June meeting - Beartown / Leave the World Behind / Dying for Sex

Book: Beartown, Fredrik Backman
People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.

Movie: Leave the World Behind, 2023, Sam Esmail
Leave the World Behind is a psychological thriller that revolves around a family's getaway to a luxurious rental home that takes a dark turn when a cyberattack disrupts their devices, leading to the arrival of two strangers at their door. The film is based on the novel of the same name and explores themes of trust and survival in a chaotic world.

Available on Netflix.

Podcast: Dying for Sex
When Molly's diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, she decides to do something bold: she leaves her unhappy marriage and embarks on a series of sexual adventures to help her feel alive. She shares the funniest and most touching details with her closest friend, host Nikki Boyer. As they peel back the layers, we learn that Molly isn’t just grappling with breast cancer: she's also dealing with some trauma from her past. Along the journey, the friends explore bigger themes that affect us all -- like healing, forgiveness and what do we do with the time we have left.

The podcast is 8 episodes, feel free to listen to just one or as many as you like.