06/ 14/ 2015
My favorite bookstore in New York happens to be at the Chelsea Market. I like it for many reasons, mainly though for their great selection of staff recommendations. That’s where I found The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank.
A compilation of fictional personal essays, The Girls Guide… discusses the emotional plights of relationships—both romantic and otherwise. Nearly every story centers on a girl named Jane. We meet her at various points in her life, witnessing both ups and downs. By the end, Jane learns the secret to having an honest relationship, one we can all learn from.
05/ 17/ 2015
I love the thrill of a good book. For me, this means not just having a compelling story, but the language, the maturation of the characters and the logic of the story have to be so engrossing that I can’t stop thinking about anything else. I relish becoming so enamored with a book that I feel as though my mind is being literally blown… a wonderful sensation.
Jay McInerney’s Bright Lights, Big City was one such novel. Capturing the plights of a twenty something man in Manhattan, we see New York through his eyes. We meet a man who appears to have everything: a steady job at a reputable magazine, a model for a wife and socialites for friends. We spend one week with him, and quickly realize that appearances are deceiving. Instead, we live alongside him at rock bottom, and become privy to his inner-most struggles.
12/ 30/ 2014
A couple months ago, I was running errands on the Upper West Side. It was a lovely afternoon made even more so after stumbling upon a street book sale at 74th and Broadway.
It’s not unusual to find people selling books on the street. It’s normally like a garage sale, so imagine bins and bins of used books. But this pop-up was a little different, featuring new books from a local indie publisher called New Vessel Press. After chatting with the attendant, I learned that they specialize in novels by international authors, many that aren’t well known. Also, I could buy 1 copy for $10, or 3 copies for $20. Clearly I could not pass on such a sweet deal, and I selected 3 different books.
12/ 13/ 2014
A couple weeks ago, I wrote this journal entry after seeing musician and choreographer Meredith Monk’s latest show On Behalf of Nature. I thought I’d share it with you:
It’s a feeling–one that comes after experiencing something really magical. For me, the sensation is rare, following a killer performance or after finishing an incredible book. It’s hard to articulate, but it’s such a powerful reaction. It sticks with me, leaving me reeling for a couple days.
