The Monet Book Club’s Favorite Reads, Watches, And Listens of December

The Madwoman Upstairs

by Catherine Lowell

This one is a must-read for any Brontë fan! It’s a well-written, easy read that feels like a smart-girl romance. It follows the life of the last living Brontë descendant as she investigates rumors of an old literary estate that’s supposedly a Brontë inheritance. It’s the perfect lighthearted yet gripping read to round out the year!

This book is available immediately on Kindle or with Amazon Prime 2-day shipping here

Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories

by Rob Brotherton

I haven’t finished this one yet but I’m really enjoying it so far! Especially with all the conspiracy theories surfacing nowadays, I really wanted to dive more into the psychology behind why people believe conspiracy theories. This book talks about the origins of some famous conspiracy theories and how they evolved to be extreme, and why we believe conspiracy theories at all.

This book is available immediately on Kindle or with Amazon Prime 2-day shipping here

Gone at Midnight: The Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam

by Jake Anderson

This is a must-read for anyone even mildly interested in true crime! The Elisa Lam case has yet to be solved, and this true crime story has everything — ghosts, possible police cover-ups, a mysterious death, super strange behavior, and a creepy old LA hotel. The author also dives into his own psyche and talks about the effects that investigating the Lam case had on his own self-insights. I still can’t get enough of this case.

This book is available immediately on Kindle or with Amazon Prime 2-day shipping here

The Queen’s Gambit

Yes, we’ve talked about this one extensively already, but it felt like a crime to leave it off this list! The Queen’s Gambit follows young chess prodigy Beth Harmon, orphaned as a young girl and eventually making her name known in the chess world. Don’t worry if you know absolutely jack about chess — I didn’t, and I’ve watched this show through twice. It’s honestly incredible and will have you wondering throughout whether genius and madness truly go hand in hand. 

Check it out on Netflix!

The Call

This South Korean psycho-thriller is a full-on mystery ride with twists and turns and will have you hooked from start to finish. It’s about a call between two women, except one is from the past and the other in the present. Oh, and there’s a serial killer. If you enjoyed the heck out of Parasite, you’ll love this movie too. 

Check it out on Netflix!

Messiah

Whether you’re religious or not, this Netflix series is an absolute must-watch. It’s only 10 episodes and follows the story of a CIA officer who investigates a Jesus-like figure who appears in the Middle East, garnering international attention. How does the modern world react to this? Is he truly a divine being or a con artist? The series examines religion, faith, and politics through an interesting and thought-provoking storyline. The acting is superb and I found it really suspenseful at times too. Highly recommended!

Check it out on Netflix!

The Happiness Lab

Have you ever wondered what will truly make you happy? (Yes, I know you have.) In this podcast, Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos discusses some surprising happiness facts that will reshape how you view happiness. A Yale professor talking about one of our most sought-after experiences? Sign me up! This podcast is honestly really insightful and an especially amazing way to end a rough year. Check it out!

Dare to Lead

Did you say Brené Brown? Say no more! Brené is AMAZING and her latest podcast, Dare to Lead, is nothing short of insightful, empowering, and inspiring. It’s a branch off of her original podcast, Unlocking Us with Brené Brown. If you’re intentional about self-awareness, empathy, and vulnerability, you will love Brené and her work. Her podcasts are truly such a safe space to reflect and grow especially through the amazing guests she brings on (her recent guest was former President Barack Obama!). Plus she always asks the best, most thoughtful questions and I always learn something new every time I tune in.

Shame to Sparkle

Not only is Lacy Nicole is a personal friend of She’s a Full on Monet, but we also genuinely love her podcast! Her story is amazing — she’s a kidnapping survivor and trauma expert who’s now using her gifts to help lead women from “shame to sparkle.” Her podcast will help you navigate trauma and mental health issues and the shame associated with them, so you can let your sparkle show!