Published: January 8, 2018

Unwind over winter break with the best in books, TV shows and movies.

It’s no secret that librarians love books! But between work, school and anything else you’ve got going on, you might not have as much time to read for pleasure as you would like. Is there anything better than cozying up by the fire or in bed with a good book and a hot beverage or nice glass of wine? Nicholas Perilli, the iSchool’s Community Profiles writer, doesn’t think so; he just finished Haruki Murakami’s latest collection of short stories, Men Without Women, and stated that “it’s as excellent and off-kilter as the rest of his work.” He went on to say that he also “just picked up My Favorite Thing is Monsters, a graphic novel by Emil Ferris done in the style of a school copybook the fictional main character uses as a canvas to tell her story. It’s hard to sell it with just words, but the art is truly remarkable and so far the story is engaging.” I also asked Ann Agee, our library liaison, what she’s been reading. Ann shared that she recently enjoyed both In the Woods by Tana French and Truly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarty.

The best part of finding a great book to read or show to watch is finding time for yourself. So before classes start up again at the end of the month, I encourage you to find some time for you. Check out this list of books, TV shows and movies recommended by the iSchool community, as well as my circle of family and friends.

Books

• Refugee by Alan Gratz: three powerful and emotional stories about refugee children.
• Hedy’s Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World by Richard Rhodes: the story of a film-star and composer turned inventors.
• Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance: an exploration of America’s working class and the American dream.
• Daisy in Chains: a thriller by Sharon Bolton.
• The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries From a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben: a great non-fiction read.
• The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King: for those who love history.
• Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout: a collection of short stories.

For more recommendations, check out Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of 2017 and Maureen Corrigan’s (NPR) picks.

Shows

• The Crown: a drama following Queen Elizabeth II.
• The Last Kingdom: another British TV show.
• The OA: MLIS student Carrie Sanabria said, “if you liked Stranger Things, this show is just as satisfying.”
• The Orville: from Seth MacFarlane.
• Future Man: starring Josh Hutcherson from The Hunger Games.
• The Kindness Diaries: to warm the heart.

Movies

• HBO is currently showing all eight Harry Potter movies. I’m three down, five to go!
• Am I the only one who hasn’t seen the new Star Wars movie yet?
• I went to see The Shape of Water on New Year’s Day, a beautifully done love story by director Guillermo del Toro.

If that’s not enough, also take a look at Kate Spaulding’s list of professional development and career focused recommended reads on the career blog.

Have you read any of these books? What are you currently watching or reading? Please do share in the comments below and I hope you’re all enjoying some much needed downtime.