, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season two! So many of my favorite queens are back. Ahhh! I don’t even know who I’m rooting for yet! 

book review,

Reading
I’m trying SO hard to get back into reading. I don’t know that I’ll ever get back to how much I used to read but anything is better than nothing. I hit up Half Priced Books the other day hoping to get lucky and score Mary Roach’s new book, Grunt, for cheap. Sadly, they didn’t have it in stock but I did manage to find a few other books that sounded interesting and were super affordable. With a little pile of new books, I found a renewed enthusiasm for reading. I’ve even spent a few evenings at the beach reading while the sun set.

I’m currently over three-quarters of the way through Prude by Emily Southwood… and loving it! In my past what I’ve been reading posts I’ve expressed my interest in anything to do with sex work, so immediately this book had my attention. It’s about a woman whose fiance lands a job filming a reality show about porn, and her struggle to accept it. The author’s writing is humorous and although, I don’t know that’s it’s meant to be, it’s thought provoking. If it sounds like something you’d be interested in, I definitely recommend it!


So, what have you been listening, watching, reading, playing, etc? I’m always looking for recommendations.
xoxo

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41 comments

One Tick to Be Sick August 31, 2016 - 1:13 pm

St. Vincent was good! The cast worked so well together.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:15 pm

Definitely! I wasn't expecting too much but that was a good one!

Mindi Wooley August 31, 2016 - 1:15 pm

St Vincent was soooo good! I need to watch Louie CK too, that guy cracks me up.

Im glad you're enjoying the bookmark 😄

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:16 pm

Thank you sooo much! You're the best! <33333

Jessica Steffan August 31, 2016 - 2:02 pm

I missed these posts! In the past I read a lot of books that you mentioned loving and really enjoyed them as well! (Geek Love comes to the top of my head!) I'm adding Prude to my reading list right now!

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:17 pm

Hope you love it! 😀

Mel August 31, 2016 - 2:04 pm

I've been reading A TON of YA fic lately. Currently I'm on Michael Grant's Gone, which is fairly similar to Stephen King's Under the Dome.

lesdeuxlapins.blogspot.com

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:17 pm

I've never read either but I'll look them up! 🙂

J August 31, 2016 - 2:57 pm

Story of my life by Social Distortion is one of my favourite songs EVER. I can recommend Norwegian gypsy punk band Kaizers Orchestra. It's all in Norwegian which I don't speak but the energy is amazing.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:20 pm

I'll definitely have to check them out. Norwegian gypsy punk already has me intrigued. Thank you!

maknzee cheyenne August 31, 2016 - 3:49 pm

My friend and I just watched Animism! My favorite was the lady who married the Eiffel Tower but was having an affair with the Berlin Wall…"It's kind of a rocky relationship." We also just watched Tallulah (it has Ellen Page in it. So, so good.) I've been reading a lot but nothing has really gripped me by the throat so far.

Also, I was wondering if I could maybe pick your brain about Maine (ha). I'm thinking of going there for a spontaneous getaway of sorts and I'd love to get some input.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:22 pm

I watched Tallulah too! Dunno how I forgot to mention that. It was certainly enjoyable.

GO TO MAINE. Go, just goooo!

maknzee cheyenne August 31, 2016 - 3:52 pm

P.S. Tell All Your Friends will forever be one of my favorite albums of all time. I've been listening to a bunch of old Brand New and feeling nostalgic.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:23 pm

Tell All Your Friends is my #1 favorite album to sing along to. I just can't resist!

Harlynn August 31, 2016 - 3:52 pm

Definitely looking into reading Prude. Seriously need to get back into reading myself. Still on Lord of the Flies. Still!
Music I've been all over the place with. From Sublime to Triple Six Mafia, to Threefinger.
AFI, haha! I can't even lie, used to love them. And that band that has long song titles. One is "There's no Penguins in Alaska". Can't think of their name for the life of me…

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:25 pm

I've found that if it's taking me too long to read it's easiest to just ditch it instead of struggling through it. It sounds like something a quitter would say I guess but being stuck on a book just means I won't start something else that I might really really enjoy.

Kristina Burkey August 31, 2016 - 4:34 pm

Oh I didn't know Mary Roach had a newone! I need to try and get back into Gulp. I liked Stiff better. Prude looks really good! I read what some people might consider junk. I thought The Husband's Secret was really good and everyone was like "OMG it was soooo predictable and vapid" Um OK thanks. Books are supposed to be entertaining, no? Whatever. Also I've been listening to Beyonce's Lemonade on repeat for like 3 weeks.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:26 pm

Pffft. Who cares if something is predictable and vapid!? You enjoy what you enjoy!

Alexandra August 31, 2016 - 5:16 pm

I FINALLY read Geek Love and I (no surprise) loved it. Elmer Mccurdy: The Life And Afterlife Of An American Outlaw might be something you'd be into – it's pretty short and if you do nothing else, look up his story because it's fascinating.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:27 pm

Welp, added that to my to read list! Thank you!

Cheap Glam Sugar Punk August 31, 2016 - 5:20 pm

It makes me so happy that you watch Drag Race too! I'm behind Alaska 100% but there are so many queens I love this season so it's hard!

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:29 pm

I really love Alaska too! I was super excited to see that she was back. This doesn't make any sense but I don't know that I want her to win though.

The Evil Banana August 31, 2016 - 5:41 pm

"Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson and "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris. If you like books that make you laugh so hard you cry, but are about dark and troubled issues psychologically that make it less scary to be upfront about behavioral disorders ("Mental Illnesses"). I have a long history with Social(and General) Anxiety and a chemical imbalance that makes me susceptible to depression.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:30 pm

Oh, I love Jenny Lawson! I still haven't read anything by David Sedaris yet though.

Kate @ GreatestEscapist.com August 31, 2016 - 5:44 pm

I'm embarrassingly obsessed right now with "Bachelor in Paradise" & I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY. But man, it's my favorite. As for books, I just finished "The Things We Wish Were True," & I can't recommend it highly enough. Not super in-depth, sort of fluffy, but it's a great book with a lot of feelings & impressive character development.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:31 pm

No reason to be embarrassed about like cheesy "dating" shows. I have to admit I LOVED LOVED LOVED Flavor of Love, and Rock of Love! I wish they were still on tv.

Kaili Willows August 31, 2016 - 5:51 pm

I have also been revisiting AFI (so important in my teen years) lately! If you like instrumentals, Vitamin String Quartet has a great tribute album to AFI (and so many other bands) which is beautiful, you can find it on spotify. Man Man is also forever one of my faves, it's so rare I find anyone else that even knows them!

Shameless has absolutely sucked me in, I can't watch it without my boyfriend though so I am unable to binge watch which is for the best – I would have already blown through everything on netflix by now if it weren't for that. Stranger things is SO good, I can't wait for Season 2.

Do you use goodreads? I find that the yearly reading challenge helps keep me inspired to keep reading throughout the year. If you haven't already read them, I'd recommend the following:
Smoke Gets in your Eyes: and Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty
Horns by Joe Hill (or NOS4A2 – those two are my faves)

Kaili | weirdwonderfulwanderlust.blogspot.com

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:33 pm

Man Man is my all time favorite band. I have seen them live SO many times!!

Off the top of my head, I can't remember if I ever read smoke gets in your eyes or not. I've read so many funeral director related books that I'd honestly have to go through my blog archives to see if I read that one. I'll check out Horns though! 🙂

Marine August 31, 2016 - 9:42 pm

We watched St. Vincent the other night! I definitely had tears streaming down my face too. SO GOOD.
I'm gonna have to check out this Expedition Unknown show if you say the host is as good as Guy Fieri… 😉

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:35 pm

Hahah! I really really love Guy. I don't understand why everyone on the internet makes fun of him. He's seriously the best.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:36 pm

Oh also, Expedition Unknown – you can watch a season (maybe two?) for free on the travel channel's website!

e.m. ricchini August 31, 2016 - 10:39 pm

YES to AFI. I've also been on an AFI kick. It's kinda weird but I'm just letting it happen. And have you seen photos of Davey lately? He's one mighty fine piece of man.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:36 pm

I looked him after I read your comment… and yes. Okay. Wow. I approve!

Chloe Green September 1, 2016 - 7:28 pm

Louis CK is my absolute favourite. I have the biggested (weirdest) crush on him.

Kaylah September 1, 2016 - 9:37 pm

Same! He's basically the only comedian I like.

Hannah Peterson September 1, 2016 - 9:18 pm

You have to watch The Get Down. It's a Netflix original and it literally gave me life. Everything from plot to the soundtrack to the over aesthetic. LIFE.

Also hilarious that you've been listening to AFI. I was living in the same neighborhood as him when I first moved out to LA a few months ago. We even saw him at a show one night. And yes, he was wearing an all white suite.

Jasilyn Albert September 2, 2016 - 2:11 pm

Jane the Virgin IS so good! There are a lot of shows I refuse to watch because they just look stupid to me (I don't like corny storylines) and that was one of them. Then my roommate from college recommended it and I decide to give it a try and I was hooked! I can't wait for the next season! Glad you like it too!

Erin @comadiary September 4, 2016 - 12:23 pm

Always a big fan of TBS and Stranger Things ruined me, just. No words, so hauntingly beautifully surreal

erin | words and pictures

Rae - Say It Aint So September 6, 2016 - 4:59 pm

team alaska all the way!! i'm so happy that all stars is here and it's good this time! did you watch season one? the teams thing was so horrible!
i also love the discover playlist on spotify. i'm too lazy to seek out new music and it usually does a pretty good job finding things i'll like. and sometimes it finds me super weird stuff that i get obsessed with, like Connie Converse. I love her song "Talkin' Like You (Two Tall Mountains)" and "father Neptune". She seems like a total weirdo and i love that!

Minx September 11, 2016 - 8:56 pm

Can I recommend a blog post where you answer questions your readers ask you?
I just love love love love your blog.
What are your favorite blogs?
What's been your favorite hair color so far?
What's your favorite camera equipment?
much love!
https://www.2minxinx.com

Kaylah September 12, 2016 - 1:11 pm

Hey, thanks!! 🙂
That's a fun idea! I'll think about it.

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