Sunday Paper PLUS Recommends—Week of December 14, 2025
At The Sunday Paper, we often discover books, podcasts, films, and other works that spark inspiring change. This week, we are thrilled to turn over our recommends to our Sunday Paper PLUS readers! Our thanks to Laureen, Lou, and Theresa for their recommendations. We hope these suggestions encourage you to come together for meaningful conversations.
What Laureen’s Watching
Ben Stiller has written, directed, and produced some of the most critical and hilarious stories of our time, from Zoolander to Severance to Tropic Thunder. (And not to mention, he’s performed in so many, too.) In his new film, he takes us into the worlds of his greatest inspiration: his parents, comedy icons Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara—the husband-and-wife comedy team popular in the 1960s and 1970s. This is a heartwarming look at two people dedicated to their craft, and how it not only shaped the culture at the time, but also a young man who was destined to become one of the greatest in Hollywood. Thanks for the suggestion, Laureen!
What Lou’s Listening To
Engaging. Compelling. Wildly unique. Horrifying. That’s just a start at describing how good Wisecrack is, the new podcast so many are riveted by. True-crime producer Jodi Tovay tells the journey of how one night, comedian Edd Hedges came home after doing a charity comedy show to find a murderer looking for him. In the series, Tovay and Hedges explore the harrowing event in six parts, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats as they detail the bizarre twists and turns. This is a true crime podcast unlike any other. Thanks for the rec, Lou!
What Theresa’s Reading
Chances are you know Zoë François, the award-winning pastry chef who creates mouth-watering cookies, cakes, and more. And if you don’t? Well, go pick up her newest book, Zoë Bakes Cookies, immediately—as Sunday Paper reader Theresa recommends you do—and you’ll likely be a fast fan. With her signature knack for making complicated baked goods easy and delicious, François takes readers through how to make the cookies that will make your days that much better, from her favorite recipes from her days in Vermont, including Coconut Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, to grandma’s classics with a twist, including Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies and Chocolate Caramel Matzo. Thanks for the rec, Theresa!
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