Weekly Roundup: “Axolotl and Axolittle,” “Future Boy” and “The Film Makers,” and Keeping Score on Family Squabbles

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is from the children's department, and introduces Terri to a current kid obsession, axolotls, with a picture book called Axolotl and Axolittle. It's a sibling tale by Jess Hitchman, with illustrations by Sarah Rebar.​Terri's random recommendation is also for your eyes and ears: a book, Future Boy, and an Audible series, The Film Makers. Mentioned: My Beloved: A Mitford Novel by Jan Karon.​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2022, Keeping Score on Family Squabbles.We will be off for the next two weeks for the holidays, but walking down memory lane on our social media. When we return:Lost S4 E8, "Meet Kevin Johnson," on Tuesday, January 6The Lowdown S1 E6, "Old Indian Trick," on Wednesday, January 7Weekly roundup on Thursday, January 8Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. Lee's reprieve from beatings and fights was short-lived, as this episode brought an old frenemy back into his life and they quickly came to blows. We didn't see much of Francis in this episode (Lee finally listened to our advice to leave her out of his dangerous life), but in return, we got a wonderful performance from Peter Dinklage. Mentioned: The Station Agent, also starring Dinklage.We're taking the next two weeks off for the holidays, so we'll continue with season 1, episode 6, "Old Indian Trick," on Wednesday, January 7. We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode's format kept us fooled until the end: One character's story was told in flash-forwards, while another's was in flashbacks. Tricky! We also got more of Kate acting like a sassy teen, and a big reveal on the freighter.​We're taking a few weeks off for the holidays, so we'll continue with season 4, episode 8, "Meet Kevin Johnson," on Tuesday, January 6. Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a couple of titles that take inspiration from literary classics: Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters by Daniel M. Lavery (from 2014) and Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen's Unsung Characters, a recently published anthology of nine tales. Mentioned: The Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery series. ​Terri's random recommendation is Mystic Monk Coffee. Her shipment finally arrived, after taking a detour from New Jersey to New Hampshire and back again, and she's pleased with the flavors. (But also, someone stop her before she orders more coffee.)In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2017 on making kids' issues our own. Mentioned: "I Miss My Ex's Dad" from Saturday Night Live.Next week's lineup:Lost S4 E7, "Ji Yeon," on Tuesday, December 16The Lowdown S1 E5, "This Land?," on Wednesday, December 17Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 18Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. Lee makes it through this episode with no new bruises or broken bones, which is a first. And while Allen Murphy seems not to be a threat any longer, his yet-to-be-revealed boss certainly is. Mentioned: Ty Mitchell as Jimmy.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 5, "This Land?." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. The previous episode, "The Constant," is a hard act to follow, and this one isn't really up to the job. It's best to look at it as an info dump to get us an inch or two closer to what we need to know. Sorry, Juliet, we know it's hard to be an Other! Mentioned: The Hoberman Sphere (the toy Terri likened to the ever-expanding romantic tanglements among the castaways and island-dwellers).​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 7, "Ji Yeon." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.​This episode was recorded in front of a live audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a pair of children's books for insect-lovers: Spi-Ku: A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs and Bugs by master balloon artist Masayoshi Matsumoto (who you can also check out on Instagram). ​Terri's random recommendation is the flavored coffee sampler from Grounds & Hounds. If you hate flavored coffee, skip this one. But if you don't, you'll find the flavors tasty and the presentation gift-worthy.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019 on holiday requirements (hint: we have very few).Next week's lineup:Lost S4 E6, "The Other Woman," on Tuesday, December 9The Lowdown S1 E4, "Short on Cowboys," on Wednesday, December 10Weekly roundup on Thursday, December 11Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.​This episode was recorded in front of a live audience ... of dogs.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. Per usual, Lee gets himself beaten up and captured by some bad guys, but this time, he charms them with his storytelling skills. Mentioned: Duster, another show where a precocious daughter tags along on dangerous missions.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with season 1, episode 4, "Short on Cowboys." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. We've actually discussed this well-known and beloved episode before, in 2017, when Terri challenged Catherine to watch it. She liked it then and now, because you can appreciate the romance (and the need for a constant) even without having seen all that comes before.​Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 4, episode 6, "The Other Woman." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, The Lowdown.

We're off this week, but not to worry: We have plenty of leftovers to reheat for you. This episode is from November 27, 2015. Enjoy!Was your Thanksgiving happy? Did you eat a lot of traditional family foods? Did many of them involve cream-of-mushroom soup, marshmallows, or Jello? To start off this week's group chat, we run through the many possibilities for turkey-day cuisine and draw the line at the things we will not eat. Or will, enthusiastically! It's like the battle of the Tootsie Rolls all over again.Next, we move on to the other big activity of this holiday weekend: trying to find good deals on holiday gifts. Do we rush out and elbow folks at the Walmart for the best deal on a big-screen TV, or do we hide at home with our computers and cybershop? We discuss the merits of online versus standing-on-line shopping, strategies for holiday cards and gift cards, how early in the year it's acceptable to care about this stuff, and the impossibility of shopping for spouses.Finally, we shared our recommendations for the week: Catherine suggests consulting her Round 3 podcast with grandparenting expert Susan Adcox on gift-giving issues; Terri mentioned our episode of Libsyn's Thanks, Podcasting! podcast; Amanda recommended an article on 8 Ways to Help Your Child With Food Sensitivities Enjoy the Holidays; and Nicole enjoyed reading about how sweet-potato casserole came to be.Thanks to Jon Morin for producing this episode and to Kristen Eredics for our happy in-and-out music.