Smashbomb

"800 or so pages this is the perfect book for a week-long vacation. From humble beginnings to the height of great power Rockefeller did it all. I think you’ll find he has more in common with Marcus Aurelius than today’s billionaires. Born the son of a flamboyant, bigamous snake-oil salesman and a pious, straitlaced mother, Rockefeller rose from rustic origins to become the world’s richest man by creating America’s most powerful and feared monopoly, Standard Oil. Branded “the Octopus” by legions of muckrakers, the trust refined and marketed nearly 90 percent of the oil produced in America."

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Kim Gordon recommended Mother Daughter Revolution in Books (curated)

"It’s about how feminism fails to address the relationship between mothers and daughters because of its emphasis on escaping the house. I didn’t finish it—who has the time or the energy to read when you’re a new mom?—but I remember how the book talked about the pressure to please and be perfect that every woman falls into and then projects onto her daughter. Nothing is ever good enough. No woman can ever outrun what she has to do. No one can be all things—a mother, a good partner, a lover, as well as a competitor in the workplace."

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Marcel Dzama recommended Murmur of the Heart (1971) in Movies (curated)

Murmur of the Heart (1971)

1971 | International, Comedy, Drama

(0 Ratings)

Movie Favorite

"The other Louis Malle I chose, my favorite of his and the first one I saw. I was lucky enough to take a class on Malle in university, and so I was exposed to this great filmmaker at a young age. This is by far the best coming-of-age story I have ever seen. The incestuous mother/son relationship is surprisingly underplayed and comical. In a scenario that would otherwise be shocking, Malle doesn’t judge his characters, he just tells their story. Also notable is the beautiful Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker soundtrack. A wonderful, rare movie."

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Liz Phair recommended The Mists of Avalon in Books (curated)

"My mother gave me this book to read in high school when I was sick with malingering cold and missing out on social events. But it was absorbing, unlike any other historical fantasy I’d read. Viewing Arthurian legend through the eyes of the female characters upended my sense of history altogether, showing me that even real world events can be viewed through many lenses. I loved identifying with the enchantress turned crusader. So dramatic! The heart strings it plucked—sexual frisson, jealousy, courage, betrayal, magic power—perfectly aligned with my turbulent emotional state as a restless young woman."

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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated What Lies Between Us in Books

Jan 20, 2021

Over the past 12 months, John Marrs has shot towards the top of my favorite authors' list, and 'What Lies Between Us' does not fail to deliver.

Featuring the most messed up of family dynamics, the gasp moments keep on coming as we try to decide who is most dysfunctional; daughter Nina or mother Maggie. They both put a big claim to the title.

The writing is so gripping that once you start you just want to keep on going, so despite the disturbing content I didn't want a break.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the copy

Kudos

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Home Again (2017) in Movies

Jul 11, 2019

Home Again (2017)

2017 | Comedy, Drama, Romance

6.8

(23 Ratings)

Movie Rating

A single mother, living with her two daughters in the sunniest part of LA is swept of her feet into polysemic ties between love, anger, confusion and men.

Home Again tells the story of a coming out and embracement of nostalgia through storytelling and friendship. The movie takes the audience on a ride through the typical life of filmmakers and performers inside the entertainment industry and captures the real life context beautifully through intricate directions in realism.

Whereas this movie this movie hits ominous tones of sad context, there is just enough comedic relief to make it a perfect heartwarming date night movie.