Celebrate Reading and Movies
When I was a child, my Big Daddy and Granny would come pick me up right after Baptist choir camp to spend a month or so with them in the mountains. It was in many ways a very special time. Cousins would come and go, but it was particularly fantastic that I alone was chosen to stay all summer long. Perhaps it was because I looked just like my mother and for my grandparents, it was a way for them to stay close to their daughter vicariously through me. In any case by late June, I was whisked away from the heat of Monroe and taken to the cool mountain air in search of perfect cantaloupes and watermelons, mountain hikes and fishing.
Each week, Big Daddy and I would go down the mountain to Boone to shop and say hello to friends. My favorite store there was called “The Curiosity Shop.” It was filled with books and had a quirky staircase with even more books. Big Daddy and I had stumbled upon it years ago, and each week we made a point to drop by. He would give me a handful of money, wink at me and say, “Now I’ll stay right here in the car and let you get your shopping done.”
The store owner knew me, and she knew that I loved reading. I also loved paper dolls. There was this collection of paper dolls, and each girl had her own pop together house. All of the paper dolls I collected over one summer and each week like a new neighbor moving in, I would assemble them along the ledges in the sun room. I remember one had a kitten while the other had a dog. It was a lot of fun…. free from any electronics. I remember also reading books like A Wrinkle in Time, Nancy Drew, and everything Judy Blume wrote. I could devour a book a week and sometimes even more if no other family was visiting.
Films have always been a big part of my married life. Brian is more of a movie watcher than a book reader, and we always find ourselves “in the know” if you will when it comes to films.
Lionsgate Films contacted me a few months ago and asked me to be a part of their sweepstakes surrounding their latest movie entitled What to Expect When You’re Expecting. We were both pleased and more than a little honored when they called to ask us to be in Los Angeles at the world premier and walk the red carpet with Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz amongst others. The movie was absolutely hilarious, a great movie for those seasoned in the art of parenting, and daunting for those just getting their feet wet! I even got bumped by Courtney Love and sat adjacent to Lindsey Lohan at the after party! Our local Star Cinema Grill in Missouri City has teamed up with me to offer something very special for the Alisa Murray client family. As a part of being a client with me, each child receives on their birthday a free movie pass. I am so excited to introduce my “children” to the wonderful world of film. There’s a bunch of fabulous films right around the corner. Brave and The Avengers and Dark Shadows to just name a few!
This past year, the Oscar winner of the short animation film went to The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. It is an amazing story based on the Hurricane Katrina and also about a love of books. Each time I watch it, it makes me cry. The story is so poignant it reaches me as an artist, as a mother and as a legacy leaver of my craft for others to enjoy long after I have passed the torch and are gone. You should watch it. Books are very important whether they are in paper or now, in electronic form. I have compiled a short list of my favorite reads both current and from over the past twenty years or so. If you get a chance to download, purchase them, or go by the library (what an amazing concept), I am sure you will be fed both spiritually as well as just entertained. Be aware, though, that some of these titles are not for consumption by the young or young adult. I leave you to your movie watching and reading!
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding
- Naked by David Sedaris
- Can’t Wait to get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg
- This I Believe compiled by Studs Terkel
- Imagine by Jonah Lehrer
- The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
- Bible Handbook by George W. Knight
If you get a chance to read them, please let me know whatcha thought!
Have a great July, and as always,
