I just got an email from Netflix headed "Watch More, Read Less." Are they watching me? Do they have access to my library card, my online shopping, my bookstore security cameras? Do they know that I've only watched a few hours of tv in the last month? Or is everyone reading more and watching less?
Don't get me wrong, I think Netflix, along with libraries, and long walks, are the best bargains around. In fact, the last thing I watched was a haunting French series, The Returned, on Netflix. But recently I've been reading even more than usual. I come home tired, feed the cats, spend a bit of time in the garden, and read. I start on my little porch, where I have a good view of the rabbits and robins, and stay there until dark. Summer nights.
I'm painting as much as I can these days. It's surprisingly (to me) physical. And not cerebral, which I love. In my off-time I go to museums, read art history, sketch, think; but when I'm actually painting I zen out/zone out. And go home tired.
I've joined a cooperative art gallery, and am building a web site for my paintings. (Very much in progress, here. ) It's terrifying to go public, but it feels right too. More on that another time. I hope to blog more consistently about painting and art in general over on Orchards in Space. (These are clues about the mini-rant on my last post.)
Meanwhile here are a few things I've recently read and watched that stayed with me. Of course just because I like it doesn't mean you will. I got this idea from Petra, and also see her glorious post here. I'd love to know if you've been reading or watching anything that you are crazy about.
Read
*Sacred Games, Vikram Chandra, big book of India. Crime, Bombay, people.
The Seashell Collector, Anthony Doerr. short stories (reread). Elegant, nature, thoughtful.
A God in Ruins, Kate Atkinson. WWII, post-war Britain, family.
***Elizabeth and her German Garden, Elizabeth von Armin. A garden of one's own.
*Reporting Vietnam various journalists. War, history, politics.
The Really Big One, The New Yorker. Science, earthquakes, holy cow!
Watch
The Honorable Woman, BBC mini-series. Espionage, Israel-Palestine, Maggie Gyllenhall.
Wolf Hall, BBC mini-series. History, Royalty, Cromwell.
**The Returned. French mini-series. haunting, love, humanity.
The Americans, FX. Espionage, family, suspense.
**A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. Strange endearing little film.
*recommended by one of my Instagram pals (in case you think it's just cats over there).
** recommended by my son Luke, who always finds me eclectic interesting things to watch.
*** recommended by Mise, of Pretty Far West.
I wouldn't mind cutting back on the cerebral in my life, just a bit. Happy painting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Denise.
DeleteDid you ever read An Episode of Sparrows? Re: post WWII England.
ReplyDeleteNo, but I love the title. Will look for it.
Deleteoh, so much to say to this. read The Big One too. holy cow!. and will of course check out your reading list. you are one of the few people I trust implicitly when it comes to books. I'm not watching a lot of TV either but unfortunately my reading is quite erratic these days. I always have a few books on the go at the same time, but at the moment it seems I can't finish anything and the list of unfinished books is getting longer and longer. and finally, yes to sharing more reading/watching lists [back to the good old days of blogging]. I know everybody does it on Twitter now but i prefer lists like that over having to weed through tons of tweets or status updates... oh, and finally finally. you give me hope. I've been trying to work more with my hands and to get away from my computer more often, and something physical that makes me zone out is just what I was hoping/looking for. it's strange how different digital can be over analog [for lack of a better word]...
ReplyDeletegreat post :)
Thanks so much Petra. I love book lists too. And there is something incredibly satisfying about working without thinking--letting my subconscious do its thing...
DeleteActually I am reading a lot of Ancient History because of my Art History studies. When I am far of this ancient thing I like to read Donna Leon novels and the Comisario Ricciardi series.
ReplyDeleteYour web looks great! It is a brilliant idea. You know I really like your art.
Alicia--The Donna Leon novels are perfect summer reading! I'll have to look up Commisario Ricciardi. Louise Penny writes a series of Chief Inspector Gamache books that Shelley (Bow Street Flowers) and I are crazy about. You might like them too.
DeleteI have just checked out your paintings on Orchards in Space ... the colours and life in them is glorious.
ReplyDeleteWith all the hype over the release of Harper Lee's new book, I am re-reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
Thanks so much! Great idea to reread Mockingbird now, I did that a couple years ago and it was as good as ever. I am trying to avoid the hype over the new book (hard to do) and won't read it until things settle down and I can try to think for myself. :-)
DeleteHello Jen,
ReplyDeleteLove that you are reading and painting this summer. Netflix and tv will wait!
Enjoy the sunshine and long days
Helen xx
Thanks, Helen. I hope you are having a great summer, and doing lots of painting.
DeleteHello Jennifer, As a constant reader, I find that advice about reading less to be rather shocking. I have found myself going in the opposite direction, having watched almost no movies in the last year (although I did just buy a new region-free dvd player, my old one having given up the ghost). I am somewhat jealous of your creative outlet, having no talent like that myself.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Oops. Reply below.
DeleteHi Jim,
ReplyDeleteThey probably sent it to everyone--but it seemed so targeted to me, it was a bit creepy! I
Hope you are having a good summer.
Jennifer, love your new website. I think it's great that you are doing this. I love " Maine morning" and "Tucson to Tucumcari". I'm reading slowly lately, don't have the time that I used to on my train commute and when I get home from work and finish cooking dinner my mind is mush so I sit in front of the TV (which I hate) to veg out. Just finished binging on "Luther" from the BBC, excellent show. I'm reading "Dead Wake" about the sinking of the Lusitania, fascinating stuff. Keep painting!
ReplyDeleteI read a lot of detective stories which is pretty much the equivalent of tv, and believe me I've done my share of tv binging! Thanks so much for your kind words about my website. That means a lot to me, Amelia.
DeleteI love the blue painting. It brings me serenity.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's lovely. Thank you.
DeleteWe don't own a TV. From the many benefits of that, I enjoy having control over what I watch, rather than mindless channel surfing, or switching it on just because it's there in the room.
ReplyDeleteOf course that gives me no excuse for Game of Thrones...
Going to check The Returned.
oh and congrats on getting an online portfolio! and putting yourself out there. Very brave for every Creative. Sending you a ton of luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Autumn. I know you understand how scary this is!
Delete