Books Archives - The Culture Mom

08Aug

Where You’ll Find Me

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I haven't been writing as much as of late, not due to a shortage of things to talk about, but mainly because of a workload that has been taking me away from doing some of the things I love. Yep, when you work full time, it's hard to partake in the things you love. Last week a business trip took me to Los Angeles, and I went a few days early and enjoyed the beauty of Southern California. I went boogie boarding in Santa Monica, dining in SilverLake, exploring in Pasadena and hiking in the Palisades. It was heaven, and a bonus, I was on my own, without the Read More

20Feb

FlashBack Post: Do Women Want to be Submissives? A Look at Fifty Shades of Grey.

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(This post is nearly three years old but I feel compelled to post it again, in light of the recent release of the film, as well as the most interesting comment I got at the end - so scroll down. I haven't seen the film...yet.) On a recent trip to London, I took a trip to my favorite UK bookstore, Waterstone’s, and roamed the shelves. As I searched for books to bring home that I can’t get in the U.S., a book caught my eye that I had been hearing a lot about. Yes, Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James. I had been following the talk about this book for some Read More

17Sep

From Book to Screen: A Chat with “This is Where I Leave You” Author Jonathan Tropper

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Jonathan Tropper is on a roll. Not only did he watch his novel, This is Where I Leave You, shoot to the top of the best-selling charts, but he optioned it to a film studio. Then they asked him to write the screenplay and he got to keep the story and characters as faithful to its original concept as possible, a rarity these days in Hollywood. After seeing the film, which stars an ensemble that includes Jason Bateman and Tina Fey, I felt even closer to the characters he brought to life on celluloid so vividly, and I was eager to talk to him (along with a Read More

28Aug

An Unkosher Love In “Like No Other” (+ Q&A with Author Una LaMarche & Book Giveaway)

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I have met some of the most amazing women via social media and other personal and professional pursuits over the last few years, but most particularly during my time producing Listen to Your Mother. These women are talented, creative and extremely prolific. Una LaMarche is one of them. She appeared in the first season of the LYTM show in NYC. Little did I know that during the production of our show, Una was writing a novel called Five Summers. I also didn't know that she would meet her agent as a result of being in our show and soon become a fabulous Read More

30Jun

Taking My Tween to See The Fault in Our Stars

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When I interviewed the author John Green, who wrote The Fault in Our Stars, I was a bit star-struck. Here I was schmoozing with the Judy Blume of our day, and one of the other interviewers on the call asked him how he felt about that title. He admitted that being called the modern Judy Blume made him feel uneasy but also very proud. Her books dealt the tough issues of puberty and adolescence of her day and so do his. He writes so eloquently about illness, death, falling in love, breaking up and the tough choices we have to make in life. It was just Read More

26May

An Interview with ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ Author John Green

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I was recently part of a group of culture and book bloggers who asked author John Green a few questions about the upcoming release of the film adaptation of the he extremely popular young adult novel The Fault in Our Stars. His excitement for the film was quite infectious, even over the phone, and there can't be anyone more excited about the release of the film...except the public. Since the official trailer was released by Twentieth Century Fox a few short months ago, it has received over 19 million views. Here’s what I found out about his involvement Read More

01Mar

Thinking About The Fault in Our Stars

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I finished the book The Fault in Our Stars in a few days. I have to admit I didn't know much about it beforehand, and I read in the hopes of passing it onto my 10 year-old daughter who's an avid reader when I finished it. After more than one attempt to start a book club with the moms of her friends, I've finally decided that the two of us can have it alone. While I found the book quite beautiful, it was also quite jarring and I'm not quite sure whether or not to share it with her. Should I keep the experience to myself and wait a year or two? I'm not Read More

24Jan

Book Review: Beautiful Ruins

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I recently broke a reading drought with Beautiful Ruins, a remarkable and transporting novel that swept me away not only to a remove village in Italy on the coast but also to Hollywood. It goes back and forth in time to tell the full story of a group of people whose lives intermingle. There's a famous film producer, his assistant, a once known actress, the real Richard Burton during the time he broke up Elizabeth Taylor's marriage, an Italian fisherman and his family and a struggling screen writer. It doesn't take long for the reader to figure Read More

31Oct

Good Reads

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Now that I'm commuting to the city, I'm finding myself with seventy minutes more than I ever had before, time for some good reads. It's time to myself, with no interruptions and no one to worry about. I can literally keep my head down for an extended period of time. Since I live in a small town, there is always the chance of bumping into people on the way in that I have to spend time talking so I do my best to avoid talking types (and I'm quite sure they try to avoid me, as well). It's a quiet ride, and I'm doing my best to stay off my phone and Read More

20Oct

The Soupmaker’s Kitchen by Aliza Green

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When I make homemade soup, I'm a hero in my house. My family loves soup. Butternut squash, lentil, broccoli, cauliflower. Whatever I make, they love. Best of all, besides the mutual soup admiration club, I always feel good that I'm serving something healthy. Pureed vegetables with water or milk and very little else, what can be better than that? I also love the fact that a pot lasts several days and takes us through several meals. There is no downside (except the cleanup). According to a new book THE SOUPMAKER'S KITCHEN (Quarry Books, July 2013, Read More