59 Books Read in 52 Weeks

"Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them."  - Lemony Snicket

I always bring a book with me most anywhere I go.  That way, I can't claim that I simply do not have time to read.  And oh(!) what a delightful year this has been with a book in hand at all times.  I've sought out escapism, cast aside echo chambers, and learned more about myself in the process.  Listed below are the 59 books I've consumed this year.  (Or perhaps they have consumed me....for better or worse).   

1.  Blindness - Jose Saramago

For lovers of: epidemic thrillers

2.  33 1/3 Let It Be - Colin Meloy

For lovers of: The Replacements (or The Decemberists)

3.  This Side of Paradise - F. Scott Fitzgerald

For lovers of: Whit Stillman movies

4.  The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - Benjamin Franklin

For the reader who: admires ambition and has a quick wit

5.  Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides

For lovers of: books about major life transitions

6.  The Plague - Albert Camus

For lovers of: The Blindness (refer to #1)

7.  The Girls: A Novel - Emma Cline

For the reader who: has an interest in Manson-esque cults

8.  Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston

For lovers of: strong females characters, Southern classics

9.  House on Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros

For lovers of: heartwarming ubran vignettes

10.  33 1/3 Pet Sounds - Jim Fusilli

For lovers of: The Beach Boys, historical musicology 

11.  I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections - Nora Ephron

For lovers of: typical Ephron musings

12.  Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy - Judd Apatow

For lovers of: stand-up and comedy nerdom 

13.  Scrappy Little Nobody - Anna Kendrick

For lovers of: Kendrick's Twitter account, celebrity memoirs

14. Fever Pitch - Nick Hornby

For the reader who is: a sports fanatic (or fanboy of any leisurely pursuit)

15.  The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel - Jodie Archer & Matthew L Jockers

For lovers of: meta nonfiction concerning how books become bestsellers

16.  But What If We're Wrong?  Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past - Chuck Klosterman

For lovers of: futurism, and those who like to challenge popular notions

17.  Swing Time - Zadie Smith

For lovers of: books about aspiring dancers, frenemies and tracing your roots

18.  Like Water for Chocolate - Laura Esquivel

For lovers of: cooking and romantic magical realism

19.  A Good Man Is Hard to Find - Flannery O'Connor

For lovers of: Southern gothic short stories

20.  A Wrinkle In Time - Madeleine L'Engle

For lovers of: spiritual/fantasy children's lit

21.  Dad is Fat - Jim Gaffigan

For lovers of: foodies, fatherhood and Hot Pockets

22.  Just Kids - Patti Smith

For lovers of: memoirs depicting the 60s/70s New York art scene

23.  The Circle - Dave Eggers

For lovers of: thrillers that are.....not all that thrilling at all

24.  A Separate Peace - John Knowles

For lovers of: war time, academia, and frenemies

25.  Catching the Big Fish - David Lynch

For lovers of: TM, the creative process and Lynchian films

26.  Who Moved My Cheese?  An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life - Spencer Johnson

For the reader who: has a difficult time adjusting to change

27.  The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne

For lovers of: regression, honey & tea, children's literature

28.  The Red Pony - John Steinbeck

For lovers of: novellas that depict the agonies of growing up

29.  In Cold Blood - Truman Capote

For lovers of: riveting non-fiction novels

30.  Commonwealth - Ann Patchett

For lovers of: book clubs and novels about integrated families

31.  The Magic Strings of Frankie Pesto - Mitch Albom

For lovers of: musical tall tales 

32.  X: A Highly Specific, Defiantly Incomplete History of Early 21st Century - Chuck Klosterman

For the reader who: is a Chuck Klosterman completest

33. The Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka

For lovers of: bizarro late night reads

34.  The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera

For lovers of: books that are anything but "light"

35.  Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood - Marjane Satrapi

For lovers of: historic coming-of-age graphic novel memoirs

36.  Hunger Makes Me a Modern Woman - Carrie Brownstein

For lovers of: memoirs depicting the 90's punk/indie scene

37.  The Color Purple - Alice Walker

For lovers of: epistolary novels, 20th century classics

38.  The Dinner - Herman Koch

For lovers of: European thrillers

39.  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

For the reader who: is looking for the meaning of life

40.  Daring Greatly: How The Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms The Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead - Brene Brown

For the reader who: finds vulnerability to be both bold and necessary

41.  Super Sad True Love Story - Gary Shteyngart

For lovers of: dystopian love stories

42.  The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing - Marie Kondo

For the reader who: is looking to embark on a massive lifestyle change

43.  The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

For lovers of: 1984, Brave New World, or any political dystopian novel for that matter

44.  No One Belongs Here More Than You - Miranda July

For lovers of: performance art and short stories 

45.  Tortilla Flat - John Steinbeck

For lovers of: Steinbeck's "Cannery Row"

46. Blankets - Craig Thompson

For lovers of: spiritual coming-of-age graphic novels

47.  Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver

For lovers of: historical fiction, novels including different points of view

48.  God's Politics: Why The Right Gets It Wrong and The Left Doesn't Get It - Jim Wallis

For readers who: need a relevant perusal

49.  The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway

For lovers of: brawny novellas 

50.  Silver Linings Playbook - Matthew Quick

For lovers of: relentless optimism

51.  American Pastoral - Phillip Roth

For the reader who: was born during either the Great Depression or baby boom

52.  American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis

For the reader who: will never want to encounter another yuppie ever again

53.  A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers
For lovers of: memoirs that inspire you to press on

54.  Holidays on Ice - David Sedaris
For lovers of: cheeky Christmas short stories

55.  Bad Feminist - Roxane Gay
For lovers of: essays concerning gender, race and pop culture

56.  El Deafo - Cece Bell
For lovers of: children's graphic novel memoirs

57.  Why You Love Music: From Mozart to Metallica - The Emotional Power of Beautiful Sounds - John Powell
For lovers of: the science and psychology of music

58.  Rumble Fish - S.E. Hinton
For lovers of: Hinton's "The Outsiders"

59.  Portrait of The Artist As A Young Man - James Joyce
For lovers of: third person stream of consciousness


See also:

58 Books in 52 Weeks (2016)
Books Read in 2015
Books Read in 2014

Top Albums and Singles of 2017

Another year, another music blog post reflecting on the most prominent albums of the past 12 months....

Of course, 2017 wasn't exactly like any other year though.  Given the year's volatile political climate, it's easy for us to assume that music may have taken a backseat for record enthusiasts.  Or perhaps, on the contrary, music may have been the binding force that provided hope for many music geeks during a bleak turn of events.

The alcohol industry knows that customers are going to drink during both good times and bad.  Music is no different.  Whether we turn to music for celebratory or cathartic purposes, we are always lending our ears.  Here are my favorite albums and singles of 2017 that have either served as a form of escapism or solace: 

Albums

1.  Semper Femina - Laura Marling

2.  Drunk - Thundercat

3.  Painted Ruins - Grizzly Bear

4.  American Dream - LCD Soundsystem

5.  Soul of a Woman - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

Singles

1.   Ballad of a Dying Man - Father John Misty

2.   Everything Now - Arcade Fire

3.   Soothing - Laura Marling

4.   American Dream - LCD Soundsystem

5.   Die 4 You - Perfume Genius

6.   Just Wasn't Made For These Times - Jim James

7.   Los Ageless - St. Vincent

8.   The Strange Effect - The Shacks

9.   Third of May/Odaigahara - Fleet Foxes

10.  Catherine the Great - The Divine Comedy

11.  Dreams Tonight - Alvvays

12.  Losing All Sense - Grizzly Bear

13.  Crawl - Gabriel Garzon Montano

14.  Summer Girl - Jamiroquai

15.  Magnificent (She Says) - Elbow

16.  Dum Surfer - King Krule

17.  Name For You - The Shins

18.  Anymore - Goldfrapp

19.  Apocalypse - Cigarettes After Sex

20.  Deadly Valentine - Charlotte Gainsbourg

21.  Young Adult - Inara George

22.  I Want To Prove To You - The Lemon Twigs

23.  Cherrybomb - Dan Auerbach

24.  J-Boy - Phoenix

25.  Sleeping Powder - Gorillaz

26.  My Old Man - Mac DeMarco

27.  Over Everything - Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile

28.  Truth - Kamasi Washington

29.  Dear Life - Beck

30.  Replica - The XX

31.  I Miss That Feeling - Tennis

32.  Inferno - Thundercat

33.  Goose Snow Cone - Aimee Mann

34.  Tinseltown Swimming in Blood - Destroyer

35.  Never Know - Dhani Harrison

36.  Whiteout Conditions- New Pornographers

37.  When I Saw Your Face - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings

38.  Talisa - Daniele Luppi & Parquet Courts ft Karen O

39.  Darling - Real Estate

40.  Freedom is Free - Chicano Batman

See also: Top Albums and Singles of 2016

               Top Albums and Singles for 2015

               Top Albums and Singles of 2014

Coasting Alaska

Last week, I went on my first Alaskan cruise!  Instead of providing you with a tedious captain's log, I'm going to allow my photos to showcase each satisfying, contemplative and invigorating moment through the lyrics of Leonard Cohen.  Enjoy!


 

Why do you stand by the window 

Abandoned to beauty and pride

"The Window"

I'm traveling light

It's au revoir

"Traveling Light"

Hineni, Hineni
I'm ready, my lord

"You Want It Darker"

I'm all ears
I'm all ears
Oh the morning glory!

"Morning Glory"

I came so far for beauty

I left so much behind

"I Came So Far For Beauty"

Oh solitude of longing

Where love has been confined

Come healing of the body

Come healing of the mind

                                                        "Come Healing"

This waltz, this waltz, this waltz, this waltz

With its very own breath of brandy and Death

Dragging its tail in the sea

"Take This Waltz"

All busy in the sunlight
The flecks did float and dance

And I tumbled with them
In formless circumstance

                                                           "Love Itself"

You got me singing
Ever since the river died
You got me thinking
Of the places we could hide

                                                        "You Got Me Singing"

See also:  In God's Country - A Trip to Joshua Tree National Park

Global Love Letter Addressed To All Women

There are a ton of fun (yet trivial) holidays scheduled throughout the calendar year.   I always look forward to October 1st so that I can celebrate National Coffee Day.  On second thought, who am I fooling?  Everyday is coffee day for me.  

Unless you have been living under a rock, I'm sure you realize that today, as I blog, is International Women's Day.  Having been observed for over a century, International Women's Day is anything but trivial.  Among human trafficking, domestic abuse and rape, there needs to be awareness of the issues that affect half of the population.

Regardless of any sort of political affiliation you may identify with, it is important that we recognize, celebrate and cherish the special women in our lives yearlong.  I want to reach out to my female readers regardless of where they are in life or how strong they may (or may not) feel on a day to day basis. This post is dedicated to you:

* The women who have made tremendous strides in business, the humanities and arts

* Stay at home moms

* Working moms

* Women starting over again

* Women who have blazed their own trails

* Women who have doubted themselves today

* Women who have triumphed against all odds

* The women who are too scared to speak up

* Courageous women who have stood up against violence

* The women who inspire and promote other women

* The women who love unconditionally 

* And also the loving men who have respected and supported these women

3 Acts You Need to See at Coachella 2017

                                                       Picture Source: Paste Magazine

So you've scored Coachella tickets this year.  Kudos!  Now comes the tricky part: scheduling your day and/or weekend.  Though you may have saved up for a year (or two) to finally see Radiohead, Beyonce, or Kendrick Lamar, there will be an abundance of talent lurking about the desert landscape in April.  I've included three (lesser known) acts performing at Coachella that are deserving of your ears, applause and recognition.

Friday

1.  Lemon Twigs

For those of you itching for 70's inspired rock, look no further than The Lemon Twigs.  This infectious Long Island band is comprised of two teenage boys Brian and Michael D'Addario creating robust music well beyond their years.

Saturday

2.  Thundercat

Stephen Bruner, under the moniker 'Thundercat,' is a multi-instrumentalist artist who knows how to hit all the right chords when it comes to succeeding in funk, soul and electronica.  Listen to 'Them Changes' and check out his indelible bassline.  

Sunday

3.  Kaytranada

Louis Kevin Celestin, also known as 'Kaytranada,' is a Haitian born DJ and record producer.  Currently signed on to XL Recordings, Kaytranada's latest album, '99.9%' features guest vocalists of the likes of AlunaGeorge, Syd the Kid and Anderson. Paak.   Be sure to check out Louis bewitch the crowd with his spellbinding grooves.

Who do you want to see perform this year at Coachella?

My Top 8 Predictions for 2017

Thank goodness I can't read the future because deep down, I'm convinced it might look a lot like the movie "Idiocracy."  Still, I believe you gotta laugh to keep from crying.  Though I am certain that 2017 will be anything but predicable, I had to humor myself.   With that said, I present to you, my very own 2017 crystal ball devoid of any divine or scientific nature.  

1.  Donald Trump will make a mix tape for Vladmir Putlin.  Playlist will include the following songs:

                            "Secret Lovers" - Atlantic Starr
                            "Careless Whisper" - George Michael
                            "Private Eyes" - Hall and Oates
                            "Live to Tell" - Madonna
                 

2.  Just like any year, dozens of beloved celebrities will die, however, Betty White will outlive them all!

3.  Donald Trump will live tweet popular television shows, most note-worthy: The Apprentice.  

4.  Jar Jar Binks' cremation urn will be displayed in the new Star Wars museum.  

5.  Parental drones will be sold to helicopter parents who want to check up on their rebellious teenagers.

6.  Fake news comes full circle and becomes real news.  Readers stop believing it.

7.  Due to low ratings, season 2 of Stranger Things will prompt the inclusion of new character "12."

8.  "Freedom of speech" will be reduced to the following safe topics: the weather, sports, cute puppies and kittens, Chris Pratt, and how everyone loves Nutella spread.


What are your 2017 predictions?


See also:

Top 8 Predictions for 2016

Top 8 Predictions for 2015

Best Films of 2016

                                         

                  Photo source: Screen Crush

It's difficult to look back on 2016 fondly.  Between political disasters and celebrity deaths, there was hardly anything positive to contribute to the water cooler.

The cinematic scene wasn't all that spectacular either.  With the lack of quality summer blockbusters, and an underwhelming Oscar-buzz season, staying in and binge-watching "Stranger Things" became a welcomed alternative.

Still, there were a few dependably light comedic films released this year that served as necessary escapism.  (Also, note how two of my three picks this year are musicals).  

Keeping up with current news has led me to believe that our reality is a whole lot campier than any of the films I've curated.  Perhaps this slew of musicals and comedies are somewhat more rooted in reality than we realize.

1.  La La Land

On the surface level, "La La Land" is the ideal musical homage to all of the timeless technicolor motion pictures that made us want to dance, cry and dream.  (Ahem!  Umbrellas of Cherbourg).  At its very core though, "La La Land" is actually a cautionary tale that considers the sacrifices creative people must make for their art.   Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) have to ask themselves what they are willing to lose (love, financial security) in order to obtain their creative integrity.  

Part 1: lavish musical.  Part 2: seeped in reality.  Epilogue: worth the wait!  

2.  Sing Street

Irish film-maker (and former bassist of The Frames), John Carney, has delivered his third feature film musical "Sing Street."  Carney, is best known for his small budget success "Once" and his recent follow-up "Begin Again."  Like the aforementioned musical comedy-dramas, "Sing Street" also follows the 'struggling sing-songwriter' motif. However this time, Carney examines what its like growing up in a band during your formative years, all the while constructing your own cultural identify for the first time.

3.  Love & Friendship

American writer-director Whit Stillman (Metropolitan, Last Days of Disco), has dug up some cheeky source inspiration from none other than 'sensible' Jane Austen.  "Love & Friendship," Stillman's latest effort is based on Austen's lesser known short story "Lady Susan."  Watch Kate Beckinsale give one of the best performances of the year as the scandalous widow Lady Susan as her scheming ploys run terribly amok.  

Still Need To See: Don't Think Twice, Moonlight, 20th Century Women, Silence, The Witch, Weiner, Jackie, Sully, Manchester By The Sea, Hidden Figures, The Edge of Seventeen


Honorable Mentions:  Everybody Needs Some!!, Hail Caesar, Zootopia, Other People, Cafe Society