Here's what we're reading, watching, and listening to this week

How we're spending our leisure time.

Everyone has a bit of quiet downtime once in a while. Whether you're sitting quietly at home or trying to relax on a plane or just giving your busy mind and hands a break, it's important to relax.

A good way to do that is to read a book, listen to some music or watch a movie or show. See what's caught our attention for the week of November 24.

Ara Wagoner

I've been trying to keep myself mellow this week. So, of course, I rewatched Black Lagoon, an ultraviolet anime about pirates, thieves, assassins, and the mild-mannered salaryman who ends up becoming one of the best tacticians in Roanapur, a soulless town of death and despair.

I'm not usually into this kind of series, but Black Lagoon is just too fun to put down, even when it goes deeper and darker into the death spirals of criminal organizations and their many victims. The dynamics of the cast are undeniable, and seeing who or what gets the main gunslinger of the Lagoon crew Revy ticked off is an exercise in both comedy and ruthless bloodlust.

Harish Jonnalagadda

I got the deluxe edition of J. R. R. Tolkien's Unfinished Tales as a gift earlier this week, and I can't wait to get started. For the uninitiated, the book is a collection of essays written by Tolkien that offers detailed information on pivotal characters. The essays are not limited to the Third Age — which is when events in The Lord of the Rings take place — but also cover the Elder Days and the Second Age, serving up information on the children of Húrin, the history of Númenor, the origins of wizards, and much more.

I also picked up Monument Valley 2 for Android, and am looking forward to playing the game. I thoroughly enjoyed the artwork and the puzzles in the first game, and it looks like the latest installment offers up more of the same.

Marc Lagace

This past week, I finally got around to watching Nick Kroll's new animated show Big Mouth on Netflix which, fair warning, is one of the crudest and grossest cartoons I've ever seen. But it's also hilarious. It's a coming of age story that follows a group of kids going through puberty, which is represented by hormone monsters which represent all their most disgusting sexual urges. It's a cartoon about kids that is ABSOLUTELY NOT safe for kids to watch, but recommended for anyone who remembers what puberty was like.

Big Mouth is great, but it's actually not my recommendation for this week. One of the things that stuck out to me most watching Big Mouth was the opening title sequence, and in particular that song. I had to learn more about the amazing soul artist behind the song, Charles Bradley, who was discovered as a James Brown impersonator in 2006 and released his first solo record in 2011 at the age of 63.

He passed away this past September, but his music will surely live on. His music is timeless, his life story filled with trials and tribulations, and I draw great inspiration from a man who just did what he loved for so many years before finally having his talents discovered.

Joe Maring

I finally got around to finishing Stranger Things 2, and OH MY GOSH IT'S SO GOOD. The Duffer Brothers took some risks this year, and for the most part, they all paid off for a phenomenal story and continuation of one of the best sci-fi adventures in years.

After finishing Stranger Things, I now find myself in need of a new show to get completely engrossed with. My girlfriend and I tried Santa Clara Diet, but we could barely make it through the first episode. Props to you if that's your jam, but it's not my cup of tea.

Some friends of mine have suggested a wide array of different shows to check out, including Grace and Frankie, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Last Man on Earth, and quite a few others. I plan on watching as many as I can to escape this limbo I've found myself in, and I'll report back next week with my findings 🔎

Hayato Huseman

I've been back on a System of a Down kick lately, so their debut self-titled album has been on repeat most of this week. I love all of their songs, but Sugar and Soil are definitely two of my favorite tracks, and even though it's from a different album (Toxicity), there's a killer live version of X that I can't stop watching.

I've also been watching a lot of cooking shows lately because they're just ridiculous and fun to leave playing in the background. Chopped and Masterchef are my go-tos.

Your turn

What are YOU reading, watching, or listening to this week? Let us know in the comments!

Update, November 24, 2017: This is a weekly series where we tell you what we're into, so check back every Friday or Saturday!