Listology

Recommendations for your summer enjoyment, most of which I have discovered and utilized to pass the time while being over here in Korea......................

TUNES:
1. Strawberry Swing by Coldplay
2. Ocean and a Rock by Lisa Hannigan
3. A Dustland Fairytale by The Killers
4. Corners by Allie Moss
5. The Chain by Ingrid Michaelson
6. Goodnight, Travel Well by The Killers
7. Viva La Vida by Coldplay
8. Elephants by Rachael Yamagata
9. Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay by Sara Bareilles
10. What a Difference a Day Makes by Dinah Washington
11. Gonna Get Over You by Sara Bareilles
12. Time To Pretend by MGMT
13. Mellow Mood by Bob Marley
14. Just Dance by Lady Gaga

BOOKS:
1. This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin (a fascinating and scientific account as to how and why music moves you and sets your moods)
2. The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenger ( a little risque and graphic, but a clever and beautiful story about a couples' unique journey together)
3. 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith ( an often hilarious and moving story about a group of randoms living in Edinburgh, Scotland. The first of four in a series)
4. All the Names by Jose Saramango (follows the determination of a "nobody" at the central registry to locate an unknown woman he has unexplainably become fascinated by - quite brilliant.)
5. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (recommend reading before seeing the up and coming movie; the story of a father and son on a journey of survival through desolate America. Intense and perfectly executed)
6. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Saffron Foer ( a wildly entertaining and heartbreaking narrative from a young boy who lost his father in 9/11 and sets out on a mission to find the lock of a mysterious key his father carried on his keychain)

TV/MOVIES:
1. The Iditarod on Discovery Channel (follows the historic race)
2. Spanish Dinner (mini series with Gwyneth Paltrow and 3 buddies skipping around Spain)
3. The Office (hilarious)
4. New York Times Tiny Kitchen (found on YouTube; a writer for the paper prepares creative meals in her tiny Manhattan kitchen)
5. Expedition Africa on the History Channel (4 explorers go deep into the heart of the African wilderness)
6. Australia (a drawn out yet rip-roaring film across the Outback)
7. Mama Mia ( a cheesy, ridiculous musical. Count me in.)
8. 7 Pounds (Not usually a fan of Will Smith, but liked him in this movie; sad yet inspiring)
9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (again, somewhat sad......but unlike anything I've seen before. Fascinating)
10. Defiance (the true story of a group of soldiers during WWII who set up camp in the woods and held their ground for as long as they could)
11. Marley and Me (I like Owen Wilson, and this family fun film about a beloved dog was better than expected)
12. Bride Wars (definite chick flick and provides a good laugh)
13. Slumdog Millionaire (winner of best picture Oscar for a reason)
14. The Proposal (I haven't seen this yet, but Sandra Bullock stars so........)