Take a journey with me, back to your glory days or your not glory days, HIGH SCHOOL. There was that summer rite of passage into english class, your summer reading list. You hated it then, you’ll love it now. What you say? Summer reading. The collective PR groan can be heard for miles. That’s right kiddies, it’s time to head back to school and catch up on some stuff you need to be aware of as we head into the dog days of summer. Hopefully this will be more fun than your read through Once and Future King. But hopefully there will be just as many swords.

TV
Veronica Mars- I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s the best show you’re not watching. I can’t overstate this point. Not only does it star the impeccable Enrico Colantoni as the man you’ll want as your super cool male mentor but also my #1 all-time character crush (the titular character). Watch this show, I mean I’m not even doing this selfishly anymore because the show’s off and has no chance to come back. This is for you people, I do it for you!

Supernatural- Sweet Jesus, two CW shows in one post. Call the bigwigs the end is nigh. Show is good, makes a great use of horror/comedy and plays really well on family ties. Jesus, two CW shows, maybe it’s time to turn in my blog.

Eastbound and Down- DVD dropped this week. Catch Danny McBride as a washed up flamethrowing pitcher. Watch him as he takes on life on the comeback trail and off it. But also on his jet ski, a lot. It will have you laughing harder than you could imagine. And then feeling a little bad about it, but McBride’s magic is in his ability to make the character simultaneously infuriating and endearing. It’s incredible. Also, ridiculous jet ski action.

Friday Night Lights- It’s for guys, it’s for girls. It’s for everyone. It has drama, football, and a bunch of beautiful people. It’s strange how many very attractive people live in a small Texas town. But I’m good with it. It’s as addictive as they come and it’s got some great mojo on its side as it has another season in the pipeline. Go get it.

What I’m working on: Breaking Bad- I tried to get into Mad Men, but couldn’t get hooked. I’m willing to try again, but I think first I’m going to give Breaking Bad a shot. It’s got one of my favorite tv dads, Bryan Cranston from Malcom in the Middle. I’ve yet to even watch an episode, but I’m excited for something new.

Books
Yes, actual things to read:
Life of Pi- A great adventure story with possibly the best ending to anything I’ve ever read. Almost nothing happens for a good half of the book and you still can’t put it down. Great read.

Everything Bad For You Is Good For You- A look at all that brain-rotting pop culture and what it’s doing to make you smarter. That’s right. Smarter. Take that naysayers, it’s in a book so it has to be true.

What I’m reading: Rock On- A brother-recommended tome described as The Office in the music industry. Yes please.
Me Talk Pretty One Day- David Sedaris has become a minor obsession of mine due to my major obsession with This American Life to which he contributes fairly regularly. A funny funny man I’m excited to actually read him.

There are lots of others to catch up on.

I know some of my friends have summer pop culture schedules, what’s on yours?

I promise to you all and to Kristen Bell that I will not rest until people watch Veronica Mars and see how very amazing it is and admit it to me by submitting haikus about either its greatness or its awesomeness. I’ll leave that decision to you.