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⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jess Dyck) This show!!! Hard to rate because I feel like I spent half of the last few episodes with my head under a pillow (THE TENSION IS HIGH), but this show has officially sucked me in (though honestly it took the first ~10 episodes to do so). The character building is incredible and I love learning about these people! I feel the suspense so deeply, I think it’s well acted, the story is compelling and I NEED ANSWERS.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Honestly, I loved this movie. I loved the last one and I loved this one almost as much. They're just so fun! I watched this alone in the theatre and honestly that's always a great time but I was laughing out loud constantly. It's not smart and it's not deep and that's okay because I was there to have a good time and I did. Kevin Hart was the star of the show. And I sure do love cheesy friendship themes.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Will) The autobiography of Booker T. Washington. Born a slave before the American Revolution, he lived through the period when black people in the American South were freed, and went on to become one of the most influential people in the USA. He was a truly remarkable person, spending most of his life founding & building up the Tuskegee Institute, a school primarily for black students. There were so many fascinating parts, but I'll pick a few favorites. Hearing what life was like in the South in the very early post-slavery period, from day one when the slaves were freed. His is only one perspective obviously, but it was not even close to what I expected. Just imagine - millions of people living in slavery for decades, and one day they just wake up and they're free. He dedicated his life to normalizing race relations and attempting to help former slaves integrate into a society that they had no idea how to exist in. I was fascinated by his th...

⭐ 6.0/10 (Originally written by Jess Dyck) This book was just ok. Picked it up cuz it caught my eye at Indigo, by the same author of The Girl in Cabin 10, which I’d heard great things about. Regardless I’ve been working my way through this for weeks, and it just hasn’t captivated me. The premise is unoriginal (nanny in a haunted old house) and I didn’t care for the characters. The last quarter of the book had me more hooked but all of a sudden it was over and I was left pretty dissatisfied. It was still a decent read, but that’s the best I can say. I will say I’m intrigued enough to give her other work a shot.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This was my first Wes Anderson movie and I really enjoyed his style. This was a fast-paced, rhythmic movie that was sharp witted and had excellent dialogue. It felt like a high level craft and I could just feel I was witnessing great camerawork and film artistry. I just only wished I liked it more. It was a comedy, but I can't really recall laughing all that much (I guess it's not really that kind of comedy) and I got lost in the artsiness a few times. Still, I feel like anyone would enjoy this movie, likely more than me.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) If you’ll ask my coworker George how much I liked this show he’ll tell you I had tears in my eyes at every lunch break and was smacking the table every few minutes. I think Clare was almost my favourite character? But I also really loved Erin. The last two episodes were 😭 throughout watching this I was messaging my Irish friend and getting all the background stuff so it was really cool to learn some of Ireland’s history. If you hear me saying cracker or wain or class mind your business.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) First book club book of the year. Really thought-provoking, introduced a lot of concepts I had never heard of before, and the university student in me loved the amount of research and cited studies included to back up claims, which we don't see a lot of in our usual book club reading. Super engaging writing, and made me see a lot of things in a new light. Wish he tied everything together more at the end, though, and maybe sometimes argued the other side. And maybe gave some tips for moving forward. Still, definitely a worthwhile read, and really enjoyed it overall.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by KathleenQ) Okay, after everyone else here talked up this show, I had to give it a try! I thought season 1 was pretty good, but in season 2 it really hit its stride and I was busting a gut every couple of minutes. I agree with everyone else that Sister Michael is the absolute best. Boring Uncle Colm was also a highlight for me, I TOTALLY know people in real life like that. This is the kind of dark, absurd, realistic comedy I need in my life.

⭐ 1.0/10 (Originally written by Mathew) After this experience Jill isn't allowed to turn on reality TV anymore. Literally the worst content but they have the formula figured out to keep your stupid eyes on the stupid screen. I didn't care about any of the people falling in love (or did they???) but we managed to watch the entire thing. I finish today a worse person than when I woke up this morning. Would not recommend.

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Will) Malcolm Gladwell is a fantastic story teller, so this book was really engaging and interesting throughout. That being said, he didn't really have a whole lot to say aside from the interesting stories - his point could have been easily condensed down to 10% of the book, though that would have been much less entertaining. As for the content - I was a bit disappointed that it didn't really resolve. I do have a better understanding of the difficulties around understanding strangers though, and that's worth something on it's own, even if there aren't really any concrete solutions to the issues.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) As with any concentration camp story, if this wasn't true you would think it's an over dramatic and unrealistic horror story. Such an unbelievable era of history. This story was a good one, and the romance was pretty touching. At first I was kinda weirded out with the present-tense narration, but it grew on me. It added some haunting aura which I'm not sure was the intended purpose...? I read on audiobook which was narrated by Thorin Oakenshield. He was mostly amazing with great, unique voices and (I think) really great accents. Little over the top when things got emotional. Anyways, the epilogue itself was a wild ride. I was thinking this book needs a sequel. Tattooist of Auschwitz II: Lale's Revenge. Anyone??

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) I was expecting to see lots of reviews of this book that I could copy from, but I suppose they have yet to arrive. We studied this book on my recommendation, so I had a lot of stake in it being good. Overall I really did enjoy reading through it. My favorite part of reading a Gladwell book is having material with which to impress your friends during casual conversation, but unfortunately all of my friends were also reading it. Still, I thought he made a lot of interesting points even if some were a bit of a reach. His style remains a little annoying to me as he really tries to sensationalize a lot of his research and tries a little too hard to make interesting stories fit his points. It also wasn't my favorite book by him, but I still think it's one I'll remember for a long time.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by KathleenQ) I don't remember ever reading a memoir that was such a page-turner. Walls is a remarkable writer, and her story is BANANAS. It is a wild ride from the very start: her earliest memory is catching on fire as a three-year-old cooking hotdogs in her family's trailer, only to be busted out of the hospital early by her neurotic father. It's just one crazy thing after another as her family moves from one place to another, adding more children to the mix, and the alcoholism and neglect get worse and worse. Thanks, Finer Things Club, for making me read this!

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by KathleenQ) A memoir about being raised in the Rust Belt of America by the author's hillbilly grandparents. Maybe I read this at the wrong time. I read it after having read The Glass Castle (Jeanette Walls), hoping it would help me make sense of that author's mind-blowingly neglectful parents. It didn't really do that. (I don't think the Walls family were hillbillies, just a couple of disadvantaged white people with serious mental health issues and no support.) And to make matters worse, Vance isn't half as talented a writer, and his story isn't half as interesting, so his book felt kind of boring in comparison. A few years ago everyone was saying this book was a must-read if you wanted to better understand how Trump got elected, and I've been meaning to check it out since. Again, maybe the timing was wrong, because it didn't really do that for me, either. I still feel frustrated by white people not understanding how their ...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This is a graphic novel/memoir about Malaka's experience growing up biracial (Filipina/Egyptian) and in an interfaith family (Catholic/Muslim), as the daughter of immigrants who ultimately divorce. An experience VERY different from my own, obviously. It's a quick read, as graphic novels usually are, and she made the interesting choice of giving herself a limited colour palette - red, white, blue, and black. She also used very interesting page layouts, without the typical squares and rectangles. I still don't know much about the graphic novel medium, but I thought this was a cool one. There are lots of themes, but my favourite was when she discussed her obsession with whiteness, and living in a non-white city compared with living in a very white one.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I haven't read this middle grade author since her Among the Hidden series, which I loved, so it was fun to revisit her with this very new book. The tone of this one is pretty different, but it was still a fun read! 3 siblings hear about another set of 3 siblings that have been kidnapped who all have the same names and birthdays and them - what?! And then their mom disappears! The kids find clues she left behind, so there are codes, riddles, secret passages... lots of fun! I plan to read the sequel when it comes out.

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I'm not totally sure why I decided to go ahead and read this... Maybe because I'd never read a book by a Cambodian author? Anyway, memoirs about war and death and suffering are not exactly my thing (I just like to feel happy!), and this one is about a young girl's experience living through the Khmer Rouge revolution. But I didn't know anything about it and thought I should, and in the end it was worth the listen for me for that reason. Loung is really young - five - when everything starts, and the book covers about 6 years. Her family has to run away, members start dying, everyone is starving, and Loung has to train for the army. Not a lot of happy moments. It's told in the present tense, which was an interesting choice - it made it feel more immersive and immediate, since there's no detachment and reflection that comes with using the past tense. But she was also a child, so everything we get comes through a child-but-a...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Brandon.B.) This first episode back after a loooooong break was almost perfect. The Clone Wars animated series is my favorite part of Star Wars lore so I am a bit biased😬😬😬. Whatever!! It was great to see Rex and Cody back at it again and the "The Bad Batch" was an awesome addition to the Clone story arc. There was also a lot of work done in this episode to get the plot of this season going right away. Zero unnecessary flashback scenes! The graphics were clearly better than they were just a few years ago, but that was only an enhancing quality. No distractions from the CGI department. My only tiff with this episode is that we didn't get to see as much of certain core characters as I'd hoped; however, this does not make the episode seem incomplete. So much Star Wars love!

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) Frig I loved this movie so much. Felt so raw and powerful that I got emotional at many points throughout. A big part of me loved what they were doing and was totally on the parents side but a small part of me was like that’s just not realistic. We are slaves to the systems in place and any deviation from the norm is ostracized and looked down upon. Frick capitalism.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) I started listening to this after seeing Jona's review. I heard once that people only love the music they listened to while in their early 20s and keep thinking that's true for me, and haven't felt attached to anything in years. For what it's worth, I've been going back to listen to this album often in the last month or so. I love his style even though his sound has never been my preference. Some might call his intensity a little corny, but I love that he takes himself seriously and he just sounds like a guy who loves singing. Not really any skippable songs (though dancing under red skies is liiiitle too lame for me) and An Evening I Will Not Forget is probably my favorite song I've heard in 2020.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Blasted through this in one day. Lots of things I loved about it, especially the main actors (who are actually teens!). It's about a teenage girl discovering she has superpowers while she deals with losing her father, which isn't exactly new, but I thought it was really well done. Very relatable if you ever had a mental breakdown as a teen ✌️ I'm not at all interested in high school drama, though, so it lost points there. Yawn. But I LOVE the main boy, and I'm very enthusiastic about the friendship that seems to be growing there. Lots of swears, some talk of sex, weed-smoking, and a little gory at the end. Just as a warning. I know the original source material ends on a depressing note, so I'm hoping they don't go that route here.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Jess) A great movie. It was very different from the 2019 version, besides the fact that it's older. I thought it was more accurate according to the book, and the actors in it were amazing. I liked that when Amy was 12, she was played by someone who was actually a child, instead of a 24 year old playing a 12 year old (2019 version). I really enjoyed watching it, I highly recommend watching this.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) Pretty much what you would expect from this. Had fun watching it with a group of friends. Some bad acting and cringey moments but also some laugh out loud scenes. Very much had a Detective Pikachu vibe. They were really vague about his background which I wish they would have explored more but we’ll wait for that in the sequels ;)

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Will) A super-interesting sci-fi novella that centers on a convent of nuns travelling space, stopping where people need medical and/or spiritual care. Even without the nuns, there's an interesting universe here where humans have recently started populating other planets and there is a struggle for control of those planets. Adding in the nuns brings it to another level, adding some of their philosophical and theological perspectives to the broader issues going on. It's a quick read, and well worth it - I think the ebook is like $3 or something.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) A young teen fiction book set in London in the 1600s. About a boy who is an apprentice at an apothecary. There’s someone who is killing Masters of apothecaries and it’s getting closer and closer to Christopher. Pretty fun, quick read. Some good suspense and mystery. Really great friend relations and no romance which is exactly what I want from a kids book. I read the whole thing in a day which tells you it was both gripping and a super light book. Also enjoyed the period piece told in a simple way.

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) Tsh talks about living simply after coming back to the States from living abroad in Turkey for several years. I probably would've loved this ten years ago, but most of these ideas are very familiar for me by now. A lot of it was about living simply with kids, so not a ton was relevant to me, but I did enjoy the read, and there are a few takeaway thoughts I got from it.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) A beautiful little middle-grade book told in verse, in the voice of Jude, a young girl from Syria who leaves for the United States with her mom when things get dangerous. Most of the book takes place in the States, as Jude has to adjust to life in a place so different from home, and with her dad and brother still in Syria. She's also one of the only Muslims in her school and is still learning English (her struggles with the language are so accurate). I've read similarly-themed books for adults that were better for me, but I'm just so glad that there are books like this out there for kids now. I'd say read this with your kids NOW, but there is a bit of talk about periods and first crushes, in case you want to leave conversations about that for later.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) Oh man, absolutely died watching this. So, so funny. About 4 Irish girls plus James living in Derry. I think a big reason this show is so good is because it’s so foreign to me. The dialogue, the accents, the way of life; the way they simply go about their day is just so funny to me. There is a decent amount of swearing in this but it’s clear they don’t think dropping the F-bomb is as big a deal as we do. They’re more put off by the word fanny. Which.. ya know. Highly recommend. Low commitment. Very funny.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) Enjoyed watching this season, as I did the others. Nothing remarkable and almost no on-going plot, but I enjoyed each episode and the characters are charming.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) This book won't be relevant to anyone who isn't pregnant, but it was a great, informative, research-based book on all things pregnancy related. Recommended to all my pregnant friends to help make some decisions.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Jess) Based on the reviews from my sisters, I had to watch this and I am eternally indebted. This was such an amazing show!! I loved the humour but I also loved how they got serious about real issues. I shed a tear in the season finale. The entire show I was just wishing I had an Irish accent. Sister Micheal and Orla are my favourite characters, they are hilarious! And I’m just gonna say it, I am in love with James and I don’t care that he’s English!

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jess) So I guess there’s two versions of the ending. I read the version where Beth does die, it was heartbreaking. After watching the movie a couple of times, I’ve become a little obsessed with Little Women and I really wanted to read the book again (watch the movie, you really can’t watch it too many times). I really loved the book, even though it had some romance, it was still about the story of four sisters. I appreciated that it told stories about how cruel sisters can be but at the same time how amazing a relationship with sisters can be. It had a lot of religious and moral themes which seemed really forced, perhaps because it was written in 1868. The movie made it seem like Jo was in love with Teddy in the end, but the book made me feel more at peace with Jo not ending up with Teddy, I really appreciated that. Although, I didn’t like how she went against her stance on independence and married in the end. SMH.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by KathleenQ) You guys it's a HEIST STORY set in a magical world inspired by 17th-century Europe! Coooooooooooool. What a delightful YA fantasy novel! The genre has been disappointing me over the last few years, with a procession of mediocre stories with forgettable characters,* so that I was starting to wonder if I'm really a big fan of the genre after all. So I was delighted to finally come across a fresh, surprising, and well-written story. A gang of nine criminal misfits is offered the job of breaking a scientist out of a high-security prison. (The scientist has developed a dangerous drug that can super-charge the powers of Grisha -- people born with various magical abilities.) They have to work together in spite of their complicated histories. I actually loved all the characters and was rooting for them hard as they faced one impossible obstacle after another. It was thrilling and action-packed, but well-paced. (Other than the first two chapter...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) A book about Trever Noah's upbringing in South Africa. Truly entertaining and funny and had some nice bits of history and candid social commentary. The audiobook gives you a nice experience because you get the accents and imitations which was a big plus. But I've kinda come to realize that people reading stuff directly from a book is just not as funny as reading it in your head. Anyways, really great, highly recommended read, and my only wish by the end was that he would've went further into his life because it ends just a bit abruptly.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) I love puzzle platformers and co-op games, and this was a really fun example of both. Never so hard that I wanted to stop playing, but never boring. A little too stressful at times, though, and it loses a point for giving me several heart attacks. Couldn't follow the background plot at all. Super fun jumping-and-swinging mechanics, and I loved figuring out obstacles with a partner. Better if played with your favourite sister.

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) I love Nancy Drew and Sophia Lillis, but sadly those were the only two good things about this movie. Very much aimed at 12-year-old girls, with a super predictable plot and one-dimensional characters. The mystery was uninspired and the themes were muddled. But I have to say, Sophia Lillis did an impressive job with the garbage script she was given.

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by KathleenQ) This movie is fine, if you're looking for a cute, easy-to-watch teen romance. Good for watching in the middle of the night if you're awake against your will and you just want something entertaining that won't make you think too hard or feel too much. It has a very enjoyable soundtrack. Everyone is ridiculously good-looking. It's nice to see a slightly-curvy, teen Asian girl as the romantic lead. The first movie (To All The Boys I've Loved Before) was better (like, 7.5 stars).

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Jess) This was a two player game, which I finished with my sister Becky, and it didn’t destroy our relationship. It’s a puzzle platform game, you have to use teamwork most of the time, which I actually liked. The difficulty level isn’t bad, some puzzles you will spend time on because you have to get the timing perfect and some are on a time crunch because something is chasing you, a chicken for example (😤).

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I read this book on @Magdalene’s review and it was so beautiful. A really great insight to tribal Mongolian life, and a really great story about family, courage, and love. This book is intended for a younger audience but it was so deep that I think most of you would really enjoy it. I love her relationship with her eagle and how the community around her grew to fill the empty places in her heart. An incredibly touching conclusion ❤️

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This is a super interesting historical book set in 1890s Georgia. The main character is Jo, a Chinese-American orphan teen. Who knew there were Chinese immigrants in the southern States already at that time? I didn't! A huge topic in the book is how Chinese people were treated during this era of segregation, when they weren't considered "coloured," but not white either. Jo is secretly living in the basement of a newspaper press with the man who raised her, and works as a personal maid. She starts to submit articles to the paper, finally giving her a way to get her voice heard. I was very invested in Jo's journey of becoming more confident and starting to speak up about all the injustice and ridiculous things she sees as someone from the invisible class. There's intrigue about her birth while everyone in the city is trying to find out who's writing the articles. Fun!

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) Based on the title and description, I thought this would be a lighthearted rom-com, but I was pleased to discover it was about so much more. It is about love, but so many kinds other than romantic - love for parents, best friends, childhood friends, classmates, sisters, etc. Frank Li (frankly - get it?) is a nerdy Korean-American teen in his senior year, and has to deal with all sorts of things - racist parents, his first (white) girlfriend, a disowned sister, SATs, moving on after graduation... Again, I was surprised to see this book take on so many topics, but I thought it handled them all really well. It dives deep into Korean-American culture, as well as how it feels to be the child of immigrants. My parents aren't Korean, but I could still relate hard. Also this book has an example of one of the healthiest male friendships I've ever seen. Two bros comfortably saying I love you and hugging each other all the time? YES! This book is...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Pretty self explanatory title. He argues that the Bible isn't a book of facts, knowledge and rules but rather diverse letters and stories that need thoughtful consideration and modern interpretation to apply to today. I thought he had some pretty compelling arguments, and he clearly has a pretty strong expertise in this field. I will say that this was more a book for beginners and is written super casually which isn't my preferred style for academic subjects. Also, I already agreed with his thesis before reading and so it wasn't always all that engaging for me. But there was still scattered insights about Jewish history and how the Bible has been interpreted over time that I had no idea about and kinda just wished the whole book was just this kind of content. Either way, I hope to read more of Enn's books in the future, and I know he has books written in a style I'd prefer.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Took me a really long time to finish this one, mostly because a) I can only play for half an hour before I get too motion sick and b) there were SO MANY LEVELS. I was almost frustrated by how many levels there were at the end. But the plot was really fun to follow, the dialogue was hilarious, and the end credits song was shockingly catchy. Did have to look up whether or not I was on the right track a couple times, a couple levels had bits where the solution was really obscure. But very satisfying to figure things out.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jess) This book was amazing. First time reading it based on Maggie and Anita’s raving reviews. I was captivated the entire book, as soon as I put it away I was thinking about the next time I could read it. It was nice to read a lighthearted romantic book, that mostly made me feel good while reading. I am going to take a star away because I found myself annoyed at how much of a “typical girl” the main character was: she fainted twice, her emotions would change like a light switch and she wouldn’t tell anyone when she was upset, like a child would when they go pout in their room. But don’t get me wrong, this was an amazing book, I loved the romance. It’s a quick read, most likely because you don’t want to stop reading.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Jess) This was my first time watching it. I’ve wanted to see it for a while, and it didn’t really live up my expectations, it was ok. But I have come to realize that older chick flicks are better.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Absolutely delightful. So much fun, utterly ridiculous, but with enough heart to keep you invested. Every single character is absurd, but strangely lovable. I was instantly attached. Super funny and quotable, if only I could speak in an Irish accent!

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Jona) Seems like a popular film tonight. Overall I thought it was a great watch, and I enjoyed the character development. I thought the family dynamic was really funny, and I also enjoyed the well placed humour throughout the entire movie. Would recommend.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) Enjoyed watching this one, kept me engaged and thinking the entire time which was fun. My main complaint is that it didn't end in a way that I thought was satisfying. I expected a bit more subversion, but maybe because it didn't do what I expected means that it subverted my expectations? Regardless, would recommend this to anyone, had a great time watching it.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Jess Dyck) This movie was just a lot of fun! I loved the characters, the story was fun and witty, and it was a movie that held me from start to finish. Definitely a fun watch :)

⭐ 4.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I tried. I really tried. Justin is a bop making expert and after his album Purpose I had such high hopes for this album. Its a 17 track album and every song has the same beat and rhythm as the last. Me, a person who rates everything high! Is giving this a 4 :( :/ Intentions is the best song and everything else is so bland and vanilla sounding it’s ridiculous. We do not stan.

⭐ 4.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Much like Blood, Germs and Steel, this book initially blew me away as they challenged my assumptions and forced me to think in totally new ways. With BG&S, it petered out a bit for me by the end because I found it a bit boring. Nothing was boring about Sapiens, but by the end I just found it entirely ridiculous. My main issue with the book is that the author speaks as if he's an expert of essentially every major academic discipline, including history, anthropology, philosophy, religion, biology, chemistry, psychology, ethics, economics and agriculture, and then disguises his biased opinions on each subject as commonly accepted fact. I found his writing style funny at first, but by the end was worn out by his hubris and arrogance. He caricaturizes most existing belief systems in order to refute them, and then makes sweeping assumptions for his own. I just found there to be a lack of academic integrity, especially with common academic taboo...

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Sometimes funny, sometimes sweet, but a little too often cringey and hard to watch. Overall not the worst romance Jess has forced on me.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) This book was so good, but so, so heartbreaking. So many moments that left me weeping for the characters, especially knowing that some children and people actually experience these realities. Right up Henry's alley, I'd wager! Set in Chatham Kent area which was really cool, and even a mention of Leamington.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) A self titled country album by a promising up and coming artist. Carly has a really unique voice that makes you stop and listen. The first time I heard her debut single - Every Little Thing - it stopped me in my tracks. She has a really unique voice that is deep and soaring. A mix of Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. This is such a surprisingly great country album that is both fun and introspective to listen to. I know this is cheesy but country music really does have the ability to take you back to the “good ole days” of your childhood and make you feel nostalgic about passed time. I don’t know. I Hope You’re Happy Now, It Won’t Always Be Like This, and Hearts Going Out Of Its Mind are my favourites.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Chaives) The Netflix original, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina , or CAOS, as it is aptly acroynmned - follows the truly chaotic life of the teenage half-witch, half-mortal, Sabrina Spellman as she tries to walk the paths of both light and darkness. Throughout the series, we follow Sabrina as the two halves of her life become irrevocably tangled in the enchanting little town of Greendale. Sabrina faces challenges of both mortal and damning magnitudes - from daily life being a teenager (ugh, am I right?) to being the queen of hell. Do you love watching shows that make you afraid when things go bump in the night? Then you should watch CAOS. Overall, the storyline is compelling. The writers have created an immersive setting that allows the viewer to feel grounded even through the existence of witches. Put simply, your suspension of disbelief need not be strained in order to enjoy the show. Although the storyline follows female teenager Sabrina, the conten...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Will) An animated show by Netflix, aimed at older kids / younger teens. The premise is that some unknown event has happened causing animals to become massive and intelligent. They are generally unfriendly towards humans, making the surface world dangerous, so humanity retreats underground to live in "burrows". Kipo ("Keepo"), who grew up underground, finds herself unexpectedly lost on the surface for the first time in her life, trying to find her Dad. So, given all that, this show is WEIRD, but delightfully so. My favorite things (mild spoilers alert): There is a scene where two wolves (one voiced by GZA from the Wu Tang Clan) rap about their vast astronomy knowledge, and it is BRILLIANT Kipo's optimism and willingness to try to get along with everyone is basically what gets her through her adventures Mob frogs driving black cadillacs, except there is no fuel so the cars are just pulled around by giant dragonflies with harnesses O...

⭐ 6.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) So this show got more violent and sexually explicit very quickly after the first season. It's also really dark and all of the characters are pretty much awful, so it's hard to root for anyone. Really depicts the horrors of war and PTSD that follows soldiers when they return home. Engaging, unpredictable plot, but I...wouldn't really recommend it. Just so violent and graphic and disturbing.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I watched every available episode of this show during a 3-day vacation, so that shows how great it is. This show is FUNNY. It's a sit-com about the daily lives of a group of friends in Ireland in the 90s, when there was a lot of tension between the Catholics and Protestants. This show delivered a lot of really big laughs as this group of girls (and one boy!) got up to a bunch of ridiculous antics. It's silly and light, and Sister Michael is just the best character.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This novella caught my attention because the premise was just so unique , and unlike anything I'd ever heard of before. And it won the Hugo! The story centers around an order of nuns who have been sent into space (it's sometime after a huge war on Old Earth, far in the future) in a living ship to reach and help far-flung colonies. Nuns in space?? Heck yes! The story focuses on four of the nuns, who struggle with their callings. It's mostly a quiet story, as the nuns question faith, the intersection between religion and politics, and questions of morality. Should they let their ship mate? Is preaching the gospel more important than helping the suffering? What happens if you fall in love but also love your life on the ship? It tackles all this in less than 200 pages. Obviously the premise is super weird, yet the tone is serious and contemplative, albeit with a pretty action-packed ending. Highly recommend for anyone looking to read s...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Mathew) Really great movie that maintains the quality from #1. A+ casting.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) I really love this series, and this season is no exception. Definitely not something you'd watch if you're looking for something light-hearted, since it contains some pretty heavy themes and has pretty much 0 seconds of humour. Loved the new cast, and appreciated how each episode had its own major theme or plot. Really humanizes the royal family, and makes you feel like you understand their life, struggles, and role.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Jona) This album randomly popped up on Spotify, and I’ve been listening to it all day. He’s got a unique style, and I feel there is a lot of depth to his lyrics. Some songs remind me of Josh Garrels, or Ben Howard, but then others have a hip-hop feel to it. Very unique, but it’s really growing on me.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Jess) Re-watched this oldie but a goodie. I love this re-telling of the Cinderella story, and although I'm not a huge fan of Drew Barrymore, this is the only thing I like her in. I think I like this movie so much mostly for nostalgic reasons, it's family friendly and great for a movie night!

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jess) This was a very intense show. I loved watching it but it made me really frustrated too. I didn't know much about Chernobyl but all I think about, everyday is: how was that a real thing that happened and how far away is the nearest nuclear power plant?

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jess) This season is hard for me to watch, even though this show fiction, I can't help but keep thinking that rape is very real, and very sad. But, DS Miller and Tenant are amazing together. I also like that two main characters that are a male and a female don't have any romantic relationship.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) My pal Pete is becoming a core theologian for me over the past few years. He hosts The Bible for Normal People Podcast, and that’s where I first became acquainted with him. This book was amazing. He makes the argument that the bible is designed to point us to wisdom rather than give us answers. He claims that to know God is to live with wisdom. Another big concept he talks about in this one is reimagining God in our own time and place, while still holding on to the tradition of our faith ancestors. He makes the claim that the bible is full of people reimagining God and that we have the freedom to do that as well. So many challenging ideas but I learned so much about the bible. Would highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn more about the B-I-B-L-E.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Will) A murder mystery, set in Asimov's universe. The twist is that this murder mystery is set in a time where there are high tensions between humans and robots/AI, and the detective here has been assigned a robot as a partner. Asimov is so good at telling a story that is pretty narrow in scope (i.e. murder mystery), all the while slowly teasing out more of the broader universe. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it, though it wasn't the best thing I've read in Asimov's universe. I did find it slightly more predictable than some of his other stuff, though I may have just been spoiled by some of his absolutely fantastic twists in other writings. I still find it incredible that Asimov was able to map out humanity's progress with robotics/AI in so much detail, and anticipate so many of the potential problems that would come up along the way. This is even more incredible to me because there is no such thing as software in his world (everything ...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Really terrific docudrama about the Chernobyl disaster. It came at an interesting time for me as I just finished reading the biography about Stalin and so I had a bit of background on the Soviet Union. It made a real life event suspenseful which is pretty impressive ("oh my goodness are they going to be able to stop Chernobyl from destroying the whole world?!") and had some good commentary on human nature, power and sacrifice. Felt like a high quality production. I will admit that the decision to anglicize the whole thing threw me off. Brits with Russian names? Is the guy with the Swedish accent an outsider? How about the guy speaking broken English because of his Russian accent? Is he a foreigner?

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) Another religious podcast, but this one focuses more on faith, life, science and art. Really great stories that explore a lot of hot topics in the Christian sphere and world at large. This one is sometimes a bit far out there but so enriching and valuable. This one does push up against evangelicalism quite a bit so beware lol. There are even some episodes with swears!

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) A podcast that attempts to bring the stories of the bible to everyday people. I listen to this podcast religiously. They explore many different avenues of the bible that are both intriguing and challenging. They’ve really helped me gain a healthy relationship with the bible and spur me on to challenge my view and ask big questions.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by KathleenQ) Okay, so. I loooooooved the first few episodes of this season. Best friends are reunited! Mysteries abound! Murder Girl terrifies Dirk so bad he knocks himself unconscious! Todd and Dirk are still 10/10 all the way through. Buuut I have to say that the absurdity got a little over-the-top about halfway through, even for me. I can accept time travel and swapping souls, but a woman who can turn herself into inanimate objects? Bad guys from a kid's dreams can travel to the real world and murder actual real people?? I dunno, man, I can only accept so much. And the props and special effects were a bit unconvincing at times. That said I'm still really sad the show got cancelled. There was still so much potential here -- so much more fun to be had.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) It took me a bit to get into this book (probably didn't help that I listened to it in 2 parts, a month apart, since it expired from the library before I could finish it) and I had a hard time remembering who was who at times, but once I got into it I really enjoyed it. Keeps you guessing which side is the 'right' side. I found the romance rather unconvincing but I'm willing to look past it. Hopefully I can get to the second book quickly enough before I forget all of the characters and plot lines, especially since this one ends so abruptly!

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) Tessa's review and everyone's comments encouraged me to finally see this one, especially since we have a free trial of Disney+ right now. You were all right, it was awesome. One of the best animated movies I've seen. Funny, brilliant, heartwarming, and has an awesome voice cast. Loved the representation of Sadness touching some of the happy memories and them becoming sad memories, because I spend a lot of time looking back on beautiful events and times and there's always a touch of sadness there since I can never get that moment back.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) One of the best movies of all time, only helped by the fact that we got to watch it with a live symphony. I am always shocked at how well it holds up, with hilarious jokes and musical numbers, and an interesting story about the transition between silent films and talking pictures. A true masterpiece, and a delight every time I watch it.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) One of the best in the Wheel of Time series, it has many memorable scenes and big character moments. Took me forever to get through it as an audiobook, but every time I turned it on I was right back in the world. The show can't come soon enough.

⭐ 5.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) A biography of Stalin that is altogether just too political and technical for my taste. It was written by a Russian historian and then translated, so the audience was probably someone who has at least a tiny bit of background in Russian politics or at least someone who can differentiate one Russian name from another. The book offered some interesting insight, but it didn't focus on the person as much as his policies which I'm not crazy about. Lastly, although obviously he was not a good person, I still found the author too biased in that he outlined all the horrendous things he did in detail, and summed up any good as political posturing, which could very well have been the case, but either way I just didn't enjoy listening to an 18 hour audiobook about someone with zero redeeming qualities.

⭐ 5.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) As much as it pains me to say, this was not a good season of TV. I loved the first two seasons, the after that it's repetitive nature started to feel... repetitive. The humour also takes a dip in this season, losing almost all of it's wit. It was a chore to watch. That being said, the final episode was very touching, and it gave me the impression that this show always knew where it would end up, and kind of just meandered its way there. The ideas on the afterlife have always been what made this show interesting, and the finale puts a nice bow on it. I just wish it could have been as consistently smart and witty as it was when it started.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Jess Dyck) Honestly, most of the Good Place has been a let down for the past two seasons, and maybe this is recency bias, but they ended this show with one heck of a beautiful episode—it redeemed the entire thing for me. I cried, it moved me, and I was genuinely sad to say goodbye to this band of characters. I don’t think I realized how attached to their stories or relationships I was until it was time to say goodbye. Most of season 4 (and 3) was a tiring, not funny, “this show needs to end” type watch, but it’s honestly worth it for the series concluding episode.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jess Dyck) I liked this season a lot. Loved the new cast, I think they’re all quite brilliant. Fave episode by far was Phillip and the moon landing—give Tobias the Oscar for best in season. Other standouts were the Charles episode and the Aberfan episode. It felt like a more low key season to me, but it still packed a punch and has me excited for the next one.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) I think Ke$ha is super talented in that she can go from bubbly party anthems to soaring ballads in seconds. She’s been through some sh!t that is evident in her music. About half of these songs are really, really great. And the other half are her just having fun and being goofy. I do respect her decision to do what she wants and have her creative freedom to make songs that don’t make sense. I just didn’t vibe with most of them. See especially Resentment, High Road, and Shadow.

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) A superhero movie that doesn't take itself too seriously and mostly wants to have fun, and I don't think it minds that it's not particularly good. It's silly and lame, but Zachary Levi is SO charming in this role, and the kid who played Freddie outshone all of the other kids by far.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) The next ATLA comic, about Team Avatar trying to solve unrest between benders and non-benders in a booming town. This wasn't my favourite of the series, but once again I was blown away by how well these comics portray big issues (supremacy in this case) in a way that can teach kids so much and help them understand problems in our own societies. Some good Sokka laughs, but once again, NOT ENOUGH ZUKO.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This middle-grade book is set in Mongolia, and revolves around the Kazakh people living there, who have a long tradition of raising boys to be eagle hunters. This book does an AMAZING job immersing you in this place and culture, with so many fascinating details about their way of life. The main character is Aisulu, a 12-year-old girl who loves her brother, but gets ignored because she's a girl. When her brother gets hurt and has to go away to a hospital, she defies tradition and rescues and trains an eagle to enter a competition and try to save him. So cool! Aisulu reflects a lot about what it means to be a girl who doesn't fit what tradition says she should be, about home and family. I'm obviously not the target audience, but I loved it. Something to think about once again, though, is that this was written by a white, Canadian author (who lives in Kitchener!). She spent time in Mongolia and obviously did a lot of research, but it...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by KathleenQ) Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I re-watched this series with the Kid, and it's even better the second time around. The magic system is frankly confusing, so I got a lot more of it once I understood the six arcanums and their properties, and how the different elf societies correspond to them, etc. The animation is gorgeous (once you get used to it); the characters are complex and interesting and refreshingly diverse; and there are SO many positive messages that I want my kid to absorb. Random things I love: -Diverse representation! I love that the king is black (and wears dreadlocs!), his wife is Asian, and the kids are interracial. The armies are equally made of men and women, the general is a Deaf woman, and there are gay couples (and are seen kissing! In animation!). This is so rare and refreshing in a story with a fantasy (medieval-ish) setting. -Even the heroes make serious mistakes. King Harrow is noble and good and a wonderful role...

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) An easy watch (a youtuber has uploaded the whole series in 3 minute bites), I enjoyed watching an episode or two while making/eating my lunch. I think that right there knocks it down a couple stars, because it was a pretty passive watch. Most episodes focus on action, which can be repetitive, but apart from that I really liked a couple of the multi-episode plot arcs and storylines. The animation looks a bit dated, but it introduced some cool ideas (like the Jedi being really dumb and hypocritical, or how the war is viewed by people that aren't Jedi) and some new characters I am interested in. I like all the world hopping and universe expansion that happens, giving you a sense of the scale of the clone wars, but it felt disjointed, where Anakin and Obi-Wan just show up on whatever planet has the most intense fighting. I get the sense that it will only get better, so I am on board.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This is the story of two kids living in a village in rural China during the Cultural Revolution and all of the hardships they need to go through in order to survive. It reminded me strongly of Little House on the Prairie, since nature and survival play big roles in the story, plus it doesn't really have an over-arching plot - more like a collection of stories and adventures that the children go through. So it wasn't a particularly compelling read, but the kids were sweet, their brother-sister relationship was heart-warming, and reading it felt really relaxing and soothing, even though the characters were struggling. It's a very immersive experience in a time and place that's so unfamiliar. This would be great as a read-aloud for kids who like the Little House books.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Finally watched this classic! Honestly, super fun and an amazing portrayal of female empowerment that still allows women to be extremely feminine, especially for 2001. Not without flaws, but I could overlook them. You go Reese Witherspoon!

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Kind of disappointed by this one, honestly. I'm a sucker for found family themes, but this one just felt kind of rushed and forced, and the humour felt the same. It was fun and exciting, but overwhelmingly predictable. Not sure if it was the writing, the acting or the editing that made it feel so wooden. I wanted to like it more than I did.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) Every Asimov book I read blows my mind more than the one that came before it. This one brought more connections between the Robot, Empire, and Foundation storylines, in ways I could not have imagined, but they all still click into place perfectly. It also sets up the conclusion of his story in this universe using all of these pieces he has created, which is exciting. Aside from being another piece of his incredible universe, this book moved really quickly, compared to some of his others. I was excited for how it would end the whole time, and it did not disappoint. I could not put the book down for the final couple chapters, with a climactic ending that included many satisfying reveals and connections. I cannot emphasize just how satisfying it is to read a series that fits together so perfectly, especially when these pieces are read somewhat out-of-order, and these connections kind of fill in the gaps. Anticipation for how it ends could not be higher...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by KathleenQ) BIZARRE. That's the first thing you need to know about this show. It is ABSOLUTELY BONKERS. (Mostly in a good way.) It will take you on a RIDE. This show has very strong Umbrella Academy vibes, but with less child abuse and with Dirk Gently as the wholesome protagonist you can actually root for. My least favourite thing about it is ALL THE MURDER. So much murder, you guys. The first four episodes were so bloody and dark I was hesitant to continue. But I persisted and was rewarded with some ... I don't know, man. Weirdly amazing and satisfying moments, and also a most delightful bromance. Todd + Dirk 4ever. Also I barked with laughter in the most unexpected places. Elijah Wood plays Todd, a pretty normal dude who witnesses a completely batshit murder scene at the hotel where he works. The next thing you know, a quirky British guy (Dirk Gently) is climbing through his apartment window telling him that he's a detective and that Todd i...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) A book about why people groups developed the way they have throughout history and why certain groups advanced quicker in civilization then others. The first half this book absolutely blew me away and in ways changed a lot of my worldview. There was quite a lull after that for me, but it came around again in the end. But I felt smarter after reading it and will likely think or this book often in the future. I feel this is in some ways a must-read for those interested in studying history. It's pretty dense and academic at times and it made the audiobook experience occasionally difficult, but overall a very rewarding read.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) Bored rich white housewives are not my favourite subjects in media, but this show did a good job portraying them as complex people. I was more invested in the murder than their rivalries, but over all it was pretty compelling. Usually I don't notice these kinds of things, but the camera work was beautiful, and they did a great job using the scenery and location to mirror the hidden turmoil in this city.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) A game about a former outlaw being forced to do bad things in order to have a new life with his wife. The moral ambiguity of the main character was really fascinating to explore, as he was in theory a good man at the heart but who kills if he must. However that ambiguity lost a lot of punch when I checked the stats and found I'd killed over 800 people over the course of the 20 hour game... But at least he believes in equality with the Natives! On a related note, I felt the game suffered from too many quests just devolving into shootouts, limiting the variety and overall fun in the gameplay. Admittedly there were many non-story facets to the game that weren't violent that I didn't bother exploring. Overall, for a game this old, the terrific story, voice acting, music and dated but amazing visuals made this a solid playthrough for me.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) As a die hard Swifty, this doc was amazing. Takes a really close, personal look at her rise, fall and rise back to fame. I know a lot of people hate her cause “she’s annoying and only sings about her exes” but that is simply because they are intimidated by a strong, powerful woman and want to suppress what they can’t control; #staywoke. But seriously, this doc did such a great job of humanizing a person who so often seems like just a profile and not a human. I know it’s cheesy and cliche but I really did feel a closer connection with her after watching. Also, the process of her songwriting and making was super interesting.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) Super interesting YA book about people that can bring their dreams into reality. So the idea is kind of like, you have to dream and bring stuff back or else it can kill you. But there are some people that think they’re too dangerous, and so they become hunted. Really cool and unique idea. She creates really unique, amazing characters without trying too hard. Felt somewhat let down cause it wasn’t as fantastical as I thought it would be. It also just felt really long. And I never complain about length! It’s the first in a trilogy so I do think it set itself up really well to be a good series.

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by Cwiper) This Netflix original reality tv show about social Media is surprisingly addicting! Players are locked in rooms away from the public and only communicate via social media. This dynamic leads to players catfishing each other. You learn to love the characters. I would highly recommend this guilty pleasure show.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) A fun, adventurous (but a little silly) book about a young girl in the 1700s who wants to be a doctor but can't gain admission to medical schools due to her sex, and somehow ends up on a quest with a couple other young, oppressed women who want more for their lives than society allows. Although set in the past, the language and decisions are very modern, which made it rather unbelievable at times. However, the author makes a case in the Author's Note that these sentiments and activities weren't completely unrealistic for the time period, and I do appreciate a historical fiction book that portrays women as strong and independent for once, even if it was rare.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jona) From Fruitvale Station, to Black Panther, to Just Mercy. I love the roles Michael B. Jordan chooses to play and he is hands down one of my favourite actors. It’s based on a true story, and with knowing this to be true I found myself getting upset throughout the whole film because of how unjust things were for the black community, and even how in many places it still happens today. The credits shared a statistic saying, “1 out of 9 inmates executed during this time were innocent”... just disgusting...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Pretty terrific final season. I think it was carried by the acting with some pretty incredible and moving scenes especially towards the end. My only gripes with the show are that it tries to be grounded and realistic most of the time but then have these super dramatic, far-fetched scenes sprinkled in. It also felt a little formulaic by the end, similar to the way an episode of CSI works, but throughout an entire season. Still, despite the negatives, I thought this show was really great and was a show I was eager to watch most nights.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by tbergen) Second time visiting the cinema for this one. Still can’t find the words. I laughed. I cried. I dreamt of a life where women have equal rights and use those beautiful rights to wear dresses all day, every day. I also imagined/remembered the life I once thought I would lead as a writer.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) Three astronauts need to do a year-long simulation before they go to Mars, but all that time in a small space makes them and their families start questioning themselves and reality. This sci-fi book read a lot more like literary fiction, as it was quiet, contemplative, and claustrophobic. Definitely more character study than action story, but I appreciated this philosophical book about the meaning of space travel. And a surprise ending!

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) A middle grade book about a girl whose sister is born deaf, and also friendship and the Black Lives Matter movement. A nice story about a girl learning about the real world and how to talk to people with disabilities and about race. Pretty heavy-handed, definitely no subtlety, but still a charming read.