What to Read and Watch While Social Distancing

<em>Talking to Strangers</em> by Malcolm Gladwell

<span style="font-weight: 400;">This is a book I just started, but it is a good one. It came to me highly recommended by the teachers who attended our last book club gathering. The reviews talk about our inability to talk to strangers and, as a result, meaning can get lost in translation and conflict ensues. What I have read so far will make it a book that I might include in the Executive Director’s Book Club rotation next year. -Kathy Wiebke, Executive Director</span>

<em>Heart Talk</em> by Cleo Wade

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Notes, advice, and poems are what you will find here! Wade writes to confront fears, remind us of our resilience, and connect us back to self! Wade states that this book is meant to be more than something you read, rather like a friend or a companion. The beautiful words that flow through this book are both relatable and necessary! - Danielle Brown, Professional Learning Director</span>

<em>The Neapolitan Novels</em> by Elena Ferrante

<span style="font-weight: 400;">This is a four-book series that follows two girls, Elena and Raffaella, from childhood to adulthood as they navigate coming of age and life in a community outside of Naples, Italy. It’s emotional and relatable. Pair these books with a TV binge of HBO’s adapted series, </span><span style="color: #009ba3;"><a style="color: #009ba3;" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07GVZPGBY/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r"><span style="font-weight: 400;">My Brilliant Friend</span></a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #009ba3;">.</span> The second season just aired March 16. -Cecilia Calleros, Professional Learning Coordinator</span>

<em>How To Be Fine</em> by Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Greenberg and Meinzer host one of my favorite podcasts, </span><a href="https://bythebookpod.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">By the Book</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, where they read a self-help book and live by its tenets for two weeks before reviewing just how helpful each book really is. They’ve encountered plenty of flawed advice in their experiments, but </span><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062957191/how-to-be-fine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How To Be Fine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, just released Tuesday, highlights what they’ve learned that did add positivity and joy to their lives. Though I’m only a few chapters in, I’m finding this book a great read for these unprecedented times. It’s mostly a lighthearted read, though the authors do address some heavier and adult themes at times. -Marlys Weaver-Stoesz, Communications Director </span></p>

Other suggestions

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The Amazing Adventure of Kavalier &amp; Clay </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">by Michael Chabon, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Educated </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">by Tara Westover, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Becoming </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">by Michelle Obama, Where to Begin by Cleo Wade, and </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Such a Fun Age</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by Kiley Reid</span>

<em>Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution</em>

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is <span style="color: #009ba3;"><a style="color: #009ba3;" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81001496">a do</a><a style="color: #009ba3;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81001496" target="_blank">cumentary on Netflix</a></span> about the impact that a small group of folks can have on so many others. Check out a heartwarming informational and educational story about the evolution that led to the Americans with Disabilities Act. -Mary Field, Professional Learning Director</span></p>

Either of these Mr. Rogers-focused films

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I saw the documentary </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Won’t You Be My Neighbor?</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in theaters in 2018 and was stunned by both Fred Rogers’ approach to showing comfort during difficult times and how well the film captured that. </span><em><span style="color: #009ba3;"><a style="color: #009ba3;" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07FCQ2T9K/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Won’t You Be My Neighbor?</span></a></span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is now available on Amazon Prime. I definitely used a few tissues when I first saw this movie, so be prepared to possibly dive into your toilet paper and tissue stash. I was also able to see </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in theaters when it came to Phoenix venues last November. This movie is loosely based on Fred Rogers’ actual interactions with an investigative reporter. I could argue that the reporter is actually the main character of this film, though you feel the presence of Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Fred Rogers throughout. </span><em><span style="color: #009ba3;"><a style="color: #009ba3;" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B081TJR5NC/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood</span></a></span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is available to rent on Amazon Prime. -Marlys Weaver-Stoesz, Communications Director</span></p>

<em>Dark Waters</em>

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First, this is a movie starring Mark Ruffalo, one of my favorite actors. So, as far as I am concerned, we are off to a good start. It is based on the true story of DuPont poisoning the waters of West Virginia. You will never look at non-stick pans or the Dupont label the same ever again. <em>Dark Waters </em>is currently available through Cox on Demand and <span style="color: #009ba3;"><a style="color: #009ba3;" href="https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Waters-Mark-Ruffalo/dp/B081FXF3XC/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=dark+waters&amp;qid=1584723824&amp;sr=8-2">to rent on Amazon Prime</a></span>: -Kathy Wiebke, Executive Director</span></p>

<em>Mad Men</em>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">There is no better time than now to re-visit Peggy, Don, and the gang and experience Madison Avenue in the 1960s. And, if you’ve never taken the time to watch </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mad Men</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, even better! This is my favorite show of all time; period-piece, incredible character development, and an impressive soundtrack. Find it on Netflix. -Cecilia Calleros, Professional Learning Coordinator</span>

Other suggestions

<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Homeland</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on Showtime and via </span><span style="color: #009ba3;"><a style="color: #009ba3;" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083XRQTGZ/?ref=DVM_PDS_GOO_US_AC_C_A_PAe_1_HOMES7_ENG%7Cc_250164225525_m_3G2OdWxs-dc_s__"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Amazon</span></a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or</span><span style="color: #009ba3;"><a style="color: #009ba3;" href="https://www.hulu.com/series/homeland-d5779fa8-8bac-419b-8539-38a8cfeb1505"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Hulu</span></a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The West Wing </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Netflix</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, <em>My Brilliant Friend</em></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on </span><span style="color: #009ba3;"><a style="color: #009ba3;" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07GVZPGBY/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HBO</span></a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (see book review above of </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">T<em>he Neapolitan Novels</em> by Elena Ferrante</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">), and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Great British Baking Show </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">on </span><span style="color: #009ba3;"><a style="color: #009ba3;" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80063224"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Netflix</span></a></span></p>