5 from Fitch: October 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!
Christine Gibson
🎵 Listening to: “Mudei de Idéia” by Antônio Carlos and Jocafi and “Ivory and Steel” by Monty Alexander and Othello Molineaux
What is it?
Two pairs of musical collaborations. The first is a recipe you fusion fans out there might not have tried: Funk meets samba in Carlos and Jocafi’s trailblazing offering.The second is Alexander and Molineaux’s 1980 piano-steel drum immersion.
Why I love it.
The 1971 debut album from the Brazilian writing duo of Carlos and Jocafi drips with psychedelic ambience and sunny grooves. A sample: Kabaluere.
And Alexander was born in Jamaica, so his piano playing has always been tinged with Caribbean rhythms and melodies. They come to the forefront on this 1980 team-up with Molineaux, the jazz scene’s go-to steel-pan player since the 1970s. Molineaux’s pans add a watercolor shimmer to Alexander’s lush arrangements, like lacquer on a Monet. A sample: Cavatina.
Becky Oliver DiGenova
👐🏼 Creating: New things from old things
What is it?
I thrift vintage clothing made from unique and high-quality fabrics and repurpose for home décor projects. I recently bought a vintage stereo tower with fabulous caned panels in perfect condition; I whacked the shelves out with a rubber mallet to turn the side panels into a headboard and footboard.
Why I love it.
To appreciate an object’s potential for a new or different purpose is to “dwell in possibility” (a la Emily Dickinson). With a little imagination, consumer goods that were made to last can often outlive their original utility. The stereo tower is a perfect example: Most of us no longer need or want full-scale furniture for our audio equipment, but the craftsmanship (and sweet midcentury aesthetic) of that piece don’t have to get junked with the 8-track player. Plus, taking things apart is a built-in lesson in craftsmanship, which helps me learn new DIY skills and techniques as I go.
Caroline Morris
📺 Watching: “Barry” on HBO.
What is it?
Written, created, directed by and starring Bill Hader, “Barry” is a dark comedy series that follows Barry Berkman, a former Marine turned assassin who is disillusioned with his life and, while completing a hit in Los Angeles, discovers acting and falls in love (despite a lack of talent for it).
Why I love it.
The whole series is well-written and does an amazing job of balancing the show’s two different tones. Bill Hader also puts on a dramatic performance that shows his versatility outside the pure comedy settings where he’s typically associated.
Amy Kover
📚 Reading: “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver
What is it?
A modern-day “David Copperfield” addressing the opioid crisis in Appalachia.
Why I love it.
I stumbled into reading this on a trip to the South without realizing what it was about. The book gave me so much more empathy and appreciation for the people in the Appalachian region. And Copperfield was an ingenious device to get me there. After all, most of what we know about the mistreatment and exploitation of poor children and orphans comes from author Charles Dickens. And, if you’ve read “Copperfield,” you will remember how entertaining and memorable the characters are. It’s fun to see Kingsolver’s modern renditions.
Dianna Delling
🎙️Listening to: “Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris” podcast
What is it?
Longtime journalist Dan Harris is interested in mindfulness and meditation as ways to find more peace and happiness in life. So he talks about these things, and so much more, in hour-long interviews with teachers of Buddhism, leading social scientists and fellow journalists.
Why I love it.
The podcasts, posted three times a week, are always interesting and remind me to spend more time focusing on the present moment, even while I’ve put off starting a regular meditation practice.