Watch a Movie? Yes, Please.

For some time now, I've been thinking about buying a netflix subscription. As a writer, I know that I should be watching more movies (and of course reading more books) but movie-watching is something that seems to rarely happen for me. I rarely watch movies unless it's something that's on TV, and let's face it, most of the junk on TV isn't going to help me with my writing very much. I'm ready to take the netflix plunge, only I think that I should wait until the semester is over so that I don't end up spending hours in front of the TV rather than reading Bourdeiu or working on my thesis.

But I already have a list of a few of the movies that I know I want to check out as soon as I can. Most have been recommended to me by fellow writers or artists, so I'm excited to start checking these off my list.

Crazy Heart (2009)

I saw an interview with Maggie Gyllenhaal on a talk show a few weeks ago when I was at the gym, along with a clip of the movie, and since then I've been itching to check it out.

Milk (2008)

Sadly, there was a lot of drama at my alma mater regarding Dustin Lance Black, the writer of the film, and this is what really brought this movie into my radar. (I am totally oblivious when it comes to movies, I'm telling you!) I want to watch this mostly because the conservatives at my old school don't want me to.

Amelie (2001)

Yes, it's true. I've never seen it. And that must be fixed, period.

Mad Men (2007)

I've heard so many good things about this TV series, and the fact that it's set in the 1960s certainly makes me think I would love it. Also, I am aware that the show addresses the dynamics between men and women in the work place, and women's roles, both stereotypical and not. Definitely up my alley.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

I honestly don't know much about this movie, but I know it takes place during WWII in an alternate reality, so I'm definitely intrigued by that. Growing up, I devoured any historical book about WWII and the Holocaust, weirdly enough.

You Can Count On Me (2000)

I'm always up for an independent film, and this was recommended by my fiction professor, so I am looking forward to checking it out. Also, it appeared on some of the top 50 of the decade blogs, so I figure it's worth watching.

Precious (2009)

I'm normally not one to like movies and/or books that are hyped up by the general public, but I'm interested in seeing what all the talk of Precious is all about, nonetheless.

The Graduate (1967)

Gasp! I've never seen it. I should be shunned, or something. I'm pretty sure I'll love it, when I do finally get around to seeing it.

My dear readers, do you have any more suggestions for me? And what do you think of netflix, those of you who have accounts? Should I take the plunge?

L. Stacks

Liberty!

So I've been just crazy over the new Liberty of London line at Target. I already love Target to begin with, but adding all of the new bright patterns has made me want to go there everyday. Sadly, it's quite a trek to Target from my place in Chicago, so maybe that will stop me from being tempted to buy too much. These are some of my favorites:

I would love to be able to register for some of this stuff, but most everything has been sold out online and in Chicago, plus I've heard horror stories about registering at Target. Apparently, they don't let you return things purchased from wedding registries, and people have gotten duplicates and then have had to keep them! I know I really shouldn't pick up any of these things right now since we'll be getting a lot of home goods for showers and wedding presents, but I just might not be able to stop myself.

L. Stacks

Clouds in my Coffee

"I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee, clouds in my coffee." -Carly Simon

Of course one of the things on my mind lately has been decorating my soon-to-be home, and specifically the kitchen. I don't know why but I really love a cute, bright kitchen--maybe because it seems that so often that's where people migrate to when they are entertaining (food! drinks!). So when I'm not writing or reading or doing other productive, writer-y and student-y things, I like to dream about something kind of odd: dishes.

I inherited some awesome green glasses from my grandmother, so I know that I want some green in the kitchen, but I'd love to pair it with some turquoises and blues. That said, I'm in love with these coffee mugs from Anthropologie. I just keep waiting for them to go on sale so that I can actually afford them.

Since I drink so much coffee, I'd love to have one of these designs by my side every day, filled with that steaming, pick-me-up liquid. Too bad we can't register for wedding gifts at Anthropologie!

L. Stacks

My "To Read" List

[From Bottom to Top]

Muriel Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog

I'll admit that I started this book in January, but I just haven't been able to finish it yet. There are parts I love about it so far (the characters) and parts that have been a bit of a bore for me (some of the characters' long philosophical rants). But I will finish this book soon.

Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants

Both my roommate and my fiance's sister have asked me if I read this book, and since I've seen this novel repeatedly on the bestseller shelves of Barnes & Noble, I've wondered what all the fuss is about.

Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrow's The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

This book was a gift from a friend who works at Random House, a friend whose opinion I trust, so this is definitely on the list.

Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner's Freakonomics

Ever since reading Gang Leader For a Day, I've been wanting to read more about Sudhir Venkatesh, and this book is the perfect way to do so, since a couple chapters are dedicated to his stories about the cocaine economics in the Chicago projects.

Cormac McCarthy's The Road

While I'm a bit leery that this book has been made into a movie, I've heard good things about the story, and am intrigued by it. I've heard it's kind of weird, and that makes me want to check it out.

J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye

I started this book earlier last summer, but then my copy fell into the pool and I had to take a break from it while it was drying--true story, I swear. And to jump on the bandwagon after Salinger's death, I figure I should probably finish the story. So slightly wrinkled pages, here I come.

Lorrie Moore's Who Will Run the Frog Hospital

This book was a present from two of my friends because they know how much I adore Lorrie Moore's short stories. I'll admit, I'm a little nervous to see her work in novel form, simply because I think her shorts are perfect.

Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking

Every since I read Didion's "The White Album" during my creative nonfiction II class this past semester, I've been itching to read more of her work. So when I saw this book at a used bookstore, in perfect condition, I snatched it right up.

Readers, what books are sitting by your bedside, constantly reminding you that they need your attention?

L. Stacks

Longing for Spring Awakening

So, today while my friend and I were stuck in traffic between Sacramento and San Francisco, we listened to the entire soundtrack for the musical Spring Awakening--a "daring depiction of teen self-discovery," set in Germany in 1891, whose music is not only catchy, but hilarious. And now, I'm dying to see it. (Like, maybe somewhere around April 19th-ish. Or until May 9th. In Detroit.) Has anyone out there seen it?

L. Stacks

Books, Books, & Books Under the Christmas Tree

I love this list of great books for gift-giving by The Rejectionist, a blogger who is an assistant to a NY literary editor. (Check it out! Now.)

However, I would recommend The Devil in the White City as a gift better fitting for dads rather than moms, and after reading Sexing the Cherry by Jeannette Winterson, I would probably never read another book by her, even if my "Obscure Object of Desire" was the one to give it to me.

That said, for all those gift-givers out there, I do love the sounds of Thirsty, Fledgling, The Master and Margarita, and The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

Which books recommended by The Rejectionist sound good to you?

Thanks, Lisa for the link!

L. Stacks

Things I've been thinking about lately:

1. Birdy Headbands

2. Flash Fiction

3. Reading a book by Michael Pollan

and...

4. Heavy velvet drapes (for keeping the heat in)!

[Also, I promise I'll get my book review of Mennonite in a Little Black Dress up tomorrow.]

L. Stacks

Wish List: Jersey Scarf

Lately, I've been drooling over the jersey scarves that have been popping up all over the place. (My roommate even scored one at a craft show awhile back, and I've had my eye on it ever since!) I'm totally loving the trees, birds, and especially the owls that are such a staple to handmade goodies lately, and quite frankly, I don't think I'll ever get my coveted jersey scarf simply because I will never be able to choose!

I love the owl pattern on this one by PrettyRaccoon on etsy.com.

I rarely wear orange, yet I'm crazy about the awesomely-detailed pine cones, and the fact that the left side is different than the right on this scarf by NewDuds at esty.com. (They also have an awesome tentacle-clad scarf that I weirdly adore.)

This one, by alisontauber at etsy.com is so beautifully feminine that I feel like I'm seven years old and wearing stiff little ballet slippers again!

L. Stacks