“All things seem possible in May.” — Edwin Way Teale

READING:

Books:
- Paris Letters: A Travel Memoir about Art, Writing, and Finding Love in Paris by Janice MacLeod — “‘How much money does it take to change your life?’ Unfulfilled at her job and unsuccessful in the dating department, Janice MacLeod doodled this question at her desk. Then she decided to make it a challenge. Over the next few months, with a little math and a lot of determination, she saved up enough to buy two years of freedom in Europe. But she had only been in Paris for a few days when she met a handsome butcher (with a striking resemblance to Daniel Craig)—and never went home again. A love story in the vein of Almost French and Lunch in Paris, Paris Letters is a joyful romp through the City of Light, and an inspiring look at what can happen when we dare to create the life we want. Realizing that her Parisian love affair would be forever, MacLeod began her own business on Etsy, creating beautifully-illustrated letters from Paris inspired by artists like Percy Kelly and Beatrix Potter. She now paints and writes full-time, bringing beautiful things to subscribers around the world and reviving the lost art of letter-writing” (Goodreads). This is a re-read for me. I wanted to revisit Janice’s beautiful illustrations and be inspired to create my own content.
- The Room on Rue Amélie by Kristin Harmel — “When fate brings them together, Ruby, Charlotte, and Thomas must summon the courage to defy the Nazis—and to open their own broken hearts—as they fight to survive. Rich with historical drama and emotional depth, this is an unforgettable story that will stay with you long after the final page is turned” (Goodreads). I thought I was done with Resistance novels, but I had reserved this one over a year ago, so what’s one more? One too many.
- A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan — “Morgan Carter, owner of the Odds and Ends bookstore in Door County, Wisconsin, has a hobby. When she's not tending the store, she's hunting cryptids--creatures whose existence is rumored, but never proven to be real. It's a hobby that cost her parents their lives, but one she'll never give up on. So when a number of bodies turn up on the shores of Lake Michigan with injuries that look like bites from a giant unknown animal, police chief Jon Flanders turns to Morgan for help. A skeptic at heart, Morgan can't turn down the opportunity to find proof of an entity whose existence she can't definitively rule out. She and her beloved rescue dog, Newt, journey to the Death's Door strait to hunt for a homicidal monster in the lake--but if they're not careful, they just might be its next victims” (Goodreads). I read the book to Eric in the car on the way to Door County, but nope, too many inaccuracies.
- My Own Magic: A Reappearing Act by Anna Kloots — “Despite what appeared to be a glamorous existence full of globetrotting adventures, behind the scenes, Anna Kloots felt invisible in her own life. Consumed by a marriage that left no space for her own desires, she chose to reframe the failure of her marriage as an opportunity to begin again. Now, for every woman searching for her voice, Anna shares her story of starting over by trusting the magic that was always within” (Goodreads).
Links:
- Google Flights Will Now Guarantee the Lowest Fare on Select Flights—or Refund You the Difference (via CN Traveler)
- ‘Maisel’ Creators Set Next Amazon Show: Ballet Drama (via Hollywood Reporter)
- Chanel’s Grasse Fields Offer a Glimpse Behind the Perfume-Making Scenes (via Wallpaper)
- In Honor of Audrey Hepburn’s Birthday, See 23 Rare Photographs From the Condé Nast Archives (via Vogue)
- A Look at the SS Edmund Fitzgerald Through the Years From Launch to Its Sinking (via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- The New Tiffany, Unboxed (via NYT) — I am eager to revisit Tiffany’s the next time I’m in NYC, but I’m sad that LVMH seems to have destroyed the nostalgic midcentury feeling of the classic Tiffany’s flagship store.
- The Making of Jackie Kennedy (via The New Yorker)
- 39 of the Most Breathtaking Chanel Sets Ever (via Vogue)
- The Fashion Editor’s Guide to Saint-Germain-des-Prés (via Marie Claire)

WATCHING:

Documentaries:
- Welcome to Wrexham (Hulu) — “Docuseries chronicling the purchase and stewardship of Wrexham AFC, one of professional football's oldest clubs, by two Hollywood actors, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney” (Hulu).
- Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Apple TV+) — “The film, which incorporates documentary, archival, and scripted elements, recounts Fox’s extraordinary story in his own words — the improbable tale of an undersized kid from a Canadian army base who rose to the heights of stardom in 1980s Hollywood. The account of Fox’s public life, full of nostalgic thrills and cinematic gloss, unspools alongside his never-before-seen private journey, including the years that followed his diagnosis, at 29, with Parkinson’s disease. Intimate and honest, and produced with unprecedented access to Fox and his family, the film chronicles Fox’s personal and professional triumphs and travails, and explores what happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease. With a mix of adventure and romance, comedy and drama, watching the film feels like … well, like a Michael J. Fox movie.”
- Call Me Kate (Netflix) — “Through newly uncovered audio and video footage, the inner life of intensely private screen legend Katharine Hepburn.”
A Man Called Otto (Netflix) — “Otto is a grump who's given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol, leading to a friendship that will turn his world around” (IMDb). The movie was good, but Fredrik Backman’s book, A Man Called Ove, was better.
The Diplomat (Netflix) — Amid an international crisis, a career diplomat juggles her new high-profile job as ambassador to the UK and her turbulent marriage to a political star” (Netflix). I can only describe this show as akin to a train wreck; I just can’t seem to divert my eyes. Keri Russell’s character is so off-putting. She is always unkempt and her language is deplorable. However, the little cliffhanger at the end of each episode compelled us to keep watching and the final minutes of Season 1 ensured that we will be tuning in for the second season.

LISTENING TO:

May Mini-Playlist:
- Lilacs - Op. 21 No. 5 (Rachmaninoff)
- Tea for Two (Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie Orchestra)
- Zou Bisou Bisou (Jessica Paré)
- Seul ce soir, (Swing 41, Midnight in Paris Soundtrack)
- The Lusty Month of May (Julie Andrew, Camelot)
- What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
- Chantons sous la pluie (Yvette Horner)
- Honey, Honey (ABBA)