The Weekend Read No. 23
Let the distractions begin!
FILM
The 98th Oscars
Best to stay home this weekend and just watch The Oscars and celebrate the top films of 2025.
BOOKS
Kids, Wait Til You Hear This!
by Liza Minelli
I feel like 448 pages is a little light for all the lives Liza Minelli has lived, but it certainly will not be stopping me from having a gander.
The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love
Edited by Alice Hoffman
As I said in the 2026 Culture Preview, this book is such a charmer. Not only is it a love letter to doggos, but it’s a wonderful introduction to writers you might not otherwise read. With contributions from Isabel Allende, Amy Tan, Emily Henry, Elizabeth Strout, Roxanne Gay, and more, there’s something for everyone.
TELEVISION
Scarpetta
Amazon Prime
At long last, Patricia Cornwell has come back to the screen care of Nicole Kidman. The series is certainly not for the faint of heart with the usual serial killer tropes, but she’s a great character to explore across two time periods.
MUSIC
I have a reading playlist which includes mostly tracks without vocals (the occasional chorus is okay though). The first track is Max Richter’s song “Sunlight” - ethereal to say the least. So as Oscar weekend is here, it’s a good time to give another listen to his Hamnet soundtrack that lifted that film right up to the heavens.
INTERNET BOXES
Page & Screen with John-Paul Sarni
Jeff Norton | Episode 40
The newest episode is a chat with Finding Her Edge showruner, Jeff Norton. We discuss the page-to-screen adaptation and everything from casting to camera operators on ice skates.
Las Culturistas: Nicole Kidman
Yet another iconic episode of the podcast as Ms Kidman comes by to promote her new Amazon series.
Bon weekend, all!