The Frank Erwin Center staff have some entertainment recommendations for things to do at home during this period of social isolation! What have you been reading, listening to, or watching? Let us know in the comments!

Reading:

“Rin, Tongue and Dorner” by Rich Shapero. Somebody handed me this book for free on the street at SXSW last year. It’s post-apocalyptic, with the remaining population of the planet living in climate-controlled domes and taking emotion controlling medication so they don’t all kill each other living in close proximity. Maybe a little too on the nose for readers stuck inside together with loved ones during a pandemic, but still fun. Beware the adult content.

Watching:

“Ozark.” I love this mostly for Julia Garner’s Ruth Langmore and her accent, and Jason Bateman’s depiction of a man living under steadily ratcheting stress.

Listening:

“Every Little Thing,” a science explainer podcast with a sense of humor and a love of wordplay. Did you know that flamingos can drink boiling water?

Watching:

I am currently catching up on Season 10 of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” It’s about a neurotic and selfish TV writer living in LA. The show is semi-improvised and, at times, can be cringe-worthy because of what the main character and creator of the show, Larry David, says and does which is what makes this show so hilarious (i.e. “The Spite Store”)! It’s a great escape from what’s going on in the world right now and it definitely makes me laugh out loud.

Reading:

I’m currently reading “Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning” by Peter C. Brown. It offers techniques for become more productive learners, and cautions against study habits and practice routines that turn out to be counterproductive. Next I’m reading “The Zen And the Art of Radiotelegraphy” by Carlo Consoli.

Watching:

I’m watching music and bands documentaries. My latest one is “ZZ Top-That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” on Netflix.

Reading:

“High Fidelity” by Nick Hornby. It’s a highly entertaining book about a record shop owner in London. The characters are memorable, the dialogue is hilarious, and it’s sharply observational about adult life. Great pop culture references are sprinkled in too, which is pretty fun! Many readers will probably relate and recognize themselves in some way.

Listening:

“Off-Book: The Improvised Musical” Podcast. The two hosts, and usually a guest, improvise a musical every week! This podcast makes me laugh out loud every time I listen. The storylines sometimes go completely off the rails, but these improv masters somehow manage to wrap things up into a satisfying ending every week. Sometimes the invented songs are actually bops, and get stuck in my head for days!

Reading:

I’m reading “I’ll Be Gone In The Dark” about a women’s search for The Golden State serial killer.

Watching:

Next to watch for me is season 3 of “Ozark” on Netflix. In short, Ozark is about a financial advisor who drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder money to appease a drug boss.

Watching:

I have been watching “Schitt’s Creek” on Netflix, which is about a wealthy couple who find themselves completely broke with only one remaining asset: a small town called Schitt’s Creek. In fact, the couple had actually forgot they even owned the town, as they didn’t think it was very valuable. The show follows the couple and their two kids as they learn how to acclimate to a new lifestyle. It is very entertaining and funny, which is something we all could use right now.