We may have received complimentary copies and/or review access to any books, products, and/or other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any opinions expressed here are our own.
Books: Young Sheldon & The Pilgrimage of Primrose
Today, we recommend Young Sheldon by Jessica Radloff. This very comprehensive book about the Big Bang Theory spinoff is quite informative and surprisingly heartwarming. Told through the words of those who were there, including cast, creatives, frequent guest stars, and more, even including the relatives of cast members like the mothers of the children in the show, this book vividly details everything you could want to know about the series from its initial inception to its final days. Topics include the casting process, the pilot episode, the final episode, and much more.
Although it doesn't cover every episode in detail, it covers quite a few. It also offers numerous short between-chapter tidbits of interesting information. Plus, it doesn't shy away from tackling controversies such as inconsistencies between the early series and this one. Whatever you could possibly want to know about this series, you will likely find the answer in this extremely inclusive book.
Today, we recommend The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch by Laura Jensen Walker. Primrose Honeychurch is a reclusive, book-loving septuagenarian. When she ventures out of her comfort zone to make a book-related pilgrimage before she dies, she meets and is lovingly taken in by the large, boisterous, but loving family she mostly never knew she had and definitely never knew she needed.
Despite the inital prickliness of the main character, much of this book is like a ray of sunshine. The relationships between the characters are so warm and loving that you just want to be adopted by this family. Of course, not every moment of the book is full of sunshine and happiness because, for one thing, we know at the start that the main character is dying.
The more the reader gets to know Primrose, the more sympathetic she is. She is not really mean, but between her traumatic childhood and undiagnosed neurodivergency she doesn't know how to react with other people and is uncomfortable with them. Her growth over the course of the novel is both moving and quite believable. She makes strides but doesn't suddenly become a completely different person.
Neurodivergency is extremely well represented not just through Primrose, but also through her niece, Clover. Clover's similar struggles clarify Primrose's own life and help her recognize her own neurodiversity for the first time. The intergenerational bond that develops between them, not only because of their shared neurodiversity but because of their shared love of books, is one of the highlights of the novel.
The book is a reminder that before we officially recognized and had names for things like autism, ADD, and the like, that doesn't mean they didn't exist. It does mean, however, that people didn't get the treatment they needed and had to live much more difficult lives than they needed to and may even have been unfairly stigmatized. We are lucky to live in a time when diagnosis and treatment is available for numerous mental health conditions, which unfortunately doesn't always mean that stigmatization no longer exists.
Movie: Pinball Beyond the Bumpers
Today, we recommend Pinball Beyond the Bumpers. This film provides a fascinating look at the history of pinball from its earliest origins, to the initial heights of its popularity, through its downturn after being banned in some places to its later resurgence. The film includes interviews with many legends of the game as well as footage of numerous games including some extremely rare ones including The Wizard of Oz machine, one of the top ranked and most respected titles in pinball.
And that's our view. Young Sheldon and The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch were both published today. Pinball Beyond the Bumper is available for digital purchase or rental starting today as well.
Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.
All film images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or PR firms and are used by permission. All other images are our own. Address any concerns regarding image usage here.
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