TV Shows I Watched in August Instead of Reading Books

We may have cancelled our cable way back in March (has it been that long?!), but I certainly haven't been depriving myself of TV by any means. Usually I like to do a monthly recap of the books I've read in the past month, buuuut since I spent the whole of August watching TV on Netflix and Hulu and therefore only getting about 60 pages in to one book, I thought I would talk about what I've been watching instead!

Parenthood
My friend Rachel has been recommending Parenthood to me ever since it started 3 years ago, and I finally started watching (all three seasons are currently streaming on Netflix!).  Basically, it's about four grown siblings, their parents, and their families, and it's pretty genius and beautiful and also very funny.  Also, Dax Shepard is more brilliant than you could have ever imagined he could be.  I've flown through these since the show is just so engaging and true to life.  Although, be warned:  you could create a drinking game out of every time Lauren Graham gets teary-eyed and every time someone in the family is yelling over someone else in the family.  Mildly annoying, but certainly not annoying enough to make me stop watching!

Dance Academy
I could talk about this one forever, but I will control myself.  The premise here is Australian teenagers attending a ballet boarding school in Sydney.  And I'm obsessed with it.  I wish I could fully explain what it is about this show that is so addicting, but I can't.  All I can tell you is that you won't be able to stop watching, and that is a good thing.  Plus, once they draw you in with all the ballet, the beautiful Sydney scenery, the ridiculously embarrassing teenager antics, the legit soundtrack, and the characters who you cannot help but develop very strong love/hate feelings for, they will then emotionally destroy you to your very core and leave you crying for hours on end.  So, just watch it.  There are two seasons available right now streaming on Netflix!

Parks & Rec
This show had to grow on me, but now I love it.  Scott and I have watched all 4 seasons (on Netflix!  Should I become a Netflix spokesperson?) and the totally bizarre, very pointed personalities of each character are definitely what make this one so great.  Half the time I don't even care what the plot of the episode is, as long as Ron is talking about meat, Tom's swagger is at its best, and Andy is doing something so stupid it's endearing.

Pretty Little Liars
PLL was the only show that was actually currently on TV all summer that I actually kept up with!  Geez, I love this show so much and hate it so much.  The intrigue!  The stalking!  All of their hot boyfriends!  The plot taking totally unexpected turns that also make absolutely no sense!  It's a favorite, has been for the past two years, and will continue to be so.  I hope they never figure out who exactly A is so that this show will never end!  (What's that?  You aren't caught up with this one?  Don't worry - the first two seasons are Netflix!  [bet you didn't see that one coming])