January 2020 is coming to a swift end, passing as time does.
The new year is still exactly that though – new – so I’d like to share three new(ish) things that I’ve enjoyed immensely. One I’ve watched, one I’ve heard, and one I’ve read.
- Little Women, dir. Greta Gerwig
Y’all. I had read the book before seeing this, naturally, like so many others. I knew the story. I knew the characters. There were no surprises.
And yet, this film wrecked me. Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, and Laura Dern delivered masterful performances. Greta Gerwig directed beautifully, with such purpose that made everything flow well.
I was thoroughly & unashamedly enthralled. The story was told in such a refreshing way. Going into the viewing, I had pointedly avoided any spoilers, I did however read one article (and I can’t even remember where it was from, so if you know, let me know) that called this particular rendering of Little Women a “rereading” of the story, not a retelling. I could not agree more.
Because the content is not new, it doesn’t need to be, the story is absolutely timeless. However, it was given new breath, new life. And it was perfect. Louisa May Alcott would be proud.
Saoirse Ronan deserves all of the awards for her performance, seriously, she was incredible.
I encourage you to see this movie. Gather the women in your life – your mom, your sisters, your grandmothers, your best friends, your roommates, your small group, your aunts, your sorority sisters, your cousins – and go see it.
2. Dermot Kennedy’s album, Without Fear
This dude is an Irish artist, and I doubt you’ve heard him on the radio. I only started listening to him because an Instgram account I love filmed a video with him (@loki).
He writes poetry.
That’s what his songs are. Every single one of them. He pours his heart into the words. He invites you into moments with him – to share his love, his heartache, his nostalgia, and his joy. One of my favorite lines is, “So we all gather our ghosts around island flames, and the song she throws is not one I know, but it knew me.”
He’s just phenomenal. And while I highly recommend listening to his entire album, I will suggest three songs that I think are a must listen:
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- What Have I Done
- An Evening I Will Not Forget
- For Island Fires and Family
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His songs give me all of the feels, in the best ways.
3. With All Due Respect by Nikki Haley
I don’t have adequate words to describe my experience reading this book, but I will endeavor to try.
If you don’t know who Nikki Haley is, that’s okay, here’s a brief rundown…
She’s the daughter of two Indian immigrants. She was a South Carolina legislator. She was South Carolina’s first female governor. She was the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
She’s kind of really, really awesome.
The books title is a nod to her now famous words, “With all due respect, I don’t get confused.”
I seriously want a t-shirt with that phrase on it.
This book tells her story. Dealing with the aftermath of the Charleston church shooting, removing the Confederate flag from statehouse grounds, the 2016 election, her tenure with the UN, her relationship with President Trump, as well as other members of the cabinet.
Haley does not pull any punches, she narrates with grit & grace. She talks about the hard things to provide insight, clarity, and wisdom. She makes it personal. It’s not just a timeline.
It’s her story, and she tells it masterfully. I think her words deserve to be read. I think her voice is worth listening to.
That’s all for now! I hope you enjoyed reading this, because I enjoyed writing it. I really do encourage you to check out at least one of the three items on this list, they are all high quality content. Thanks again for stopping by. x.
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