How We Hype is a new, twice-monthly feature on Hypable where we tell you what we’re doing in fandom over the weekend!

Attending StarKid – Danielle Zimmerman

Tomorrow (Saturday), I’ll be attending one of Team Starkid’s summer shows, The Trail to Oregon. I’ve been a fan of Starkid for such a long time (practically since AVPM first hit the internet), and now that I’m living at home in Chicago, I’ve made it my mission to see as many of their shows and productions as possible. They’re such a talented group of people and I always love to see what they come up with. I got one of my best friends hooked on them a little over a year ago when I took her to see Holy Musical B@man and she hasn’t missed going to a show with me since, so she’ll be joining me in seeing The Trail to Oregon. (Stay tuned for my review of Oregon, as well as my review of Ani once I see that one next weekend!)

Related coverage: StarKid’s summer season cast sees return

Watching ‘Attack the Block’ – Louie Schuth

I am watching Attack the Block, a 2011 sci-fi movie I missed from writer/director Joe Cornish. I’ve wanted to watch it for a while because I’ve heard nothing but good things, but I’m watching it now because it stars John Boyega, who will be starring in Star Wars: Episode VII. I’m going to force a few friends to sit down and watch it with me because I’m sure they’ll like it too, and I’m always trying to expand their palates.

Watching ‘In The Flesh’ – Michal Schick

I’m catching up on the BBC3’s In The Flesh. I thought the first series was genius – a moody, heartfelt, and incredibly human take on the zombie apocalypse. Series 2 has an additional three episodes, giving the time to focus on mythology and subtle character development – plus turn the “slow, simmering tension” thing up to 11.

I’m watching it alone, for now! But I’ve been harassing my brother and sister about the show, so hopefully they’ll cave soon enough.

Watching ‘Torchwood’ – Tariq Kyle

I’m watching Torchwood, the Doctor Who spinoff based off Jack Harkness and his team of alien investigators. Fellow Hypable writer Laura Byrne Cristano has finally convinced me to give it a shot, and I’m so excited to see one of my favorite time travelers study more aliens! I love Doctor Who, so I’m really hoping I love Torchwood too.

And although none of my friends are currently watching it with me, I know they have before, so now I can finally get caught up and talk about it with them!

Despite the lack of new episodes and updates, remember that two years ago showrunner Russell T. Davies has declared Torchwood not cancelled…yet.

Watching ‘Hemlock Grove’ – Karen Rought

This weekend I’ll be finishing up the novel Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy and binge-watching season 2 of the show. Why? Because the first season was such a refreshing change of pace from normal television. Hemlock Grove isn’t worried about conformity and because they’re a Netflix original series, they can basically get away with murder — or worse. I’m curious to see if they step up their game with season 2, though that’s certainly a tall order to fill. Fellow Hypable staffer Brook was the one to drag me into this mess to begin with, so I’m sure we’re going to be texting each other and freaking out over the show all weekend.

Related coverage: Karen recaps the Hemlock Grove season 2 premiere

Watching ‘Prison Break’ – Josh Nealey

I’m currently watching Prison Break on Netflix. The show revolves around two brothers. One has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other devises an elaborate plan to help his brother escape prison.

My older and younger brother both started watching it recently and went through all 81 episodes within a week. I decided to catch up so we could all discuss the show and it’s been incredibly exciting. It originally aired on Fox from ’05-’09 with an additional two-hour movie titled Prison Break: The Final Break.

It stars Dominic Purcell, Wentworth Miller and Sarah Wayne Callies (Walking Dead).

Watching ‘The Leftovers’ – John Thrasher

I’m currently watching The Leftovers, a new series by one of the creators of Lost on HBO. The series premiere was only two weeks ago, and I am already hooked. It’s based on a book by Tom Perotta where suddenly, out-of-nowhere, 2% of the world’s population disappears inexplicably. Two episodes in and the show is teeming with Lost style motifs like random animals, inexplicable circumstances, and of course that whole 2% of the world’s population vanishing without a trace thing.

I heard about this show on social media months ago, and am happy to report it is exceeding my already high expectations. I’ve been watching this show on my own because it airs on Sunday nights, but I really should be on the phone with a friend because it’s spooky in all the right ways!

Reading ‘Isla and the Happily Ever After’ – Jen Lamoureux

This weekend I will finish reading Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. I’ve read the first half and put it aside because I want to savor it for as long as possible. I loved Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, but trust me, this is just as amazing. Stephanie Perkins has a way of creating relationships and characters that are so real you can’t help but relate to them. I highly suggest reading Anna and Lola’s stories before the release of Isla in August.

Listening to ‘Queen of the Tearling’ – Caitlin Kelly

This weekend I’ll be finishing the audio book of The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (narrated by Katherine Kellgren). This book has been incredibly hyped for months, and as a big fan of fantasy books as well as books featuring strong female leads, I knew I had to check it out. I’ve been listening to the audio book because I’ve been sick with a stomach flu all week, and it’s a great way to relax. There’s something comforting about being able to shut your eyes and have the story told to you.

Related coverage: Emma Watson begins preparing for her role as Kelsea

Reading ‘The Silkworm’ – Andrew Sims

I was a big fan of J.K. Rowling’s first Cormoran Strike novel The Cuckoo’s Calling, so I’ve been looking forward to the sequel The Silkworm. So far I’m about 100 pages into it and absolutely loving it. Rowling is at her best when she writes about a mystery, and I’m constantly impressed by the creative writing skills she possesses.

This weekend will hopefully be my chance to put a big dent in the book because I’ve been moving at a slower pace than I’d prefer.

Related coverage: Read Hypable’s review of The Silkworm

Reading and discussing ‘Tell The Wolves I’m Home’ – Christine Cannon

I recently finished reading Tell The Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt and this weekend I am partaking in a mini book club with my mother and sisters. The novel follows the life of a young girl living in the late 1980s after her uncle and best friend die of AIDS. The subject matter is a bit heavy, but it was beautifully written and an interesting look into the AIDS crisis in New York City.

I’m excited to finally be able to discuss the book with my family as I finished it last week. I already know we all have very different opinions on the story so the discussion should be a good one.

Listening to Gavin DeGraw – Kristen Kranz

In anticipation of attending his concert late next week, I will be spending the majority of my weekend immersed in Gavin DeGraw’s entire collected works. A few months ago, I had a meaningful encounter with a song of his I had never heard before and it inspired me to dig deeper into his back catalogue and see what exactly I had been missing. The answer is: a LOT. I’ve slowly but surely been making my way through his stuff ever since, and in order to ensure that I am sufficiently pumped for next week’s live show, I will be surrounding myself with his dulcet tones all weekend long as I do laundry and run errands, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend a relaxing summer weekend.

Listening to ‘All About That Bass’ – Pamela Gocobachi

My brother introduced me to this song by newcomer Meghan Trainor, and it all but instantly became the latest addition to my ever growing Summer 2014 mix tape. Apart from having a super cool and incredibly catchy melody with a retro vibe, it’s got a great body positive message. Check out the music video above and chances are, you’ll be humming it’s infectiously catchy hook all day long!

What are you doing this weekend in fandom?

Use the hashtag #HowWeHype on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr this weekend so we can see what you’re up to!