A TV Show That’s Equal Parts Joy and Torture
A staff writer for The Atlantic shares personal recommendations for television and literature, specifically discussing House of the Dragon and the historical novel The Frozen River. The piece serves as a cultural guide for readers looking for entertainment.
Why it matters
Cultural commentary provides context for media consumption and highlights how historical fiction can blend fact with narrative storytelling.
Culture and entertainment recommendations including House of the Dragon , batik paintings, and more
Ollie Upton/HBO July 19, 2026, 7 AM ET Share Save This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.
Welcome back to The Daily’s Sunday culture edition, in which one Atlantic writer or editor reveals what’s keeping them entertained. Today’s special guest is Janay Kingsberry, a staff writer who has covered Donald Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center , the president’s beautification projects , and more.
Janay has been on a memoir-reading spree, and one in particular inspired her to explore writing her own. She also enjoys wandering around with her film camera, has plans to watch The Odyssey twice, and wishes that capri pants weren’t back.
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