Wait out the Cold with our Indoor Dossier

When it’s dark before dinnertime and the air outside is plain disrespectful, snuggling up at home feels like the move. After the holiday hustle and bustle, you and your wallet may just need to decompress. We see you; this is a safe space. So, whether you’re looking to curl up with a good book, Netflix and chill, kick off a game night or try a new recipe, we’ve got your hermit handbook.

What to Watch

A Fall From Grace – Netflix

Tyler Perry is coming to Netflix on Jan. 17. Starring Crystal Fox, Phylicia Rashad, Cicely Tyson, Terry Perry and others, this thriller follows Grace Waters (Fox), a longtime pillar of her Virginia community, who keeps it together as her ex weds his mistress and her son moves away. She puts herself out there and finds love with a handsome stranger, who isn’t what he appears. He ravages her work, her sanity and her life. Grace winds up locked away awaiting trial for his murder, and her only hope for vindication lies with Jasmine Bryant, a public defender who has never tried a case.

The Outsider – HBO

Costarring Harriet’sCynthia Erivo, who also performed in the Broadway reboot of The Color Purple, this miniseries brings to life master of horror Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name. Premiering on Jan. 12, a group of investigators set out to solve the gruesome murder and mutilation of an 11-year-old boy. A suspect comes to light early, but things don’t quite add up. How can a person be in two places at once? Details get weirder and weirder as an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case and leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator (Erivo) to question everything they thought they knew.

Hunters –Amazon Prime

Inspired by true events, executive producer Jordan Peele presents this nail-biter starring Al Pacino. The series follows a diverse squad of Nazi hunters in 1977 New York City who discover that hundreds of escaped Nazis are living in America. The vigilantes set off on a bloody crusade of justice and revenge. In the process, they discover a far-reaching conspiracy and must stop a new evil plan. They hadn’t released an official launch date as of our print date, but keep a look out for it early in the year.

What to Read

The Water Dancerby Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Atlantic national correspondent and New York Times bestseller Ta-Nehisi Coates presents his debut novel. When his mother is sold away, young Hiram Walker loses his memory of her, but he’s gifted with a mysterious power. Years later, when Hiram almost drowns in a river, that same power saves his life. This brush with death births an urgency in Hiram and a daring scheme: to escape the only home he’s ever known.

Jay-Z: Made in Americaby Michael Eric Dyson

Award-winning author and academic Michael Eric Dyson unpacks the biggest themes of Jay-Z’s career, including hustling, and recognizes the way that the artist and mogul has always weaved politics into his music, making important statements about race, criminal justice, black wealth and social injustice.

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

National Book Award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson is back with this novel about an unexpected teenage pregnancy that pulls together two families from different social classes and exposes the private hopes, disappointments and longings that can bind or divide us. Moving forward and backward in time, Woodson uncovers the role that history and community has played in the experiences, decisions and relationships of these families, and in the life of the new child.

What to Play

Escape Room The Game

During two 60-minute mysteries – Prison Island and Asylum – plus an introductory mystery, you’ll work with a teammate to solve puzzles and discover hidden clues in this race against the clock. Works with the free Escape Room The Game app for Android or iOS.

New Phone, Who Dis?

From the creators of What Do You Meme, this adult – and we do mean adult– game allows you and your friends and fam to compete to create the funniest or most outrageous text thread. An “inbox” card is drawn and takes the stage, then each competitor plays a different reply against that card to try and come up with the best combo.

Blank Slate

To play this clever family-friendly game, write a word that could complete the phrase on the cue card. Try to think outside the box, because you get the most points for matching just one other player, but not too far left, because match no one and you get nothing.

All available on Amazon.

What to Cook

Sausage and Vegetable Stew

Is anything better on a bitter winter night than a stew of meat, potatoes and veggies? This recipe delivers kielbasa, root vegetables and tons of flavor. Top it off with a dollop of sour cream and a deliciously crusty bread and slurp away. Feed four in about 45 minutes.

Get the recipe at foodnetwork.com.

Baked Creamy Garlic Rigatoni

This creamy, meatless pasta combines all the winter comfort food essentials: pasta, beans, Italian cheeses and fragrant herbs. Feed your family of four in just 40 minutes.

Get the recipe at delish.com.

Creamy Hot Cocoa

Just add cocoa powder, sugar, salt, milk, vanilla extract, half-and-half and water for a warm cup of classic. In less than 10 minutes, you’ve got four mugs of good old-fashioned chocolatey goodness.

Get the recipe at allrecipes.com.