I love The Blended Blog’s monthly TBB Asks series, but I rarely join these days because I typically share goals and currently at the beginning of the month, and simply can’t squeeze in one more post. However, when I saw this month’s entertainment-themed questions, I made a note to myself to share a post even if I’m well past the linkup date. I talk quite a bit about books around here, but these questions go beyond that and got me thinking about entertainment as a whole.
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| Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash |
1. Books you have read multiple times – To be honest, I’m not much of a re-reader. I have read The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver a few times, but otherwise I’m drawing a blank. I do love revisiting childhood favorites with my children, and Jona and I have read (or listened to) The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Charlotte’s Web, and Little House in the Big Woods together.
2. Favorite book/author of all time – I can’t put anyone into the “of all time” category, but I do love the authors Barbara Kingsolver, and more recently, Fredrik Backman.
3. Favorite TV show to binge – The Great British Baking Show. I haven’t watched at all this month, but when I was sick last month I spent a lot of time on the couch with that one!
4. Favorite new-ish TV show – Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. I’m only one episode in so far but I love it! I want to Marie Kondo my whole house!
5. Movie you are looking forward to watching – I’m so out of touch with what movies are even out! I do want to see the remade Lion King, and also A Star is Born (is that even still out in theaters?).
6. First concert you attended – I have a memory of going to see The Beach Boys with my parents at some kind of festival when I was little, but I’m not totally sure. My only memory is being disappointed that these “beach boys” looked neither young, nor beachy. Ha! My first “real” concert was New Kids On the Block, but I was sick and slept through the whole thing I think, so the details are hazy.
7. Ultimate concert (even if it can’t happen) – The Beatles! Obviously this one can no longer happen, but wouldn’t that be the best?
8. Favorite music, artist, or band – My all-time favorites are probably The Beatles, The Dixie Chicks, and Billy Joel. I also love Cat Stevens. If I listen to the radio I prefer alternative, indie-type soft rock? I don’t really know how to classify it, so forgive me. To me, that’s The Lumineers, The Glass Animals, Alt-J, Florence and the Machine, etc. Also, call me a nerd but I really love Michal Buble too, and not just for Christmas music!
9. How do you listen? – I mostly stream music through our Amazon Echo. I sometimes listen to the radio in the car too, but usually in the car I listen to podcasts (if it’s just me) or audiobooks (with Jona).
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I couldn’t write a post about entertainment and not include podcasts. I am a podcast addict and get SO MUCH JOY out of the podcasts I listen to daily. This topic wasn’t in the original set of questions, so I’m adding my own category.
How do you listen to podcasts? I use the Overcast app. I love it so much more than the Apple Podcast app. It lets you create smart playlists, which I love because then you can split up your podcasts into categories.
How do you categorize what you listen to? I decided to create a category for every day of the week, so I can have a different topic or theme for each day. I know this doesn’t work for everyone but for me it is the best thing ever. Daily themes are my jam. I also have a separate “kids” category that includes Chompers for tooth-brushing, and other favorites like Wow in the World, Story Pirates, and But Why. Here are my daily podcast categories and a few favorites from each.
Monday – Inspiration and Motivation: Happier with Gretchen Rubin, The Lazy Genius Podcast (her recent one on paper organization was FANTASTIC)
Tuesday – Book Love: Currently Reading Podcast (this one is fairly new and SO good!), From the Front Porch, What Should I Read Next, All the Books! (Book Riot’s new releases podcast)
Wednesday – Self Care and Best Life: Forever 35, Simple (Tsh Oxenreider’s podcast), Sorta Awesome, The Girl Next Door
Thursday – Parenting: The Mom Hour, Read-Aloud Revival, Mom and Dad are Fighting
Friday – Fun: this category is kind of my catch-all. If there are podcasts I want to try or feel like bingeing, I do that on Fridays. Right now I’m listening to The Popcast and The Life Coach School with Brooke Castillo on Fridays.
Weekend – Soul: Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations, The Next Right Thing.
I’d love to hear about some of your favorites–books, movies, shows, or podcasts–too! Share in the comments below!
