black nanoI enjoy watching television. That’s a bad thing to say these days, isn’t it? I’m sure someone will look down on me because of that. I rarely just sit and watch; I’m usually doing homework, working out, or doing other things (I’m writing this and the TV is on) while watching.

The majority of mainstream television is now on the summer season. That means a lot of reruns, reality TV, and game shows. I like reality TV but I don’t typically watch reruns or game shows (what’s up with all of these shows that are like American Idol — which isn’t very good to begin with–America’s Top Model, So You Think You Can Dance, etc.?). So, I look to HBO and Showtime to give me their summer series. Since I just got Showtime, I’m catching up on some of their series: Dexter, The L Word (which I have gotten through Netflix), and The Tudors. On HBO, I’m watching the final episodes of The Sopranos, Entourage, and waiting impatiently for Big Love to start next week. Both channels have some interesting shows coming up.

But what is a girl to do when she wants to fill the silence of the house with good old raucus television? Sure, sure, there’s Netflix. I’ve been watching the Battlestar Gallactica series and it has been pretty good. I get a few movies in-between the series.

This summer, though, I’ve decided to put my iPod to good use. I mentioned before that I belong to an Audible bookclub with some of my co-workers. I also got an account. I have a few books that I can listen to:

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Angel’s Rest by Charles Davis
Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet
The Stranger by Albert Camus
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

I’ve already listened to the Burroughs book. It was ok. It wasn’t as phenomenal as I thought it would be, given that it has gotten rave reviews from nearly everyone I talk to. Then again, I tend to be quirky and don’t like what others like to read. I rarely read mainstream top 10 books. They just aren’t my thing.

black earthumpsI’ll also be adding to my podcast subscriptions. I currently have about 50 subscriptions (and this doesn’t even include the blog subscriptions that I read in Google Reader). I have a few vlogcasts but mostly podcasts. I’ll try to stay caught up on those.

I have these great Griffin Ear Thumps that block out a lot of the noise and that are more comfortable than the ear buds. They make my listening manageable. And yes, I bought black Ear Thumps to match my black nano…because I’m dorky like that.

Do you have any listening / viewing recommendations? I’d love to hear them.