Feldman's Faves: February 22, 2021

Happy Monday everyone. I hope everyone had a chance to get outside yesterday as it was glorious (stay inside today, it is nasty out there now).

Empire Falls by: Richard Russo – Thank you, Ivanka – I wanted to read this book for years, and you inspired me. This 2001 Pulitzer Prize winning novel gained some additional attention earlier this year when one of Ivanka Trump’s friends noted that Ivanka was not interested in reading this book because its about poor people, showing once again that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. I LOVE this book (and apparently there is a great movie starring Paul Newman, Robin Wright, Ed Harris and many other huge stars). Empire Falls is a story about a community in a small town in Maine. The protagonist runs a local diner and is the centre of this novel that weaves in and out of the past to explain the sordid history of the town. The story is in many ways a typical one of small town America describing relationships and long histories that develop among people in these towns – from both the “right” and “wrong” sides of the tracks (which in this case is actually a river) , with high drama, love, divorce, rivalries, heartbreak, tragedy and redemption.. The bigger picture at least to me, is a statement by Richard Russo on the decline on of many of the once great manufacturing towns in America and what this decline does to the quality of its people’ lives of all ages. Here is the original NYT Book Review from back in 2001 with a good plot summary and discussion of the key themes and use of symbolism - https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/10/books/books-of-the-times-turning-against-the-tide-in-a-backwater.html

"Billie Eilish & Finneas O'Connell" SmartLess – In this PODCAST three idiots, Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes, interview bucket list guests and have a lot of dumb and silly fun. Last week’s episode included Ms. Ocean Eyes herself, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas. They are the greatest brother/sister duo since the Carpenters and are creating unbelievably beautiful and creative music. They even wrote the music for the next Bond film. It’s a great conversation where they show real insight into handling skyrocketing fame, life on tour and their creative process. Also some interesting tidbits such as Finneas’ roles on Glee and Modern Family.

Here is the description from Smartless itself: Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell are our esteemed first-time-ever Duo Guests in Podland, USA. Welcome to SmartLess, friends. Please keep all arms and limbs safely inside the vehicle and be sure to wear these neon protective goggles, conveniently referred to as Ocean Eyes.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/smartless/id1521578868?i=1000509086968

I appreciate the dialogues we have been having on these recommendations and I encourage even more.

As always, read or delete at your leisure.

And remember to stay safe and to docket daily.

Jon