Only Angels Have Wings (1939)

I'm not sure I love how dramatic this old b+w adventure drama gets at times, but Jean Arthur's character is so self-assured and yet vulnerable, so real, and the film's story fits in a clever amount of plotlines and connections with some great pacing and storytelling.

The Trouble With Peace by Joe Abercrombie

I continued to read this series against my better judgment but i’m glad i did because altho the evil wizard was annoying me in the last book, he’s not even in this one, and it’s yet again Abercrombie at his best writing an exciting story full of nonstandard, complex characters. 

Sanity and Sainthood by Tucker Peck

As far as modern meditation books go you could do a lot worse than this approachable, down to earth (if somewhat cheesy) take, with its double emphasis on therapy and healing. 

A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie

I liked this new book in Abercrombie’s universe as far as its writing and story went, but the problem is he made his formerly conflicted main bad guy so cartoonishly evil now that i’m having trouble caring about the rest of the series. 

How to Steal a Million (1966)

I enjoyed this slightly silly Audrey Hepburn romcom, with its early-60s vibe and its European flair, and it had some good laughs, but it lacks a deep center, it's all periphery, there's nothing all that interesting at its heart and it doesn't fully hold together.

City Slickers (1991)

I made it halfway it's pretty stupid and regressive / doesn't hold up well, couple good laughs but Crystal's character is annoying.

1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

Sorkin did a ton of primary research into the hundred year old story of the great depression, and it really shows, with a delicious texture of characters and events, seasoned by a fairly light economic analysis. 

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin

A kid's book should be sweet, simple, and entertaining, but this supposedly popular typing cow book's only jokes are parent-aimed, with a story no toddler would care about; I think it's mainly purchased by aunts at borders who think it's funny and don't understand that what they think is funny doesn't matter.

It Happened One Night (1934)

The story might be bog-simple predictable (tho probably wasn't so predictable in 1934 I guess maybe) but this classic and highly acclaimed rom-com had me cracking up and very impressed with its acting and drama, with some truly touching scenes.

Columbiana (2011)

Annoyingly stupid, cheesy music, and badly written budget action flick in classic Luc Besson pattern (little girl turned revenge superhero); I couldn't get through it and I don't remember how it ended up on my list.

The Mind-Gut-Immune Connection by Emeran Mayer

"Gut microbiome expert says (almost) every modern ailment is caused by gut microbiome deficiencies" ...news at 11.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Lee’s narration has a beguiling innocence that masks the sorrowful content; it is a children’s book and some parts made me wish I’d read it in school instead of now; perfect ending. 

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

This movie typifies all the good bad and ugly of what happens when you give Tarantino too much money - the shots and cast, the music the set the acting, all really well done, and the plot, it's got that great Tarantino zazz that you have to love even if the man is super annoying, but the style, the cuts, the fourth-wall-breaking narration and random on-screen text, they're just too much, too inconsistent, and they take away from a pretty interesting idea for a story.

The Getaway (1972)

It's not the absolute most memorable heist / action movie of the era (I've seen it before years ago but only figured that out partway through) but it's got great leads, great music, and tons of that early 70s style I love.

The Gleaners and I (2000)

Meandering is OK if that's your goal, and I'm glad I stuck through this artsy documentary because the meditative setting and tone were really lovely, and the theme (reusing garbage in general, and saving food from waste in particular) is one that's resonated with me my whole life. 

Our Dollar Your Problem by Kenneth Rogoff

This technical dive into geopolitics, currencies, and international finance had a tough balancing act to pull off, and it honestly did it pretty well - dry and technical enough to mostly explain its topics, cut through with a few choice anecdotes and name calling to not be super boring, broad enough to give a useful perspective overview without getting too abstract - I wouldn’t recommend it to someone unless they like thinking about interest rates and foreign currency exchange tho.