Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is a slim, slightly twee French novel, The Girl Who Reads on the Métro by Christine Feret-Fleury. She doesn't give it a full-throated endorsement, but if you'd like to vicariously visit Paris and you love books, you might enjoy this. (And if you'd like to he…

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Right now, we're watching A Man on the Inside. While this week's episode did return to the mystery ostensibly at the heart of the show (and end on a cliffhanger, of course), it was still mostly about the melancholies of aging, with a hefty side of parent-child conflict. Cheer…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This week's episode was nearly unrelentingly sad for the lead character, Charlie. A brief Hurley/Libby frustration was the only relief from the nightmares and flashbacks to nightmarish real-life events. Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 13, "The …

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is a picture book called I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall with pictures by A.N. Kang. It stars a cute (really!) spider whose web-weaving efforts are frequently thwarted. We also recommend a scroll down Wall's list of other titles, including My First Book…

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Right now, we're watching A Man on the Inside. Last week, we complained that the mystery (the alleged driver of the plot) had been forgotten and been replaced by a melancholy look at aging. This week, things got even sadder as one of Charles's friends died. However, at least …

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In case you've forgotten, this episode would like to inform you once again that Jack has a savior complex. But he's also realized that he needs an army to take on The Others, so that's next on his to-do list. Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 2, episode 12,…

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is Toto, by A.J. Hackwith, which is a look at the Wizard of Oz story from the perspective of Toto the dog. He tells us, "I was mostly a Good Dog until they sold me out to animal control, okay?" which sounds like a take we'd like to hear. ​ Terri's random rec…

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Right now, we're watching A Man on the Inside. This episode strayed rather far from the spy premise of the show, and we're wondering when it'll find its way back. And when we'll see Emily and her kids again. Come on! Put those kids on the phone, at least! Next Wednesday, we'l…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This week, it's Mr. Eko's turn for flashbacks telling his complicated and violent backstory, while he and Charlie search the jungle for the wreckage of the Beechcraft plane. The Smoke Monster returns and so do the computer messages from Walt (or someone claiming t…

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is from the Scatological Department of the children's section (not a real thing, but why isn't it?). It's The Great Poop Contest by Rafael Ordonez. Mentioned: Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard. ​ Terri's random recommendation this week is rosary rings, which are…

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Right now, we're watching A Man on the Inside. In this episode, we missed seeing or hearing from Emily and her family, and we felt sorry for Charles as he made friends and then realized he'd need to betray them to do his job. But there were still a few of the hijinks we've co…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. While we've already had many a hint as to what Kate did, this week's episode breaks it all down for us, entering Kate into the Bad Parent sweepstakes with entries from her mom, dad, and stepfather. On the island, things get weirder in the hatch as Michael gets a m…

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find comes from the adult nonfiction section this week: Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive by Eliot Stein. She can't vouch for the author (yet) but thinks this could be an entertaining and illuminati…

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Right now, we're watching A Man on the Inside. In this episode, we found out that you can't escape the PTA, even in a senior living residence, and that Charles and his daughter make a great team. Mentioned: a Spectrum TV ad in which a kid springs a project on his dad at bedti…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. The meeting of the tail-section and mid-section survivors seemed to be more of a gentle tap than a violent collision, but it led us to the Reunions Montage at the end: Sawyer and Kate! Michael and Vincent! Rose and Bernard! Sun and Jin! Jack and some woman he met …

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find ties in nicely with our new TV series watch, A Man on the Inside. It's a nonfiction children's book called Animal Snoops: The Wondrous World of Wildlife Spies by Peter Christie. Check it out if you've got a kid who's fascinated by fauna, or by covert ops. ​ …

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. We recently started the Netflix comedy series A Man on the Inside. Ted Danson stars as Charles, a widower who's hired to go undercover at a retirement home to solve a burglary case. But there's plenty of parenting to be found here, as Charles's daughter Emily deals with three…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode caught us up on what's been happening with the tail-section survivors. And what's been happening is pretty grim. Their leader, Ana Lucia, has all the responsibilities of a leader with absolutely no benefits. As moms, we relate. Next Tuesday, we'll con…

Here's what we're watching, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is an old Hallmark movie called Christmas at Cartwright's that grabbed her attention with its name--since she used to share it. To her knowledge, there aren't any real department stores called Cartwright's, though. ​ Terri's random recommendation this week …

Every Wednesday we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Today, we're kicking off our watch of the new Netflix comedy series A Man on the Inside, starring Ted Danson and Stephanie Beatriz. We very much enjoyed the first episode, from spotting familiar The Good Place faces to the embrace of physical newspapers and snail mail. Next We…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. Things go from bad (in flashback) to much, much worse (on the island) for Shannon in this one, as we meet her evil stepmother and then she meets not The Others, but the Tailies. Meanwhile, Locke adds to his Island Dad cred by teaching Claire how to swaddle the bab…

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is Cranky, by Phuc Tran with illustrations by Pete Oswald. It's a picture book starring a crabby crane who does not want to talk about what's bothering him, so don't ask! Mentioned: The Food Group series, also illustrated by Oswald. ​ Terri's random recommen…

Every week, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. It wrapped up this week with a grand gesture of forgiveness befitting of the season's theme. It also added "magnanimous" to Derrick 2's character traits, to go along with "hot." We'll miss these characters a lot and are looking forward to s…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode went nowhere, much like our survivors; it gave us a bit more of Sun and Jin's story in flashback, but nothing very important. We could, however, relate to both Sun's and Michael's foolhardy desperation to do something in a situation they can't control…

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is The Change by Kirsten Miller, a novel of revenge and crime-fighting fueled by menopausal women's rage (which made it very satisfying). ​ Terri's random recommendation this week is the Rosary in a Year podcast, a chart-topper offering a deep dive into this…

Every week, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. This episode included one unnecessary break-up, one child who gave a parent a dose of their own medicine, and one person who's possibly in the wrong profession. Mentioned: Disney adults and a women-hanging-out scene from Jerry Maguire. ​ Ne…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. On the island, poor Hurley got stuck with a thankless job, while in flashback, he got a scolding from his mom that we found relatable. Elsewhere, we learned more about the Dharma Initiative bunker and the tail-section survivors. ​ Next Tuesday, we'll continue with…

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is a resource that you can most likely find at your own library: Newspapers.com, a repository of archives from all over the U.S. and six other countries. Find your great-grandparents' wedding announcement or read up on crimes like the Panama Hat Heist of 190…

Every week, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. On this episode, a parent tried and ultimately failed to make a child's birthday special, and a child tried to set boundaries with a parent--which also didn't go very well. But at least Liz is back to her snarky self. ​ Next week, we'll wat…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. On this episode, we met a few of the threatening Others that Jin warned us about at the end of the previous episode, re-met a survivor seen previously in flashback, and heard yet again that Locke wasn't always the tough guy he is now. Mentioned: Game show challeng…

Every week, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. There were a lot of parenting and family breakthroughs in this episode, along with a little more comic relief than we got last time (thanks, Sean). ​ Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 10, "Changing Patterns.” (Yes, we're watching thi…

While we’re celebrating New Year’s with our families, we bring you this relic of podcasts past: A speed round devoted to our resolutions for the coming year. That year was 2020, but … yeah, we’re still rolling them over. And since this is a replay, you'll hear from our old pal Nicole Eredics. We miss you, Nicole!…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. Along with Michael flashbacks and the aftermath of Walt's kidnapping and the raft explosion, this episode revisited the in-the-hatch events of the prior one. So we got some time and pacing weirdness to go along with all the other island weirdness. Next Tuesday, we…

On Wednesdays (usually), we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking, a happy fun sitcom that does its best to make us cry every week. This was an extra-sad one, with many characters facing the consequences of their actions (Liz, Derek, Louis, Jimmy) and their mortality (Paul). Like we said, fun …

While we’re celebrating Christmas with our families, we bring you this relic of Christmas past: One of the only original podcast episodes we put out on Christmas day, back in 2019. As you’ll see, we don’t take vacations from complaining. We'll be back tomorrow with our discussion of Shrinking, season 2, episode 8, "Last Drink."…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this season 2 kickoff, we meet a new character, get yet another Jack flashback, and watch both Locke and Kate take a dive down into the hatch. Mentioned: Our discussion of a Good Place scene that called back to the opening of this Lost episode. Next Tuesday, we…

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is a board book that's ostensibly for babies... about electrical engineering. Better yet, it has a Christmas theme! (And it's part of a whole series of science-themed board books). We'll stick with colors, shapes, and ABCs, thanks. ​ Terri's random recommend…

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. This episode gave us the happy resolution of one of the unhappy plotlines we've been following, as Alice and Summer made up (but only after Summer worked out her feelings in a very NSFW song). But it also included the reveal of two serio…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This two-hour episode, the season finale, was predictably action-packed--with some catastrophes we did, in fact, predict. Mentioned: Guest Taylor Cole's musical tribute to Locke on the Extra Hot Great podcast. Next Tuesday, we'll starts season 2 with episode 1, "M…

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is a trio of cozy mysteries by Claudia Gray, all starring Jane Austen characters: The Murder of Mr. Wickham (2022), The Late Mrs. Willoughby (2023), and The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bough (2024). These are an absolutely delightful (and non-stressful) way …

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking, and an episode that gave us quite a lot of parenting and therapizing and dads trying to overcome daddy issues (plus Gabby trying to manage her complicated family, too). Good on the dads and surrogate dad figures! But at least one other s…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode gave us the launching of the raft (so, everything's going to be fine from this point on, right?) and the return of Danielle Rousseau, bearing ominous warnings (so, maybe not so fine). Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 23, "Exodus: Part 2" …

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is an instructional picture book for kids called How to Pee Your Pants* (*the Right Way) by Rachel Michelle Wilson. It's cute and relatable (and Terri thinks it could have applications beyond the preschool crowd). ​ Terri's random recommendation is back, and…

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. And TBH the honesty in this episode caused a lot more problems than it solved, and that's not really why we're here. Bring back the jokes and the friends hanging out! Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 6, "In a Lonely Place.” (Yes,…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This Kate flashback gave us a bad daughter, a bad ex-girlfriend, a bad mom, and yet another bad dad, but not a lot of forward progress on many plots. Mentioned: Mackenzie Astin in How to Deal. Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 23, "Exodus: Part 1" (the…

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is a trio of parenting books, because the publishing industry will never give up on promising parents a simple fix for all their problems. The Yoga of Parenting: Ten Yoga-Based Practices to Help You Stay Grounded, Connect with Your Kids, and Be Kind to Yours…

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. On this episode, our old pal Daddy Issues is back with a vengeance, but there's also some good fathering (or surrogate fathering) going on too. Next week, we'll watch season 2, episode 5, "Honesty Era.” (Yes, we're watching this a few we…

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This was a Sayid episode, and while we found the connection between the flashbacks and the action on the island to be tenuous, we were OK with it (especially for the side plot of "Sawyer reads to the baby"). Next Tuesday, we'll discuss season 1, episode 22, "Born …

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week. Catherine's library find is a three-book series for young readers called My Pet Slime. Because slime is still a thing, and nonfiction titles about how to make it just aren't enough. Mentioned: Publisher Andrews McMeel. ​ Terri's random recommendation is back on the shelf for a few m…

On Wednesdays, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property. Currently, that's season 2 of Shrinking. While the Grace storyline from last season was resolved (to our liking) in this episode, we ended up back in the danger zone by the end, with both Liz and Alice making bad decisions that are going to reverberate from this point on. Next …