Seven Shows To Binge-Watch

Summer might be almost over, but that doesn't mean you can't start a new show to binge-watch. It obviously takes me longer to watch an entire series during the school year but I'm still a pretty good binge watcher. I'll watch a show when I'm getting ready, in the background of homework, before I go to sleep.. yeah. Here are six of my favorite shows that are great for watching back to back in short amounts of time (aka binge watching). All of these shows, with the exception of the last one, are available with a Netflix subscription. If you don't have one, there are plenty of websites online where you can find the links for free.

1. Lost (6 Seasons). If you're going to commit to binge-watching a show, this is it. I watched all 6 seasons in 3 weeks last summer, because it is just that good. There's no show like it--kind of sic fi mystery, drama with the characters, comedic relief... you name it. The character development is fabulous and I love this show so much that one of the characters, Charlie, partially inspired my tattoo.

2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (7 Seasons). I would watch Buffy occasionally when it was on air, but I was too young to ever really get into it. During freshman year, I spent the better part of second semester watching this. The writing is great, and the show is about so much more than an actual vampire slayer. There's also a spinoff, Angel, which I didn't like as much but still watched.

3. Parks and Recreation (7 Seasons). When this show first came on the air, something about it rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't get in to it. Fast forward to last winter break and suddenly I got hooked--each episode is only 22 minutes so it's easy to keep on watching. There are so many quirky characters (Ron Swanson is a common household name now), and it does take a season or two to come into its own. But power through--it's certainly worth it. Plus, this show is still on the air so you have something to look forward to in the fall.

4. Weeds (8 Seasons). Once again, this show took me a while to get into but once I started watching, I couldn't stop (I think I finished in a little more than two weeks?). It's Orange is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan's first project, so fans of that will love this. It's the same type of dark humor and even features guest stars like Pornstache and Mr. Healey. I want to compare it to a more comedic Breaking Bad, with more sass and girl power. Nancy Botwin is such a cool mom, I hope I can be like her when I'm older (minus the drug dealing business).

5. Desperate Housewives (8 Seasons). The best way to describe this show is a guilty pleasure. It's incredibly ridiculous with the amount of lovers and murders on Wisteria Lane, but something about the show is captivating. It's like Gossip Girl with housewives, but you get more involved. My favorite character is probably Gabrielle Solis because she is just straight up ridiculous and the way she handles her life is so crazy you can't help but laugh.

6. Gilmore Girls (8 Seasons). I must have missed the boat because somehow I didn't watch this show in middle school. I watched it all for the first time last year and could not stop. It probably has some of the best writing I've ever seen, for such a simple small-town storyline, and the characters are amazing. The dynamic between Lorelai and Rory just cannot be beat, and the addition of quirky people like Kurt makes the show stand out (plus the gorgeous Jess and Dean don't hurt). Even though I didn't actually watch it in middle school, it brings me back to the early 2000s with a good sense of nostalgia.

7. Arrested Development (4 Seasons). This is arguably the funniest show ever. It is just so so clever and has so many recurring jokes that you can't help but laugh. The fourth season was released 10 years later as a Netflix original and lacks the vivacity of the first 3 seasons, but is still worth a watch. There are bumper stickers on my car that reference this show... that's how much I love it.

I'm in search of a new show, so I'd love to know what you've been watching and recommend!