By Avery Cooper
TO WATCH: New and noteworthy releases
3. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (film)
After the tragic passing of star Chadwick Boseman, the world held its breath to see how director Ryan Coogler would approach the highly-anticipated sequel without the Black Panther himself. Fear not; this film holds all the exciting action and stunning visuals of the first, while sharing a beautiful journey of loss, grief and healing. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is in theatres now, and it’s worth the watch.
2. Derry Girls (series)
Straight from Northern Ireland in the 1990s, this series is a comedic coming-of-age story that revolves around a group of friends growing up in a troubled political scene. The teens deal with every struggle, from armed police lining the streets, to being turned down by a crush. Between the thick accents and the hilarious writing, this show will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of youth. Its third and final season hit Netflix in October, making it a perfect binge-watch for those cold nights inside.
1. The Patient (series)
For those looking for a thriller with plot twists, this Disney+ limited series is the perfect choice. Starring Steve Carell as an award-winning Jewish psychotherapist, The Patient is a mix of true crime and psychological thriller. It explores faith, religion, and family struggles while still maintaining tension and fear. It’s hard to say much about this show without spoiling, so we’ll keep it brief- but there’s a new twist every episode, and it’s only 10 episodes long, so dig into it now!
TO READ: Seasonal and topical picks for the book-lovers
3. A Life On Our Planet - David Attenborough
You’d recognize his voice anywhere - and Sir David Attenborough’s words in this 2020 nonfiction release are worth listening to. The 96-year-old broadcaster and biologist has had extraordinary life experiences, and now he’s sharing his “witness statement” for the Earth as we know it. Attenborough has spent his lifetime documenting our world and has seen first-hand the extent of human destruction on our environment, his message should not be taken lightly.
2. The Dictionary of Lost Words - Pip Williams
From the archives of the Oxford English Dictionary, this fiction novel is inspired by true events during the height of the women’s suffrage movement. A “lost story” from women and girls of the time period, Pip Williams delivers a thought-provoking tale proving that there is almost nothing quite as powerful as words and language. With undertones of feminism and female hardships, this book has a moving message for all readers. This is a novel unlike any other, making it definitely worth the read.
1. Beartown Trilogy - Fredrik Backman
Although translated from Swedish, this series from author Fredrik Backman feels truly Canadian. Deemed “hockey literature”, this story focuses on a small hockey town in the middle of nowhere, where hardly anything matters except their local junior hockey team… until an incident threatens to divide them. What turns these books from good to spectacular is Backman’s writing style and skill. His ability to hook readers on a simple sports story is incredibly impressive. After reading Beartown, its sequels Us Against You and The Winners will be impossible to resist.