Category Archives: HOMEPAGE – DIVERSIONS

Must-Read Books from 2015

Every year, the stack of books sitting on your end table grows taller; and each year, your time becomes more and more precious. We can relate to that time-crunched feeling you get when the New Year is starting and you haven’t yet completed your New Year’s resolutions from the previous year. So, we’ve taken the time to cultivate a list of books you may have missed last year that we think you should make room for in 2016.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

an ember in the ashes bookThis young adult (YA) fantasy novel was named as one of the best books of the year by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Popsugar. Tahir weaves an epic story of survival, loyalty and love set in a terrifying ancient Rome-like world. The story unfolds in shifting points of view as Laia struggles to save her brother, and Elias fights for his freedom from the Empire.  An Ember in the Ashes is a satisfying mix of Hunger Games, Romeo and Juliet and Game of Thrones that reminds teen and adult readers alike to never give up hope.

The Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev

bollywood bride bookThey say not to judge a book by its cover, but Bollywood Bride is just as captivating as the cover’s image. In typical Bollywood fashion, Dev’s novel is a story filled with emotion, family and glimpses of Indian culture. This witty romance tells the story of Ria Parker, a Bollywood star. Ria goes home for her cousin’s wedding when she is confronted with her childhood friend, Vikram, who thinks she’s sold her soul to become a celebrity.

 

Ashley Bell: A Novel by Dean Koontz

ashley bell bookDean Koontz’s newly released fantasy thriller is an unpredictable story featuring a wide array of characters, including a surfer girl, Nazi sympathizer and a Navy seal. Cancer patient Bibi Bell meets these characters and others in an effort to rescue Ashley, a teenager that supernatural messages are prompting her to save.

 

 

House of the Rising Sun by James Lee Burke

house of the rising sun bookHackberry Holland, the novel’s protagonist, is a character straight out of a western. He’s honorable and intelligent, yet troubled by the guilt he feels for his past. House of the Rising Sun follows the Texas ranger as he tries to reconnect with, and later rescue, his estranged son from the crosshairs of an arms dealer who believes the object Hackberry carries is the Holy Grail. Burke’s novel is a beautiful combination of landscapes from the withering Wild West and action packed scenes.

Boys in the Trees by Carly Simon

boys in the trees bookIn her #1 bestselling memoir, Carly Simon, singer of the 1972 #1 hit song You’re So Vain, tells the story of her difficult childhood, musical debut and marriage to James Taylor. The book includes tidbits about how songs came to be; but mostly it is a deeply personal account of her life experiences that showcase the vulnerable person hiding behind her sexy persona.

 

See Me by Nicholas Sparks

see me sparks bookThis is not just another romance. In See Me, Sparks blends his typical love story with a suspenseful thriller. Yes, the protagonists, Maria and Colin, meet by chance and fall in love; but they also face a terrifying series of events triggered by someone from Maria’s past. See Me is the perfect read for those who want a little romance combined with an Alex Cross style mystery.

 

5 Films to Inspire a Positive Year

New Year is a time when we all naturally make resolutions – a new year, a new beginning. Yet by the middle of January, inevitably, gyms go unvisited, diets go uncompleted and we revert to our usual ways. Here are some films that will help inspire you to keep those resolutions and make those changes.

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

bridget jones diaryDon’t want to “die alone, and half eaten by Alsatians”? Or turn into Glen Close in Fatal Attraction? Neither does Bridget.

Bridget Jones’s Diary is a strong contender for a New Year’s positivity film as it starts with that moment. That moment when you realize that you actually need to change something.

Bridget Jones is a 30-something singleton who lives alone and is unlucky in love. The film follows Bridget as she decides to take control of her life and start a diary. Through this, we learn of her trials and tribulations with family and relationships, with the unwavering support of her friends. Bridget forges her path through the let-downs and the obstacles placed in front of her to gain her own happy ending, via a fantastic comeuppance for a cheating boyfriend.

Bridget gives us all hope that we can get our happy ending, that a New Year and a new start may well bring with it the job, the partner and the outcome that we desire. Even if we do have to dress up as a sexy bunny rabbit and eat a turkey curry buffet.

What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993)

tina whats love got to do with itWhilst for most of us the desire to make changes comes from an unfulfilled career or an unhealthy lifestyle, there are others whose lives need changing for much more serious reasons. A dangerous domestic situation, for example. This brings us to the inspirational story of Tina Turner.

Tina Turner is woman enough to be an inspiration without a film. Heck, she was Aunty Entity in Beyond Thunderdome. But her story is one of pain, one of abuse and one of strength.

What’s Love Got to Do with It chronicles Tina’s rise to fame from a farm in Nutbush City to international stardom through her turbulent relationship with her husband Ike Turner, who propelled her to fame via his band the Kings of Rhythm. Through hideous mental and physical abuse, Tina (real name Anna May Bullock) found her inner strength and released herself of Ike’s oppressive hold.

If ever a film was made to inspire people to change their lives and believe in their ability to do so, this is it. Keep Rolling on the River.

Working Girl (1988)

working girlMany people will be making career-based New Year’s resolutions in 2016, to get out of that rut and push forward to achieve goals. If you need inspiration to attain and maintain those resolutions, 1988’s Working Girl has you covered.

Melanie Griffith stars as Tess McGill, a secretary in a stock market office who has big dreams, and a talent to match. Unfortunately, she is struggling to be seen in a male-dominated world saturated with respected degrees and impressive portfolios. But Tess isn’t just over looked by men; she is disrespected by the women that have made it in the business due to her lowly status. But McGill is strong. She fights back when people try to use or abuse her and fights for what she believes in, which is herself and her abilities.

Working Girl instills self-belief in its audience, regardless of background, gender or education. With a strong enough belief in yourself and some hard work, anyone can attain their dreams.

South Paw (2015)

southpawOne film of recent years that offers encouragement and inspiration for men looking to change their lives is 2015’s South Paw. Jake Gyllenhaal plays boxer Billy Hope. When Hope is at the peak of his career everything is taken away from him in a devastating twist. He hits rock bottom and turns to a boxing trainer to help him fight his way back up to where he wants to be. Inner strength and facing up to his own bad decisions and inner demons are the name of this game.

South Paw demonstrates that no matter how bad life may get, if you tap into your strength and recognize what it is you need to do, you can accomplish extraordinary things.

North Country (2005)

north countryDrive and ambition are two of the main components in most people’s resolutions, as are determination and strength. In North Country, Charlize Theron’s character Josey Aimes has these attributes in bucket loads and she uses them to achieve her goals.

In 1980’s America, female mine workers were rare, and those that did exist existed in a world of chauvinistic male mockery and abuse. Until Josey came along. Josey has been at the hands of an abusive man before, and she has stood up and walked away with her kids. She displays an immense amount of strength and independence. So when she sees how woman are treated in the mines, she decides to stand up and fight it, but it is lonely out on a limb on your own.

Through her grit and her will to get what is right, she keeps fighting. Her prolonged fight and determination to never give up is a story that inspires and influences those that watch it.

10 Songs to Inspire You to Love Yourself

It’s Monday and you’re feeling down on yourself. You’ve forgotten how much you’re worth and need a pick-me-up. One of my favorite tracks that makes me feel better about myself is P!nk’s “Perfect”. Yet, there is so much more to musical self-esteem boosters than pop ballads. There are empowering songs in other genres such as R&B, rock and funk. Give the feel-good vibes of this eclectic playlist a try to love yourself more.

  1. “Unpretty” by TLC
  1. “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera
  1. “Perfect” by P!nk
  1. “Special” by Janet Jackson
  1. “Q.U.E.E.N.” by Janelle Monae
  1. “Everybody Is A Star” by Sly and The Family Stone
  1. “The Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston
  1. “Insecure” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
  1. “The Whole World Is Watching” by Within Temptation
  1. “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi

Lipstick Traces

While girl groups such as the Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child and Wilson Phillips made their mark on ’90s pop with an intoxicating blend of melancholic melodies and heartbreaking harmonies, a new generation of young women has seized on the hidden strength of those classic maidens of melodrama and infused the tradition with a tough, punky edge. Here’s a set of girl group tunes from then and now for the tough- and tenderhearted alike.

 

 

  1. “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles
  2. “Our Lips Are Sealed” by The Go-Go’s
  3. “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child
  4. “No Scrubs” by  TLC
  5. “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips
  6. “What’s Up”  by 4 Non Blondes
  7. “My Boyfriend’s Back” by The Angels
  8. “Wannabe” by Spice Girls 
  9. “If I Could Change Your Mind” by HAIM
  10. “Worth It” by Fifth Harmony 

 

New Christmas Classics for the Holiday Season

Christmas music is as much a holiday tradition as the cookies, the tree, the presents and even the big guy himself, Santa Claus. And every year your local radio stations crank up the Johnny Mathis, Dean Martin and Brenda Lee, playing the same tunes, beloved though they may be, ad nauseam. While these songs are cherished for a reason, they need to make room for a new, swingin’ set of seasonal favorites. Look, you’ve done the jingle bell rock, you’ve seen mommy kissing Santa Claus and you’re well aware that “baby, it’s cold outside” (and, while we’re on the topic, you’re probably none too thrilled about the implication either). So with that in mind, here’s a Christmas playlist of shoulda-been, coulda-been and surely soon-to-be yuletide classics.

 

1. Coldest Night of the Year

by Vashti Bunyan

Well, it’s supposed to be cold in December, and even if it isn’t, this folk-pop number from British chanteus, Vashti Bunyan, is a lovely alternative to the many “please stay so we can make-out” standards of the season.

 

2. I Wish You a Merry Christmas

by Big Dee & Little Eva

No Christmas party is complete without this upbeat swinger from the lady who taught us all how to do the Locomotion. Pour some eggnog and cut a rug.

 

3. Presents for Christmas

by Solomon Burke

You can practically hear the wrapping paper being ripped to shreds as this classic from the 1968 Atlantic Records Soul Christmas LP plays. It’s guaranteed to make those socks you’re bound to get a little more interesting.

 

4. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)

by The Ramones

Let’s not kid ourselves: the holidays are stressful. Sure, there’s good cheer, peace on Earth and all that, but disagreements are inevitable. Should you encounter an acrimonious moment or two this Christmas, worry not, as the boys from Queens have just the solution.

 

5. Merry Christmas Everybody

by Slade

A monster of a hit in England and an official “Christmas number one” on the British airwaves (a unique radio tradition in the UK), Slade’s holiday anthem has slowly, but steadily found its way to the States. And with good reason: it’s a warm, nostalgic and totally rockin’ ode to December 25.

 

6. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

by Wizzard

A sentiment that in theory we can all probably get behind, “I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday,” evokes that joyous feeling you get when everything is in full swing, everyone is having a grand time and you really don’t want the season to end. Of course, a day later you might feel quite different. (Note: this song can be quite effective during the dog days of summer as well.)

 

7. Rock and Roll Santa

by The 5.6.7.8’s

Everyone’s favorite all-female Japanese retro-rockablly trio tackle this yuletide rave-up by first generation rockabilly singer, Little Joey Farber. It delivers an instant party.

 

8. Back Door Santa

by Clarence Carter

You can’t have the “nice” without the “naughty.” This fun, raunchy ode to Santa as a lovable cad also provides the sample for Run-DMC’s classic, “Christmas in Hollis.”

 

9. Jesus Christ

by Big Star

Christmas is, of course, a religious holiday whether we celebrate it with that in mind or not. Though not a religious man himself, Big Star frontman, Alex Chilton, knew what made a good tune. The jangling guitar pop of “Jesus Christ” has emerged as a holiday staple for a new generation of revelers.

 

10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

by Aimee Mann

While Mann is better known for her melancholy numbers about life’s more tragic characters, her recent foray into Christmas has presented a new side to her artistry. Her rendition of this holiday standard evokes both the beauty and the subtle mournfulness of the season.

 

11. Silent Night

by The Temptations

Motown is perhaps the definitive American record label, once called “the Sound of Young America,” so it’s no surprise then that the label’s Christmas albums would be a source for new holiday standards. The Temptations take on perhaps the most solemn of Christmas carols, from their 1970 album The Temptations Christmas Card, is handled with a deep soulful warmth thanks in large part to the bass vocals of Melvin Franklin.

New Orleans State of Mind: Remembering Allen Toussaint

The recent passing of composer, producer, singer-songwriter and pianist, Allen Toussaint, is a reminder of the rich and stunning musical legacy of the Crescent City. Here’s a set of songs celebrating the life of a true New Orleans music legend and the city he called home.

  1. “Ooh Poo Pah Doo” by Jessie Hill
  2. “Cissy Strut” by The Meters
  3. “Sweet Touch of Love” by Allen Toussaint
  4. “12 Red Roses” by Betty Harris
  5. “A Certain Girl” by Ernie K-Doe
  6. “Fortune Teller” by Benny Spellman
  7. “It’s Raining” by  Irma Thomas
  8. “Over You” by Aaron Neville
  9. “Lady Marmalade” by Labelle
  10. “Working in a Coal Mine” by Lee Dorsey
  11. “Yes We Can” by Allen Toussaint

Laurie Beechman Theatre –the Best Drag Show in NYC

At New York’s Laurie Beechman Theatre at 42nd street and 9th avenue, drag is a nuanced, gorgeous thing. Yes, there are the requisite Barbra Streisand and Joan Rivers impersonators. What would a drag theater be without them? But there are also brilliant, creative shows as rich and subtle as anything on or off Broadway. Without question, Laurie Beechman features the best drag shows NYC has to offer.

In the basement of a restaurant, the dinner theater consists of seats at long tables facing a stage. Velvet curtains in deep reds and purples make up the decor. The theater requires a $25 minimum for each guest, but a couple glasses of wine (or better yet, champagne) easily meet that requirement. What’s theater without some bubbly, anyway?

I saw Jinkx Monsoon, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and her partner Major Scales perform their much-acclaimed show, “The Vaudevillians.” The two characters, Kitty and Dan, are vaudeville stars who wrote all the popular songs they perform way back in the 1920s, but were never given the proper credit for them.

Their act features songs as diverse as Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” only they all have a quirky, vaudeville feel to them. Jinkx wears fabulous flapper outfits. Her first costume is a heavily beaded nude dress that looks absolutely flawless on her. Despite her sometimes raunchy choreography, Jinkx Monsoon as Kitty makes a glorious lady.

Other notable drag queens, such as Drag Race stars, Alaska and Pandora Boxx, have also performed their acts at Laurie Beechman. The shows are usually funny, but they’re surprisingly clever, too. And, of course, the queens always look amazing.

Space is the Place

It’s Monday, and your thoughts are drifting a bit. You start thinking about this wild article you read over the weekend about how the universe is expanding. (What?) It does seem as if every day, scientists are discovering some new, utterly mind-blowing secret about our cosmos; our understanding of what’s beyond planet Earth gets a little clearer, but becomes that much more magical at the same time. Here’s a set of songs to help you take off to your own private Milky Way whenever you want.

 

  1. “I Am the Cosmos” by Chris Bell
  2. “Calling Occupants” by The Langley Schools Music Project
  3. “Under the Milky Way” by The Church
  4. ” Spaceman” by The Byrds
  5. “Astronauta de Mármore (Starman)” by Seu Jorge
  6. “Across the Universe” by Rufus Wainwright
  7. “Satellite of Love” by Lou Reed
  8. “I Wish I Was the Moon” by Neko Case
  9. “Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space” by Spiritualized
  10. “Deep Blue Day” by Brian Eno

4 Books 4 Dog Lovers

Dogs might be the only beings that love you more than they love themselves. Their selfless and heroic natures make them a natural fit for some of the best protagonists in literature. And while most of literature relies on the machinations of human beings to roll into a story, some of the most rewarding narrative you can read is concerned with our four-legged friends. Enjoy this list of books that qualify as the picks of the litter for dog-lovers. It just might come in handy during the gift-giving season or a snuggly reading session with your favorite pup.

 

1. Marley & Me

by Josh Grogan

Marley picture

Many have seen the movie with Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, but this warm-hearted tale began life as a memoir about a married couple and their first “child.” When the author’s wife, Jenny, utters the fateful proclamation that she’s never “seen anything so cute” in her life, the wayward (and specially discounted) Labrador Retriever puppy gives them a crash course in unruly yet adorable behavior, just in time for their growing family. Humorous and relatable anecdotes about the journey of puppyhood and early marriage make this an easy and heart-warming read for anyone who thinks puppies can do no wrong. (And they’re right.)

 

 

 

2. Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

where the red fern grows

Tales like this heartwarming book from reading lists around the world are the reason why we think of dogs as our best friends. This coming-of-age favorite tells the story of a boy and his resourceful dogs. Billy roams the Ozarks with his canine best friends during hard times of little food and little warmth. Eventually though, they become a hunting team to be reckoned with across the region. It doesn’t all go down smoothly of course, but you’ll have to read the rest of the story to find out why not.

 

 

 

 

3. The Call of the Wild

by Jack London

call of the wild

This turn-of-the-century classic novel’s main character is a dog named Buck. Ruthlessly stolen from his California home, Buck is reintroduced to his wilder nature as an Alaskan sled dog during the Klondike Gold Rush. Life is harsh and dealing with the pack is no picnic either. Author London spent a year in Alaska to deliver an authentic narrative of the austere and beautiful Yukon wilderness. It’s been adapted many times, but nothing beats the experience of reading this transcendent classic on the page.

 

 

4. Devoted: 38 Extraordinary Tales of Love, Loyalty, and Life With Dogs

by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh

Devoted

It’s like chicken soup for the soul only it’s dogs for the soul. This collection of stories document the inspirational ways that dogs know us better than we know ourselves. Whether stories about dogs detecting cancer or the dogs that understand the language of war veterans, this compendium of moving stories seeks to uplift us out of the ordinary to a place of loftier concerns, like what dogs are thinking about: us.

 

Music to Get you Through the Week

There is no magic formula to prepare you for yet another week. As we say goodbye to the weekend and welcome another Monday, we are faced with reality once again. Our priorities shift from making plans to go out and watching the sunrise with our friends, to waking up bright and early, so we don’t miss the train.

Put on your headphones and tune out your noisy workplace by taking in some tunes. Music doesn’t just inspire creativity, but it also makes those boring everyday tasks seem not so repetitive. Since music is a representation of how you feel, creating a playlist that includes a little bit of everything is all you need. Check out the songs below to help you on your never-ending search for the perfect tunes to keep you in the zone.

  1. “WTF (Where They From)” by Missy Elliott,  featuring Pharrell Williams
  2. “Phone Down” by Erykah Badu
  3. “Oui” by Jeremih
  4. “All My Friends” Snakehips, featuring Tinashe and Chance The Rapper
  5. “Sorry” Rick Ross, featuring Chris Brown
  6. “Champagne Kisses” by Jessie Ware
  7. “Nothing But Thieves” by Itch
  8. “The Hills” by The Weeknd
  9. “Touch” by Pia Mia