I don’t mean moderately happy. I mean ecstatic, throw caution to the winds and kiss a stranger happy, pump up the volume and wake your neighbors happy, see yourself realizing all your dreams happy. This is that music.
Head Butler Garden Supply: How To Grow More Vegetables With Less Work and More Pleasure.
It’s officially Spring! Time for the annual garden feature: How to grow more vegetables with less work and more pleasure, and the tools that make it easier
It’s officially Spring! Time for the annual garden feature: How to grow more vegetables with less work and more pleasure, and the tools that make it easier
Somerset Maugham: Of Human Bondage
He was the richest and most famous writer in the world. The Modern Library ranked it 65th on its list of the best 100 English-language novels of the 20th Century. If you haven't read it.....
He was the richest and most famous writer in the world. The Modern Library ranked it 65th on its list of the best 100 English-language novels of the 20th Century. If you haven’t read it…..
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
In all the excitement for one film at the Academy Awards, you could easily miss the slight attention for “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” a British book that’s sold millions of books and has 100,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Last night the movie won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. Read my review… and get excited.
In all the excitement for one film at the Academy Awards, you could easily miss the slight attention for “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” a British book that’s sold millions of books and has 100,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Last night the movie won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. Read my review… and get excited.
The King’s Speech: “Just say it to me. Say it to me… as a friend.”
The Oscar winning movie “The King’s Speech” is about trust and courage and, above all, the will to work hard to be better.
The Oscar winning movie “The King’s Speech” is about trust and courage and, above all, the will to work hard to be better.
Top of the Lake: A BBC Series with New Twists on Old Thriller Standbys–Murder, Male Privilege, Secrecy
A traditional thriller? Not in any way.
A traditional thriller? Not in any way.
Leo Tolstoy: The Death of Ivan Ilyich
We’ve all mouthed cliches after the death of a colleague. Tolstoy just took the trouble to write them down.
We’ve all mouthed cliches after the death of a colleague. Tolstoy just took the trouble to write them down.
Weekend Butler: David Sedaris. 3 Weekend Movies. Julia Child’s Coq AU Vin. An Old School Song. And More.
When was the last time I read a 400+ page novel TWICE?
When was the last time I read a 400+ page novel TWICE?
Bob Dylan: The Philosophy of Modern Song
Professor Charles Warner decodes Bob Dylan’s book of let’s-call-them-essays, “The Philosophy of Modern Song”
Professor Charles Warner decodes Bob Dylan’s book of let’s-call-them-essays, “The Philosophy of Modern Song”
Monsieur Proust
Maybe you haven't read all of Proust. You are forgiven. But there's no excuse not to watch a great film about Proust and Celeste Albaret, his housekeeper... on Amazon Prime. (Extra credit if you read her book.)
Maybe you haven’t read all of Proust. You are forgiven. But there’s no excuse not to watch a great film about Proust and Celeste Albaret, his housekeeper… on Amazon Prime. (Extra credit if you read her book.)
The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self
I was a model child: a high-achiever who delighted his parents… and suppressed my authentic self. Sound familiar? You’ll want to read Alice Miller’s book.
I was a model child: a high-achiever who delighted his parents… and suppressed my authentic self. Sound familiar? You’ll want to read Alice Miller’s book.
Weekend Butler: “They Came to California to Ruin a Man. Not to Kill Him, Not Literally. But the Next Best Thing.”
What kind of book begins like this? A thriller. In this case, a political thriller. And more!
What kind of book begins like this? A thriller. In this case, a political thriller.
Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel
“Lessons in Chemistry” has been on the Times fiction bestseller list for 38 weeks, at #1 for many of them. There will be a series, starring Brie Larson. Book groups vote for it, or wish they had. I was encouraged to read it by friends who have never before pressed me to read a 386-page novel. Now I’m encouraging you.
“Lessons in Chemistry” has been on the Times fiction bestseller list for 38 weeks, at #1 for many of them. There will be a series, starring Brie Larson. Book groups vote for it, or wish they had. I was encouraged to read it by friends who have never before pressed me to read a 386-page novel. Now I’m encouraging you.
It’s Not “The Battle of the Sexes,” It’s Bigger Than That. Patti Smith’s Excellent Advice for 2023. Two Weekend Movies, a Delightful Poem, a Toothsome Recipe.
It’s not “the battle of the sexes.” it’s bigger than that.
It’s not “the battle of the sexes.” it’s bigger than that.
“Gotta Get Through January, Gotta Get Through February”
No, your emotional flatness isn’t “seasonal”, it’s real. Multiple murders, multiple times, in the weekend book. An ideal soup for cold weather. A knowing song about a daughter. and we can’t leave Bill Nighy out!
No, your emotional flatness isn’t “seasonal”, it’s real. Multiple murders, multiple times, in the weekend book. An ideal soup for cold weather. A knowing song about a daughter. and we can’t leave Bill Nighy out!
Bonnie Raitt: The Story Behind “Just Like That,” the Song No One Expected To Win a Grammy
Over many decades, Bonnie Raitt has won 13 Grammys.
Over many decades, Bonnie Raitt has won 13 Grammys.