January 2024 Recommended Reading and Viewing

[Coír Draoi Ceítien]

Happy New Year, everyone!

First off, I should set the record straight: in addition to what I said last month about my heart not really being in it anymore, I've allowed my own personal reading to come to a screeching halt - I have several books started but none finished. As a result, I'm running low on things to recommend. I still have a couple things left book-wise to put your way, and it hasn't been all bad - I've acquired a deeper fascination with opera and am currently doing a bit of amateur research on it. So I hope I'm starting off the new year right.


Reading: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) by C. S. Lewis

The classic book that contributed to the rediscovery of fantasy, this has the confusing honor of being the first book written but second chronologically of the land of Narnia, encountered this time through a wardrobe in a countryside house; we are introduced to the Pevensie children (Peter, Susan, Edward and Lucy), the devious White Witch, and the transcendent lion Aslan, all of which are now intimately familiar to readers the world over. While it has garnered criticism from both friends and opponents, it's still a good story told with all the trappings of fairy tales, with as much to offer adults as children.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Witch-Wardrobe-C-Lewis/dp/0064471047/
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Witch-Wardrobe-Chronicles-Narnia/dp/0064404994/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Witch-Wardrobe-Chronicles-Narnia-ebook/dp/B001I45UFC/



Viewing: Sullivan's Travels (Preston Sturges, 1941)

Originally released to mixed reviews, this film has gradually gained acceptance as one of the best comedies ever made by one of the masters of screwball madcap madness. John L. Sullivan, director of profitable comedies, wants to tackle a film adaptation of a recent novel of social justice and human drama amongst the poor and suffering, but it's quickly pointed out that, due to his rather privileged life, he doesn't know much about suffering. Therefore, he disguises himself as a vagrant in order to observe the life of the poor firsthand, picking up an eccentric young blonde woman along the way. Trouble soon follows, and Sullivan learns both about real destitution and what can bring joy to an otherwise miserable life.


DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Sullivans-Travels-Joel-McCrea/dp/B00SC8KTHG/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Sullivans-Travels-Blu-ray-Joel-McCrea/dp/B00SC8KV4M/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Sullivans-Travels-Joel-McCrea/dp/B00AAKBEE6/


I hope this fills up your January. Happy New Year, once again!