Back at the laptop after our Edinburgh adventure and trying to recalibrate to ‘writer mode’. It feels like we’ve been residing in a post-holiday/pre-back-to-school liminal space these past few days. A feeling only exacerbated by the fact that my lifelong sleep-averse daughter is suddenly permanently snoozy—early nights requested (what?!), later morning risings (certainly not complaining). She emanates softness and bed-warmth, and life feels muffled, lived inside a bubble—a place we’re enjoying while we can, before it’s burst by the rude alarms of Monday morning. Time for us to shake off hibernation and hope the weather catches up with the calendar.
We started Succession and to be completely honest, not really sold on it. Then again, some series need a bit to fully flesh themselves out. I hope that's the case here.
That was definitely true for me. I think I watched two or three episodes and stopped, and it was over a year later when everyone was raving about series 2 or 3 that I came back to it and got stuck right in.
Thank you for the recommendations Claire. I'm definitely feeling dubious about Tiny Beautiful Things - I think what makes the book so wonderful is Cheryl Strayed's beautiful writing and the simplicity of the format of answering letters - it lets her voice and advice shine. I guess I'm just not sure how that would be captured on screen.
I think I really need to get my hands on the book. Just to further put you off, it felt like there was beauty in the answers, but this always came as a voiceover at the end of episode, while dialogue and big scenes were simultaneously playing out, so I didn't feel I was taking the words in at all. Hmmmm. That said, a friend of mine watched it and really enjoyed it. So there's that.
Interesting! I have seen a good review as well, but I think I may just leave it in the format I originally loved! I still haven't succumbed to Daisy Jones & The Six on screen either, but I think that's maybe more likely.
I haven't seen DJ, but that's because of my (annoying) anti-Amazon stance! One of the few times I've been frustrated by my own principles! That said, a couple of weeks after the hype has died down and I no longer feel like I've missed out.
I must watch The Scapegoat and also have added Succession to my long watchlist! ❤️❤️ Regarding the wonderful Daphne. I'm not sure whether you've read Fisherman's Creek? It's gorgeous.
Yes to all that Claire. The Scapegoat film is on Netflix and I need you to come and talk about it when you’ve seen it as it’s different to the book! Succession could be a good one to get into with James. It may take a few episodes to get into but it’s so darkly funny. I have read Frenchman’s Creek and it was actually you and Charlie that pushed me that way when I was feeling rotten after my first Covid jab. Perfect medicine 👌🏻
Ooh I will definitely let you know once I've watched The Scapegoat. And that's a good tip re Succession - James is ridiculously fussy about what he will watch. Glad you loved Frenchman's Creek x
Thank you so much for the kind mention, Claire! I love that you were reading The Scapegoat whilst I was discovering Four French Holidays.And I have to credit Beth @littkebookbelle for bringing it to my attention! I’d forgotten about the film, but my husband assures me that we have watched it! I’ll have to go back and watch it again now! Another great What This Week! Xx
Yes we did time that well, didn’t we! 😂 I love the Rumer Godden too, so am really interested in the Anne Hall and I’m grateful as ever that you share such interesting books, Kathryn. And yes do rewatch The Scapegoat ... Matthew Rhys is 👌🏻🥰xx
Apr 17, 2023·edited Apr 17, 2023Liked by Claire Holden
Oh I so loved This is Us, isn't it just absolutely beautiful. I cried so much at the end.. although I did discover that the episode I thought was the last episode actually wasn't and there were about 3 more to go.. so I cried all over again at the LAST episode. 🤣
This week I've been watching The Drowning and Maid on Netflix, both very watchable dramas and Shrinking on Apple TV which is great fun. Can't believe Harrison Ford is 80! He's really good in it.
Oh and having read a few too many below average crime dramas recently I'm reading something lighter today, Man At The Helm by Nina Stibbe. Very funny and the writing is excellent. I'd never heard of her before but I found her on this list:
Oh I love that you cried through two ends of This is Us!! I haven't made it to the end of that one yet either. I'm somewhere in season three, I think. I love Harrison Ford, so will definitely watch that when I resubscribe to Apple. 80!! And I LOVE Nina Stibbe. You have a real treat in store as I think she's written about 4 others. Thanks for the link too. And the biggest thank you for taking the time to read through and comment on every WTW so far xx
Great post, Claire! You've reminded me to get hold of 'Tiny Beautiful Things' in book form - I've been meaning to read it for ages! I haven't seen the film, and don't have plans to. 😃
Yep, BIG Matthew Rhys fan here too! He's so good in this, I love his facial expressions. It definitely feels like a bit of an overlooked gem. Hope you enjoy it, Suw.
He's such a good actor. I never watch soaps, or 'continuing drama' but I got hooked on Brothers and Sisters simply because he's so good. Just started on The Americans too.
We started Succession and to be completely honest, not really sold on it. Then again, some series need a bit to fully flesh themselves out. I hope that's the case here.
That was definitely true for me. I think I watched two or three episodes and stopped, and it was over a year later when everyone was raving about series 2 or 3 that I came back to it and got stuck right in.
“ She emanates softness and bed-warmth…” Just beautiful.
Oh I’m so glad you liked that. She is the personification of cosiness after a huge sleep and that seemed like the best way of putting it into words 💕
Thank you for the recommendations Claire. I'm definitely feeling dubious about Tiny Beautiful Things - I think what makes the book so wonderful is Cheryl Strayed's beautiful writing and the simplicity of the format of answering letters - it lets her voice and advice shine. I guess I'm just not sure how that would be captured on screen.
I think I really need to get my hands on the book. Just to further put you off, it felt like there was beauty in the answers, but this always came as a voiceover at the end of episode, while dialogue and big scenes were simultaneously playing out, so I didn't feel I was taking the words in at all. Hmmmm. That said, a friend of mine watched it and really enjoyed it. So there's that.
Interesting! I have seen a good review as well, but I think I may just leave it in the format I originally loved! I still haven't succumbed to Daisy Jones & The Six on screen either, but I think that's maybe more likely.
:)
I haven't seen DJ, but that's because of my (annoying) anti-Amazon stance! One of the few times I've been frustrated by my own principles! That said, a couple of weeks after the hype has died down and I no longer feel like I've missed out.
I must watch The Scapegoat and also have added Succession to my long watchlist! ❤️❤️ Regarding the wonderful Daphne. I'm not sure whether you've read Fisherman's Creek? It's gorgeous.
Yes to all that Claire. The Scapegoat film is on Netflix and I need you to come and talk about it when you’ve seen it as it’s different to the book! Succession could be a good one to get into with James. It may take a few episodes to get into but it’s so darkly funny. I have read Frenchman’s Creek and it was actually you and Charlie that pushed me that way when I was feeling rotten after my first Covid jab. Perfect medicine 👌🏻
Ooh I will definitely let you know once I've watched The Scapegoat. And that's a good tip re Succession - James is ridiculously fussy about what he will watch. Glad you loved Frenchman's Creek x
Now I can’t wait to hear on both counts! 😂
Thank you so much for the kind mention, Claire! I love that you were reading The Scapegoat whilst I was discovering Four French Holidays.And I have to credit Beth @littkebookbelle for bringing it to my attention! I’d forgotten about the film, but my husband assures me that we have watched it! I’ll have to go back and watch it again now! Another great What This Week! Xx
Yes we did time that well, didn’t we! 😂 I love the Rumer Godden too, so am really interested in the Anne Hall and I’m grateful as ever that you share such interesting books, Kathryn. And yes do rewatch The Scapegoat ... Matthew Rhys is 👌🏻🥰xx
Oh I so loved This is Us, isn't it just absolutely beautiful. I cried so much at the end.. although I did discover that the episode I thought was the last episode actually wasn't and there were about 3 more to go.. so I cried all over again at the LAST episode. 🤣
This week I've been watching The Drowning and Maid on Netflix, both very watchable dramas and Shrinking on Apple TV which is great fun. Can't believe Harrison Ford is 80! He's really good in it.
Oh and having read a few too many below average crime dramas recently I'm reading something lighter today, Man At The Helm by Nina Stibbe. Very funny and the writing is excellent. I'd never heard of her before but I found her on this list:
https://www.stylist.co.uk/books/best-female-authors-ever-books-literature/384836
Some great recommendations on there...
Oh I love that you cried through two ends of This is Us!! I haven't made it to the end of that one yet either. I'm somewhere in season three, I think. I love Harrison Ford, so will definitely watch that when I resubscribe to Apple. 80!! And I LOVE Nina Stibbe. You have a real treat in store as I think she's written about 4 others. Thanks for the link too. And the biggest thank you for taking the time to read through and comment on every WTW so far xx
Yes, I've already ordered the next two books in the Lizzie Vogel trilogy, loving the first one, Man at The Helm 🙌
Great post, Claire! You've reminded me to get hold of 'Tiny Beautiful Things' in book form - I've been meaning to read it for ages! I haven't seen the film, and don't have plans to. 😃
I would definitely recommend that course of action! Let me know what you think of the book 💛
Ooh, The Scapegoat sounds fabulous, and not just because everything Matthew Rhys does is amazing!
Yep, BIG Matthew Rhys fan here too! He's so good in this, I love his facial expressions. It definitely feels like a bit of an overlooked gem. Hope you enjoy it, Suw.
He's such a good actor. I never watch soaps, or 'continuing drama' but I got hooked on Brothers and Sisters simply because he's so good. Just started on The Americans too.
I forgot about Brothers and Sisters! Gosh, I used to love that. I definitely need to go back to The Americans too.