As I’ve mentioned before, I’m an avid reader. I love non-fiction, historical fiction, and especially memoirs. I’ve read 25+ memoirs in the past two years and have thoroughly enjoyed most of them. Most recently my book source has been the good old library – what a classic! I also love a good movie, some brilliant technology, and I relish in the delight of a savory meal. Who doesn’t? Today, I’d like to share some of my recent favorites with the loyal readership.
Books
The River Queen: A Memoir by Mary Morris is my latest indulgence. To be honest, I’m not even finished reading it yet, but already I find myself happily lost inside her pages and I hate putting it down. I spied the intriguing cover while randomly scanning the library shelves and thought it looked simultaneously adventurous and peaceful. Sadly, this “judging a book by its cover” method of selection, while unfair, does sometimes help to narrow down the choices. Upon reading the dust jacket’s synopsis about Mary’s self-recalled travels down the Mississippi River on a run-down houseboat with two gruff yet lovable river rats named Tom and Jerry and a snappy diva pup called Samantha Jean in attempt to memorialize and understand the life of her Mississippi-loving centenarian father in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, I wondered if I would like this book or if I’d be in over my head with incomprehensible boater’s language and deep, brooding musings. But so far I’ve been hooked on her adventures and loving every word. What a great read to jump into Spring with! It’s wild without being overwhelming and thoughtful without being pretentious. I’m seriously jealous I’m not navigating the Mississippi on a houseboat and listening to toe-tapping Jazz tunes too! This is one book you want to dive into ASAP.
This gem was another happenstance library find. An eye-catching cover really can be equally as important of an advertising medium as press releases, rave reviews, and an enthralling summary. Lucky Girl: A Memoir by Mei-Ling Hopgood reveals Taiwan-born Mei-Ling’s life as an all-American girl, raised by a sweet nun in a hospital for the first several months of her life before her adoption by a loving U.S. couple. At the age of 22, with the help of the very same nun who cared for her in her infancy, Mei-Ling learns her large birth family is anxious to meet her. She is showered with phone calls, emails and faxes until she agrees to travel to Taiwan where she meets her biological parents and countless siblings. She recounts how she learned bits of the Mandarin language, became entangled in her family’s loud, chaotic world, and discovered the history behind her own adoption while I happily found myself wrapped in descriptions of sumptuous Chinese delicacies and scarring family secrets. This memoir provides a refreshing, fascinating look into the life and culture of a very traditional Taiwanese family and the very American girl biologically tied to them. I desperately longed to travel and craved Chinese dumplings for days after I finished this great book. Both intense and lighthearted, this discovery tale is another must-read!
Movies
This 2009 Oscar-nominated, award-winning flick is breathtaking. I borrowed it from the library on a whim because it was displayed in the newly released section and, frankly, it looked like it was right up my alley – an eclectic mix of funky and classic. I wasn’t expecting something quite so poignant, uplifting or heartbreaking. An Education is a coming-of-age story about a sheltered British schoolgirl in the 1960s intent on securing her admission to a top University until she meets a dashing, wealthy, worldly, and sweet man nearly twice her age who sweeps her off her feet. He buys her beautiful clothes, inducts her into his social circle, takes her to Paris, and introduces her the literature, culture and lifestyle she craves. But this handsome gentleman has a few secrets up his sleeve as well. I really loved the story and I adored the stylish music, clothing, and hair and makeup. The acting is beautiful and I think nearly everyone can identify with the heroine’s hunger for travel, knowledge, wisdom, and a world beyond her reach. Please rent this movie. Both fun and emotional – you won’t be disappointed.
That about wraps up my recommendations. All three are great choices and you’d be a fool to let them pass you by. Did you catch Apple’s iPad 2 release announcement today? It was pretty epic! The specs and built-in goodies for the new generation of the iPad are swoon-worthy. I know Ted is really looking forward to placing an order for his customized prize on March 11th and I’m excited to eventually (in a few years time, that is) receive it as a hand-me-down when he upgrades! Isn’t technology amazing? How can something so thin, so lightweight, and so sleek be so powerful, contain 2 cameras, and boast 10 hours worth of battery life? I’m not even getting into the countless things it can actually do or the 65,000 app options. For Ted, this is a perfect gift. He can always have his work, calendars, and lists with him which, for a lighting-designer on the move, is key. Plus there are applications for the iPad that sync with popular lighting boards and lighting paperwork programs, and when he’s worn out from all that work at his fingertips, he can watch a movie, surf the web, play games, or listen to some tunes on it. We’re excited about his new addition!
Tonight after work we dined at a dark, loud, hearty Irish pub appropriately and simply named The Pub in the trendy neighborhood of Norwood. It came highly and immediately recommended by both my co-worker and Ted’s co-worker as a great place to relax with delicious eats and plentiful drinks. It did not disappoint! I opted for a four beer sampler of three English ales and one cider while Ted drank Strongbow Cider – one of our favorites!
The food was amazing too! A high class, flavorful pub grub menu teeming with English and Irish specialties like Fish N’ Chips with salt and malt vinegar, Bangers N’ Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, a prime rib au jus pretzel sandwich, fried pickles, calamari, pumpkin soup, lamb dishes, and salmon flatbread. This is definitely a welcome restaurant discovery and a great place to meet with friends and family! Hope your hump day was just as fulfilling as ours!
