I’m making lemon sugar crepes this morning, thanks to a friend’s recipe, and we’re going to an exhibit about miniature art in the city after. Think: art you can hold in your hand. Can’t wait! Now onto other things…
Does anyone really think that “Top Gun: Maverick” deserves to win Best Picture at the Oscars tonight? I mean, the movie was fun. It was entertaining. But Best Picture? I think that’s a reach considering half of the movie’s appeal is steeped in nostalgia. Case in point: Goose’s son, “Rooster,” who challenges Maverick (who names these characters!?) only to become his protégé is super cheesy rather than deep, sweet rather than haunting. I have my money for Best Picture on Everything, Everywhere All At Once, which is by the far the best movie I’ve seen all year. If you haven’t seen it, watch it instead of watching the Oscars. It’s def worth your time! (By the way, if you haven’t seen Cate Blanchett’s “Tar,” don’t sweat it. I’d watch an old episode of “Dawson’s Creek” over that horrible movie, and that’s not exactly high on my list. Blanchett is my favorite actress of my generation, but the story never comes together.”
In case you missed it, there’s a fascinating article called “The End of the English Major” in the New Yorker this week about the significant drop in humanities majors at major colleges and universities across the nation. Not only are they seeing half the number of English, history, women’s studies and other majors at Harvard, Columbia and Boston University, but the same trend is playing out at major state universities. The reason: Well, humanities departments are still trying to figure it out, but they think students don’t find practical value in the coursework. Decades ago, when I told people I was majoring in English Literature as a college student, I got that very same response: What are you going to do, be a teacher? I was not, and I always felt the notion, that as an English major you could only do one thing, was short-sighted. You go to college to learn, not to train for a job. But students today think of a university education in more practical terms. They have to. If you’re going to take out enormous loans, then you have to be able to get a high paying job after graduation. Interestingly enough, humanities programs are adding seminars to teach students about the wide range of careers you can embark on with one of these degrees.
Joanna Goddard had the cutest post on Cup of Jo this week about her and her friend realizing that their dream vacation equaled leaving their kids for the weekend and heading off to a hotel where they read books the entire time. A book reading vacation! It made me chuckle, but I also thought: Brilliant! Reading until you’re ready to go out for a nice dinner, only to discuss said books while tasting exquisite food. Yes, please!
Taylor Jenkins-Reid’s novel Daisy Jones and the Six was one of my favorite novels of 2019. It was so clever in how it depicted a famous band’s falling out that I was convinced the musicians were real. I even kept Googling their names trying to find photos of the real band members. Of course, the story was fictionalized — the book being a NOVEL — and I felt kind of dumb once it became clear to me. But…BUT!!..now the novel, which is told as an oral history, is a limited series on Prime. My husband and I watched the first episode the other night, and it was so much better than I expected. (It’s received mixed reviews from critics, but so far it feels very authentic to me since it captures the spirit of the novel.) John loved it, too, which makes me think it’s one of those shows you can watch together — Which shows do you watch with your significant other?
I’m super excited to read my friend Julie Gerstenblatt’s debut novel Daughters of Nantucket, which is releasing on March 14th. Yay! Julie! We’re doing an event together at the Scarsdale Library on March 26th so if you live in the New York area, please register here. After I finish her book, I’m going straight for Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson. A family story based in Brooklyn Heights, the novel is super buzzy and it’s written by Alfred A. Knopf Executive Editor Jenny Jackson, who has edited writers like Courtney Sullivan, Kevin Kwan and Chris Bohjalian. We’ll have to talk about that one after I finish.
Our first unconventional book review column will debut this Thursday and we’re calling it Interview With a Book! So excited!!! Keep an eye out!
Lastly, I know I have some UK friends on here. We’re traveling to London in a few weeks — did you miss my issue dedicated to books set in London? Please leave any recommendations you have for my trip in the comments. Is there a restaurant you adore? A bookstore I just need to visit? A shop that is a must. Please share! I’m in the thick of planning out our week. One thing on our list is that I’m going to Heywood Hill Bookshop in Mayfair to chat with them about my book preferences. For Christmas, my husband gifted me a year of books subscription where they handpick and ship you a book every month. Isn’t that absolutely grand? You can speak to them over the phone, but since we’re going to be in town, I’m going in person. What. A. Treat!!
xo Happy Sunday, dear readers. I’m really grateful for you showing up like this every week. Now it’s your turn. What film/actor/actress do you want to win at the Oscars tonight? (My artsy son is rooting for Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, which also happens to have this super cool exhibit at the MOMA in NY right now! We’re going to try to make it before it closes.)
Oh wait! One more thing: What you reading? That’s what I really want to know.
I'm going back and reading the classics. I just finished The Great Gatsby. Currently I'm listening to a non-fiction book, The Good Life, a study on happiness.
Firstly, a book reading holiday sounds like heaven to me too, Brooke! Especially with someone you can discuss the books with over dinner. Secondly, I am not a huge film watcher, but really enjoyed the 'Glass Onion' recently, which was so much fun for its totally absurd (yet vaguely familiar...) narcissistic characters. Thirdly, I just picked up a new reading book from my local library called 'Stubborn Archivist' by Yara Rodrigues Fowler, which intrigued me by the title and the cover art alone! It's written in a really unusual style, but I am enjoying it so far.
Finally, I love the sound of your 'Unconventional book review column' and will be staying tuned for that : )