Becky's Greatest Hits Vol. II

Sure, Homeland is a good show.  I'm all over it.  But without Saul Berenson, I probably wouldn't watch.  Just sayin.  And forget about Carrie's crazy crying face, that show is nothing without Saul's beard.  Again....just sayin.

Soundbreaking is a riveting and expansive look at the history of rock music in America and Britain.  The doc looks at the greats and usual suspects, sure, but this PBS series also dives into the early makers of music history like Big Mama Thornton and Frank Sinatra while catching up to the current driving forces like Adele, St. Vincent and The Black Keys.  Episodes are as wide and varied as simply looking at the recording process and various instruments to the expansion of music into video and the art of the concept album.  If you're a true music lover.....of any kind of rock music of the last 60 years......there is something here for you.  I promise you. 

Everything is beautiful and nothing hurt. 

Another beautiful book by the ever-talented Tracy Chevalier.  This one goes further across America than her last book and explores the legend of Johnny Appleseed, the work of William Lobb , the California Gold Rush and the expansion of the American West all with the ever-present tie-in to a family in crisis......Chevelier's hallmark.  While I know I will never love another book of Chevalier's like I love The Lady and the Unicorn , I can also assert that I am never let down by any of them.  Truly beautiful stories interwoven with history and legend.  She's a book-lover's treasure!

"Let fury have the hour, anger can be power D'you know that you can use it?" 

I know, I know.  I should've read this in high school.....or at the very least, in college.  But I didn't.  And I'm not sorry.  I know it's an important book .  I know I'm supposed to appreciate it.  But I didn't like it.  I think I had it confused with Pride and Prejudice and thought it was a love story.  It was most decidedly NOT a love story .  Or if it was supposed to be one, it failed spectacularly.  I'm trying to go back and read some of the so-called Classics that I missed during my school years.  This one didn't do much to inspire, but I plan to soldier on.  P.S. & Spoiler: Heathcliff's an asshole.  So there!

I was curious about this book for years because it was written by a local newscaster I grew up watching, Bob Inman.  And it has even been adapted to the stage!  So since my hubby got it as a Christmas gift, I figured it was about time.    And at first, I didn't really care for it. I thought it seemed like a book written for and about old men.  Okay, then I thought it's about war and small town life.  But digging a little deeper it becomes much more.  I like any story that picks apart and person you think you know and understand and makes them into a whole other creature.  It makes me think I should stop and look around a little more at the people around me and not assume I have it all figured out.  Good story or not, that lesson is always worth remembering. It also reminded me of how a million years ago I wanted to be a newspaper reporter too.  I figured I'd do that to make a living and write fiction on the side and one day get famous.  It's nice to know

An extremely interesting and extremely beautiful film from the mind of Richard Linklater. The story is completely philosophical and the look is completely artistic.  It's kind of hard to explain otherwise, so I'll just recommend you watch it if any of those words appeal to you or if you love Linklater like I do .  Bonus: there are some old characters that make an appearance much to my delight and many other interesting characters simply playing themselves.  This film is a treat for the intellect as well as the senses.  

I can always tell when a biopic does a number on me because after I watch it I will go and read and research all I can on the subject.  This was definitely the case with Frida.  This is a beautifully crafted and well-acted film that focuses mostly on the tumultuous relationship between Frida Kahlo and her artist husband, Diego Rivera.  Let's just say I'm intrigued by any couple that gets married more than once!  I also truly loved the way the movie showed Frida creating her work in which she was often the subject by showing her creating it and then frozen in the historic painting.  I rarely call a film beautiful, but this one truly was.  I waited too long to see it.  

"A whole generation of Southern girls, raised on the promise of Michael Stipe." ( Rob Sheffield, Love is a Mix Tape )

"Ice is forming on the tips of my wings Unheeded warnings I thought I thought of everything....."