Luna Creciente - Wilson Ong illustration for poem by L.A. Evans, published in High Five Bilingüe
Good news, I’m on a roll of good things — reading, watching, learning!
May I share?
Years ago I stopped reading movie reviews until after viewing the movie. I like to come to the film fresh, without bias or expectation. I’m now doing the same with novels. I turn the first pages not knowing a thing. It’s like going to a party and knowing none of the guests — exciting, daunting, and quite satisfying.
My three latest favorite novels are:
1.
Commitment by Mona Simpson
This excellent, engrossing novel shines with Simpson’s taut writing style. In this story of a family fractured by mental illness, the characters are vivid and wonderfully flawed, and the sense of time and place is finely drawn.
2.
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
Yes, this is a crime thriller mystery but it’s really so much more. Written in a beautifully spare style that runs psychologically deep, this novel is smart, poignant, and incredibly moving.
3.
History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund
A very unusual novel that beautifully balances a languid pace with eerie tension. There is a deep mystery to the tone that is both frightening and captivating.
My writing life is rooted in journalism. Early on, I worked as a reporter covering the news and people of small communities. More recently, I wrote magazine stories featuring people and places in rural places.
There was a time when newspapers and newsmagazines were vital, serving as an essential gateway to knowledge and information, to worlds and experience. As newspapers have shuttered and the principles of (and funding for) journalism have deteriorated, it makes me both sad and angry to see the evaporation of deep research, solid reporting, and stellar writing.
While I read several online news sources daily, I still like to settle into a good print story. This month, The Atlantic offers two especially good features that are enlightening, entertaining, and well-written. There is a paywall (ugh) but signing up for free trial will provide access:
4.
Ozempic or Bust by Daniel Engber
Because I’ve lived through the grapefruit diet, the Atkins diet, Oprah’s wagon-of-lost-weight, Body for Life, bulimia, therapy, and more, I’m always interested in our collective struggle to manage food, body image, and health. With compassion, historical accounting, and medical insight, this feature explores America’s many attempts to solve the obesity epidemic.
5.
The Godfather of American Comedy by Adrienne LaFrance
This is a much-needed nod to underappreciated writer-actor-comedian Albert Brooks. My favorite Brooks film is the 1991 comedy-drama, Defending Your Life. Yes, movies from the 90s tend to run slow, but thanks to the droll wit of Albert Brooks, with Meryl Streep, this one is a real charmer.
Speaking of movies, I recently watched two good new-to-me but not new movies:
6.
King Richard
This 2021 film starring Will Smith tells the true story of how a determined father, Richard Williams, shaped the lives of his daughters, superstar tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams.
7.
Battle of the Sexes
Based on the true story of the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, this riveting history comes alive with actors Emma Stone and Steve Carrell.
Sidenote: I don’t play tennis, but recently tried pickleball and now have an appreciation for racket sports. But, really, how is pickleball so popular? It’s hard!
Lastly, I’m learning Spanish — finally, slowly. It’s ridiculous that I’m just now learning a language that so many speak and that feels so essential to engagement. I’m in the initial stages of learning and feel excited with each small accomplishment. I’ve found three good things to jumpstart my efforts:
8.
Destinos
With 52 episodes, this telenovela, or Spanish drama, immerses viewers in the mysterious and entertaining story of Raquel Rodriguez, a lawyer from the United States, who embarks on a journey to aid an ailing patriach in Mexico. Produced in 1992, the series is now free to stream online, and the textbook and workbook are available through used bookstores (I got mine at ThriftBooks) and eBay.
9.
YouTube - 10 Easy SpanishSongs
These little ditties are so catchy and a great way to strengthen pronunciation and vocabulary. The other day I even woke up singing, Mucho gusto. El gusto es mío.
10.
High Five Bilingüe
Did you know Highlights, the beloved children’s magazine founded 78 years ago, publishes a bilingual edition for very young readers? It’s a great learning tool — for all ages — and where I found this small, sweet poem.
Crescent Moon
Crescent moon,
you lean on your side, laughing,
tickled by star stories,
giving the night its smile.
— L.A. Evans
Luna Creciente
Luna creciente,
recostada, te ries
con los cuentos que cuentan
las estrellas y regalas a la
noche su sonrisa.
— L.A. Evans
To hear this poem in Spanish, copy and paste to Google Translate and experience the beauty of the language.
Your Turn: What good things are you reading, watching, learning, experiencing? I’d love to hear from you. Send me light, write!