From Mr. Rogers to Afropolitans in space: What we’re watching, reading, and listening to right now

We haven’t been talking a lot about what we’ve been consuming media-wise lately. And that’s no good since I know we’re all watching, listening, and reading things that aren’t just terrible news media. You’ve got to spend some time in other worlds sometimes, be they fictional fantasies, crime dramas very much not set in reality, and enjoying whatever it is we love most.

This past week I’ve experienced some doozies that I wanted to share. From Beyonce to Mr. Rogers and Roxane Gay to dads writing pornos, there’s got to be something here you’ll love. Tell me what you’ve been consuming lately so I can add it to my list!

Reading

Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture by Roxane Gay

I am attending a Roxane Gay reading tonight in Chicago and I’m sure it will be as captivating as ever.

I’m still reading this new one, an anthology of first-person essays surrounding rape, assault, and harassment, but definitely feel free to catch up on her other works including my favorite, Hunger. This is especially so if you’re just not ready to handle the essays on sexual assault right now.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.

Binti is a shorter novel with great world-building and African influences within its universe-wide space. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series as it unfolds.

Follow me on Goodreads if you want to see more of what I’m reading.

Listening

Podcast: My Dad Wrote a Porno

Imagine if your Dad wrote a dirty book. Most people would try to ignore it and pretend it had never happened – but not Jamie Morton. Instead, he’s decided to read it to the world in this brand new comedy podcast.

I’m late to the game on this one, but it’s just so funny and awkward and will get you through that long commute with ease.

Music: APESHIT by Beyoncé & JAY-Z

And yes, I’m still looping This is America. Still. 300 million views can’t be wrong.

Watching

TV: Killing Eve

I just binged all of season one of Killing Eve on BBC America. It stars one of my faves from My Mad Fat Diary, Jodie Comer, as a seriously wild and woolly sociopath contract killer. Lots of amazing female leads, lots of amazing female writers, lots of over-the-top crimes — what could be better?

Movie: Won’t You Be My Neighbor

This documentary about our beloved Fred Rogers was everything. I’m still reeling from it. Everyone in my theater was around my age and we all wept together. Everyone. We were all wiping our collective Millennial noses as we left the theater. See it if it’s near you since it’s limited release.

Tell me what media I should be consuming or I’ll give you this look!

About the Author: Catherine Clark

@enidjcoleslaw @bijouxandbits @bijouxandbits

Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.