What to Read, Watch and Listen To Over Winter Break
12/22/2023 06:01AM ● By Ski Town Media Staff
Winter break is just around the corner and it’s the perfect time to sink into a good book, binge-watch a new show, or catch up on your favorite podcast episodes while you wrap presents. Here are a few recommendations from Ski Town Media on what to read, watch and listen to during winter break:
Read
Watch
Listen
Read
“Fear Is Just a Word” by Azam Ahmed
In 2010, the Zeta drug cartel seized control of San Fernando, Mexico, ushering in a wave of kidnappings and murders. Its tactics were brutal: it forced its hostages to fight one another, and sometimes dissolved its victims’ bodies in acid. Ahmed, a correspondent for the Times, retraces the story of Miriam Rodríguez, whose daughter was abducted in 2014 and later killed. After government officials proved ineffectual, Rodríguez embarked on a search for justice, eventually uncovering the identities of several people complicit in the murder.
- Trey Mullen, Digital Director
In 2010, the Zeta drug cartel seized control of San Fernando, Mexico, ushering in a wave of kidnappings and murders. Its tactics were brutal: it forced its hostages to fight one another, and sometimes dissolved its victims’ bodies in acid. Ahmed, a correspondent for the Times, retraces the story of Miriam Rodríguez, whose daughter was abducted in 2014 and later killed. After government officials proved ineffectual, Rodríguez embarked on a search for justice, eventually uncovering the identities of several people complicit in the murder.
- Trey Mullen, Digital Director
“Bicycle Diaries” by David Byrne
Not only do I love his music, but he's also a phenomenal writer. With global warming becoming more and more present in our daily lives, Byrne writes about how the folding bike he's brought on tour with him since the 80's has allowed him to see urban areas in a different light compared to when he's traveling by car or bus.
- Casey Hopkins, Staff Writer
Not only do I love his music, but he's also a phenomenal writer. With global warming becoming more and more present in our daily lives, Byrne writes about how the folding bike he's brought on tour with him since the 80's has allowed him to see urban areas in a different light compared to when he's traveling by car or bus.
- Casey Hopkins, Staff Writer
“Eve” by Cat Bohannon
I watched the author interviewed on the morning news and loved her quick wit when describing her book "Eve.” It's about the other half of human evolution: Women. I’m tired of being second fiddle to understanding my health and other nuances when studies are primarily done on men…that’s an awful lot of history being swept under the rug. I put this book at the top of my list of must-reads for 2024.
- Melissa VanArsdale, Art Director
I watched the author interviewed on the morning news and loved her quick wit when describing her book "Eve.” It's about the other half of human evolution: Women. I’m tired of being second fiddle to understanding my health and other nuances when studies are primarily done on men…that’s an awful lot of history being swept under the rug. I put this book at the top of my list of must-reads for 2024.
- Melissa VanArsdale, Art Director
“Tom Lake” by Ann Pachett
One of my favorite books of 2023…even better, listen to it. Meryl Streep is the narrator of the audio book and her voice is perfection.
- Sophie Dingle, Editor-in-Chief
One of my favorite books of 2023…even better, listen to it. Meryl Streep is the narrator of the audio book and her voice is perfection.
- Sophie Dingle, Editor-in-Chief
Watch
“Gran Turismo”
It’s a captivating series inspired by the renowned racing simulation video game franchise. The narrative unfolds around the remarkable true story of Jann Mardenborough, a British teenager immersed in the world of Gran Turismo video games who ultimately transforms into a professional racing car driver. Team Nissmo (Nissan) initiates the GT Academy, a groundbreaking marketing initiative, wherein they select video game enthusiasts with the goal of molding them into authentic race car drivers. The series presents a compelling underdog tale, showcasing ordinary teenage gamers as they undergo rigorous challenges to determine if they possess the skills to compete on the professional race car circuit.
- John Sherwood, Sales and Marketing Director
It’s a captivating series inspired by the renowned racing simulation video game franchise. The narrative unfolds around the remarkable true story of Jann Mardenborough, a British teenager immersed in the world of Gran Turismo video games who ultimately transforms into a professional racing car driver. Team Nissmo (Nissan) initiates the GT Academy, a groundbreaking marketing initiative, wherein they select video game enthusiasts with the goal of molding them into authentic race car drivers. The series presents a compelling underdog tale, showcasing ordinary teenage gamers as they undergo rigorous challenges to determine if they possess the skills to compete on the professional race car circuit.
- John Sherwood, Sales and Marketing Director
“The Bear”
With two binge-worthy seasons, you’ll have time to finish the whole thing no matter how much time you have off work or school.
- Sophie Dingle, Editor-in-Chief
With two binge-worthy seasons, you’ll have time to finish the whole thing no matter how much time you have off work or school.
- Sophie Dingle, Editor-in-Chief
"Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths"
In Tibetan Buddhism, “bardo” names the intermediate state through which beings pass between the end of one life and the beginning of the next. That liminal place is the setting of Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new film, and also its governing metaphor. “Bardo,” which is subtitled “False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths,” devotes itself to the crossing and blurring of boundaries: between life and death; between fact and fiction; between the personal and the professional; and, perhaps above all, between Mexico and the United States.
- Trey Mullen, Digital Director
In Tibetan Buddhism, “bardo” names the intermediate state through which beings pass between the end of one life and the beginning of the next. That liminal place is the setting of Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new film, and also its governing metaphor. “Bardo,” which is subtitled “False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths,” devotes itself to the crossing and blurring of boundaries: between life and death; between fact and fiction; between the personal and the professional; and, perhaps above all, between Mexico and the United States.
- Trey Mullen, Digital Director
“Mean Girls” (the remake; out January 17, 2024)
The original Mean Girls was high on my rotating list of comedy movies when it first came out 20 years ago. Tina Fey directs and stars in the remake, along with Tim Robinson, John Hamm and Jenna Fisher.
- Casey Hopkins, Staff Writer
The original Mean Girls was high on my rotating list of comedy movies when it first came out 20 years ago. Tina Fey directs and stars in the remake, along with Tim Robinson, John Hamm and Jenna Fisher.
- Casey Hopkins, Staff Writer
Listen
“Wiser Than Me”
Julia Louis Dreyfus, who interviews smart, funny (older) women to get their life advice. Featuring guests like Fran Lebowitz, Isabel Allende and Diane von Furstenberg, it’s poignant, intelligent and laugh-out-loud funny.
- Sophie Dingle, Editor-in-Chief
Julia Louis Dreyfus, who interviews smart, funny (older) women to get their life advice. Featuring guests like Fran Lebowitz, Isabel Allende and Diane von Furstenberg, it’s poignant, intelligent and laugh-out-loud funny.
- Sophie Dingle, Editor-in-Chief
"Here and Now"
The Be Here Now Network offers weekly doses of digestible Eastern philosophy from a range of spiritual teachers in the form of mindfulness podcasts, articles and videos. The “Be Here Now” adage is an important aphorism from Ram Dass and serves as a mantra for those on their own path towards self-discovery, based in the belief that we can change the world by changing our own hearts and radiate that presence out to the world, one heart at a time. For spiritual seekers and mindfulness advocates, their consciousness podcasts are a leading source for insightful information.
- Trey Mullen, Digital Director
The Be Here Now Network offers weekly doses of digestible Eastern philosophy from a range of spiritual teachers in the form of mindfulness podcasts, articles and videos. The “Be Here Now” adage is an important aphorism from Ram Dass and serves as a mantra for those on their own path towards self-discovery, based in the belief that we can change the world by changing our own hearts and radiate that presence out to the world, one heart at a time. For spiritual seekers and mindfulness advocates, their consciousness podcasts are a leading source for insightful information.
- Trey Mullen, Digital Director