Looking to cure late winter blues? When it’s cold and gray out or world events feel overwhelming, I try to choose books and shows that help me unwind and feel happier.
In case they might be helpful to you, too, here are a few of my favorites.
Intriguing, Upbeat Mystery To Cure Late Winter Blues
In comedy/drama A Man On The Inside, Ted Danson plays a retired professor who needs something new in his life. He answers an ad for a freelance private investigator to go under cover in a retirement community and solve a crime. I love the follow-the-clues aspect, the great characters (played by many engaging costars), and just plain fun. And it’s been green lit for a new season, which I can’t wait to see.
Find it on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81677257
Fun Non-Fiction About Dancing, Stage, And Screen
I just finished The Third Gilmore Girl, a memoir by Tony-award winning actress, singer, and dancer Kelly Bishop. Despite Gilmore Girls in the title, the book is more about Kelly’s entire life and career. It includes her early years as a dancer, her experience as one of many who co-created and starred in the original A Chorus Line on Broadway, and her transition to screen acting, including her role in Dirty Dancing.
If you have any interest in the world of the performing arts, this is a fun, engaging read. And while Kelly has many hard times, she strikes a note of joy overall in her career and life.
Learn more on Goodreads by clicking here.
Favorite Stories To Listen To
I love relistening to Pride and Prejudice in the winter. Revisiting Eliza Bennett, Mr. Darcy, Jane and Bingley, and all the Bennetts brings me so much joy. Narrator Shiromi Arserio’s voice is one I could listen to forever no matter the topic. This is also the one recommendation I have a bit of a role in — I wrote a foreword and afterword for the special edition.
Click here to listen.
Another favorite (and classic) relisten narrated by Shiromi is A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Who can forget little Sara Crewe’s trials when her father the captain dies and her charmed life at Miss Minchin’s school becomes a nightmare. But Sara is so imaginative, hopeful, and kind through it all. And the book is all around fun to listen to or reread. You can find it here (or wherever you buy audiobooks).
Other Ways To Brighten Your Days
Entertainment isn’t the only way to brighten or lighten up your days. I like coloring, leaving a string of holiday lights up, drinking hot cocoa or chocolate tea Sunday mornings while I read fiction for an hour, planning a movie night, and catching up with family or friends I haven’t seen in far too long.
The holiday lights remind me —
Sometimes people ask how I get so much done. Scheduling and focus help, but I leave a lot undone, too. As I noted recently on Facebook and Instagram, I didn’t get to taking my Christmas tree down until a couple days after Valentine’s Day. I haven’t sent my usual newsletter out in over a month (hopefully I will get to that soon). And laundry…well, let’s just say I spent all day Tuesday doing 5 loads and still have some left.
But I did recently release my new book Buffy and the Art of Story Season Three Part 2: How To Write Characters The Audience Loves (Or Loves To Hate) And Plots They Can’t Put Down, record an audiobook version of The The Tower Formerly Known as Sears and Two Other Tales of Urban Horror, and nearly finish the first draft of my new supernatural suspense novel.
It’s all a tradeoff. And I’m learning to be okay with that. Which only took me a few decades but better late than never.
I hope you find some of these ideas fun or helpful! Feel free to comment below and share your favorites with me.
Best,
Lisa
