September 2018 Recommended Reading/Viewing

[Coír Draoi Ceítien]

Looking back over the original universal recommended reading topic, I've come to really be thankful of the changes I've made. Sure, there's a lot more books I would love for everyone to check out, but I feel it would be a disservice if I didn't give each one of them my own stamp of approval, so I'm glad I've stuck with what I've known. I'll probably be adding a series or two in the future, but that will only be a special occasion, and only then when I've actually read the entire series. I don't want to overwhelm anyone.

So, as we move closer to my 31st birthday, I have a couple special recommendations for this month. I guess they aren't really that significant to my development too much, but they're still good ones worth treasuring.

Reading: Charlotte's Web (1952) by E. B. White

In all honesty, I haven't read this book in YEARS, and I'm debating on whether I should pick up a new copy of it just to preserve my old present one. But don't let that discourage you - this is one of the classics, written by a seasoned veteran of carful craftsmanship (White was the co-author and former student of the acclaimed writing guide The Elements of Style, after all). Probably everyone who had a childhood has eventually come across the story of the young pig Wilbur, who strikes up a friendship with an intelligent barnyard spider named Charlotte A. Cavatica, who in turn hatches a plan to save Wilbur from becoming butchered for food. It's a simple story intelligently told which has resounded with readers since its publication in 1952 and will hopefully continue to do so as long as people continue to read.

Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Charlottes-Web-B-White/dp/0061124958/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1536104840&sr=8-7
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Charlottes-Web-B-White/dp/0064410935/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1536102821&sr=8-7
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Charlottes-Web-B-White-ebook/dp/B07D6NJW22/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1536102821&sr=8-7



Viewing: Hook (Steven Spielberg, 1991)

Probably everyone know the story of Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn't grow up, in some way. It took legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg to postulate on what came after. Peter Pan has become Peter Banning, a neurotic workaholic father with little time for his children's frivolous sides, having forgotten everything in his past. But Captain Hook still remembers, and when the children are abducted to Neverland, Peter must rediscover his heritage if he is to match wits with the pirate crew. A critical disappointment (Spielberg himself included) but an audience favorite, this whimsically fantastic fairy tale, anchored by some of John Williams's best music (yes, that's saying a lot), is probably a large part of any child of the 90's, and while it's easy to pick it apart, it still holds a place as a highly treasured piece of nostalgic cinema for me, at least. Pick it up and see for yourselves.


DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Hook-Julia-Roberts/dp/0767836324/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1536102875&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Hook-Blu-ray-DVD-Dustin-Hoffman/dp/B005IA9JZO/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1536102875&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Hook-Dustin-Hoffman/dp/B009NY3CL8/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1536102875&sr=8-2

[Raven]

I'm aware of the story of Charlotte's Web, but I've never  read it. I will probably become more familiar with it because it will probably he read in my family in a little while.

Hook is a total classic. I think I only recently heard that it wasn't considered a success. I always loved it and still do. There's something really remarkable about the premise of the story. In my generation, the word Bangarang is a recognizable one, I think.