Ever wonder what’s captivating Richmond Law faculty when they’re off the clock? From gripping historical reads to binge-worthy streaming picks to insightful podcasts, here’s what’s capturing their attention outside of the classroom.
Listening
Danielle Stokes | The Pivot Podcast
“This is my favorite thing to listen to right now. I am not a huge sports fan, but the show allows me insight into the sports realm while also learning the why behind folks’ stories. I appreciate the comedy, vulnerability, and real-life discussions that take place.”
Watching
Carol Brown | The Residence (Netflix)
“I highly recommend The Residence, which is on Netflix. When Detective Cordelia Cupp, a consulting detective for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, is called in to investigate a complex murder at the White House during a state dinner, her sharp mind, offbeat charm, and birdwatching quirks make every scene she’s in completely captivating. I loved binge-watching the show because Uzo Aduba’s portrayal brought depth and intrigue to Cupp, whose fearless, observant nature and unconventional methods made the mystery feel intelligent and truly engaging.”
Corinna Lain | The History of Comedy (Netflix)
“This docuseries uses archival footage and interviews to explore not just what makes us laugh, but how comedy has shaped society. I love how each episode has a different theme, and it’s fun to see clips of these old shows that I watched growing up and consider them in their larger social and political context.”
“And then my guilty pleasure: binge-watching British murder mysteries on BritBox.”
Reading
Ashley Dobbs | Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Odell
“This is a deep dive into the fundamental structure of time in our society and how it developed around corporate profits. What can I say? I’m a recovering big-firm lawyer, and I think a lot about how the billable hour culture at law firms continues to impact lawyer well-being. I like reading things that help me think about time and productivity another way so we can uncover or create better systems for our future lawyers, both wholesale revolutions and incremental shifts from inside the system.”
Joel Eisen | The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson
“I’m deep into the second volume of historian Rick Atkinson’s trilogy on the Revolutionary War, The Fate of the Day. It’s a gripping narrative that covers the middle years of the war, from the loss of Fort Ticonderoga to the stirring victory at Saratoga that brought the French into the war on our side and continues to the battles in New Jersey and South Carolina in 1780. The level of detail brings this pivotal era vividly to life.”
Jim Gibson | King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild
“This is an eye-opening history of the Belgian colonization of the Congo for which the term ‘crimes against humanity’ was invented. It’s fascinating — but more than a bit horrifying. Highly recommended for history buffs.”
Wendy Perdue | What Universities Owe Democracy by Ronald J. Daniels
“The book offers a history of higher education in the U.S. and makes a compelling case that a core function of a college education should be to reinforce the knowledge, values, and skills that are foundational to a liberal democracy built on the rule of law. A fascinating read, especially as I reenter the classroom this semester … and then my guilty pleasure: binge-watching British murder mysteries on BritBox.”
Noah Sachs | A History of American Law by Lawrence M. Friedman
“I’m loving Friedman’s stories of how law works on the ground, covering everything from saloon fights in the Old West to the creation of no-fault divorce in the 1970s. There’s so much more to the American legal system than appellate cases!”