Bestsellers and Blockbusters

When I want to be entertained, I turn to books, movies and TV shows. The good ones are those that reel me in. They tell stories that are riveting, meaningful, smart and, as a key bonus, funny. They make me believe, for the moment, that the world they created is real. They portray characters I sympathize with, and whose lives I care about, whether hero or villain. Bonus points if the antagonist has redeeming qualities, and the protagonist has flaws.

Conversely, I avoid stories with flat characters and predictable plots. And because I do not equate angst with entertainment, I also avoid suspense thrillers, violence, cruelty, torture, blood, guts and gore — unless the plot is exceptional.

Most of the fare here is from pop culture. Rarely do I tangle with obscure pieces, unless highly recommended by someone whose judgment I trust.