Are you looking for a new book to curl up with tonight? A binge-worth Netflix series? Or maybe a new podcast to listen to during your morning commute? Welcome to Read | See | Listen where I'm dishing one book, one series, and one podcast that are must check-outs for the month.
Real talk: As a tired, busy mom you don't always have the time to keep up with the newest or latest and greatest books, shows, and podcasts. Sure, friends and family members recommend things to you, but you forget or aren't that interested. Or what about when you just want something different?
I got you.
Whether you're a book nerd like me, a TVaholic, or a podcast junkie, you'll find it here.
This post is all about the best entertainment options to meet your relaxation needs.
Read | See | Listen — Your monthly entertainment guide
Hi friends! Welcome to this month's edition of Read | See | Listen. I'm giving your three, no frills, straight-to-the- point recommendations of what to read, watch, and listen to this month.
We've all been there. The kids are finally asleep, the house is (mostly) straightened up, and there's a glorious window of opportunity—sixty whole minutes—of precious one time our weary eyes fall closed.
Snuggled in bed you reach for the remote and click on Netflix, only to find yourself scrolling and scrolling because nothing is catching your eye. You consult your phone to check what's new and popular only to be sidetracked by Instagram. Now you're down the rabbit hole and your magical sixty minutes have dwindled. You're tired—it's too late to start watching a show now. So you roll over and go to bed.
Sigh.
If this sounds all too familiar (please, please, PLEASE tell me I'm not alone ) this post is for you!
Read on to find this month's best recommendations so you can spend less time scrolling and more time relaxing! Enjoy!
READ
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
I adored this book. Seriously, I wish I could go back in time and re-read it again for the first time.
The novel follows the lives of Marilyn Connelly and David Sorenson who fall in love during the 1970s. It alternates between the present day and flashbacks to the past highlighting the pivotal moments of each family member's life. Beginning in the present day, the couple has been married for over forty years and each of their four adult daughters battles her own struggles and has her own secrets.
The family dynamics are rich and complex. This book has been described as a "family saga"— it's the story of the parents and four daughters and the complexities of human relationships.
At times, I related to all of the characters, which were incredibly well-developed. Coming from a family of three sisters, the author so accurately described the unique relationship between sisters. As a mother and a wife, I related to Marilyn's struggles of trying not to lose herself in motherhood, while at the same time, feeling she was failing as a mother.
This book was not plot-driven (i.e. no main problem to solve with a goal-based ending) but rather a peek into the lives of one family. I promise this book has something for everyone. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!
SEE
The Snow Girl streaming on Netflix
The show: The Snow Girl (La Chica de Nieve)
The plot: A five-year-old girl goes missing during a parade in Málaga. The series follows the parents' and community's search for her, including a young intern for a local paper who becomes very involved in the case.
The review: This is a Spanish-based series but it is dubbed in English (though you can watch it with original audio and English subtitles if you prefer). It is based on the book of the same title by Javier Castillo.
Episodes, on average, are approximately 45 minutes and will keep you guessing...I wasn't able to figure out who the kidnapper was until the very end. There are multiple side-plots as well—from the young journalist to family friends who are hiding secrets. I really enjoyed it and have already recommended it to several family members.
I like that the series was relatively short—as a mom of two children three and under, my days of binge-watching shows are long done so six episodes felt manageable rather than overwhelming. The series wrapped nicely in the final episode but they did leave an open detail that could potentially segue into a second season.
It's definitely worth a watch, especially if you like mystery/thriller-type shows.
Where to Watch: Netflix
LISTEN
I love podcasts. When I was commuting (2 hours roundtrip every day 
) for my job, I had plenty of time in the car to listen to podcasts on many different topics. Nowadays, I'm not in the car much, so I am more selective about which podcasts I listen to. One that I don't like to miss is The Peter Attia Drive Podcast.
I fell in love with his podcast when he interviewed Matthew Walker, a world-renowned sleep expert on the science of sleep—if you have a few extra hours to kill I strongly encourage you to check it out!
Because The Drive podcast is lengthy (upward of 2 hours or more) and the topics can be high-level, I don't always recommend it. But this episode on the fentanyl crisis is an absolute must and is only one hour long.
In today's world, you'd be hard-pressed to find a person whose life isn't affected by addiction—whether it be friends, family members, or co-workers. Moreover, parents especially, need to be hyper-aware of the dangers that their children are being bombarded with daily.
This podcast is a must-listen for all parents, caregivers, and educators.
Peter interviews Anthony Hipolito, a retired law enforcement officer, who now speaks to parents, PTOs, and students regarding illegal substances and the prevalence of fentanyl in all street drugs.
The amount of info they provide is mind-blowing—from how easy it is for kids to get drugs using social media to countless stories from parents who lost their children due to fentanyl poisoning.
It's terrifying. It's disheartening. And an absolute must-listen-to.
We can no longer bury our heads in the sand.
There is a fentanyl crisis. It is in your neighborhood. And the more we educate ourselves and our children, the better chance we have at preventing so many unnecessary deaths.
You can listen to the podcast on Apple or Spotify, however, the host recommends watching the episode because there are some personal stories from parents shared via clips (get your tissues, ready). I've included the Youtube link below if you prefer to watch the episode.
This post was all about the best entertainment options—book, series, and podcast—for the month.
Check back next month for your next dose of relaxation.
Until then, take it easy, mama!
