The author examines all sides of the controversial issue of abortion through the retelling of a hostage situation at an abortion clinic. Backtracking each character's backstory, Picoult dissects all sides of the issue from the position of pro-life and pro-choice.
This isn't an easy read and Picoult doesn't give easy answers. But it is eye opening.
I found the author’s decision to tell the story in reverse chronological order to be somewhat confusing. I didn’t appreciate the telling until the very end.
I appreciate Picoult’s literary efforts and decisions. Very well done.
Camelot is nevermore: The Front Runner chronicles the decay of the era of the gentlemen's agreement between DC government and journalists when journalists discovered that 1988 Democratic presidential front runner Gary Hart might be having an affair.
In sum, we watch white male entitlement get it's commupence.
Chock-full of A-listers from Hugh Jackman, Alex Karpovsky, JK Simmons, Vera Farmiga to Al Morina, it also includes TV sisters from Last Man Standing, Kaitlyn Dever and Molly Ephraim.
The film takes a new spin on the trend of chronicling journalistic history, this time watching "serious" journalism begin to question its approach on how they handle political gossip.
This movie addresses issues that are still relevant: abuse of power, journalistic integrity, a public figure's right to privacy and, of course, gender inequality.
The saddest parts of this movie are:
- watching a young, idealistic African-American journalist getting schooled in cynicism - listening to a smart, savvy female campaigner ask for emotional support from a jaded strategist after she witnesses the fall of Donna Rice, who simply tells her to "buck up"
The Front Runner perfectly captures Gary Hart's Achilles heel of paternalistic and intellectual arrogance destroy his career, his family and his life.
S.B. The film failed to note what became of Donna Rice. She is president of a company that advocates for internet safety for children. She is married to Jack Hughes and has six grandchildren. And she is a staunch and outspoken Republican.
I've not had the privilege of bearing a child. And after watching Tully, I am pretty sure that I made the right decision.
Want a non-mother to understand motherhood? Tully should be mandatory watching.
Most movies today invoke what seems to be mandatory montage to demonstrate the passage of time. Tully implements it as well, but to a most shattering effect.
We watch a mother after the birth of her third child deal with the relentless feeding of a newborn. It's shockingly real and Charlize Theron exposes a less-than-perfect self to near the same scale as she did in Monster, for which she won an Oscar.
The writer Diablo Cody and the director Jason Reitman impeccably portray a middle-class woman's aspirations for a better life for her children.
I credit Diablo Cody, who also wrote Juno and Young Adult (Charlize appeared in this one as well), for capturing the truth of motherhood.
If you don't have a library card, get one. Why? Because you need to access Kanopy. Now. If for no other reason than to stream Hearts Beat Loud.
In their own words, Kanopy "stream[s] thoughtful entertainment to your preferred device with no fees and no commercials by partnering with public libraries and universities."
With Kanopy, I never would have seen this little gem, Hearts Beat Loud.
Father Frank (Nick Offerman) is a failed musician who owns a dying record store. Daughter Sam (Kiersey Clemons) is sensibly pursuing a career as a doctor despite ludicrously real musical talent.
The story examines the space between a parent and a child after high school graduation and before college. Father Frank and daughter Sam are learning to let go: adulthood, dreams, ambitions, relationships.
Although I'm not a big Parks and Recreation fan, I have come to adore Nick Offerman, particularly after watching him as the pontificatingly drunken barrister, Karl Weathers, in the second season of Fargo (Rhinoceros was my favorite episode). His leathered face and pugnacious eyes never quite prepare me for his irony-filled drawl.
Couple him with his onscreen daughter, Kiersey Clemons, and his maybe/maybe not lover, Toni Collette, and you have quite a trifecta. Then for a real throwback, Ted Danson resurrects his Cheers chops as a loopy bartender. Round out this unexpected ensemble with Blythe Danner as the klepto grandma.
The music is unexpectedly good and Kiersey Clemons voice, in and of itself, is worth the watch.
Director: Brett Haley
Writers: Brett Haley, Marc Basch
Stars: Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Blythe Danner
Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: 8 June 2018 (USA)
Filming Locations: Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York City, New
York, USA
A heavier read than I expected. The lead wasn't very likeable and bit rough for me. Not a big fan of alcoholic or drunk detectives. I won't be reading any more in this series.
I used to read Sandford all the time--read quite a few. Then I quit for about 10 years. Reading this one, now I remember why.
His books are fairly mysongynstic. Kept referring to the female characters' anatomy, but never got a real sense of what any of the male characters look like.
For a police procedural, it was good. But I could have done without all of the T&A.
I joined a Muslim colleague in observing Ramadan. I am Catholic but wanted to experience and understand the season. This decision resulted in a long-term change in my eating habits.
One big change: I gave up caffeine.
Which brought me to herbal teas.
Caffeine-free, organic herbal teas
I am not talking about colorful cardboard boxes stuffed with little translucent packets.
I was introduced to DavidsTeas when I purchased their annual Advent Calendar--a charming collection of 40 different tea samples. These included black teas, green teas and herbal teas.
But now, as a caffeine-free follower, I am all about herbal teas.
DavidsTeas organic herbal tea offerings
DavidsTeas offers a wonderful diversity of herbal tea blends.
My developing palette has discovered a few:
Organic Cold 911: this is probably one of my favorites. It is meant to be medicinal but I enjoy the flavor. Filled with eucalyptus, peppermint and orange, it lifts the lid off my head.
Organic Earl Gray Rooibos: closely following is the organic, herbal take on a classic. With a touch of honey, this is perfect for Sunday mornings and a good book. This has rooibos, cornflower petals, bergamot and tangerine.
Organic Mother's Little Helper: another organic, this tea has valerian, nature's little Valium. Want to calm down? Have a sip. This tea contains peppermint, lemongrass, mibiscus, rosehips, chamomile, valerian root as well as cornflowers and peppermint flavoring.
Organic Super Ginger: if you like your teas spicy, this one's for you. With ginger, green rooibos, black pepper, white pepper and pink peppercorn, you will become your own Spice Girl.
And the list goes on and on ...
Be aware of the Teaware
Plus DavidsTeas offers great tea accessories: mugs, infusers, steepers, pitchers, teapots. But my favorite has to be the iced tea press. I actually bought mine from a DavidsTeam boutique in Chicago. The guy at the store was so great, he actually blended mine up for me so I made the trek back to the hotel sipping some refreshingly iced ginger tea. I was as cool as a cucumber!
And keep an eye out for their sales and annual specials. Christmas will be coming soon so this is a great time to sample their wares with their Advent Calendar--plus it includes an in-store coupon if you are lucky enough to have a store near you. The calendar is not out yet but keep an eye out--it will probably be out in early November.
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
