Like myself, I’m sure many of you have been super grateful to coffee and books for getting you through this week! I already feel like October has been the shortest & longest month ever – I can’t believe it’s already October 9th, but this month is so packed for me with school and work commitments. For today’s post, I thought it would be fun to fill you on what I’ve been reading in between work and school this week, while also sharing what books I hope to pick up and what TV shows I hope to sink into this weekend. Although I’ll be digging into school assignments and blogging this weekend, I’m hoping to read at least two of the books below this weekend.

What I Read & Watched This Week 

What I Read 

Those Who Prey by Jennifer Moffett (ARC)- I mentioned in my September Book Haul that the lovely team at Simon & Schuster sent me two YA thrillers, one of which being Those Who Prey, which comes out on November 10. I instantly wanted to pick it up for its college setting, as college freshman Emily is recruited into a religious student group and sent on a mission trip to Italy, where she begins to learn that the Kingdom is not what it seems. I’ve been able to read about fifty pages each night, and I’m hoping I’ll have it finished by tomorrow. 

What I Watched

Below Deck Mediterranean S5 E19 (Bravo) – I really don’t have a ton of time for TV during the week, but Below Deck Mediterranean has been the show this summer & fall I must watch at least 24 hours after it premieres. I know some people feel like this season has been a bit slow, but I’ve been enjoying it so much. The editors actually had to minimize one cast member’s role as much as possible because of their racist & sexist posts on Instagram and then had to focus on or amp up other storylines. I think since so many shows have been delayed from filming because of the pandemic, the editors created more episodes out of the footage – which goes to show how reality TV can manipulate storylines so much through editing, but here I am still watching! This season of Below Deck Mediterranean ends on October 19th, with the new season of Below Deck premiering on November 2. 

Emily in Paris (Netflix) – Like so many other viewers, I was pretty conflicted about how I felt about Emily in Paris. On the one hand, I blew through this ten episode season about a twenty-something who works for a marketing firm in Paris in three days. I loved the setting, Ashley Park’s character, Mindy, and Emily’s neighbor, Gabriel, because he was so, so dreamy. On the other hand… I can’t believe this show is being described as the millenial/Gen Z Sex & the City because it is not it. I know why it’s been described as so, since it was created by Sex & the City creator Darren Star, but Emily in Paris and Carrie Bradshaw can’t even compare. While yes, it was such a fun binge and escapist watch, I thought the storylines were wrapped up way too nicely each episode. I watched the final episode on Monday (hence why it’s in this post), and I didn’t think it was that big of a cliffhanger ending because it was super predictable.  As someone with marketing experience and you know, someone who uses social media, I did not understand Emily’s Instagram fame, and there’s no way she would be able to get away with half of what she did at her job. Also, I am for sure part of the crowd who doesn’t understand how this girl affords a new Chanel outfit or bag each episode…

What I Want to Read & Watch this Weekend 

What I Want to Read

I’m still deciding which one of these books I want to pick it up first, so leave me your suggestions in the comments!

Well Played (Well Met #2) by Jen DeLuca – I knew I wanted to read Well Played before the end of 2020. I decided to hop on it now because my county library recently purchased both Well Met (which I own) and Well Played, and I wanted to grab the latter before everyone else! I loved, LOVED Well Met back in May (Simon is officially one of my fictional boyfriends), so I can’t wait to see how Well Played compares.

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry – I’m up for any book that features field hockey, and I feel like We Ride Upon Sticks combines my favorite sport with Halloween season. I had been going back and forth if I wanted to pick this one up, but between my desire to read some witch-like books for October and Sarah’s Bookshelves Live episode with Kelly Jesnsen, I decided to check it out. The book follows a high school field hockey team who finds themselves winning game after game, with the help of some dark impulses in Salem. 

What I Want to Watch 

16 and Recovering (MTV) – Carly the Prepster recommended this four part miniseries on MTV in one of her film & TV posts. I was absolutely drained last night, but couldn’t fall asleep and didn’t have enough focus to read, so I decided to give this show a try. And wow, I’m so glad that I did. 16 and Recovering is certainly not an easy watch, as it follows a high school in Massachusetts that serves students with drug addiction. As an educator, I was astounded and inspired by how much these teachers and the school’s principal do for their students. I’m only two episodes in so far, so I plan on finishing it up tomorrow. 

Deaf U (Netflix) – Everyone knows that I love 9 out of 10 Netflix reality TV shows, so I’m really excited to check out Deaf U on Netflix. I actually read and wrote about Gallaudet University, the only college in the United States for students who are hard of hearing of deaf, in one of my summer classes this summer. 

What are you reading & watching this weekend? Do you have any book or TV recommendations for me? Share in the comments!