Characters Reading: Athena Grant (9-1-1)

In the 9-1-1 episode Mixed Feelings (season 6 episode 13) Athena Grant was sitting in her living room enjoying a quiet morning reading. That is until her husband Robert "Bobby" Nash got back from a morning run. The book she was reading was Bloodshed in Beverly Hills, I'm not sure if this is a fiction or non-fiction book. But since it's most likely a prop book (I did a search and found nothing), you can take your guess either way. At this point in the show, Athena Grant is a Police Sergeant who tends to find herself solving various mysteries which is no surprise that at the end of the ninth season she became a Police Detective.

(9-1-1 season 6 episode 13: Mixed Feelings)

Anyway, if this book is fiction then it's probably an exciting thriller or mystery with some detective trying to solve a baffling case centered on murders in Beverly Hills. And if it's non-fiction then it's probably detailing some horrific real life murder that happened in Beverly Hills with a focus on the victims and a suspect if one was caught. Athena strikes me as someone who enjoys reading fictional mysteries and true-crime stories in her spare time. Those might be her main book genre but I wouldn't be surprised if he also enjoys reading a romance novel or literature as well.

Side note, it's funny that in the picture below she used her book as a shield to block Bobby from kissing her. That is until he could go shower because he was all sweaty and smelly.

(9-1-1 season 6 episode 13: Mixed Feelings)

Characters Reading: Rosie the Pig (Masha and the Bear)

In the Masha and the Bear episode The Three Mashketeers, the episode begins with Rosie the Pig trying to avoid Masha and her cousin Dasha so she can return books she borrowed from Bear. After returning those books, Bear's assistant and cousin Panda, gave Rosie The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas to read. She was so intrigued by the book that after reading a few pages it had her along with Masha, Dasha and Panda interested in becoming The Three Musketeers or as Masha called them the Mashketeers. They wore Musketeer costumes and helped an injured Bear take a love letter and a present to his girlfriend for her birthday. But it wasn't an easy task because there were in-fights between Masha, Panda and Dasha and an ambush by the wolves and they had to deal with a romantic rival. So they definitely had an interesting adventure.

I still have yet to read The Three Musketeers, I will let this be my motivation to add it to my list. I've seen plenty of the adaptations and hopefully sometime soon I'll read the classic story.

(Masha and the Bear episode: The Three Mashketeers)

Characters Reading: Robert Nash (9-1-1)

In the 9-1-1 episode What's Your Grievance (season 4 episode 4), Robert "Bobby" Nash was in his backyard reading Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks. I'm always surprised when characters in shows and movies are shown reading a real book instead of a prop one. Anyway, Bobby took a reading break to talk to his stepdaughter May Grant who was in need of a little advice. Earlier in the episode, May who at the time was a 911 dispatch operator in training, was on an emergency call when she overheard a woman getting shot then falling into her pool. Bobby and the rest of his firefighter team were at that emergency call to the late woman's home.

May needed some advice about how to let go of the job at the end of the day. And with stressful jobs like theirs as first responders, you need a way to not take the job home with you. Anyway, back to Bobby's book, I didn't realize that the actor Tom Hanks had wrote books and Uncommon Type: Some Stories is a fictional story that seem interesting. The story centered on various characters but I'm interested in knowing why a typewriter is connected to them. Below, I included the book and description.

(9-1-1 season 4 episode 4: What's Your Grievance)

Characters Reading: Henrietta Wilson (9-1-1)

In the 9-1-1 episode Starting Over (season 5 episode 18), Henrietta "Hen" Wilson was trying to read during some down time. I'm not sure if this is a textbook or reference book for medical school or a personal non-school related book she was reading. Anyway, her reading time was temporarily interrupted when a TV news report by Taylor Kelly was beginning to air. Hen along with some of th other firefighters were so annoyed by Taylor Kelly and her reporting that Hen immediately turned off the TV. And then she went right back to reading her book.

(9-1-1 season 5 episode 18: Starting Over)

Characters Reading: Prince Henry (Red, White & Royal Blue)

In this scene from the movie Red, White & Royal Blue, Prince Henry at night was reading the classic novel, Howards End by E.M. Forster. Henry is a total bookworm, he reads a lot of books and seems to enjoy talking about them and references them. Anyway, back to this scene, Henry didn't get a chance to finish reading because First Son Alexander Claremont-Diaz unexpectantly showed up to Kensington Palace. Henry had been ignoring Alex's calls, so Alex got on a plane and flew out to see him. He not only wanted answers to why Henry was ignoring his calls but to also declare his love for him even though he didn't think Henry would do the same. Which set up a very important and passionate converstation between them which highlighted how complicated Henry believed his life was. And although he loves Alex, he may not be able to live the life that he wants due to his royal status.

I love this movie, it's been a while since I've seen it. Maybe I'll rewatch it sometime this week or the weekend. And at some point I'm going to read the book Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

(Red, White & Royal Blue)

Characters Reading: Daria Morgendorffer (Daria)

In the opening credit of the Daria TV series, there was a scene that showed Daria Morgendorffer and her family at a wedding. And while her parents and sister were totally focused on the wedding, Daria started reading the Lawndale Sun-Herald newspaper. It's not surprising that a bookworm would have some sort of reading material with them. However, it is surprising to see someone reading at a wedding.

But I guess that's the thing about Daria, she was a very interesting character because she was living her life without any care of what anyone else thought of her. She wasn't trying to be popular, she was just being herself.

(Daria)

Characters Reading: Molly Mabray and Randall James (Molly of Denali)

Happy New Year's Eve, I haven't posted a Characters Reading in a while.

In the Molly of Denali episode Sea Lion Crooks and Halibut Hooks (season 2 episode 8), Molly Mabray was visiting her cousin Randall James' family in Sitka, Alaska. And when Molly and Randall went fishing, they encountered a sea lion. They also noticed markings on it's back, that possibly spelled glog (there's a nice little twist to that).

This led the cousins to do a little online research to see if they could find out more information about sea lions and markings. They read the online article Marking Steller Sea Lions which helped them figure out that as citizen scientists that they could contact researchers with information about the sea lion. They would eventually figure out what type of sea lion they had found and get the information to researchers. And they ended up learning a little more about that specific sea lion.

(Molly of Denali season 2 episode 8: Sea Lion Crooks and Halibut Hooks)

Characters Reading: Video: Kate Beckett (Castle)

Throughout the Castle episode Fool Me Once (season 2 episode 4), Police Detective Katherine "Kate" Beckett was constantly being annoyed by writer Richard Castle to see if she had read his latest book Heat Wave. Earlier in the episode, she had started reading it during a relaxing candle lit bath.

What I like about Kate is that she's an avid reader and prior to meeting Castle she was a big fan of his books. She still was but I like that she tried not to add to his giant ego by letting him know how much she loves his books. And since she read all his other books, it's a given that she was going to read Heat Wave. But I do wonder if a comment about the book having a steamy sex scene had her wanting to read that scene as soon as possible.

So by the end of the episode, she probably thought she could take a little break and go to the women's restroom to read. Well, most likely to find that scene and read it. Too bad she was surprised by Castle but he did tell her what page that scene was on.

Characters Reading: Kevin Ryan and Javier Esposito (Castle)

In the Castle episode Wrapped Up in Death (season 2 episode 19), Detectives Kate Beckett, Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan and writer Richard Castle were investigating an interesting case. It centered around the mysterious death of a museum curator, a mummy's curse and a missing Mayan mummy. While looking for more information, Detectives Ryan and Esposito were gathering more research and information by reading the book Mysteries of the Maya: A New Look at an Ancient World by F. H. Mora. I'm pretty sure this is a prop book because I couldn't find anything when I did a search.

Anyway, this was such a fun and wacky episode, in a way it felt like a little homage to Indiana Jones because of all the archeological aspects. Something I really liked about this episode was Castle thinking he was cursed after he looked into the mummy's sarcophagus (without permission). Throughout the episode some strange things were happening to him such as the chair breaking when he sat on it and the cappuccino machine malfunctioning when he tried to use it. However, those were due to Beckett, Esposito and Ryan playing pranks on him. However, things such as getting a paper cut, being chased by a dog and temporarily being stuck in an elevator were not. Could it have been the curse, who knows?

(Castle season 2 episode 19: Wrapped Up in Death)

Characters Reading: Olive Oyl

In the beginning of the Popeye cartoon She-Sick Sailors, Olive Oyl was reading Superman comic books. What I found interesting in the cartoon is that it showed that she's a really big Superman fan. Not only did Olive have several stacks of Superman comics but also a lot of Superman posters on her wall.

(Popeye cartoon She-Sick Sailors)

Characters Reading: Owen Reed, Gloria Mambo and Lulu Rivera (Alma's Way)

I'm sure being a parent doesn't always leave a lot of time for reading. Some of friends who are parents say they find time to read whenever they can. Which is probably why Owen Reed, Gloria Mambo and her sister Lulu Rivera were reading while their children had soccer practice in the Alma's Way episode Alma's New Kicks (season 1 episode 13). One of my favorite reading tips is always carry a book with you. Because you never know when you might find a little free time that you can use to read.

(Alma's Way season 1 episode 13: Alma's New Kicks)

Characters Reading: Henrietta Wilson

In the 9-1-1 fifth season fifth episode Peer Pressure, Henrietta "Hen" Wilson was trying to enjoy some down time by reading a book. Reading during your lunch break or break is a good way to get in extra reading time. Too bad for Hen, it didn't last long. Her relaxation was interrupted by her friend and co-worker Evan "Buck" Buckley being annoying and loud. He was looking for Probationary Firefighter Ravi Panikkar so he could show Ravi how to disassemble a chainsaw.

Thankfully, Hen found Ravi (who was hiding out in their Captain's office) and had a very reassuring talk with him. Because Buck was being an overbearing terror in his attempt to train Ravi. So, Ravi was a little nervous and overwhelmed but Hen talked to him and gave him some good advice. I like to think that after helping Ravi she went back to reading her book. But most likely the alarm went off and she had to rush off to an emergency.

(9-1-1 season 5 episode 5: Peer Pressure)

Characters Reading: Malia Tate

Happy Halloween!

In the Teen Wolf episode Said the Spider to the Fly (season 6 episode 11), were-coyote Malia Tate was relaxing on her friend Lydia Martin's bed reading a France guide book. At this point, Malia had already graduated from high school and was looking forward to taking her trip to France. She was so done with all the supernatural drama in Beacon Hills and was ready to travel. Well, too bad for her, a big supernatural problem popped up just when she was going to leave.

Sad to say, I doubt she ever took that trip not with all the supernatural issues they were all dealing with. I do hope she was able to get at least some of her money back on her plane ticket and any other additional travel expenses for having to cancel her trip at the last minute.

Side note, I slightly lightened up the picture as a way to see the book a little better.

(Teen Wolf season 6 episode 11: Said the Spider to the Fly)

Quote: Students and Mr. Johnson (Abbott Elementary)

Mr. Johnson: Kondo, you so crazy.

Girl Student: I am so bored.

Mr. Johnson: Oh, you're bored? Then write me a one-page essay due by the end of the day.

Boy Student: About what?

Mr. Johnson: Um, how about superheroes?

Girl Student: Can I just draw?

Mr. Johnson: Whatever it takes to keep you out of my hair.

Girl Student: Sir, you are bald.

~ Students and Mr. Johnson, Abbott Elementary season 1 episode 13: Zoo Balloon

I know it's been said plenty of times but Abbott Elementary is such a funny show. It's absolutely hilarious.

And since Mr. Johnson was reading in this scene, I figured I'd also count this as an unofficial Characters Reading post. While Mr. Johnson was supposed to be watching the students, he was reading Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein. This is the third book in the The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up series.

I've read Marie Kondo's first two books (and reviewed the second): The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up). I thought about reading this third book but I haven't gotten around to buying it yet.

(Abbott Elementary season 1 episode 13: Zoo Balloon)

Characters Reading: Masha and Rosie the Pig

Something I really like about the Masha and the Bear animated series is that several of the characters are shown reading quite often. Especially Bear and Rosie the Pig. In the second season episode The Puzzling Case, Rosie was sitting on the stairs reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. Rosie was enjoying the story until she was surprised by Masha who started reading the book with her.

The two would later find themselves trying to solve what they thought was a mystery. Well, it was sort of. They went over to Bear's house and it was a mess, and the food in his refrigerator was missing and so was Bear. Although, Masha and Rosie successfully figured out what happened to the missing food, they ended up ruining Bear's attempt at relaxing. Earlier in the story, Bear was working on a new puzzle but he realized that once Masha showed up she would somehow ruin everything. So he decided to build a little loft in a tree so he could relax, drink his tea and work on his puzzle. Which ultimately led to Rosie and Masha solving the mystery of the missing Bear, even if he wasn't really missing.

(Masha and the Bear season 2 episode 5: The Puzzling Case)

Characters Reading: Carrie Bradshaw and John James Preston

In the first Sex and the City movie, Carrie Bradshaw was trying to find inspiration to write for her latest book. And a book she was using for research as well as reading was Love Letters of Great Men, volume one that she had checked out from the library. Meanwhile her boyfriend, John James Preston (a.k.a Mr. Big) was reading the newspaper as he listened to her read some of the love letters. And later in the movie, John would use the letters to win her back after they broke up on the day of their wedding.

I still find it so fascinating that there was so much fan interest in the prop book that Carrie was reading that a real book was published. You can not only buy Love Letters of Great Mean, volume one but there's a volume two as well. There's also another book titled Love Letters of Great Men: The Collection of Love Letters Drawn from by Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex in the City".

(Sex and the City: The Movie)

Characters Reading: Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry

Red, White & Royal Blue is such a wonderful romantic comedy and I knew as soon as I saw the scene below I had to post it for Characters Reading. In this scene, Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry were relaxing and reading books at Alex's parents' summer house. While Alex was too preoccupied by Henry's mere presence to concentrate on reading One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston. However, Henry (who I believe is a bookworm) was totally immersed in his book, Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo.

I love all the little details that were included in this scene. For instance, they were reading real books and not prop ones. And Alex's book is written by the same author who wrote Red, White & Royal Blue that the movie was based on.

(Red, White & Royal Blue)

Characters Reading: Madison Feliciano (My Life is Murder)

A new to me show that I've been watching is My Life is Murder, it's like a cozy mystery meets procedural. It centers on Alexa Crowe (played by Lucy Lawless) as a retired Police Detective (or Investigator on this show) turned consultant/Private Investigator who takes on interesting cases. But for this Characters Reading, I wanted to focus on Madison Feliciano who besides working as a Data Analyst for the police, also assist Alexa is solving her cases.

In the first season sixth episode Another Bloody Podcast, Madison left work a little early to go to the beach and relax. And her relaxing day at the beach included reading a good book. However, her day didn't stay relaxing for long because she was getting calls from Alexa and Police Detective Kieran Hussey who wanted information about the murdered young man investigation. As well as information in trying to figure out who might be behind an anonymous podcast that's focused on the young man's murder. And it's safe to say, that her relaxing day at the beach ended early.

(My Life is Murder season 1 episode 6: Another Bloody Podcast)

Characters Reading: Bert (Sesame Street)

I feel bad for Bert, he was trying to enjoy a quiet moment reading too bad he didn't get a chance to continue it. Because it was impossible for Bert to continue reading once Ernie was there. I don't know how Ernie didn't realize how annoying he was being? Especially since he was making so much noise. I guess the title for this should have been Characters Trying to Read because Bert certainly didn't get a chance to get much reading in.

Characters Reading: Patrick Brewer

I don't know if this is a real or a prop book that Patrick Brewer is reading (if it's real, please let me know and I'll post the information). During this fifth season Schitt's Creek scene, Patrick alongside a sleeping David Rose was trying to enjoy a quiet morning relaxing and reading his book.

Too bad this relaxing moment was interrupted by Patrick's roommate Ray Butani who wanted to know if the couple wanted breakfast. It's a wonderful gesture, however, the problem is Ray, as nice as he is, just kept interrupting. Which prompted Patrick to want to find his own apartment and since Ray is the only real estate agent in town, he helped find Patrick a nice apartment.

(Schitt's Creek season 5 episode 3: The Plant)