Stuck at home in self-isolation, or just not going anywhere because of the cold? Check out the books, shows, podcasts, and games the Dalnavert staff have been enjoying to pass the time!
Read
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: This fantasy-style book is set in ahistorical Victorian Europe and follows the wonders of a travelling circus. It is filled with magic and gorgeously written vignettes that capture what it is like to be totally immersed in an other-worldly experience. This is the first book by Morgenstern, with their second fairytale-like novel The Starless Sea recently released in 2019.
The Strangers by Katherena Vermette: Set in Winnipeg, this novel time-jumps to follow the stories of three generations of Métis women in the Stranger family, taking a stark look at themes of race, class, and intergenerational trauma.
The Savage Instinct by M.M. Deluca: A Victorian historical fiction novel/psychological thriller about Mary Ann Cotton, England’s first known female serial killer.
Ghost stories for Christmas illustrated and edited by Seth: Very cute little books and of course…creepy ghost stories and illustrations.
Ghost Signs: An Exchange District Walking Tour by Matthew Cohen: In the late 1800s, Winnipeg was in an industrial boom, and some of the “ghosts'' remain today in the form of large-scale signs on the buildings of the Exchange District. This book and walking tour explore Winnipeg’s hand-painted wall ads, some of which date back to the Victorian era, and were originally painted around the same time that Dalnavert was built!
This Place: 150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm et al: This graphic novel anthology portrays Canada’s history from the Indigenous perspective. The book features ten stories that recount significant events and historical figures in Indigenous history as well as imagining Indigenous principles and way of life in a sci-fi setting.
Watch
Nightmare Before Christmas (on Disney plus): My 2.5 yr old wants to watch this non stop. And why not? It’s pretty perfect.
A Ghost Story for Christmas (on Britbox): The 1970s filming makes it extra creepy but also comforting. Watch The Ice House and A Stigma to get started.
Steven Universe: Unlike many children’s TV series which can feel silly or mindless, Steven Universe slowly dives into deep issues about what it means to be human in an unfair world. The show is centered on protagonist Steven who discovers who he is alongside both human and alien characters known as Gems. With painterly backgrounds, lovely ukulele songs from writer Rebecca Sugar, and strong themes about family and friendship, this show feels good to watch at just about any age.
Dalnavert Pandemic Christmas Revisited (available to rent!): Enjoy the online filmed content we released for Christmas 2020, now for a discounted price! We’ve got traditional Victorian animated crankie stories, a festive house tour, and Ron Robinson reading A Christmas Carol in Dalnavert’s study.
Listen
The Monday Afternoon Movie with Sam Pancake: Hilarious - Sam pancake watches good/ bad movies and tv specials and talks about them and what is so deliciously terrible and wonderful about them. Right now listening to all of the never re-aired because they were terrible Paul Lynde specials in the 70s.
Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! Greek & Roman Mythology Retold: This podcast tells the classic stories of gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters from the ancient world with a contemporary, sarcastic, feminist voice.
99% Invisible: This well-known podcast continues to be a favourite of mine. Host Roman Mars focuses each episode on an every-day design element of our world, especially the ones that are often overlooked. The show has episodes about everything from the history of water fountains to bad designs of city flags to how a Buddha statue can create a park in the middle of suburbia. If you have ever wandered around your city and thought “Huh, I wonder why that is there?” they probably have an episode for you.
Play
Pandemic (tabletop game): Too soon?! Maybe not, as this cooperative board game gives you the opportunity to actually *end* a pandemic.
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles (Nintendo Switch): Yonder is a visually beautiful open world adventure game - think Zelda: Breath of the Wild without any combat. Explore Gemea and discover eight distinct biomes, befriend wild animals to bring them to your farm, plant trees, and build up the happiness of the world’s residents.