Slow Horses with Gary Oldman is a great series on Apple TV+. 3 seasons just completed and it has been renewed for #4. Revolves around MI5 and London. One of the best we ever have watched and we watch a lot of British crime series.
It is not just you. I put down more books than I ever finish reading. I don't care about the characters, or the author is impressed by his own words and blathers on endlessly. Or, the books preach to me about the one subject the author is familiar with. It's time consuming and costly and disappointing to a life-long reader.
I miss libraries so much. In Italy they just don't exist like they do in the USA. Some of my best memories of growing up are of time spent in libraries.
same here. I tried Demon Copperhead but dreary NE winter not a great time to read that type of book so returned it to library. Maybe i'll pick it up later. A fabulous book is The Covenant of WAter. Long ...beautifully written and loved the characters in it...
Such a lovely post! We binge watch "Endeavour" and "Inspector Lewis." We also love "The Bastards of Pizzafalcone," set in Naples. Adore all Maurizio de' Giovanni's books. As for resolutions, I WILL finish writing my next book this year. In that direction, I spent much of today straightening my office :)
Have you read the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)? About a British P.I. and his partner, Robin (a girl). Slightly creepy, but great stories and characters. Also Horse and The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. Also loved Demon Copperhead.
I am also a BritBox/Acorn junkie. My favorites are: Vera; Shetland; Midsomer Murders (life doesn't always have to be serious!) Sherwood (only 3 seasons, but worth it) and the Morse Trilogy - Morse, Lewis and Endeavour.
Acorn is blocked in Italy unless I use a VPN blocker. But if we get a new TV and can install it, then I have a feeling it will be Britbox/Acorn for us 100%.
Yes! We are so desperate for good shows like those! We just wind up watching them over and over. I think I could do the Midsomer dialogue myself. Add "Foyle's War." Am so excited to be attending a writing conference in the fall--Anthony Horowitz is the guest-of-honor.
I should have included "Foyle's War", which, in my opinion, was about the best series ever shown on television. It was the first series that I re-watched from start to finish during the pandemic. I also enjoyed a couple of limited series on Netflix based on novels by Harlan Coban, but I can never remember their names.
I love your newsletter and I agree about the book thing. I just started Resurrection Walk--love me some Lincoln Lawyer. I tend to binge almost anything on Acorn or Britbox, and my favorite go-to shows over and over are Downton Abbey and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
Yes, "Patriot" is brilliant (and not all what the title implies). Another by the same writer/showrunner is Perpetual Grace, LTD, starring Ben Kingsley.
Since you are a reader I would suggest reading the Slow Horses books before watching the series. Quick reads and you get a lot more background on characters. Normal People by Sally Rooney is quite good as is the series. Her second book, Conversations with Friends is also good. Staying with a dark thread, pretty much anything I've read by Jo Nesbo is quite entertaining especially once you go beyond the Harry Hole novels. On the lighter side, Parks & Rec is a nice light rewatch as is the first 4 or 5 seasons of The Office.
I wonder if you have ever considered a tour to the Marche? I feel comfortable traveling in most of Italy and return to Sicily as often as I can but I hear it is difficult to travel on one’s own in this region. Is that true?
We have considered it. But a region like the Marche, or Abruzzo, is challenging in terms of both logistics as well as hospitality. It is difficult to get there, and once there, it takes forever to get from point A to point B. And there aren't a lot of great hotels with 12 rooms or more in towns that are interesting to stay in. Great regions, just hard for us tour wise. But maybe one day!!
Agree...Just went to Abruzzo with my Italian class...yes...difficult to get there...we went to Chieti. VERY small...not much there...train is not accessible by walking if in Centro... not many place to get to by train efficiently... lovely area...and supposedly great hiking around there.. Pescara was lovely seaside but totally rebuilt after WW2 so fairly new city...
I wanted to add “The Americans,” but see someone already did. I remember it being six seasons or so. I tuned in after listening to a piece on NPR about the series. I loved “Lessons In Chemistry”….so good!!!
Slow Horses with Gary Oldman is a great series on Apple TV+. 3 seasons just completed and it has been renewed for #4. Revolves around MI5 and London. One of the best we ever have watched and we watch a lot of British crime series.
Keep meaning to go back to that! We loved season 1.
We just finished Season 1. Completely agree it is a phenomenal show! A great slow burn and surprising plot twists.
It is not just you. I put down more books than I ever finish reading. I don't care about the characters, or the author is impressed by his own words and blathers on endlessly. Or, the books preach to me about the one subject the author is familiar with. It's time consuming and costly and disappointing to a life-long reader.
Exactly!
I often find I am not drawn into book club books. I find the library liberating...:)
I miss libraries so much. In Italy they just don't exist like they do in the USA. Some of my best memories of growing up are of time spent in libraries.
same here. I tried Demon Copperhead but dreary NE winter not a great time to read that type of book so returned it to library. Maybe i'll pick it up later. A fabulous book is The Covenant of WAter. Long ...beautifully written and loved the characters in it...
Have you read Trust? Very clever and different - I loved it!
Happy New Year!
Absolutely agree with Slow Horses as a drama but then enjoyed The Gilded Age for the costumes, decor and the social climbing.
Such a lovely post! We binge watch "Endeavour" and "Inspector Lewis." We also love "The Bastards of Pizzafalcone," set in Naples. Adore all Maurizio de' Giovanni's books. As for resolutions, I WILL finish writing my next book this year. In that direction, I spent much of today straightening my office :)
Have you read the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)? About a British P.I. and his partner, Robin (a girl). Slightly creepy, but great stories and characters. Also Horse and The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. Also loved Demon Copperhead.
No I don't know the Cormoran Strike series, I'll check it out. I strongly disliked Demon Copperhead. I know a lot of people loved it though.
I only read about 20 pages and decided I wasn't ready to read it.
I am also a BritBox/Acorn junkie. My favorites are: Vera; Shetland; Midsomer Murders (life doesn't always have to be serious!) Sherwood (only 3 seasons, but worth it) and the Morse Trilogy - Morse, Lewis and Endeavour.
Acorn is blocked in Italy unless I use a VPN blocker. But if we get a new TV and can install it, then I have a feeling it will be Britbox/Acorn for us 100%.
Yes! We are so desperate for good shows like those! We just wind up watching them over and over. I think I could do the Midsomer dialogue myself. Add "Foyle's War." Am so excited to be attending a writing conference in the fall--Anthony Horowitz is the guest-of-honor.
I should have included "Foyle's War", which, in my opinion, was about the best series ever shown on television. It was the first series that I re-watched from start to finish during the pandemic. I also enjoyed a couple of limited series on Netflix based on novels by Harlan Coban, but I can never remember their names.
Never heard of Foyle's War. Will try to find it!
Oh, my goodness, Elizabeth, it is really so, so good. "Wallander" with Kenneth Branagh is wonderful, as well.
Just checked, and I couldn't find a season 3 of Sherwood
There's a 3rd season of Sherwood?
No, I was mistaken. There's just one season, but 6 episodes.
Actually, there are two seasons. Both excellent.
I love your newsletter and I agree about the book thing. I just started Resurrection Walk--love me some Lincoln Lawyer. I tend to binge almost anything on Acorn or Britbox, and my favorite go-to shows over and over are Downton Abbey and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
There’s a show called “Patriot” on Amazon Prime that is absolutely fantastic.
+1 to Slow Horses
Also enjoyed Drops of God on Apple +
Yes, "Patriot" is brilliant (and not all what the title implies). Another by the same writer/showrunner is Perpetual Grace, LTD, starring Ben Kingsley.
Thank you for the rec!
I have a hard time finding books I really love...have you read North Woods by Daniel Mason?
also loved Hamnet and just started the Marriage Portrait (which takes place in Renaissance Italy) -both by Maggie O'Farrell.
Happy New Year!!💕
Lisa Moss
Since you are a reader I would suggest reading the Slow Horses books before watching the series. Quick reads and you get a lot more background on characters. Normal People by Sally Rooney is quite good as is the series. Her second book, Conversations with Friends is also good. Staying with a dark thread, pretty much anything I've read by Jo Nesbo is quite entertaining especially once you go beyond the Harry Hole novels. On the lighter side, Parks & Rec is a nice light rewatch as is the first 4 or 5 seasons of The Office.
I actually can't believe I forgot to add The Office and Parks & Rec to my list. They should have been at the top of the list. ;)
I have that brown and black china...(Siena). And I need that bowl...:)
It's my 'fancy' set, the Siena pattern from FIMA in Deruta
I wonder if you have ever considered a tour to the Marche? I feel comfortable traveling in most of Italy and return to Sicily as often as I can but I hear it is difficult to travel on one’s own in this region. Is that true?
We have considered it. But a region like the Marche, or Abruzzo, is challenging in terms of both logistics as well as hospitality. It is difficult to get there, and once there, it takes forever to get from point A to point B. And there aren't a lot of great hotels with 12 rooms or more in towns that are interesting to stay in. Great regions, just hard for us tour wise. But maybe one day!!
Agree...Just went to Abruzzo with my Italian class...yes...difficult to get there...we went to Chieti. VERY small...not much there...train is not accessible by walking if in Centro... not many place to get to by train efficiently... lovely area...and supposedly great hiking around there.. Pescara was lovely seaside but totally rebuilt after WW2 so fairly new city...
I wanted to add “The Americans,” but see someone already did. I remember it being six seasons or so. I tuned in after listening to a piece on NPR about the series. I loved “Lessons In Chemistry”….so good!!!
Loved The Americans!! And we are in the middle of Lessons.
The Americans. “A Masterpiece,” per the NYT. Won’t disappoint.
Truly a masterpiece. Maybe it's time for a re-watch.