Sunday Paper Recommends—Week of July 20, 2025
This week at The Sunday Paper, we're sharing three TV shows, a newsletter, and two books that we believe will add inspiration to your days. We hope these suggestions open your heart and mind and encourage you to come together for meaningful conversations.
What We’re Watching
We’re still bingeing season 3 of The White Lotus. Set in Thailand, the eight-episode season explores themes of wealth, spirituality, and cultural collision with sharp writing and standout performances. Patrick Schwarzenegger, Maria’s son, joins the cast for an outstanding performance alongside Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey. Stream now on HBO Max.
Sirens, Netflix’s new five-episode limited series, is a sharp, darkly comic dive into wealth, power, and family dynamics. Starring Julianne Moore as the enigmatic socialite Michaela Kell, Meghann Fahy as her protective sister Devon, and Milly Alcock as the devoted employee Simone, the show unfolds over a Labor Day weekend at a lavish beach estate. With its blend of glamour, tension, and biting satire, Sirens delivers a compelling exploration of class and control. All episodes are now streaming on Netflix.
Dying for Sex on FX is a powerful limited series about Molly, played by Michelle Williams, who embraces her sexuality after a terminal cancer diagnosis. With heartfelt performances and honest storytelling, the show explores illness, desire, and friendship with humor and depth. All eight episodes are streaming now on FX on Hulu.
What Newsletter We’re Loving
If you're looking to deepen your spiritual practice and navigate today’s world with greater compassion and clarity, we recommend The Daily Meditations from the Center for Action and Contemplation. Rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition, these daily reflections, featuring wisdom from Richard Rohr, CAC faculty, and guest teachers, offer timeless insights for everyday life. Each message invites you to pause, reflect, and act with intention. Subscribe here.
What We’re Reading
Abundance traces how decades of underbuilding have created today’s crises, including housing shortages, labor gaps, and stalled clean-energy infrastructure. Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson explain that many well-intentioned rules created in the past now block the solutions we need today. This thoughtful book challenges readers to rethink the government's role and offers a hopeful vision for overcoming scarcity through bold action and renewed politics. At a time when scarcity dominates the conversation, Abundance is a crucial call for change.
Kat and Brandy is a heartfelt story about fear, courage, and the healing bond between a girl and a rescue horse. Written by Maria's daughter, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, and inspired by her own childhood, the book follows Kat as she overcomes her fear of riding after a fall, thanks to the gentle connection she builds with Brandy, a horse learning to trust again. With beautiful illustrations and an uplifting message, this story reminds us how animals can help us grow braver, kinder, and more confident, one small step at a time.
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