5 from Fitch: August 2023
You know those friends you have who always offer great recommendations for books to read, movies to see and places to go? That’s us! Every month, our intrepid writers will share five recommendations based on their current favorite things. Have you read a riveting book lately? Seen a movie or show that deeply affected you? Eaten a surprising hors d’oeuvre? Indulged in unexpected nostalgia? Please drop us a line in the comments!
Chris Noon
🍴Eating: Watermelon, cucumber and feta salad
What is it?
A dish that doubles up as the body’s air conditioning. And a delicious starter, to boot.
Why I love it.
I’ve lived in some pretty hot places, so I’ve picked up a few tips about dealing with extreme heat. Last year, a wise old Athenian advised me to make chilled pieces of watermelon, cucumber and feta part of my aestival survival toolkit. You’re basically just ingesting tasty ice cubes, because watermelon and cucumbers contain 92% and 96% water respectively. Electrolyte-rich feta also helps prevent dehydration. The salad is easy to make, and looks pretty, especially if you use a hollowed-out half watermelon as a bowl. You can even add mint, basil and a honey and lime dressing, like this recipe. But it’s probably too hot for that.
Liz Wishaw
📺 Watching: “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” (Netflix)
What is it?
A one-season (so far!) Korean drama about a neurodivergent rookie attorney (Park Eun-bin) and her interactions with her clients, co-workers and the father who raised her alone in a society that has not quite understood how extraordinary she is.
Why I love it.
The main character of Attorney Woo is a mashup of the whimsy of Calista Flockhart’s “Ally McBeal” with the intelligence of David Krumhotz’s genius brother character in “Numb3rs” — fantasy CGI scenes involving whales intertwined with the everyday drama of Woo’s social interactions while showing off her Korean law knowledge chops. There is a love interest (a sweet and charming Kang Tae-oh!), rivalry with another law firm and a family secret that just HAS to be revealed. It’s my first K-drama show… and I can’t wait to check out others.
Jeremy Spencer
🎵 Listening: “Chaos for the Fly,” by Grian Chatten
What is it?
The debut solo from the frontman of melodic post-punk mashup artists Fontaines D.C.
Why I love it.
Fontaines D.C. (for my money the most inventive band to come out of Ireland since My Bloody Valentine sired shoegaze) are known for a pretty relentless form of blue-collar rock appropriately larded with Emerald Isle poesy, but with his first solo foray, the band’s songwriter and lead vocalist has revealed that rich new dimensions lie beneath the surface of his already heady day-job output. Alternately evoking the heyday sounds of Neil Young, Nick Drake, Big Star, Peter Gabriel and Nirvana while somehow still sounding utterly sui generis, “Chaos for the Fly” is simply a great album. Its expansiveness and kid-in-a-candy-shop production make unmistakable the depth and breadth of the mind, music and lyricism of Chatten.
Maggie Sieger
📚 Reading: The Increasingly Inaccurately Titled Dublin Trilogy by Caimh (pronounced Qweeve) McDonnell
What is it?
A series of 12 books (so far) that take place in Ireland (and now the U.S. too) featuring the exploits of the amazing Bernard “Bunny” McGarry, an under-12 hurling coach and member of Ireland’s Garda Síochána (the national police), and a large supporting cast of beleaguered, eccentric and (often) criminal characters, plus a Guinness-loving German Shepherd.
Why I love it.
Mostly, the books are hysterically funny. I’ve laughed out loud so many times — awakening my husband — that they’re banned from the bedroom. But also, the characters are great, the stories unique and engrossing and you can’t help but love Bunny, despite his many (many) flaws, and the rest of the regulars. I’ve listened to a couple as audiobooks and can’t say enough wonderful things about narrator Morgan C. Jones. Being able to hear Bunny and the rest makes the books even more lively and enjoyable.
Another tip: Read/listen in chronological order, not according to publishing date.
Will Palmer
🍴Eating: Muesli
What is it?
Rolled oats, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, pepitas, shredded coconut — all lightly toasted on a cookie sheet — mixed with dried cherries, dried pineapple, diced dried apricots, wheat germ, cardamon, cinnamon and turmeric. Mix and store in an airtight jar.
Why I love it.
When I finally caved in and started eating “the most important meal of the day,” it didn’t take long for this super-nutritious European staple made at home and served with a big glob of Greek yogurt and half a banana to become my staple too. No added sugar, and I feel more energized all day. Tony the Tiger can bite me.