#77 Reading... and Wuthering Heights

I don't think it's a coincidence that every time I type 'Wuthering' it comes out as 'Withering'.

Let me begin at the beginning...

Children become readers by growing up around readers. Children learn to love reading after they read the first book that introduces them to the magic that is their imagination.

Children who love to read grow into adults who love to read.

I used to love to read in that way where you couldn't wait to finish work/run/dinner-at-friends' just to be able to get back to your book. I loved reading so much that I'd think and even talk about the characters even when the book was nowhere in sight. I could devour 3 books a week and never had a pile waiting - they didn't last that long once I got my hands on them.

But, one day, I stopped reading. And I've missed it. It's been literally years since I've read that way. The last book I read was I am Malala. It took me seven countries and nine months to finish it. I initially blamed my lack of interest in reading on the fact that I was writing. For some reason, I couldn't seem to do both. But I haven't written for most of this year, so that couldn't be it. I think I just got lazy.

It became too easy to be brain dead in front of the television, or to lose literal hours on social media. Brain numbing - brain dead. I don't want to do that anymore. I used to have an expansive vocabulary. I used to read in two languages for goodness sake! Until this week, I was lucky to be able to read two pages in a row and hold my concentration.

So I decided this week that I would fall in love with reading again. I went on an excursion to Collins Books and I bought a handful of books. I promised myself no television and no social media - just reading - and I HAVE LOVED IT.

I began by reading some Young Adult (YA) fiction - Me & Earl & the Dying Girl. I have to tell you, I hope the movie is better! Didn't matter though, because I was still motivated to read it and spent every spare moment I could until I finished it in two days.

Simultaneously, I listened to the audiobook version of Wuthering Heights just in case I really couldn't read anymore....

I also have always wanted to read the Classics. I thought this was one of them. I thought it was a love story.

My very brief summary of Wuthering Heights is this:

A narcissist with antisocial personality disorder torments two generations of the same inbred family. The End.

In my opinion, Emily Bronte grossly overuses the words ejaculate and erect. What an ugly tale about ugly people. I don't think I can bring myself to listen to Pride and Prejudice now for fear of what it might reveal.

Book-wise, I'm settling in to read The Umbrian Supper Club by Marlena De Blasi now. After just visiting Umbria, I'm excited for the memories it might evoke.

What are you reading?

#76 Sometimes, when the planets align...

When I feel content, centred, happy, it's never a coincidence....


Garlic hanging in the sun in Tropea, Calabria

That it happens when I'm feeling connected to my family and friends....

Padlocks and blue, blue sea in Tropea, Calabria

 It happens when I'm taking photos...

Chillis - Tropea, Calabria

It happens when I'm exercising....

Herbs and spices, Civita di Bagnoregio, Umbria

It happens when I feel useful at work....

Umbria, Italia

It happens when I read....

Umbria, Italia

 It happens when I have great things to look forward to....

Umbrian Farmhouse, Italia

 It happens when I feel on top of things like work and the housework....

The Chapel at Mel & Ant's - Acqualoreto, Umbria

It happens when I watch movies....

In the garden at Mel & Ant's, Acqualoreto, Umbria

It happens when I travel....

It happens when I feel part of something bigger than myself.

#75 Dear Rocky - The Breakfast Club

Dear Rocky,

In 1985 when The Breakfast Club enjoyed its Australian release, I entered my first year of high school, still a twelve year old.

I'd already met Molly Ringwald in 16 Candles the year before, I had only one more year to wait until Pretty in Pink enhanced my adolescence in a way on Hollywood can.

My teenage years were defined by movies like these - they helped shape us and introduce us to so many aspects of life - I'm sure many of them passed right over my head.

In the past few weeks, one of our television stations has been playing back-to-back Molly Ringwald films and I'm so happy to say, I stumbled across The Breakfast Club one cold wintery night.

Not only did I sit down to watch an iconic film from my past, I flew back in time to 1985 at a time in my life when I discovered boys and the importance of fitting in with my peers.

Those themes are still so important and maybe even more so in some ways for teenagers today. Goodness knows, teenagers today have more technological challenges than we ever had to face - but the themes are the same.

The Breakfast Club is about teenage roles and relationships - the Athlete, the Princess, the Brain, the Criminal and the Basket Case. We might use different terminology now, but the moulds are the same.

I want to share some of my favourite quotes and lessons that continue to resonate today:

I can only rate a film that meant so much in my life at the time a 10/10.

I can't wait to read your thoughts Rocky. Read Rocky's review here.

Which movie will we tackle next?

Jodie

#74 Dear Rocky - 84 Charing Cross Road

 

Dear Rocky,

 

I am so glad you chose this film for us to review, my only wish being that I wish I knew about it a couple of weeks ago while I was in London so I could go looking for the iconic address.

 

Well, if nothing else, this is a film about relationships. And books. You know, there are so many similarities between the friendship that is struck between Anne Bancroft's character Helene and Anthony Hopkin's FDP and ours! The friendships were both created through correspondence stemming from a mutual love of the written word. We've sent packages (you more than me!) and supported each other through life and although we have never met face-to-face, the friendship is real and enduring.

 

In the film, Helene forms deep friendships with all of the staff at the book shop and they with her. She sends them lifelines of food at times of hardship and they send her a lifeline through the English classics she is unable to source in New York.

 

She spends her life longing to see her England - the England of English Literature - and although her friends are able to travel and visit the shop, she does not until it is too late.

 

Judi Dench, whose blue eyes are not shining in this film, calls her Helen. Why is that? I was curious about how she saw this friendship between the American and her husband, but just like everyone else, they formed a connection that saw Nora (Dench) comfort Helene when Frank died - through written words.

 

My favourite scene was of Helene dusting her book shelf, surrounded by the numerous books the shop had sent her over the decades and her voiceover, describing their importance.

 

Not sad, the ending had Helene walking through the abandoned book store and instead of us regretting the timing, she showed us her connection to the place was as real as ever - letting Frank know, she made it.

 

To tell a story through the two sided correspondence is one of my favourite ways of watching a film. This movie is gorgeous. It made me miss London. And New York. More importantly, it reminded me to write.

 

I give this movie 8/10. Can't wait to hear your thoughts and your stories about this film.

Jodie

 

Read Rocky's Review here.



 

 

84 Charing Cross Road

A scene from the film when the staff at 84 receive a care package from Helene.

#73 Dear Rocky - Hector and the Search for Happiness

Read Rocky's review here!


Dear Rocky,

Thank you so much for indulging me with this film that was recommended to me by my ex-husband - he knows me well.

I loved this film. Everything about it. Firstly, I identified with Hector, not because I'm a psychiatrist, but as a psychologist I have at times found myself opposite my clients, feeling involved in their lives at times when I haven't felt so involved in my own. So I understood Hector's research, especially since I think I've done my own versions of that over the past few years.

The second part I loved was Hector's notebook. He writes and draws and it's simply divine. I would buy that book!

I know you struggled with it in the beginning and I have to agree that it was pretty far-fetched, especially in Africa. But... and it's a big BUT... Hector's note book saved all of those moments for me.

When Hector finds himself in China with the immediate temptation and excitement, at first I felt disappointed that he could so quickly move on, which detracted from his relationship with Rosamund Pike even though it appeared bland and mundane. But I found the fact the young woman was a prostitute organised by the sceptical businessman from the plane very poignant and a real learning curve for Hector.

Of course I agree with you about the profoundness of the scene on the aeroplane with the dying woman and her line "listening is loving" made me again consider what it is I do everyday and reminded me not to minimise the importance of that in other people's lives.

I know you loved Toni Collette's character, as did I, and I think we can all relate to the daydreaming about the one that got away - what if...? I also think this storyline was handled so beautifully and played wonderfully by Toni Collette who seemed so, well, happy.

But of course, my favourite storyline was that of the Buddhist monks and the prayer flags - happiness is all of the colours - which of course tied in with one of your favourite parts of the movie, and mine too. They are all there.

So maybe I'm a bit more taken with this one than you Rock, but I'm a sucker for so many of the things they've included in this film.

I loved your comparison to the Wizard of Oz by the way. But how true is it that "there's no place like home."

I give this film a 7.5/10.

What next Rock?

Jodie

#72 Dear Rocky - The Woman In Gold

Read Rocky's review here.



Dear Rocky,

I apologise for my absence - thank you as always for keeping our Facebook Page alive and well!

I finally have a breather from uni teaching and I've been able to watch some movies.

Gush Alert:

I'm going to try to contain myself here, but Helen Mirren has most definitely become my new Dame Judy Dench. What a brilliant actor. Wow.

There is so much to love about this true story set in Vienna during World War II. Maria Altmann (Mirren) is the Jewish niece of Adele Bloch-Bauer, The Woman in Gold. Her uncle had commissioned the artwork by Gustav Klimt which hung in their family home until stolen by the Nazi's when the young, newly married Maria fled the country with her husband.

This is one of the best movies I have seen in such a long time. I know you'll write about the production, but I thought the way they interweaved the past and the present was very clever.

Of course, the main plot is that of Maria hiring young lawyer Randy Shoenberg, brilliantly played by Ryan Reynolds who did not rely on his good looks to carry him in this role. How incredible that Shoenberg's grandfather was also from Vienna and a friend of Maria's family, not to mention also a famous composer. Together, the dynamic duo take on the government of Austria to regain possession of the now incredibly valuable heirloom ($100 Million).

What struck me the most in this incredible story were the relationships. Firstly, those of Maria and her family. We were shown the intimate details of her childhood and the importance of her aunt and uncle in her life - reading the storybook, dressing up, the necklace. And of course, Maria and her parents and her new husband.

The wedding scene conveyed such love and romance and the entire plot about Maria and her husband escaping Austria was incredibly suspenseful. Although I found that the chase scene occurred in the movie alone and not real life, I was surprised to read that Maria's husband Fritz was held at Dachau for 2 months prior to their escape and it took them three attempts before they successfully made it out.

Of course, the most sad of scenes for me was when Maria had to farewell her sick father and mother, knowing they would never see one another again - her father giving his blessing and urging her to leave and live and "never forget us". Heart breaking.

While Helen Mirren, with her perfect Austrian accent, blew me away once again with her precision acting, the young Maria, played by Tatiana Maslany also stole my heart. Her beautiful face conveyed so many subtle emotions throughout the story that my heart sang and broke time and time again.

It's also amazing to compare the actors with the real couple and see the similarities:

I don't know that I have ever hated a government as much as I hated the Austrian government while watching this film. Not only did they make it near impossible for anyone to fight for the justice of having their family belongings returned to them, they were downright unfair about it.

The process was fascinating and the impact it had on Randy and his family financially that was later rectified by the successful outcome was so just. To further endear us to Maria, she sold the painting to Neue Gallery in New York with the stipulation that it be accessible to the public everyday, forever.

I haven't mentioned Katie Holmes yet. She was okay.

I think I give this movie a solid 9/10.

Anyway, I'm off to cook some brownies. Over to you Rock!

Jodie

#71 Life

Wow, I can't believe I haven't written on here since March 9th this year.

It's funny - for the past five years I have struggled to strike a balance in my life. As I've written previously, since having breast cancer, I have swung between the extremes of trying to fit in as much life as I can per minute (you know, just in case...) and trying to live a calm and stress free existence.

I'm happy to report, that I think I'm just about as close as ever to the elusive 'B' word - Balance.

I really only have two free weeknights - Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have inevitably been filled with exercise, appointments, my nephews, uni preparation and up until this year, alternating between salsa classes and camera club. So you see, really, I had no nights off.

This year, although most of that still happens, I've managed to come to the understanding that you just can't do everything and so, I no longer stress out if I don't feel like going to salsa and I haven't been to camera club all financial year. It took the pressure off in the best way.

I've managed to finish my book after 2 1/2 years and although my literary agent is yet to find a publisher for it, I'm remaining optimistic and am even thinking about what I can write next. Maybe a couple of blog posts!

March 9th coincide with the beginning of the university trimester and I was lucky enough to teach a subject called The Human Mind for the coolest class of students. I've had a ball. It's finished now and I have some spare time again.... until next trimester that is. I've found it so important to have some variety in my work and although it's stressful, I've very much enjoyed and become comfortable in my sometimes role of Academic. Who would've thought....

The other thing I've been able to do, is binge watch some movies.... stay tuned for some movie reviews.

Hope you're all great!

x