…Or, as I like to think of them: Sanity Savers.

Really just a list of entertainments that I dig.

(I’ve been meaning to get around to this for a few months now. Quarantine seems as good a time as any…)

Books

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.

Excellent contemporary fantasy. (probably qualifies as urban fantasy, but whatever). It’s dark, beautifully written, and noir as hell. Also hard to put down. If you weren’t already a fan of the author, you will be within the first few chapters.

Jade City by Fonda Lee.

I think this also probably qualifies as urban fantasy, but it’s quite a bit different from what you’ve come to expect from the genre. The writing is, at times, lyrical and poignant even as the action is brutal. Grabs you and keeps you reading.

Where Carion Gods Dance by Brad C. Hodson.

This is a collection of dark short stories. Each of then by turns scary and disturbing. If you love the thrill of what might be hiding in the night, get this book. Really. Get. This. Book. You can thank me later.

The Nightside Series By Simon R. Green.

There are like 12 books in this series. I’ve gone through 6 or 7 of them at the time of writing. Insane, paranormal noir. Urban fantasy having a menage a trois with Tales from the Darkside and My Life with the Thrill-Kill Cult. Good, violent fun. First book is Something from the Nightside.

Wanderers by Chuck Wendig.

Holy hell, this book kicked my ass in the best possible way. Dark, contemporary fantasy. Long as hell, and eerily prescient of our current COVID-19 related circumstances. I don’t know if you’ll thank me for the recommendation, but you’ll enjoy this book regardless.

And, if you have any time left after those, there’s always:

Television

Altered Carbon – season 2.

The show got a new showrunner for season 2. And while it is neither as dark, as sexy, nor as violent as season 1, it’s still well worth the watch. (I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a critical breakdown of the season, but I’m naturally lazy, so that may or may not happen.)

I’m not Ok with This.

Of all of my TV recommendations, this is probably my favorite. The misadventures of being a high school misfit with burgeoning paranormal powers. Just go watch it. You won’t be disappointed.

Sex Education – seasons 1 & 2.

Funny. Heart-warming. Tear-jerking. Worth every minute.

Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – seasons 1, 2, & 3.

Still good. Still funny. Looks like they’ve already been green-lit for season 4.

Motherland: Fort Salem – season 1.

This show is currently premiering, every Wednesday. I’m really enjoying the alternate, paranormal history premise. Show’s got me hooked and tuning in every week.

Love, Death, and Robots – series 1.

It’s a bunch of animated shorts, only connected by the theme of the anthology’s title. Worth your time, and can be taken in smallish chunks. Definitely enough laughs to get you through.

The Kingdom – seasons 1 & 2.

My favorite zombie series.

Dracula – BBC Moffat/ Gatiss version.

It’s told over 3, hour and a half-ish episodes. While I have reservations about the third and final episode, on the whole, I still recommend the series.

So, that ought to hold you over for a week or two…

Maybe.

Please leave a comment with your own recommendations, or start a discussion about the ones I’ve mentioned here. I love hearing from you folx.

Until next time…