Streaming TV, Books & Music
I don’t know if I mentioned it, but several weeks ago I signed up for Hulu for $11.99 per month. I’ve already streamed about 4 complete TV shows. Love British TV!
Now I’m watching DCI Banks. Have you seen that one?
I no longer have Netflix. For some reason I kept having problems with it.
British TV has virtually spoiled me on watching American TV. It’s just not the same at all.
I can’t even recall the last time I watched an American TV series. Not in the past year or so.
On another note, I’ve finished several books this week. The last of which was “The Stolen Marriage” by Diane Chamberlain. It is set during World War II.
Just Some Of The Books I’ve Read This Year:
Right now I am reading “Blood Sisters” by Jane Corry.
Synopsis:
Three little girls set off to school one sunny morning. Within an hour, one of them is dead.
Fifteen years later, Kitty can’t speak and has no memory of the accident. She lives in an institution, unlikely ever to leave. But that doesn’t keep her from being frightened when she encounters an eerily familiar face.
Art teacher Alison looks fine on the surface. But the surface is a lie. She’s struggling to make ends meet and to forget the past. When a teaching job at a prison opens up, she takes it, despite her fears.
Maybe this is her chance to set things right. Then she starts to receive alarming notes; next, her classroom erupts in violence.
What are you currently reading?
Music:
I probably listened to “Peaceful Piano” by Paul Cardall at least a dozen times yesterday. And I’m listening to it again right now.
Here are a few CDs I’ll probably order next:
- Porcelain by Helen Jane Long
- Transcend by Philip Wesley
- Dark Night Of The Soul by Philip Wesley
Have you listened to any of these artists/musicians before? I take note of your suggestions because many of you seem to have the same taste in music that I have.
Funny – we have Hulu and are cancelling it at the end of the month because we never watched anything on it! We subscribed to Sling instead. We also have Netflix and do watch movies on that. The last series we watched was Schitt’s Creek which was hilarious and fabulous. It took us two tries to get into it. At first, we thought it was stupid, but then we tried again after so many of our friends and family said to give it at least four shows. We did and got hooked. Now we’re just watching Christmas movies at night.
I, too, love British TV. DCI Banks has been a favourite. The trouble is that I read many of the books (An Inspector Banks Novel by Peter Robinson) before the television series was made. My vision of Banks is a tall, dark haired something like (in appearance only) to Cary Grant; it’s hard to get used to Stephen Tompkinson as Banks. I’ve liked Stephen in other series (Ballykissangel) and appearances in episodes of many other popular series. Right now I’m stuck on Midsomer Murders, two or three an evening……..easy to watch while knitting. Enjoy hearing from you daily.
I also like British TV… I think I first heard of it here??? Line of Duty was really good as was DCI Banks and Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren. We’re just starting Vera and really like it so far. The characters in British TV are more complex and less superficial. We really wanted to try Hulu (there was a special for $2.99 for 12 months recently) but out TV system doesn’t support it… which I thought was odd but I did some research online and couldn’t figure it out. I’m sure if I had grand-kids they’d be able to figure it out in minutes!
We listen to many kinds of music…real music that is. The kind that takes real talent. A lot of it is on Youtube…this one is typical of what we listen to sometimes, when we want to remember those early years we lived in Hawaii…mellow voices…harmony is super…very relaxing…here is one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I This young man did not live a long life…but thankfully he left behind his music!! The Hawaiian lifestyle is one unlike any other we have been in…their thought is: “Oh dear…cannot get that done today…maybe next year.” (To the Hawaiians, being together is the most important thing, money not so much…eating oh yea…you cannot imagine how good the food is there…so beyond description…only the food of Israel is better, in our opinion!!) The exact kind of thinking we have needed to get through this year…who knew? Thanks for sharing your “finds” too!! (Another voice we often listen to is Karen Carpenter…also so long gone, but how wonderful we can still listen to her music!!)
Yes British tv is so much more interesting to me. The scenery, writing, acting, and ordinary looking people. We had booked a trip to England for last April. *sigh*. Looking forward to seeing much of it person in 2021. Love looking at your apartment and your sense of style. Thanks!
I also like to watch the British shows. Living conditions and characters are different and they certainly have a different sense of humor!
People like you and me. Living in flats and not many rich people to be found. That’s what I like about British TV. Aside from the spectacular shows!
When I read about 3 months ago that The Strand, a venerable independent bookstore in New York City, was in trouble due to the pandemic, like thousands of others around the country I visited the website and ordered 6 books – all romantic nonsense basically that I enjoy reading as a total escape by author Amanda Quick. In the end, I only received 2 of the books as the other 4 older books I’d ordered (all used) had evidently sold out. Won’t start reading them until after January 1, though. I have pledged that I’m going to start and finish one project I’ve been putting off and since I want to read those Amanda Quick books as my reward, I’ll do it between Dec. 26 and Dec. 31. Yeah, I basically have to bribe myself into getting some of those projects done. I’m usually an avid news reader. I have online subscriptions to two different newspapers, several news magazines and also access free sites like BBC, NPR etc. many-times-a-week. Being retired means I have the luxury of time to really keep myself informed. I wish more Americans had the time and the urge to keep more informed about what’s going on in our country and in the wider world.
I read many, many news articles online every day.
I agree about British series. And when the shows are converted for American audiences, the shows turn into mush that is hard to watch – so I don’t! I love the British comedies too.
Thank you for all your television and book recommendations!
I also loved DCI Banks, Vera, Line of Duty, Foyle’s War just to name a few. The book you are reading sounds intriguing…maybe I will give it a try. I read your blog every day and always enjoy it…your philosophy, decorating, cooking, thrifting, etc. Have a wonderful holiday with your girls and your grandchildren.
Oh I’m now on the fifth season of DCI Banks and wish it was on longer than that. The dynamics of the characters is so realistic to me. Enjoy it.
I love Hulu, watched most of what people mentioned. Read most of the books mentioned, long empty covid days!
My husband and I watch programs from Acorn, Britbox, and PBS exclusively. The only thing we watch on broadcast TV is news, weather and sports. Can’t beat a good British mystery!
I love DCI Banks. And I agree with you regarding British television shows. Much better than American television.
I agree with you about British vs American TV series. American TV should take their example and improve their offerings immensely.