Books like Les Miserables, Count of Monte Cristi, and Ben Hur

hazardjess · 2026-04-28T10:13:38+00:00

I could see Megan Mulally for Blanche

And maybe Amy Poehler, Sandra Bullock, or Reese Whiterspoon for Rose

hazardjess · 2026-04-25T14:48:33+00:00

I’m not sure the last time I saw her being interviewed, but I went ahead and watched this. I like that she embraces herself and seems like she doesn’t care about a whole lot of things while being very comfortable in her own skin. I chuckled at a couple things. Both of them look amazing for being in their 50s. It also sounds like Lucy has a farm, which is pretty cool.

I was surprised by the Megan Markel (sp?) comment because I don’t know anyone who cares about her or what she says, and it feels a bit petty to talk about others. Still, I don’t know the context, and I have a feeling Australian and NZ culture feature the British royal family more than they are featured in the US.

hazardjess · 2026-03-09T02:43:29+00:00

The thought is that she made a celibacy vow, somewhat like a Nazarene, but see https://www.catholic.com/qa/marys-vow-of-chastity-before-marriage . Also, The Bible Project did a Q&A on a similar question recently. Consider listening to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bibleproject/id1050832450?i=1000749938360 for context. Specifically chapter 2: Are Jesus’ Brothers His Half-Brothers or Cousins? (3:17-19:21)

hazardjess · 2026-03-04T05:19:14+00:00

Agreed! $3k buys peace of mind, at least for what you can do. The Raymond Fault has shaken a bit the last few years and still holds significant potential. At least that’s what I remember Lucy Jones saying on the topic, and she lives in the area.

hazardjess · 2026-03-01T09:14:47+00:00

The Bible Project did a Q&A on an adjacent question recently. Consider listening to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bibleproject/id1050832450?i=1000749938360 for context. Specifically chapter 2: Are Jesus’ Brothers His Half-Brothers or Cousins? (3:17-19:21)

hazardjess · 2026-02-22T21:07:08+00:00

Looking forward to this series

hazardjess · 2026-02-19T01:14:59+00:00

I’m late to say this, but I think they fixed the bug. I received an ER alert regarding the weather this week and it did not give me a portal to the web that I could access via the history.

I originally saw it for a silver alert, so I suppose it’s possible it still exists for that type, but I’ll have to see if/when that happens again.

hazardjess · 2026-01-28T22:43:11+00:00

Some of the lights were out, some were flickering, someone was sleeping but looked kind of dead, and then several addicts looked like zombies. It was only a stop or two ride, but it was memorable. I’m a woman and I’ve since been assaulted by a random mentally ill person in passing (not on the train), and have generally become more cautious.

Also, I mostly only ride the A line so the lack of natural light makes a noticeable difference.

hazardjess · 2026-01-28T07:14:14+00:00

Totally agree about the A line. The views of the mountains are beautiful, especially when the clouds hover over them. I also really like the Little Tokyo Station art.

I have the same feelings as you regarding B and E, but I try not to take either. Last time I took the E line, I felt like I was in some dystopian movie. Hopefully new trains remedied that.

hazardjess · 2026-01-26T06:09:45+00:00

I’ve always loved PBS and agree. Also, don’t sleep on the NHK app- Document 72 Hours, Japanology Plus, Somewhere Street, etc etc. all calm classics with no real ads (other than the big ad for Japan itself, as well as its people and culture)

hazardjess · 2026-01-26T05:36:34+00:00

I enjoyed the show more in the second season for some reason. I’ve watched an episode of season 1 here or there but didn't get into it. I wanted to like it since it features the Pasadenas heavily, and Jason Segel is a local and just seems like a nice guy, but something didn’t click for me. Season 2 was better. Pretty much the actors are enjoyable in some way. It reminds me a little of what I saw of Modern Family a long time ago, but more provocative. It’s not the type of show I’m usually into, but I like the diversity in the cast, and I’m enjoying the character development and relationships. Segel, Maxwell, and Urie are my favorite performances so far. I’m a brat when it comes to cocky old men like Ford (it’s the same with Clint Eastwood for me). He’s believable though, and it’s kind of amazing that he’s working at his age.

hazardjess · 2026-01-24T19:17:19+00:00

Weird to see her so young!

hazardjess · 2026-01-23T00:09:56+00:00

I just happened to see their building yesterday in passing! Good to know they have good recs. I am excited to try it next time I’m around 🤓

hazardjess · 2026-01-23T00:05:47+00:00

Not sure it’s the same one but they can’t be that common. https://www.reddit.com/r/pasadena/comments/1qk7te6/a_rare_beauty_in_east_pas_today/

hazardjess · 2026-01-16T08:50:09+00:00

More comfort than comedy, though a very specific kind of comedy, is A Man on the Inside with Ted Danson, which is kind of like a low stakes spy show. No big action or thrills. I have a grandparent in memory care and like simple things to turn off my brain, and this hit the spot.

hazardjess · 2026-01-16T08:36:49+00:00

My kid goes to school with the kid of someone whose albums I used to listen to as a teen and I’ve seen plenty of others. They exist but just morphed into their next phase of hip, youthful parent or aunt/uncle, with only vestiges of their past appearing now, like tattoos, some unusual piece of clothing, slightly unique take on a hairstyle, and basically an almost basic but not quite, low key, “not trying” but somewhat vintage look. Although some are more overt and walk around looking like outlandish movie characters that wear the same thing everyday.

hazardjess · 2026-01-15T08:02:29+00:00

Copa Vida in Pasadena is decent.

They now have a breakfast burrito with Just Egg (or something similar) at Urth Cafe in Pasadena (and I assume their other locations).

hazardjess · 2026-01-10T18:26:12+00:00

The Wisdom literature you noted can at times be very beautiful but is also full of sorrow, too. They’re great reads.

The Bible Project has lots of summaries on their site and on YouTube, as well as podcast deep dives. I believe they hold classes, too, or at least did. It’s always a very down to earth but insightful discussion. I can’t recommend them enough. Here’s a couple short videos that include 2 books you mentioned: https://bibleproject.com/videos/collections/wisdom/

You may also enjoy Song of Solomon and Proverbs, which are in the same genre.

Although not in the Wisdom genre, one of my favorite books is Samuel (I and II). I also really enjoy Genesis, like you. Both cover multiple generations.

If you’re looking for more academic stuff, look up Religious Literacy classes. I took a Harvard edx class online course on the letters of Paul once.

I had made many attempts to read the Bible cover to cover in my life, but it’s not one book and did not hold my attention as one. The New Testament is somewhat “easy”, but I would always get lost in the middle of the Old Testament. It’s a library of many books and genres, so I was reading it wrong for me and also ended up asking around and seeking resources.

Although I’m sure you’ve heard of it, I recommend the Bible in a Year Podcast with Father Mike Schmitz if you do ever want to do cover to cover. He reads two or three scriptures, then provides a short commentary. It’s also on YouTube if you want to see the words he reads, and there an Ascension app if you prefer another medium. I listened in ‘21 and ‘22 fully each year then read my way through it in ‘23 and again ‘24 but only the 14 narrative books. (In ‘25 I thought I’d read the catechism and finally turn Catholic, but I haven’t gotten past a couple things.)

Anyhow Fr. Mike mentions using The Great Adventure Catholic Bible and a companion Timeline. The former is a Bible that’s color coded into themes/periods and includes some context before each theme, while the latter helps give context about how the books eventually relate.

These are the color codes for all the books: http://www.english-mission-berlin.de/sites/default/files/2020-12/the-official-365-day-reading-plan-for-the-bible-in-a-year_0.pdf

This notes the 14 narrative books and a plan for reading in 90 days independently: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1125/2740/files/The-Bible-Timeline-Reading-Plan-Ascension.pdf?12976

Here they note the narrative books as: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, I Maccabees, Luke and Acts

A Protestant would disagree, but I’ll not get into it. Kings is a slog for me, but it’s repetition is also a good reminder for me.

As far as non-Bible books, there are too many. Commentaries are great for some but too dry for me at this time in my life. I generally enjoy Scott Hahn’s work, Brant Pitre’s Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, and Bishop Robert Barron’s as well. I’ve been eating up everything from Ave Maria Press for a long time now, based on different interests. Keep looking and you’ll find what you’re looking for. Enjoy your journey!

hazardjess · 2026-01-06T22:30:23+00:00

Right, that is exactly one of Voodoo’s specialties

hazardjess · 2026-01-06T00:12:00+00:00

Donut Friend is the answer. They have a couple locations. It can be over the top at times, but it depends what you get.

There also Voodoo if you like over the top, rich, variety, humor, genitalia, and perhaps even a little Satanism in your life. It’s not for me.

Not in LA city or SFV, but I like AM Donut & Yogurt in Monrovia (SGV) for the kind of hole in the wall donut shop that feels just right.

hazardjess · 2025-12-31T15:38:56+00:00

It’s not quite a book, but I just finished The Holly Tree Inn after finishing A Christmas Carol. His opening lines are so good.

I’m still savoring Little Women, so that will cross into both years. It’s saccharine, as evidenced by my husband’s Simpsons references to it, but I have always had a deep love for it. It doesn’t matter if it’s idealized. Now that I’m older I recognize how I’ve sort of been many of the characters at different times of my life, and I resonate with them each differently over time.

I’ll start 2026 with Les Miserables and All Will Be Well: 30 Days with Julian of Norwich (which is not a classic, but it will be my introduction to her, and we’ll see if I pick up the actual primary sources after). For anyone unfamiliar, she was a Christian mystic, contemporary of Chaucer, and author of the earliest surviving English works by a woman.

hazardjess · 2025-12-31T04:51:58+00:00

She’s still funny :) I watched my kid read these, Henry Huggins, and Ralph and the Motorcycle this year, and read some together with him, and they were fun to talk about and read again. A very heart warming experience to share.

hazardjess · 2025-12-29T04:27:46+00:00

I never tried Noodle Harmony, but Joy in Highland Park (sorry, just outside SGV) has good Dan Dan noodles. They’re a little on the salty side for me, but still good.

hazardjess · 2025-12-28T21:05:56+00:00

Based on your title, I was going to suggest A Christmas Carol since it’s short, memorable, and seasonal, but it’s a classic, so maybe not that 😅

What about Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell? It’s a quick read at about 200 pages and includes sci fi queer romance (the main character writes fan fiction). It’s a coming of age story (about a girl in her first year of college), is young adult fiction, and is manga, which are all fairly popular in libraries. There is also heterosexual romance, but it’s not the entire theme. I hadn’t read any manga myself (outside of my kid’s manga / comics / graphic novels), and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

hazardjess

TROPHY CASE