- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Avner Dorman’s “Astrolatry,” Claude Debussy’s “Nocturnes” and Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” Alys Stephens Center, March 4, 2023
- John Paul White and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, April 6, 2023
- Taylor Swift, (outside of) Nissan Stadium, Nashville, May 6, 2023
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Brian Raphael Nabors’ “Pulse,” Jennifer Higdon’s “Violin Concerto” and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Alys Stephens Center, May 13, 2023
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: VIvaldi’s Four Seasons, Avon Theater, May 18, 2023
- Nickel Creek, Avondale Brewing, May 29, 2023
- Fleet Foxes, Avondale Brewing, June 27, 2023
Novel recommendations for Emma
I used to blog. I used to blog frequently! But in recent years, that impulse has fallen away in favor of so many other pursuits: writing for money, journaling, obsessing about what I might write, yoga, writing for my book group, cycling, book reviews … The list could go on.
Recently I’ve worked on a couple of book recommendation lists, and I thought, why not share? Why not embrace the impulse to put something out into the world without overthinking it?
(Of course, I’ve thought about this for two weeks.)
So: A post. A list of book recommendations for a friend who took some time off between jobs and was enjoying Emily Henry and some historical fiction.
- Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson: Lillian cares for her former schoolmate’s two stepchildren, who often burst into flames. She’s trying to sort out what she’s doing with her life, and the kids are just trying to be kids while dealing with their unusual predicament. People often describe this novel as funny. It’s certainly odd, imaginative, but it didn’t strike me as funny. But I loved it. I cried (and that’s a good thing).
- Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead: I chose this one because of the historical fiction-ish novel Emma mentioned. Great Circle follows Marian Graves’ obsession with flight, a fascination that begins when she’s a kid and ultimately carries Marian around the world. Shipstead’s writing is vivid and well-researched without ever becoming pretentious. This one started slowly for me, but by page 100, I was hooked.
- Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi: I came to this one late, reading it for the first time in 2020–years after I saw Gyasi speak about it at an Aspen Words event! Gyasi follows the descendants of two half-sisters born in Ghana. Each chapter reads like a short story and could stand solo, but the book’s genius is the way these tales portray the generational effects of systemic racism.
- Goodbye for Now by Laurie Frankel: Gosh, I love Laurie Frankel’s books, especially this and “This is How It Always Is.” Sam meets his perfect match, Meredith, after he creates a brilliant algorithm for the dating company where they both work. Of course, that means the company’s members won’t return for continued membership, so Sam has the opportunity to find work elsewhere. After Meredith’s grandmother dies, Sam uses the algorithm to create a computer simulation that allows the two women to reconnect. The results are beautiful and heartbreaking. I wrote about this novel in much more detail for BookPage.
2022 in concerts
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Louise Farrenc’s Overture No. 2, Alberto Ginastera’s Variaciones concertantes and Max Richter’s Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Recomposed, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 19, 2022
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: John Adams’ “Christian Zeal and Activity,” Elliott Carter’s Symphony No. 1 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor,” Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 26, 2022
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Sergei Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 36, “Linz” and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3, “Scottish,” Alys Stephens Center, March 11, 2022
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Aaron Copland’s Orchestral Variations, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 and Johannes Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, Alys Stephens Center, May 6, 2022
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Tania León’s “Batá,” Johannes Brahms’ “Song of the Fates” and Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, “Choral” (“Ode to Joy”), Alys Stephens Center, May 20, 2022
- Smashing Pumpkins, Avondale Brewing, May 21, 2022
- Big Boi, City Walk BHAM, July 13, 2022
- The Chicks with Patty Griffin, Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta, Georgia, July 16, 2022
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Valerie Coleman’s “Seven O’clock Shout,” Maurice Ravel’s “La Valse” and “Piano Concerto for the Left Hand,” Modest Mussorgsky/Maurice Ravel’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 1, 2022
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 2, “Short Symphony,” Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story Symphonic Dances” and Brian Raphael Nabors’ “Hammond Organ Concerto,” Alys Stephens Center, Nov. 19, 2022
2021 in concerts
- Nickel Creek via Mandolin.com, Feb. 28, 2021
- Chris Thile at the Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts (Streaming), Storrs, Connecticut, April 17, 2021
- Cedric Burnside at Mom’s Basement, June 27, 2021
- Trampled by Turtles and Mt Joy at Avondale Brewing, Oct. 11, 2021
- Chris Thile at the Alys Stephens Center, Nov. 16, 2021
- Wood Brothers with The Dead Tongues, Lyric Theater, Dec. 9, 2021
- Behold the Lamb of God (Andrew Peterson Christmas show), Church at Brook Hills, Dec. 17, 2021
- Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires, The Nick, Dec. 18, 2021
2020 in concerts
The year the music went online
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture, Carols Izcaray’s Stringmaster Cello Concerto (world premiere) and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, Alys Stephens Center, Jan. 18, 2020
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Nielsen’s Helios Overture, Danielpour’s Clarinet Concerto from From the Mountaintop and Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 1, 2020
- Amanda Shires, Saturn, Feb. 8, 2020
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Lopez’s Fiesta, Lieberson’s Neruda Songs, Piazzolla’s Tangazo and de Falla’s El Amor Brujo, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 15, 2020
- UAB Wind Symphony and Symphony Band, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 27, 2020
- “Y’all Come: The Ballad of Big Jim Folsom” with music, Thank You Books, Feb. 29, 2020
- Marc Broussard, Lyric Theatre, March 11, 2020
- Josh Ritter, The Silo Sessions on Facebook Live, March 24, 2020
- Josh Ritter, The Silo Sessions on YouTube, March 31, 2020
- Lee Bains Gospel Hour, Facebook Live, April 1, 2020
- Josh Ritter, The Silo Sessions on YouTube, April 7, 2020
- Lee Bains Gospel Hour, Facebook Live, April 8, 2020
- Lee Bains Facebook Live, April 11, 2020
- Lee Bains Gospel Hour, Facebook Live, April 15, 2020
- Lee Bains, Facebook Live via Druid City Brewing Company, April 25, 2020
- Van Hollingsworth, YouTube via AARP Alabama, Sept. 10, 2020
- Punch Brothers, Live at Bluebird via Mandolin.com, Nov. 15, 2020
- Patty Griffin, Live at The Continental Club via Mandolin.com, Dec. 5, 2020
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra Maestro’s Ball online, Dec. 31, 2020
2019 in concerts
- Fort Atlantic and War Jacket, WorkPlay, Jan. 17
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Rite of Spring and Carmina Burana, Alys Stephens Center, Jan. 18
- The Magic Math, Dirty Lungs and Soul Desert, The Nick, Jan. 25
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Der Freischutz Overture, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (with Joyce Yang), Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 2
- Me and My Knife and The Burning Peppermints, The Nick, Feb. 9
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde prelude and
liebestod , Martin Kennedy Piano Concerto and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 15 - Terry Ohms, Taylor Hollingsworth
and Results of Adults, Mom’s Basement, Feb. 16 - Great Lake Swimmers and Native Harrow, Avondale Brewing, Feb. 19
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: William Grant Still’s Darker America, Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Anton Dvorak’s Symphony No. 6, Alys Stephens Center, March 23
- Patty Griffin with Scott Miller, Iron City, March 27
- The Magic Math and Matthew Carroll, The Nick, April 1
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: William Grant Still’s Serenade, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 and No. 5, Alys Stephens Center, April 5
- Derek Webb, Seeds Coffee, April 12
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Overture from Le nozze de Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Antonin Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, Pastoral, Alys Stephens Center, April 19
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Alys Stephens Center, May 10
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Johannes Brahms’ Tragic Overture, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 3, Rhenish, Alys Stephens Center, May 17
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Great Fugue, Johannes Brahms’ Haydn Variations and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Alys Stephens Center, June 1
- Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, Seasick Records, June 15
- Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Birmingham Museum of Art, Aug. 9
- Beck and Cage the Elephant, Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Aug. 27
- The Brummies and Funk You, Avondale Brewing, Sept. 13
- Riley Moore and Bea Troxel, Laura and Graham’s backyard, Sept. 19
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 5
- The Wandering Hearts and Justin Townes Earle, WorkPlay, Oct. 9
- Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires, Loam Lands and Dree Leer, The Nick, Oct. 19
- Com Truise and altopalo, Saturn, Nov. 9
2018 in concerts
- Steve’s Guitars (I’ve got to remember the name of the band!)
- Ordinary Elephant and Man About A Horse, house show, April 13, 2018
- Sloss Fest: Jason Isbell and Arcade Fire, July 14, 2018
- Journey and Def Leppard, BJCC Arena, Aug. 20, 2018
- The Dexateens, The Nick, Aug. 27, 2018
- Blues potluck, The Jaybird, Sept. 22, 2018
- Iron Horse and Will Stewart, Vulcan AfterTunes, Oct. 7, 2018
- Chris Thile, Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 10, 2018
- Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires with Me & My Knife and Shaheed and DJ Supreme, The Nick, Dec. 28, 2018
A year in reading
It’s just after 8:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, and I’ve completed my reading goal for the year.
I’m a list maker, and so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I’ve kept track of my reading habits for more than a decade. GoodReads has simplified that process, and also made it easier to identify how my reading correlates to my well being. That’s more intriguing to me than the number of books assigned to each year; when my numbers dip, I’m usually consumed by some hardship. As Anna Quindlen wrote, “Reading has always been my home, my sustenance, my great invisible companion.” When we’re not together, I’m off.
2017 was a year of reconciling Colorado’s beautiful days and abundant outdoor opportunities with my passion for books. I’ve made my peace with the fact that I can’t engage in the physical practice of yoga while reading, but this year I also had to choose between skiing and reading, or riding my bike and reading, or hiking and reading.
Still, I was able to read 75 books.*
And what books they were. I am stingy when assigning stars on GoodReads; if I thoroughly enjoyed a book, it starts out with a three-star rating. If it was good enough but not memorable, the book is likely to snag two stars. Because of that, I was surprised to realize I rated 21 books with four or five stars this year.
These are my standouts of 2017. What were yours?
FIVE
- “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster (I can’t believe it took me 36 years to get to this one! What a delightful book.)
- “Looking for Alaska” by John Green (reread)
- “When Women Were Birds: 54 Variations on Voice” by Terry Tempest Williams (My favorite author 2017 introduced me to.)
- “Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions” by Chimama Ngozi Adichie
- “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur
- “The Futilitarians: Our Year of Thinking, Drinking, Grieving, and Reading” by Anne Gisleson (I’m still thinking about this one.)
- “A Child of Books” by Oliver Jeffers
- “My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues” by Pamela Paul
- “Noah Webster and His Words” by Jeri Chase Ferris
- “White Girl in Yoga Pants: Stories of Yoga, Feminism, & Inner Strength” by Melissa Scott (I helped edit this one, and I’m so proud of my dear friend for sharing her stories and insight!)
FOUR
- “Our Short History” by Lauren Grodstein
- “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory” by Caitlin Doughty
- “Love Warrior” by Glennon Doyle Melton
- “Heating & Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs” by Beth Ann Fennelly (Merits a re-read, and may merit another star!)
- “On the Teaching of Creative Writing: Responses to a Series of Questions” by Wallace Stegner
- “The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying” by Nina Riggs (I may bump this one up to five stars if and when I reread it.)
- “Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After” by Heather Harpham (This too was close to a five-star read. I had a great year of reviewing, clearly.)
- “The Giver” by Lois Lowry (Reread. I intend to revisit this fantastic book on Sept. 14 of each year, in my sister’s memory.)
- “Lassoing the Sun: A Year in America’s National Parks” by Mark Woods
- “The BFG” by Roald Dahl
- “May Cause Love: An Unexpected Journey of Enlightenment After Abortion” by Kassi Underwood
*Please note, I would never want someone to feel shamed because I read more than he or she does. I prioritize reading because it’s one of the most important things in my life. It is part of what makes me me. I do encourage everyone to read, but I also recognize that we all have different priorities. For example, one of my girl friends aims to spend times on trails each day. I … do not. I admire her drive, and it’s similar to how I feel about books. So, you do you. But if you want reading recommendations, I’ve got ’em!
Five months, 12 books and the security they provide
A Nissan Altima can only hold so much. And the average 35-year-old American woman probably owns more than that sedan’s capacity.
I know I do. Packing to move to Colorado presented a challenge: I didn’t know how long I’d live with my best friends before I found my own space. I needed to prepare for a change of season–perhaps seasons–and leave room in the car for me, my father and my two orange cats.
I reduced my belongings, selling some and donating others. I boxed up the rooms of my house, sorting them into a storage pile and a move-right-away pile. As I did, I faced one of the most challenging questions of the move:
Which books should I bring with me?
Heather, the aforementioned roommate, said my room had plenty of space. I should bring as many books as I wanted! But that wasn’t the issue, I reminded her. The challenge was not overfilling my car’s 116 cubic feet of space.
Some argue the books we buy say as much about us as the books we read. I don’t know if that’s true, but surely the books I packed (and the books I later acquired) reveal something of who I am. I settled on a 12-book limit; if I read them all (because I’m so good at limiting myself to what I already own, right?), I could visit the library or Book Train and replenish.
I read only one of those 12 books.
I slept with “Looking for Alaska” beside me the night I learned my sister died. It’s one of my comfort books, a go-to novel for whatever emotion I experience. But when I was ready to read, I turned instead to Joan Didion. “The Year of Magical Thinking” mirrored my experience, in some way, as Didion worked to understand the new shape of her life.
I bought many more books during the four-and-a-half months my bookcases and I were apart. I visited the library–conveniently located just behind my office–more times than I could count. I developed a habit of visiting my local bookstore when in mourning. And though my reading time now competes with my outside time, I’ve spent many hours with my nose between hundreds of pages.
Now I’m again faced with the 260-plus books I own but haven’t yet read, not just the nine in that cross-country dozen. It’s comforting to be surrounded by these friends, old and new. But I look back over this list and wonder, perhaps there’s something calling me to them, now, after all.
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
- Page One: Inside the New York Times and the Future of Journalism by David Folkenflick
- Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West by Dorothy Wickenden
- The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffeneger
- Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
- The Science of Yoga by William J. Broad
- My Kind of Place by Susan Orlean
- Love Illuminated by Daniel Jones
- The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild
- Between the World and Me by Ta-nehisi Coates
- My Age of Anxiety by Scott Stossell
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Yeah, and OK, I also ended up with a couple of books as gifts or books that I didn’t mean to bring just yet, but had to because I forgot to pack them. Best-laid plans and all.
2017 in concerts
- Nina Gabianelli in Thunder River Theatre Company’s inaugural Diva Cabaret, March 20, 2017
- Cory Henry, Downstairs at Little Nell, March 31, 2017
- Universal Sigh, Steve’s Guitars, May 28, 2017
- Ryan Adams with Infinite Stringdusters, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, Colorado, June 20, 2017
- Brothers Keeper with John Popper, Fanny Hill at Snowmass, June 22, 2017
- Widespread Panic, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, Colorado, June 24, 2017
- Reckless Kelly, Ute Theater, June 27, 2017
- Drive-By Truckers, Fanny Hill at Snowmass, June 30, 2017
- Ryan Speedo Green, Paepcke Auditorium, Aspen, July 9, 2017