John Green: "Paper Towns"

PAPER TOWNS
Author: John Green
Publication Date: 2008
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)


WINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST YOUNG ADULT MYSTERY

"When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night—dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows her. Margo’s always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she’s always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they’re for Q."

I recently read yet another John Green book and this one, was deliciously full of mystery and adventure but also full of authenticity and innocence. It is also rich in humor and romance. In true John Green style, Paper Towns is another beautiful reflection of the adolescent years and the decisions, challenges, excitement, joys, contemplations and emotions that may center these significant and transformative years of growing up.  

"After an all night adventure, Quentin's life-long crush, Margo, disappears, leaving behind clues that Quentin and his friends follow on the journey of a lifetime." 

With any enjoyable book, you always want more of it, even long after you've finished reading the last page. A movie version of such books seems to be the next thrilling thing to experience. Luckily, there is a movie version of Paper Towns and I got the chance to watch it during my trip out to California, with my younger brother, who is also a huge John Green fan and have read Paper Towns, as I have. I would definitely recommend both the book and the movie. The experience of reading the book and watching the movie have been wonderful and both enjoyable in its own ways. Though they have their differences, changes made from the book to the movie, the characters and story remains a unique, adventurous, insightful one. I truly have embraced all the characters. They are strong, well defined characters and my affection extends most especially towards Quentin and Margo. These are two very special characters whose memory and spirit stays with you, even long after their story is told. 

Directed by: Jake Schreier

Screenplay by: Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Webber

Quentin: Nat Wolff

Margo: Cara Delevine 

If the book and the movie is not enough materials to get you indulging in Paper Towns, the soundtrack is another fulfilling layer and perspective to the Paper Towns experience. There are two albums for the movie version of Paper Towns, both are available on iTunes! There is the instrumental soundtrack to the movie, Paper Towns (Original Motion Picture Score) by Ryan Lott, which I found to be mesmerizing and a perfect reflection of the pivotal moments through out the movie. Even the title to these tracks are captivating, a few of these are...The Way You Should Feel Your Whole Life, I Had to Imagine My Way Into Her Map, We Bring the Rain Down On Our Enemies, The Myth We Made You Out To Be, I Don't Even Know Me, Forget The Miracle Ever Happened, You Will Hardly Know How I Am or What I Mean, Forget The Miracle Ever Happened... The other movie soundtrack, Paper Towns (Music from the Motion Picture) by Various Artists, is full of both up beat tracks that inspires that care-free feeling of adventure and playfulness, as well as a few melancholy ballads, with insightful words that encourages reflection. The artists contributing to the music that serves as a backdrop to this visually entertaining and mesmerizing movie, are Santigold, Twin Shadow, Sam Bruno, Vance Joy, Son Lux, Kindness, Vampire Weekend, Galantis, HAIM, Grouplove, De Lux, Alice Boman, The Mountain Goats, The War on Drugs, Nat & Alex Wolff. There are so many ways to revisit, relive and celebrate the story of Quentin and Margo! 

Thank you John Green for your beautiful words, storytelling gift, genius ideas and perspective, always bringing me back to those adolescent years with all its' beauty, confusion, excitement, innocence, joys, challenges and authenticity! 

Guilty Pleasure: Nicholas Sparks "The Longest Ride"

I love books. I love all kinds of books. I love novels, memoirs, non-fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, classic. I love books about those four legged furry creatures, specifically dogs. I love books about families, relationships, identity, motherhood, finding yourself, your purpose, your love. I love funny books, dramatic books, tear-jerkers. I love romance and like many women out there, I take pleasure in reading Nicholas Sparks' novels. He is one romantic writer, who knows how to tug at my heart strings and through his elaborate story lines yet simple writing style, he continues to tell stories filled with twists and turns, often ending with a unique surprise, that makes you want to keep on reading, until the very end. Yes, a Nicholas Sparks' novel is my kind of guilty pleasure!

I just finished reading Nicholas Sparks most recent bestseller, "The Longest Ride". I enjoyed it so much! In fact, as late as it was and unable to put it down, I found myself finishing the book at three o'clock in the morning. I definitely slept past my bedtime and lost a few hours of sleep, but it was also well worth it. Having finished the book, I am now ready to finally watch the highly anticipated movie version, that premiered this month in theaters everywhere! Personally, "The Longest Ride" has definitely become one of favorites by Nicholas Sparks. I hope the movie is just as heart racing, romantic, full of substance and lovely as the book. I know movies do not always live up to the expectations, especially when being compared to the book version, but I am excited to watch this particular film adaptation. I believe with this story line, the movie has the potential to be as interesting and exciting. The Notebook definitely showed us all how wonderful and fulfilling the movie version can be even if compared to the book. I am excited about all the actors and actresses, chosen to portray the characters. I look forward to enhancing my experience of "The Longest Ride", through film and engaging visually with the cinematic interpretation of this truly romantic story. 

"The Longest Ride" is two love stories in one. They are love stories that not only take place in different time periods but are about couples with very different lives, and very different circumstances. These two love stories are told in separate chapters, Nicholas Sparks going back and forth between the two couples and the unfolding of their stories, through out almost the entirety of the book, until the moment in which their lives intersect. It is one of the longer novels by Nicholas Sparks, but simply because it is filled with so much content, details, substance and heart. It is in many ways different than the other books I've read by him, but also in classic Nicholas Sparks fashion, concludes with twists and unexpected surprises and of course, the perfect ending . 

• Title: The Longest Ride
• Author: Nicholas Sparks 
• Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (September 30, 2014)

BOOK JACKET SUMMARY

Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife, Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to retain alert by reminiscing about their lifetime together- how they met, the precious paintings they collected, the dark days of World War II, and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can't possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and joys that defined their marriage. 

A few miles away, at a local bull-riding event, a Wake Forest University senior's life is about to change. Recovering from a recent breakup, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes are high: Reward and ruin - and even life and death - loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans - a future that Luke has the power to fulfill... if the secret he's keeping doesn't destroy it first. 

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart. 


MAIN CHARACTERS AND THE ACTORS/ACTRESSES WHO PLAY THEM

Sophia Danko - Britt Roberston

Luke Collins - Scott Eastwood

Ira Levinson - Alan Alda

Young Ira - Jack Huston

Young Ruth - Oona Chaplin

CHECK OUT THIS LINK TO THE OFFICIAL MOVIE TRAILER!

Featured Book: "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes

ME BEFORE YOU

Author: Jojo Moyes

Publication Date: July 30, 2013

Publisher: Penguin Books

Book Cover Summary: Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than her tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex-Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and he is not interested in exploring a new one. Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, Lou sets out to show him that life is still worth living. Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart? 

"When I finished this novel, I didn't want to review it: I wanted to reread it... Moyes's story provokes tears that are redemptive, the opposite of gratuitous. Some situations, she forces the reader to recognize really are worth crying over... With Lou and Will she has created an affair to remember." 
-Liesl Schillinger, THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

Me Before You is a book I will always remember. Even now, a year since I have read it, thoughts about the characters, about Louisa Clark and Will Traynor, their story, the feelings it gave me, have definitely stayed with me and I frequently find myself looking back at all that I have learned and experienced in reading Me Before You. 

I remember stumbling upon this book several times before I decided to take the plunge in reading it. It was a book I had little knowledge of. In fact, I hadn't personally known anyone who had read Me Before You, and therefore reading this book was not one that was decided upon recommendation. To begin with, I was simply inspired to read this book, because of its' title. The title Me Before You, deeply spoke to me. The title alone was like a phrase that I repeated over and over again to myself and heard myself saying it in so many different ways, that the meaning of it seemed to evolve, or perhaps change, depending on the tone in which I phrased it. It was like meditating on a statement or repeating a mantra, that when given some time to think through it, I found myself reflecting on all the ways in which the notion of Me Before You, meant to me. The title sparked such curiosity in me, the idea of who a person may be, before the encounter and presence of someone who becomes so significant in their life, that it changes them in the most extraordinary ways, is a relationship that interested me deeply. How a transformation unfolds from being who someone once were and who someone becomes after an unexpected yet life altering relationship is a process I wanted to witness. To acknowledge that who someone once was is no longer who they will remain to be and even more, so unlike who they have become and will be, moving forward, I think is a notion that most of us can understand, but to have that transformation be clearly linked to a singular person, that connection, that singular relationship worth such recognition and is responsible for the immense influence that alters one's life's course, deeply  fascinated me. It has made me reflect on myself and my relationships. It has made me think of who I was before there were others or more specifically, the influence of those significant relationships that challenged me and inspired me and forced me to grow and transform and become who I am today. It has made me ponder over the people and relationships that have certainly and greatly changed me, altering the direction and course of my life. How did they do that? I acknowledge those relationships were the ones I had and have invested in the most. They are with the ones I have loved the most and have willingly, surely gave my heart to. 

"Funny, surprising and heartbreaking... a thoroughly entertaining novel that captures 

the complexity of love." -PEOPLE

Since reading Me Before You, I have seen it more often in bookstores everywhere, including Barnes & Nobles and Target and Hudson Booksellers in airports everywhere, along with other books by Jojo Moyes, which means more people will get to read and experience the story of Louisa Clark and Will Traynor. They are truly characters that when thinking of them, feel so real and alive. They exist to me in the most profound ways. For me, getting to know Louisa and Will, gave me a new and deeper perspective on people, relationships, love and the different lives we live and the choices we make with them. To me, the idea that more people will get the opportunity to know Louisa and Will through the book, Me Before You, excites me. Just as people who love the same books connect, I can not wait to share this book with some of my closest friends who are also book lovers. I am certain that once they have read this book, they will love it as much as I have and there's so much more to discuss and ponder over. 

"Masterful... a heartbreaker in the best sense." -NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Since reading Me Before You, I have decided to purchase other books by Jojo Moyes. If her other books are as compelling as Me Before You, then I'm truly in for a treat and excited at the idea that there is a list of books I have yet to read by her and I may be getting to know another author, that I can follow, obsess over and add to my list of favorites! 

*Other books by Jojo Moyes: The Girl I Left Behind, The Last Letter from Your Lover, Honeymoon in Paris, One Plus One, The Ship of Brides, Silver Bay 

EXCITING NEWS ABOUT ME BEFORE YOU:

There is a sequel! After You will be released in the Fall of 2015. 

There is a film adaptation in production! The movie version will be starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin. 

Book: WILD by Cheryl Strayed

WILD 
by Cheryl Strayed

"Vivid, touching and ultimately inspiring account of a life unraveling and of the journey that put it back together."
 ~The Wall Street Journal

"Devasting and glorious... By layering bare a great unspoken truth of adulthood - that many things in life don't turn out the way you want them to, and that you can and must live through them anyway - Wild feels real in many ways that many books about 'finding oneself'... do not." ~Slate

"Strayed's journey was at least as transcendent as it was turbulent. She faced down hunger, thirst, injury, fatigue, boredom, loss, bad weather, and wild animals. Yet she also reached new levels of joy, accomplishment, courage, peace, and found extraordinary companionship."
~The Christian Science Monitor


My latest read, finishing it less than a week ago, is Wild by Cherly Strayed. It is a beautifully written memoir about a 26 year old Cheryl, who in the aftermath of her mother's death, the collapse of her marriage, a series of self-destructive action and choices, decides to hike from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State, on a trail referred to as the Pacific Coast Trail, which spans more than a thousand miles. 

Wild, not only gives insight to this young woman's struggle to find herself, to find peace and happiness during a time in her life where she is confronted by death, grief, questions within her relationships and the ultimate heartbreak, but it also gives perspective to her inner voice and the journey she takes to heal; the process in which led to her healing and letting go of the things she can't change, from her past or even going forward into the future. Through sharing her journey, Cheryl is honest, reflective and truly introspective. Regardless how others may judge her, she is forthcoming in her struggles and her actions, getting the sense that though she may have made her share of mistakes, she is unforgiving of the journey she has taken, to heal herself. 

Cheryl Strayed's story is empowering. Even though she faced so much of her journey alone, especially during the majority of her hike through the Pacific Crest Trail, there is something in the way she shares her experience that gives you the feeling that loneliness and being physically alone, can be two separate things. They are two different experiences. From Cheryl, you get the understanding of the importance to her in taking on this hike, this very long walk and challenge alone. In fact, you see her embrace that. Just like taking on the challenge of walking thousands of miles without anyone by her side, may seem daunting, scary and even a bit dangerous or reckless, especially for someone who lacks the knowledge and expertise, an experience hiker would have, prior to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, instead of turning away from this challenge, Cheryl commits herself despite her insecurities, as if, she unconsciously knew that this was something she needed and must do. It reminds me of all the times, I in my own life, needed to do something on my own, as hesitant and fearful as I may feel in doing so, I have also looked forward to the opportunity to give myself something more I can be proud of. I can look forward to the challenge because I know that in succeeding I will also be able to prove to myself that I am brave enough and inevitably, I have become stronger because of those experiences.  

I loved how Cheryl did not make her experience hiking through the Pacific Crest Trail seem easy, but she made it feel doable. She shares all of its' hardships, difficult moments and honestly, I was inspired with her journey and the hike itself because of those things. I was inspired to imagine myself taking on such a challenge and to question what it may be like to do something, like she did. Cheryl experiences most of her journey on the Pacific Crest Trail alone yet you recognize how the people she did meet, the friends she unexpectedly made, the love from others, along the way, help renew her faith in the human experience and confidence in herself. 

I consider Wild, to be quite a special book. Though this is Cheryl Strayed's story and it is unique in many ways, there are also many lessons with her story that I believe so many of us can learn from and relate to. One that strongly stands out to me is acceptance...

"It was all unknown to me then, as I sat on the white bench... Everything except the fact that I didn't have to know. That it was enough to trust that what I'd done was true. To understand its meaning without yet being able to say precisely what it was... To believe that I didn't need to reach with my bare hands anymore. To know that seeing the fish beneath the surface of the water was enough. That it was everything. It was my life- like all the lives, mysterious and irrevocable and scared. So very close, so very present, so very belonging to me. How wild it was, to let it be." ~Cheryl Strayed, Wild, page 311.

I've stumbled upon this book many times before, the first time it must have been years ago. The rugged hiking book with red laces on its' book cover became its' staple, it became so recognizable to me, yet it was not until recently, I felt inspired to read it. I think the knowledge of a movie version, was in the works and soon to be released on the big screen, increased my interest and I found myself curious and I was motivated to finally find out what this book is really all about. It's been a #1 National Bookseller, Oprah's Book Club 2.0 Pick and BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR according to NPR, The Boston Globe, Entertainment Weekly and Vogue. So, this is not a new phenomenon; the magnitude of love for this book. People have known of and loved this book for years. I'm glad to finally be a part of that group of people, who knows exactly why... 

Now, I'm finally ready to watch the movie!

Album: NE-YO "Non-Fiction"

Music is another way into my heart and my husband must know this so well because on Valentine's Day this month, along with his thoughtful gifts and that classic dozen red roses, he made sure to include an album that would surely have those R&B love songs that can sweep girls off their feet and fall in love all over again. Ne-Yo is that artist, who has both the voice and songwriting skills, known for those timeless, sensual, romantic kind of love songs and his new album, Non-Fiction, is filled with numerous tracks that goes perfectly with a special night, alone with your lover.

A few passion-filled R&B slow jams with a bit of edge...

Take You There, One More (feat. T.I.), Good Morning, Religious, Run, Everybody Loves, Integrity

This album has a few fun Interludes, that ties the songs on these tracks together to tell a more cohesive story, staying true to its album theme and title.

Bonus Track from the Deluxe Edition: Come Over

Album Title: Non-Fiction
Artist: Ne-Yo
Executive Producers: Reynell "Tango" Hay & Ethiopia Habtemariam
Release Date: January 27, 2015

Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recording, Inc. 

For more information, visit:
 www.neyomusic.com
 www.motownrecords.com

There are a few versions of this album, the clean and explicit versions, as well as the regular and deluxe versions. It is well worth your money to get the deluxe version, given that for just a few more dollars you get a lot more extra music. You get a few more songs that you really don't want to miss out on!

Documentary Film: Blood Brother

Blood Brother

Director: Steve Hoover

Cinematographer: John Pope

Writers: Steve Hoover, Tyson Van Skiver, Phinehas Hodges

Producer: Danny Yourd

Running Time: 92 minutes

1st released in the USA and premiered at the Sundance Festival on January 20, 2013

Yesterday afternoon, while my son was at school, I decided I wanted to watch a movie, a film, something on Netflix. As I searched for titles that intrigued me, without really any guidelines or clear intent of what I wanted to watch, I came across the documentary film, "Blood Brother". Without knowing what to expect and without any pre-guidelines of what this film is about, aside from the short synopsis Netflix provided, I pressed play. Right from the beginning of the film, I was captivated. It had my undivided attention.

To be candid, I hesitated on writing about my thoughts on this film. It moved me so much and was certain of how special it was, that I almost feared I couldn't capture into words how important, how beautiful, how extraordinary I thought this film, "Blood Brother" is. In the aftermath of watching the film and even through out the film, I had so many emotions, thoughts, ideas, compiling in my mind and in my heart, that I didn't quite know if I would be able to coherently express them, but I am attempting to do so now, because this is a film, I must share. To not even attempt to share with others how much I believe in this film or to stop myself from encouraging others to watch it, because of my fear of failingly putting into words the exact reasons that justify how incredible the experience of watching this film has been for me, I knew would put me in discontent. Sharing my thoughts and feelings on "Blood Brother", is also my way of paying tribute to a film, to a story, to the people within the film that have shaken the core of who I am, in the most raw, uncomfortable at times, yet also in the most positive and loving ways.

Blood Brother is an intimate portrait of Rocky Braat, a young man who longed to find a family. He didn't know it, but this desire would lead him to an AIDS hostel in India, a place of unspeakable hardship, where he would find almost more love and need than he could bear. - Written by Blood Brother

If I had to simply describe this film with a list of words, which at the start of writing this was all I could do to put my thoughts on paper, these are some of those words: "Blood Brother" to me is about purpose, identity, friendship, children, innocence, HIV/AIDS, poverty, community, family, giving, surviving, living, India, death, dying, pain, strength, loyalty, bravery, fear, commitment, marriage, culture, dedication, suffering, overcoming, contentment, judgement, peace, self, others, satisfaction, guilt, relationships, connection, humanity, authenticity, life's work, life, love.

Steve Hoover, Rocky's best friend (and a filmmaker), is unsettled and intrigued by this drastic action. In an effort to find out what compelled Rocky to give up every source of stability in his life, Hoover follows him back to India to trace his story. - Written by newportFILM

Steve Hoover, the filmmaker, who also happens to be Rocky's best friend, is also the narrator of this film. Within his first words and in the tone of his voice, in the gentle way he tells this story, it was clear to me that he is doing so from a place of love, of true friendship and a desire to understand his friend, because of those things, love and true, deep friendship, perhaps you can also call it brotherhood. You can hear in the narration his journey of opening himself up to a world and notions that may be authentically be uncomfortable to him, but the love, the intent in which he is coming from in experiencing this world in which his best friend has chosen to partake in, may confuse him initially but comes from a place of so much love, that you could feel him open up to the experience wholeheartedly, despite his fears and even while still in the midst of processing the things about that world, and more particularly about HIV/AIDS, that felt unclear to him. You can sense him work through those thoughts and moments of discretion he felt from time to time, as the film progressed and I gathered that he willingly pushed himself empathize and to dive into the experience, because he cared so much to understand his friend's actions and perspective. He also cared for the children. 

I love the images reflected on this film. I love how it was filmed. The cinematography was stunning. There is so much love reflected in every image. It is a powerful film with beautiful imagery, even despite the necessary focus on sickness, pain, suffering, poverty and even death. There were colors and life. This film and in the way it was filmed, spoke and continue to speak to me in the way in which it brought out of me, that desire that is in me, one that I have known to always feel in me, that desire to do something meaningful in this world and with my life, something of importance, something satisfying, the great satisfaction that I am mattering, making a real difference in people's lives. Relationships we have with people, to me, that is everything and the connection Rocky has with those children is so inspiring. 

This gorgeously shot film is also a deeply affecting psychological portrait of a young do-gooder as he adapts to the regularity of 
tragedy in his new life." - Los Angeles Times

I was intrigued by Rocky Braat's interaction with the children, how unfiltered he was in his affection for them. His love, his affection for and towards the children seem to come naturally. It shows in the way he cares for them and in the way he speaks to them. He just seems to know how to say the right things to them and effortlessly so. To me, his words comes out so honestly and these are delicate yet powerful words. Reminding a girl, who had to shave her hair, that she was beautiful still without it, by asking her to repeat the words "I am beautiful", again and again, to the extent in which she is able to say it with a smile and conviction, is one of those moments, that exemplifies Rocky's ability to instill in these children, the kind of character one must have in order to thrive beyond their deadly disease. The communication he has with the children, him to them, and in reversal, them to him, seem to just happen so effortlessly. The fondness the children feels towards him is just as much, as it is the other way around. It is apparent, that Rocky Braat has that instinct to care, to nurture and to love, unconditionally. 

"An incisive and compassionate documentary that's as much a transformative experience for audiences as it was for the filmmakers." - The Hollywood Reporter

After the film had ended, I thought to myself, that was real life I just watched. These people's lives are not being acted out on screen; their pain and suffering is real. What I saw wasn't a movie, with fictional characters and made up stories. It struck me, that those people, Rocky, Steve, the children, are out there right now and that their life is happening right now. It hit me. That reality hit me! I meditated on it and I wanted to pray for them, in which I did.  Wow, I thought to myself, these children are so brave! The notion of how brave they were, brought me to tears. It truly is how astonishing how brave and strong and beautiful their spirits are, including Rocky and I am grateful that their stories are being shared, told and for those that have already lost their lives, that images of them did not simply disappear with the wind, that despite how fleeting in years their lives may seem to have been, they are not forgotten, but remembered and their beauty and soul, celebrated. 

Stills from the film

I love how we sometimes come upon the most unexpected experiences, one that move us, change us, inspire us, forces us to feel emotions we haven't acknowledged in a long time and in hindsight, such unexpected experiences does come to us like a gift. It is a gift. Watching "Blood Brother" sure felt that way! 

It was like, love came along. 

To learn more about the film, "Blood Brother", visit www.bloodbrotherfilm.com

Vinyl: "Cheek to Cheek" with Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

It has been over a year since I was given the wonderful gift of a record player for my Birthday. It has then started my collection of vinyl records. I have stumbled upon vinyls of artists, with songs introduced to me during my childhood, which always makes me feel nostalgic, as well as timeless classics by artists from decades ago. Many of those albums I have found at used book stores, I have been able to get for only a couple of bucks, here and there, while there are some vinyls, that have costed double the price of a new CD. I have definitely seen a rise in the popularity of vinyls. I have also started collecting vinyls of albums by current artists, that have voices or the type of music and sound, that seems to fit right in with the music that we may commonly think of, when listening to music through a record player. Picking out those artists and their albums that coincide with a specific style of music and sound, have been just as fun as searching for old vinyls, that thankfully have endured the revolution of technology and its' impact on the music industry, in relation to how we share, listen and experience music. I personally enjoy all the mediums in which music can be experienced, the old ways and the new.

On my last birthday, a year exactly from when I received my record player as a gift from my husband, along with a few vinyl records to start my collection, my husband gifted me Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga's album Cheek to Cheek, on vinyl. I was ecstatic! I have been so intrigued by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga collaboration. This album is a perfect reflection of not only the kind of songs that sound so rich and beautiful on vinyl, but the collaboration between these two artists have created that special touch, blend and perfect harmony between the classic, timeless voice of Tony Bennett and the refreshing, new and unique artistry of Lady Gaga. I have Tony Bennett's vinyl records from more than forty years ago. He was born in 1926 and had his first #1 popular song in 1951. He is 88 years old and the oldest singer to record an album. He has been around for a long time! His voice and his presence on stage is still relevant today. If you have been to a Lady Gaga Concert or seen her performances, viewed her music videos, you can say that she is easily one of the most unique, adventurous, daring, eccentric, influential artist of today. With the kind of influence Lady Gaga has made within the pop culture this past decade, the kind of risks only few artists are willing to make or have the talent and ability to successfully execute, she alongside Tony Bennett, I believe are two artists that couldn't have represented the younger and older generations, any better or more accurately. Their style and persona, as different as they may seem from one another, prior to this album, could make most people think they may be also the least likely two singers, to become a duo, but they have become that duo and thankfully so. What they've created, re-visiting old standards and renewing classic songs, reintroducing what are essentially timeless hits to our generation of music lovers, is such a beautiful venture and they have done so, very successfully. I believe they have created an album that is one of a kind and one can tell, in listening to their performance and seeing them connect musically and soulfully in the way they have through music, is quite special. 

There is no duo quite like these two! 

TONY BENNET & LADY GAGA

CHEEK TO CHEEK

Produced by Dae Bennett

Executive Producer Danny Bennett

2014 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment/Interscope Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. 

Must Watch: These two artists may seem to come from different worlds, such opposite spectrum of musical genres in which they were known for yet they came together through jazz music. Tony Bennett is a musical legend, having serenaded us with his music, American standards and jazz music since the 1940s. If anyone knows American jazz music and have the experience of performing it now and during the years when it was the popular music of the time, it is Tony Bennett. Lady Gaga may be a pop icon, better known for pop music but she sings jazz and sounds like an authentic jazz singer, which she has expressed to be, since she has been singing jazz music since she was thirteen years old. She has proven through this album that she is not pretending to be anyone she isn't. What she adds to these classic jazz songs, aside from her voice, is that fresh outtake of something we've heard so many times before and you can most definitely see that in their performances together, in her interpretation and fashion style, in her portrayal of the characters she embodies. She is captivating, entertaining and her chemistry with Tony Bennett on and off the stage, is undeniable. It is authentic and they are both filled with so much charisma. They truly are like kindred spirits. Together, they bring relevance to songs from decades ago, for the listeners and generations of today. You can watch them perform all the songs on this album through videos they have created for each song. It's a fun series of videos, many of which centers around their recording sessions in the studio and can be viewed on YouTube or vevo. I am so thrilled to have Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga's album Cheek to Cheek, as part of my collection of music on vinyl. I personally think, this should be a must have! 

Album: Nicki Minaj's THE PINKPRINT

Just a day after its' release date, December 15, 2014, I decided to take a wild chance on THE PINKPRINT, Nicki Minaj's latest album.  Never having bought a Nicki Minaj album prior to this one and having only been familiar with her songs, popularized through radio, I knew more or less on what I can expect with her rap songs, and and up beat, hard-hitting anthems. What I was surprised with, was the vulnerability she also expressed in this album. It wasn't long after I purchased the album, when I began to come across reviews and articles on how this album was actually a diversion from what you may hear in her previous album or the Nicki Minaj tunes that have made her so famous and even controversial. Yes, she still showed off those solid, impressive rap skills but she also shared more than her fast talking capabilities, catchy licks and confident attitude but also her talent as a singer, songwriter, sharing her most intimate experiences, revealing such delicate topics and emotions, both sexually and personally. THE PINKPRINT is definitely full of adult content, so not your family kind of album, but it is strong, solid album. I believe in Nicki Minaj's artistic voice and I appreciate her story and what she is sharing through her music.  I have been enjoying listening to her voice, the feminine flare she brings to rap music and I think she has a beautiful singing voice, which honestly, I was thrilled to hear. I appreciate any artist who take risks and find ways to keep expanding on their artistry and surprising us with their talents. I think Nicki Minaj took a risk in extending her voice beyond rap music, but incorporating R&B, Pop and Ballads into her album and I believe she succeeded in her venture to expand her identity as a pop icon, musician, artist and person. It's hard for me to view her now, simply as a rap artist, after  this album. 

Books + Film: If I Stay & Where She Went

I am always so excited when a book I've read is made into a movie! I have to admit, like most people's opinion, a film adaption of a book I love does not always compare to the depth in which the book takes me, especially in its' details and the vividness in which words are able convey and can not always interpret itself wholeheartedly in a two hour version of the story, but regardless of such comparisons and opinions, I am still a supporter of any book adapted into film. Personally, I think it gives me the opportunity to experience stories and characters I have fallen in love with, all over again, quickly, rapidly, repeatedly, excessively, in a short period of time. Whether I prefer the book version more so than the film, or at times, rarely but surely it happens, preferring the film over the book, when watching the film adaption of a book I have read, I try to simply sit back and just take in the visuals being presented and listen attentively to the narrative, without getting caught up with comparisons but simply taking in the manner in which the art of film, its' director, the actors and actresses interprets and retells the story. There is so much to take in, either way.

Permission Granted

Yesterday I found myself consumed with countless notions and simply put, thoughts... I had both ideas and questions, questions that motivated me to think hard, perhaps with the hope that if I thought hard enough, I would immediately get the answers I wanted. I reflected on my past self and projected on a future image of the woman I may become, which I knew was dependent on my present actions and the woman I still wanted to be, perhaps have always imagined to be and a life, in which day by day I'm still figuring out. I had open ended ideas. These ideas inspired feelings of both determination and brought on sparks of uncertainties. As the day went on, with endless thoughts circling in my mind, I started to find myself exhausted from my own internal dialogue. Uneasiness would build up from what felt like a series of speculations. I questioned, I strived for answers, I felt guilty of questioning, of needing answers as if these reflected an inability to embrace, be contented with my present blessings, because I am still aware of all that I am so grateful for. I've experienced such days before, sometimes it's a day, other times it's like being in a rut for a period of time. It lingers... It affects my energy and messes with my perception. Thankfully, I have always found ways to rise above that toxic mentality of self doubt, of existing but not living, yet I also have been through it enough times to also acknowledge that you have to reflect and respect these feelings, respect it enough not to prolong it longer than need be or for it to manifest into false illusions of reality, but giving it enough time to understand why they've existed, the reasoning behind these emotions, even entertain the questions that may never get answered in the time you want them to and you must put in the work to change, to want to change your emotional state from any negativity to positivity. 

Over the years, I have found tools that have personally been effective in my self discovery and outlets that lead me to my happy place and I am confident in knowing the sure things that can almost make me instantly, my happy, peaceful self again. Nowadays, I find myself naturally going to my sources of inspiration. If I know how to get to a place where I can see the light again, why linger too long in that dark place? I think it's important to know where, what, who to turn to, whenever we need uplifting! I am transcended into that happy place in many ways, sometimes it is through music, nature, dance, watching a film, through reading a book, being on the beach, talking a walk outdoors, talking with a friend, being around the right people and yesterday, just as the day was nearing an end, that transcendence from feeling a bit uncomfortable all day to feeling spiritually re-energized again, was greatly due to a piece of poetry I stumbled upon. Ironically, poetry had been frequently on my mind lately, wanting to read good, heartfelt, honest, moving, raw poetry. So yesterday in the midst of all the thinking I found myself doing and fighting off this sickness I have been feeling in the last few days which based on how I feel presently, between a running nose, a head cold and an achy, lathargic body, I pretty much have lost that battle of not getting sick. In truth, I wouldn't be surprised if my physical tired state contributed to my spirits also feeling a little down, to basically feeling like blah, but in the midst of all this, right as evening came, right when I gave the feeling of discontent, enough attention and needed to get right back to happy, grateful, peaceful me, I came across the book, Back To Joy by June Cotner. I wasn't looking for it. It just so happen to appear right where my eyes were wandering. It's a an orange, hard cover, pocket sized book, that upon getting my hands on it, I opened the book right to a page with a piece of poetry and began to read. The words immediately spoke to me with such affirmation and significance. The poem is titled, "Permission Granted", words I needed to read and as I read through every single line and phrase, I felt myself justified in its message. The recognition it gave me made all the difference. 

Permission Granted

Why is it that we never feel entitled, 

To take care of ourselves,

When we most need care?

Even the storm takes care of itself,

Raining until there is no more rain,

Not asking anyone's permission,

To light up the sky, fill the gutters, and leak into the kitchen

A storm has come into your life, wreaking havoc and chaos,

And you're the one needing permission?

You have it:

Permission to feel afraid, but not feel conquered by your fears,

Permission to feel overwhelmed, but not undone,

Permission to pause, shed a few tears, take a deep breath,

Permission to sit with a cup of coffee and find the still center of yourself-

In the eye of the storm-

where all your strength lies in waiting.

Storms come and pass and you are stronger because of them. 

It's stormy now. 

You have permission to feel the power of the storm,

and seek the shelter within yourself. 

~Susan Koefod

Words are powerful. 


You start your process of healing, your journey to transcend from one place to another, somewhere. And as many times as we repeat this cycle or experience this back and forth dance of feeling amazing, then feeling invaluable, feeling certain then feeling insecure, which we most likely will continue feeling, those perhaps inevitable ups and downs throughout our life, there is one advice I know for certain we must we take with us throughout our ride, through our life's journey and it is this... As long as you live, keep learning how to live... I believe in this wholeheartedly and more significantly I know that as long as I practice this virtue, I'll be okay!

~~~

I am in awe of all the beautiful, inspiring words and content in this book, Back to Joy. It is a book of poetry but it is also a book of "little reminders to help us through tough times" (June Cotner). I intend to share more pages of poetry from this orange, little, pocket size, powerful book.