Reading, Watching, Listening

READING

With both of my girls out of school recently (Clara for two weeks and Sophie for one), I barely had time to read.  Somehow, on our Spring Break trip, I managed to finish Code Name Verity.  This was one of my rare fiction reads for the year.  I have to say that I do quite enjoy historical fiction.  This book was an Honor title for the 2012 Michael L. Printz award.  Code Name Verity is the story of a secret agent captured by the Gestapo in enemy territory and her efforts to evade execution.  I love all the historical detail and I found the story pretty gripping.  This book is a good read and one that I'd definitely recommend to others! 

I have several books on the back burner just waiting for some free time. These include Gone Girl and Wonder.  I've been wanting to read both for a long time!

WATCHING

I don't know about you but I love the few months following the Oscars, when all of the nominated films come out on DVD.  Last week we rented and watched both Lincoln and Argo.

Lincoln.  I particularly love books and movies that trigger some interest and further study on a topic. Lincoln was one such movie for me.  In particular, I became very interested in the story of Mary Todd Lincoln.  I had no idea that she and Lincoln had four sons and that three passed away during Mary's lifetime.  She was also sitting right next to Lincoln when he was shot/assassinated.  Can you imagine such tragedy?  Then, after her third son passed away, her eldest and only remaining son had her committed to an asylum.  (How would you not be crazy?) Because of that, they were estranged until shortly before her death.  Um yeah.  After some research online, I requested Jean H. Baker's biography of Mary.  I can't wait to read it!  

Argo. I can see why this movie won the Best Picture award.  I was quite young during the Iran Hostage Crisis so I was googling away during the movie.  There were so many "characters" and I had no idea who they were!  So it was nice to get a short little history lesson.  I was so nervous watching the movie that I thought I was going to be sick.  I'm still amazed that Ben Affleck's character was able to pull off the escape of six hostages.  I'm really not sure how those six hostages were able to keep their nerves in check!  

LISTENING

I am rather obsessed with this song.  I mean obsessed.  I can't remember the last time I liked a song this much.  The video is horrendous (in my opinion) but just listen to the song and look at something else while it's playing (ha!).  Does anyone love it too? 

How about you?  What have you been reading, watching, listening?  Anything good?

Reading, Watching, Listening

In case you've been wondering why my blog posts are so sporadic and infrequent, it's because I've been reading A LOT.  I get so excited when I have a bunch of books lined up on my bedside table screaming for my attention.  

READING

Of everything I've read lately, my favorite two books are Clara's War and Simple Living: One Couple's Search for a Better Life. 

Clara's War is Clara Kramer's Holocaust survival story.  She survived the war with her parents by living in a bunker under the house of her family's prior housekeeper (it was actually a Jewish home/house that was given to the housekeeper's family after the Jews were kicked out).  Clara lived in that bunker for almost TWO YEARS.  It was so small that not one of its occupants could even stand up straight.  At the most, there were EIGHTEEN people living in this bunker.  For me, the most amazing part of this story is that two young children lived in the bunker with them for most of the time. I cannot even imagine and it is truly a miracle that they all survived. At different times, there were Nazi and SS soldiers/agents living in the house above them.  It is one of the most gripping stories I've ever read and I am so happy I decided to read this book. (I'd decided some time ago to stop reading Holocaust books because I've read so many in my lifetime.  I felt inclined to read this one because my daughter is also named Clara.)  After reading the book I had to GOOGLE around to see if Clara is still alive. It appears she may be because I can't find anything to the contrary.  While researching, I came across this video of Clara and I just had to share it!  She is so precious and I, for one, am just so happy that she survived to tell this remarkable story.  

I am now reading Simple Living: One Couple's Search for a Better Life.  This book was published in 1992, long before the Simple Living movement came into being. It's one couple's attempt to simplify their life when they moved to an orchard in Virginia (that just happens to be near my hometown!).  I'm almost finished this book and feel like I might be inclined to write more when I'm done.  A lot of what was written in this book just speaks to me!  If the idea of living more simply appeals to you, you should seriously consider reading this book!!!  I originally heard about this book on Rhonda's blog (a daily read for me!).  

WATCHING

Alain and I watched ZERO DARK THIRTY last weekend. FINALLY!  I'd been wanting to see it for so long!  Wow.  I learned a thing or two and, of course, certain scenes were hard to watch, but I am in AWE of agents who do this type of work. In awe and so thankful.  Great movie if you're looking for something good to watch.  We rented it from RedBox.  

LISTENING

I'm really into the more rustic, folk-sounding bands that are popular now.  Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Imagine Dragons.  I listen to them when I can and turn up the radio FOR SURE when one of their songs comes on.  Very trendy and not too original but it is what it is!  Every once in a while they do play something good on the radio. This one is definitely a favorite:

I also had the pleasure of seeing PINK in concert last weekend.  Oh my!  It kind of blew my mind.  I am so thankful my friend talked me into it.  It certainly didn't disappoint and I look forward to the next time I can see her show!

Reading, Watching, Listening

READING

So I just finished reading this....

.....and I was quite touched by this beautiful love letter that Calvin wrote to his late wife, Alice.  

Now I'm reading....

....and, I'm telling you, this book is fascinating.  I've read a lot of books on sleep. After Sophie was born, I struggled with sleep issues for YEARS.  Oh, it was so horrible.  Thank goodness I'm sleeping like a baby now but I'm still intrigued by what happens once we close our eyes at night.  It's always been an interest of mine, even before I had my own sleep issues. I'm about halfway through this book and I may write more about it once I'm done.  Seriously, I've learned so many cool things!!!  Alain and I have had some interesting conversations about our sleep....

WATCHING

Alain and I just watched....

.....and, I have to say, I didn't expect to be so roped in by this documentary.  I guess I didn't know a lot about Bob Marley even though I would consider myself a fan.  Watching this led to many a Google search on the Dreadlock Rasta.  So, as you might have guessed (it's so predictable!).....

LISTENING

I've been listening to....

This is one of the 10 CD's I'd want with me if I were deserted on an island.  It would actually make it into my Top 5.  Do you guys ever play that game?  Alain and I often have this discussion.  Maybe I'll do a post one day on my 10 'deserted island CD's'.  (Am I dating myself saying CD's?  Times, they are a changin'!!!)

So, tell me, what have you been reading, watching, listening to????

Reading, Watching, Listening

HELLO 2013!!!

As I usher in 2013, I've been reading, watching and listening a lot.  Hence my lack of blog posts.  Here's a peek at what I've been reading, watching and listening to......now, it's your turn, how about you???

READING:

Just finished...

Now reading...

With this one on the backburner just waiting....

WATCHING:

Just finished watching Season 1 of this show.....(thanks, Little Brother!)...

Not sure yet what my opinion is on the show but let's just say that I intend to watch Season 2. (Obvi, we're the ladies! ~ love that!) I'm intrigued by Lena Dunham. She's obviously talented and I LOVE how she puts herself out there.  I admire it, actually. For this reason, I watched her movie...

...but I quickly found myself wishing I'd spent that hour and a half doing something else.  Sorry, Lena.

Also, I recently watched this movie:

....and let's just say that I liked it enough to add it as one of my favorites on my Google profile.  I cannot wait to own this on DVD.  And the music is so incredible!

LISTENING:

I have a confession ~ in general, I really do not like children's music.  At all. There are some exceptions, like certain Raffi songs. But I usually stick to artists like Bob Marley or Van Morrison or Miles Davis or Nina Simone....beautiful music that (luckily) appeals to my children as well.  How pleased I have been to discover Elizabeth Mitchell.  My mom bought us both of these CD's....

.....and I find myself wondering how I've managed to be a parent for 6+ years without music THIS GOOD. I'm not at all embarrassed to admit that I listen to it even if my children are not in the car.  It's so, so, so beautiful.  I'm hard pressed to even say which of these two CD's I like better.  Elizabeth Mitchell, thank you.

So what am I missing?  Tell me,what are you reading, watching, listing to????  

Hitting the Jackpot Twice

One of life's greatest pleasures is seeing a good movie in the theater. I absolutely adore going to the movies. I love the freezing cold and being transported to another time/place/story/character. Also, I think any movie is better with an ice-cold drink and maybe some popcorn or Goobers. It's an escape. The only movies I won't see are violent ones or horror movies.....because, honestly, what kind of escape if that???

In recent years, I've found it's much harder to find good quality, interesting movies. Or maybe, with age, I just have more discriminating taste. ??? Who knows. But I am writing this post because, recently, I've hit the jackpot twice. I recently wrote about A Single Man. That movie was WONDERFUL and I find myself still thinking about it. My fingers are crossed that Tom Ford comes out with a second movie, just as good.

Well, I neglected to mention that a member of our village (Hi Mom!) came to visit last weekend. She always seems to know when Alain and I desperately need a break. When Mom visits, we almost always head to a movie, if something good is playing. We're lucky in that we have a more artsy theater nearby. We see a lot of smaller, independent films....some that we never hear of before seeing them. Not this time. I'd been waiting a long time for The Kids Are All Right to come to Charlotte. It took a while but, BINGO, we finally saw it.

Wow.

I can't remember the last time I saw a movie that was so emotional, so original, so human, so moving. Honestly, I don't know when I last saw a performance as good as Annette Bening's. I wanted to see this movie in part because of Julianne Moore and because I heart Mark Ruffalo. I was not expecting for Bening to just blow me away. But she did. She stole that movie and made it her own. I think one thing I really enjoyed was seeing an actress (not actor, actress!) with her natural face. She is allowing herself to age gracefully. I guess that's rare these days. Maybe that made me put myself in her shoes more easily? I think so. Some of her best scenes rocked me. I cried like a baby in one.....had to bite my tongue to hold in my sobs. When is the last time that happened? Perhaps I also loved this movie because it's not geared to teenagers. And we all know that's rare these days. It's a story about a family, period. No matter what your nature or how you got there, being married and having children can be damned hard. Anyone in a marriage or with children can relate to some part of this story. I don't want to give away too much because I know most of my friends & family haven't seen the movie. But, if you have, email me......because I'd love to discuss it.

AND, if you haven't seen it, please do. You'll relate...trust me. Unbelievable. Amazing movie.

A Single Man

I did warn you that I am a dreamer. Well, today I am dreaming of being an actress for one day. One day only. And playing only one part.

Last week I had the pleasure of viewing the movie, A Single Man. Wow. The movie was vibrant, vibrant, vibrant. I absolutely LOVED it. I'd recommend it to anyone. And Colin Firth blew me away with his acting skills. Shocker! Especially in one scene (if you've seen the movie, PLEASE let me know as I'd love to discuss it).

But that's not my scene. No, if I could play just one scene, it would be the scene with Julianne Moore. The dinner scene at her house. For me, it was perfection. I have a few movie scenes that stick out to me as my favorites ever. I've added this one to the list. Everything about it was perfection to me. Her hair. Those earrings. Her divine bracelet. That dress. Colin. His suit. Swoon, his glasses. The carpet. Those beautiful pillows. The music. Great choice of song. The dancing. Her furniture. The smiles and laughter. It was all pretty magical to me.

Image borrowed from Austin Chronicle.com

Please see this movie. It's already on DVD. I can't imagine you wouldn't love it too.

(But call me after and tell me that scene wasn't made for little ole' me. I would ROCK IT!)

Joan baby, you are a ROCKSTAR!!!

On Wednesday night, I had the pleasure of seeing, "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work". I'd been reading the reviews and interviews with Joan for several months and I'd been impatiently waiting for the movie to come to Charlotte. I'm happy to say, I was not disappointed.

Whether or not you like Joan, you have to admire the GRIT that this woman has. She's 77 years old and I was exhausted just watching this movie. She only sleeps about three hours a night. ??? She travels back and forth and is only happy when she has three or four bookings a day. Wow. Yes, there is absolutely a level of melancholy present but isn't that true for all comedians? Underneath it all, as I always suspected, Joan appears to be a very good person at heart. Loyal even when she shouldn't be (her husband, her manager). It seems that she supports half the country. And was it just me.....did I detect a level of sensitivity during the Comedy Central Roast scene? I was even brought to tears twice during the movie (once during a very poignant scene in the back of a taxi with her grandson). I can't help but admire someone who allows this level of dissection into her/his life. I don't think there's much this documentary does NOT show.

If you get the chance, do see this movie. Wait, I caveat that. If you have prudish tendencies, stay home. Because this is pure Joan Rivers all the way. Crude, irreverent, vulgar and, yes, cruel at times. But I laughed my ass off. Seriously, if laughter does truly prolong one's life, I added at least a good year to mine while watching this film. It felt so good.

Joanie, you have a true fan here. Plastic and all.