This & That 8/14: What to Watch, Read, & Buy
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Ballard, TV Series, Prime Video. Jo and her husband binged it last night and liked it. Ballard is a spinoff of "Bosch: Legacy," focusing on LAPD Detective Renée Ballard's work in the newly formed Cold Case Division. Ballard, recently ousted from Robbery and Homicide, leads a small, underfunded team that tackles complex, long-forgotten crimes. It is similar to Slow Horses and Department Q (two of our other favorites) - a group of rejects is put together to solve cold cases. We love the underdogs!
My Mom Jayne, a Film by Marisa Hargitay, Documentary, HBO Max. Actress Marisa Hargitay was three when her mom, actress Jayne Mansfield, died in a car crash. Hargitay directs this interesting documentary about Mansfield’s life and how she felt growing up as the daughter of a famous sex symbol mother, whom she never knew. Her siblings are also interviewed, and some family secrets regarding her father are revealed at the end of the film. Chrissie thought it was really well done.
See our FabList of all 2025 TV Shows/Movies we’ve recommended and our 2024 recs! Plus, here is the shortlist of our favorite 2024 shows/movies.
Gwyneth: The Biography by Amy Odell. This book is getting a lot of press/praise right now, and we’re going against the grain a bit on this one, as Jo listened to it and doesn’t recommend it. The narrator of the audiobook is unbearable. If you’ve followed Gwyneth’s career as an actress, writer, singer, and successful business owner, there isn’t a lot of new information here. We agree that she’s very talented and has leveraged her talents to explore and excel in various careers, which is truly impressive. If you’re interested in a quick biography of her life, Wikipedia will tell you everything you need to know!
The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau: A Novel, by Kristin Harmel. Chrissie really liked this historical novel that takes place both in France during WWII and in Boston in 2018. It’s about a jewel thief, Colette, who steals from cruel people to help those in need. The story is built around a pair of diamond bracelets her mother (also a thief) stole during the war to help some Jewish friends. When one of the bracelets resurfaces in 2018, the history of Colette’s life and the questions surrounding her sister’s death during the war are brought back to life. Kristin Harmel is an excellent historical drama storyteller.
The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett. Chrissie enjoyed listening to this on a cross-country plane trip. It’s about a man in his 60s in a small town in Massachusetts who, after reading that his high school crush has been widowed, decides to take a cross-country road trip to reunite with her. But he is surprised to learn there are two recently orphaned children he needs to care for, as well as a cat. So they all, plus his recently fired daughter, set out on a journey together. It’s a tender, heart-warming book about a group who are all hurting and who find that they need one another.
See our FabList of books we’ve recommended this year and our complete 2024 book recs list. Plus, here is our shortlist of favorite books of 2024. Share with your book club!
Jo recently celebrated her 62nd birthday, and a group of friends gave her THE BEST GIFT - a lifetime membership to the National Parks. Did you know that when you turn 62, you are eligible for a Senior Lifetime Pass? The $80.00 pass provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services. At many sites, the Senior Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). You can buy a Senior Pass in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office (see Site Locations that issue the Senior Pass here), using the USGS online store, or at REI if they have a Ranger Station. Jo’s friends gave her $80, and she went to her local REI to get the pass because it is much faster than doing it online, and ID/proof of age is required.
Another great gift was Like Air Puff Corn! Jo is a salty snack snob, and this one is a winner! As seen on Shark Tank, Like Air secured a deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner for 10% equity in their company during Season 15. Boasting only 50 calories per cup with an amazing melt-in-your-mouth texture, Like Air is gluten-free and nut-free. Available in many flavors, Jo likes the Classic.
Last week, Chrissie was gifted a terrific mahjong tablecloth! It makes a regular card table look great, plus it has some of the harder-to-remember rules subtly written on it, so you have easy reference at hand.
Jo was in Denver visiting her son and went to two J.Crew Factory Stores, where she bought some shirts, which are also available online if you don’t have a store near you. The long-sleeved striped tees are incredibly soft and neither too oversized nor too slim-fitting - just right. The green and white stripe is a great color combo. She’d also been on the hunt for a chambray/denim blouse that wasn’t too heavy and found this one. For men, the Straight Flex Chinos (for $40!) were a win, as well as the Classic Flex Shirts.
And if you’re looking for some stylish acrylic summer glasses, Jo just snatched these from Target. Dishwasher safe and BPA-free - so much fun with happy stripes!!
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