Skip to main content

2014 Favorites



MOST INFLUENCIAL BOOKS
A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
Anil’s Ghost by Michael Ondaatje
City of Thieves by David Benioff
February by Lisa Moore
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
Rise and Shine by Anna Quidlen
Syndrome E by Franck Thilliez
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Man Under My Skin by Julianna Gray

FAVORITE AUTHORS
Anthony Bourdain
Barbara Kingsolver
Diana Gabaldon
Gail Carriger
Jasper Fforde
Michael Ondaatje
Rainbow Rowell
Stephanie Pearl McPhee
Stieg Larsson

NEW (TO ME) FILMS
Catching Fire (2013)
Dark Girls (2011)
Entre Nos (2009)
House of Pleasures (2011)
In a World (2013)
La Chambre des Morts [aka Melody’s Smile] (2007)
Norwegian Wood (2010)
Sons of Clouds (2014)
The Man and the Hole in the Roof [Short] (2014)
The Perfect Stranger (2011)

FAVORITE TV SHOWS
Motive
Sword Art Online
The Killing
The Newsroom
Tudor Monastary Farm

LIVE SHOWS
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder on Broadway
Jim Byrnes at The Evergreen

MUSIC
Acrobat (Matt Brown)
Blessed Unrest [Album] (Sara Bareillis)
Hiding Place (Miranda Frigon)
Hate to See Your Heart Break (Paramore ft. Joy Williams)

YOUTUBE CHANNELS
booksandquills
breefarmerblogs
emilydianaruth
hellohemlock
jeanbookishthoughts
jwoginrich
kitesandcarpetbags
marinashutup
nancyreads
nerdwriter1
openellbey
over17mirrors
sexplinations
talkingdownthesun
vlogbrothers
yulinkuang

PLACES
Bryant Park, New York
Donald’s Market, Vancouver
Galloway’s, New West
Golden Ears Park, Maple Ridge
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland
Seaport, Boston
Stanley Park, Vancouver
Sunset Beach/Burrard St Bridge, Vancouver
Union Square Park, San Francisco
Washington Park, Portland

FOODS
Berry Water Kefir
Buckwheat Groats
Burgers
Camping Food
Chia Seed Pudding
Chicken and Gravy (or Dumplings)
Chicken or Beef and Broccoli
Pork Butt
Pumpkin Pie/Custard/Mug Cake/Muffins
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Teaser Tuesday - April 14th

"My mother would never let the hearth die in her home," Margret said. She felt Agnes turn to look at her, but didn't meet her gaze. "She believed that as long as a light burned in the house, the Devil couldn't get in. Not even during the witching hour." Agnes was quiet. "What do you believe?" she asked eventually. Margret extended her hands towards the flames. "I think a fire is a useful thing to keep a body warm," she said. - Burial Rites by Hannah Kent Teaser Tuesday is  hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading . For other contributions click here .
8 comments
Read more

Teaser Tuesday - July 29th

Lack of perspective in literature (or in readers) often causes a contemporary condition I've heard referred to as "presentism"; that is, a disposition to judge all literature by the narrow standards of present time and present culture.  This leads to the phenomena such as the denunciation of classic novels such as Huckleberry Finn , on grounds that they deal with issues such as slavery, women's civil rights, ect., in a way not consistent with the notion of present-day political correctness. - "Presentism" The Outlandish Companion by Diana Gabaldon Teaser Tuesday is  hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading . For other contributions click here .
8 comments
Read more

Vancouver 2014: Camping!

Camping is one of those things that's hard to share via picture, moving or still.  It's so much about the experience, the stars overhead, the springy soft ground underfoot, the wind on your face, that first pure hint of morning light, meals cooked by fire and ember. Sure there are the stories you tell, the ones around the campfire and down at the lake, and the ones you tell after, but it's not the same.  Stories can conjure memories and emotions but they can't make the sun shine or moths fall from overhead lights.  Okay, maybe the last one, moths are sneaky, but the rest, these personal moments and experiences, they're a lot harder to convey.  I'll leave it at I had an absolutely amazing time, despite the lack of nonrock based floors and comfortable chairs, I would have turned right around and done it again.  The lack of technology was restful and the presence of that much nature was restorative.  We mostly relaxed but I did get to see some amazing sights...
3 comments
Read more