BOOK REPORT
AUDIOBOOK: The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
This book was a recommendation from my British friend, Stuart (who shares a love of history with me.) It is an intimate look at the life of Winston Churchill and his first year as Prime Minister, coinciding with The Blitz on Great Britain. I loved the book and learned much more about this world leader who helped guide the Allied victory. The story contains historical and personal facts about Churchill that may not be recorded elsewhere.
This book was gifted to me a while ago, and I am just now reading it. But I don’t believe in coincidence, so I am convinced it came to me in God’s timing. Lamott continues to amaze me with her storytelling and ability to connect the ordinary with the divine. We may disagree on politics, but I always learn something from her through her writing.
AUDIOBOOK: Cherish Belonging by Fr. Gregory Boyle
I received an email from Amazon announcing this new release, and it was a delightful surprise. Of course, I preordered it immediately and read it the instant it was available. (I also purchased a physical copy for my real-life bookshelf.) G-Dog is one of my true heroes; his stories and writing get better and better. We have so much to learn from this man and the faith he practices tangibly. I cannot wait to visit Homeboy Industries someday.
There is a lot of Oscar buzz about this movie, and I was really looking forward to the release but disappointed. The timing of watching it after just reading “The Splendid and the Vile” was perfect, and I feel informed about The Blitz of air bombardment the Germans inflicted on the English in 1940 and 1941. The story in this movie fell flat and never fully developed enough to capture my attention. The cinematography and sound effects were extraordinary, however, and they told the story on their own. Not enough, but better than nothing.
I’ve seen the off-Broadway version of Wicked, but to tell you the truth, I wasn’t familiar with the story or the songs. I joined in on this experience due to the media hype and Sierra and Taylor’s interest. It did not disappoint. The casting, music, scenery and visual effects caught my attention from the start, and the three hours flew by. I loved it and am looking forward to “Part Two,” which will be released next fall. We’ve already made plans to see it together.
I knew this movie would be good just by the cast, but the storyline completely surprised me. Unfortunately, I believe it will be controversial (and therefore dismissed) for the shocking ending. I know it is a work of fiction, and I still enjoyed the film. There is a lot of press about Academy Award nominations for this film, and I can see why. It was an emotional and elegant peek inside the procedures for the election of a Pope but also demonstrated the dark and political side of the process. I would watch this one again based on the actors’ excellent performances alone.
COMMONPLACE
“Two simple rules: You get better at what you practice. Everything is practice.
Look around and you may be surprised by what people are “practicing” each day. If you consider each moment a repetition, what are most people training for all day long? Many people are practicing getting mad on social media. Others are practicing the fine art of noticing how they have been wronged. Still more have mastered the craft of making plans (but never following through). But, of course, it doesn’t have to be that way. What are you practicing?” — James Clear
“You can lose yourself one small compromise at a time. You can transform yourself one small win at a time.” – James Clear
“We try to make virtues out of the faults we have no wish to correct.” — Francois de La Rochefoucauld, Author
“You are better equipped to deal with stress when you are moving. When you feel tense or frustrated or worried, it is difficult to think your way into feeling better. The more you think about the situation, the larger it becomes in your mind. Trying to think your way out of it often leads to a spiral of overthinking and rumination. The first step is not to think something different, but to do something different. It doesn’t matter what. Stretch on the floor, go for a walk, work on a project. Get out of your mind and move your body.” — James Clear
“Think about the little things you enjoy, then turn around and do them for someone else. If you feel relief when someone asks a question in class, then other students are probably relieved too. Be the one who asks. If you love it when a friend calls to check in, your friends probably love it too. Be the one who calls. If it makes your whole day when someone compliments your outfit, other people probably love it too. Give out more compliments.” — James Clear
One response to “Book Report | Commonplace | December 2024”
Excellent harvesting, as usual.
xo