#122 Ten things to share over coffee
From Bridgerton to Kurt Vonnegut
Hello friend,
I realised it had been ages since I wrote one of these 'ten things to share' posts. I enjoy sharing what I have been enjoying in a conversation with you.
I'm a huge fan of writer, illustrator and creative motivation guru Austin Kleon, whose weekly newsletter is filled with creative insights and inspiration. I look forward to his weekly lists. While I currently don't have the energy or immense amount of consistency to compile a list every week, I can see myself doing my version of this concept, that is, if my readers like these kinds of posts.
So let me know what you think. Drop me a like if you approve of these list posts.
I'd like to hear from you.
1. Bridgerton
What can I say? There is nothing much I can say other than I fell for all of the hype.
I'm a sucker for historical romance. Some of my favourite TV series and movies of all time include Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility.
While you can't classify Bridgerton as an authentic depiction of historical fiction, it is great fun.
It's just a bit of fun. It's filled with beautiful costumes and over-the-top acting. Some characters are caricatures, and the accents are horrible.
However, the young, energetic, feisty, and sexy actors in each series are what make this Netflix series so popular.
I usually don't go along with trending things, but sometimes you can't help but get sucked into the expectations.
2. The Dead Boys Detective Agency
I've been dipping into the universe of Neil Gaiman's creations. I enjoyed the first series of Good Omens, but the second series was a bit dull. I also started watching The Sandman, which is based on one of Neil Gaiman's graphic novels, but I feel as if you have to be a fan of that particular world to get into the series, so I was frankly a little bit lost.
But it was a different matter with the Dead Boy Detectives since I had read Gaiman's American Gods and also seen the series. I adored the mixture of different mythologies in his retelling of the world of 'the Gods' and other mythological beings and religious beliefs.
I was familiar with the references to mythology, and there was a crossover between the characters of American Gods and The Dead Boys Detective Agency. So, it was easy for me to become more involved in the story and the characters.
I found The Dead Boy Detective Agency to be a more straightforward story about friendship, personal identity and finding your place in the world or, in this case, the after-world. It's a delightful series to binge-watch; hopefully, there will be a new season to enjoy.
3. Sarah J Mass
As I started on the immensely popular series last year, I am becoming a victim of social media and popular trends. I Court of Thorns and Roses was written by American bestselling author Sarah J Mass.
Last year, I read the first three books, and only now I'm getting into the final two. Recently, I read the slim volume A Court of Frost and Starlight, which is a kind of preamble to the final substantial volume A Court of Silver Flames. These books are uncomplicated page-turners that are great to read when you're looking for a bit of fun, adventure, fantasy, and spice.
It's funny to be so involved in an actual page-turner, and yet when you put the book down, you immediately forget all about it. Whenever you start a new volume, you must reacquaint yourself with the characters and the context of the fantasy world of magical fairies and magicians.
What impressed me the most was how prolific author Sarah J. Mass was. She can write more than 20,000 words in one day, which is about the length of a small novel or a novella. Now that's impressive. She has written 18 very weighty, substantially long books. Including two other series, apart from A Court of Thorns and Roses, there is the Crescent City series and the Throne of Glass series, which is an impressive modern literary success.
4. Oxford online courses: Trollope, Eliot, Dickens, and Hardy Victorian fiction
I'm always looking for opportunities to learn something new, whether reading an exciting book following a YouTube tutorial or teaching myself how to use a new app or program.
I thought it might be a good idea to try taking online courses to see if I am interested in certain things since I like getting post-graduate qualifications.
Since I have a degree in English Literature, I thought it would be fun to complete an online short course offered by the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Oxford. They have an immense range of courses from many different faculties. There are no prerequisites, so they are open to everyone; you only need an internet connection and time to dedicate to the reading and two short assignments.
While it seemed like a good idea in theory, I soon found I had no love for Trollope and Eliot's clerical life novels and Dickens and Hardy; I had already read and analysed enough in high school and university.
I do not envisage a future post-grad career in Literature any time soon.
6. Lonely Dances Conan Gray
This week, I have been obsessed with this song from Conan Gray's new album Found Heaven, which is heavily influenced by 1980s synth pop.
Gray has gained fame through his online following, and this song, and indeed the whole album, feels like you are back in the 80s. And there is nothing wrong with a little bit of nostalgia in the form of a fun bop that takes you back in time. It's unbelievable how this decade is finding a new life in a revival of its fashion and music.
7. Big Feelings Willow
I have also been listening to Willow's new album empathogen, particularly Big Feelings. It's impressive to hear how Willow's style has developed and matured through the years. She isn't just Will Smith's entitled daughter; she has become quite a phenomenal talent in the contemporary Jazz scene. Her style is filled with experimentation, emotions, passion and drive, which makes her so unique.
8. When Harry Met Sally (Directed by Rod Reiner featuring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan)
I was surprised to find many older movies, especially from the 90s, available on Amazon Prime in Italy. One of the first ones I rewatched and loved was When Harry Met Sally.
WHMS defines the whole genre of romantic comedy; the writing and banter are still perfect, and the nature of marriage and relationships and friendships between men and women are still a relevant topic.
Even though some of the contexts have changed, such as these days, women are generally less dependent on men or relationships as a definition of self-identity, and there is no real stigma in choosing to be single.
And to be honest, I do think men and women can be friends; unlike Harry's belief, we are moving towards peace in the war of the sexes. These days, there is a whole spectrum of sexual identity to learn about anyway.
9. Sicilian coffee
This past week, I got a great question about coffee roasters and Sicily. A kind reader asked me about different Sicilian coffee brands.
Honestly, I had never thought about locally roasted coffee here, especially since I've recently changed to drinking decaf (I know it's rather sad).
So this has led me down a rabbit hole of exploring local Sicilian coffees, and how many there are is surprising. From Ionia, El Negrito, Miscella d'Oro, Morosito, Morettino and Ginevra, amongst others.
So, at the risk of overdosing on caffeine, I am making it my new quest to taste Sicilian coffee in the interest of my readers' questions, of course!
10. Quote of the week from Kurt Vonnegut
This week, I came across this quote from American writer and humorist Kurt Vonnegut, which really struck a chord with me:
Go into the arts. I'm not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practising an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for Heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.
~Kurt Vonnegut
(From A Man Without a Country)
Well, that all from me this week
All the best
Rochelle
Sometimes, I talk about Sicily.
Other times, I talk about whatever is on my mind.
My writing is always lightning, the mental load and sharing something of my thoughts with you.
I hope you enjoy the randomness of A Load Off My Mind.
Please share this post with someone you think might enjoy it.