Weekly Staff Picks: Media to Enjoy This Weekend

Happy Friday everyone! I’ve been pretty sick the past few days, so things could be going better for me, but hopefully you’ve had a great week! As usual, it’s time for our weekly Staff Picks round-up. So whether you’re looking for a new favorite bit of media, or just need something to binge while you lay on the couch in a DayQuil-induced haze, hopefully we’ve got something that you’ll love! – Sean Farrell

Super Bowl LX

I can’t say I care all that much about whether the Patriots or the Seahawks win this Sunday’s big game, and I am only casually acquainted with Bad Bunny’s music, but the Super Bowl remains the biggest television event of the year and as such really can’t be missed. I may not be in a condition to enjoy it as much as usual, but I should still be able to gobble down some nachos and wings as I come up with some superficial reason to root for one team over the other in between expensive commercial breaks. – SF

An artistic illustration featuring two blue birds standing on either side of a three-tiered cake with red icing dripping down. The background is dark blue, enhancing the vibrant colors of the birds and the cake.

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

Marissa Meyer has been one of my favorite authors since I read the Lunar Chronicles series. She includes elements of fairy tales in her books, and her writing is smooth and full of action. The House Saphir is a fantasy story of ghosts, horrible creatures, and magic, with a little bit of romance sprinkled in. If you want to read about the horrible creatures of folklore while also getting a full, fast story, this book is perfect! – Mary Ecklund

Close-up of a dog's face focusing on its eyes and snout.

NOVA: Can Dogs Talk?

You really can’t go wrong with any episode of this long-running PBS docuseries, but their recent episode on canine communication abilities is both adorable and fascinating. It will hold special interest to dog lovers but most should find it interesting. – SF

A stylized winter scene featuring a snow-capped mountain, a green tree, falling snowflakes, and a light blue sky.

Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly

This is the second title in the Emma Knightley Mysteries series, following Murder in Highbury. It’s a perfect, chill mystery with familiar characters from Jane Austen’s Emma faithfully portrayed. If you’re looking for something enjoyable to pass the time on a dreary winter day, this whole series will be a welcome distraction. – ME

A group of ten people sitting in a circle on a grassy area, engaged in conversation. They are surrounded by greenery and have a pathway and colorful structures in the background.

Battle Camp

I may not be familiar with most of the contestants on this Netflix competition show comprised of cast members from other Netflix competition shows (the only one I’d seen was Squid Games: The Challenge), but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this. The cozy summer camp setting, fun challenges (except for the requisite gross-out one), and interesting personalities made for some genuinely compelling “reality” tv, with plenty of drama and surprises along the way to the finale. – SF