November Favorites // 2017
It is officially December 2017 WHICH MEANS November is gone WHICH MEANS I need to get started on my Christmas shopping WHICH MEANS this year is almost over! How did that happen?! I swear, time is just flying by and I am hanging on by a propeller. Thankfully, I was able to hang on long enough to find some things to become obsessed with in November! And boy am I loving them a lot.
Ben Platt
Oh goodness gracious, where do I even begin with Ben Platt? For those non-theater geeks, Ben Platt is the talented actor who originated the title role in the musical Dear Evan Hansen, a show about a young high school boy who has trouble connecting with his peers and gets caught up in a lie about a fake friendship involving him and a classmate who recently committed suicide. And for those non-Pitch Perfect fans, Ben Platt also plays character Benji Applebaum, close-up magician and Treblemaker! Seeing as how I am both a theater and movie musical fan, Ben Platt has been on my radar for a little bit. But this month, he really rocked my world, mainly for his performance as Evan Hansen. I have had his voice blasting through my headphones for weeks now and I cannot get over how powerful and emotive his performance is. I’ve also been getting in my daily dose of Ben Platt interviews where you can just tell that’s he’s an endearing, passionate, and hardworking guy. He also signed with Atlantic Records recently so expect to see him all over the place. He's going to be an even bigger star than he already is now. Ugh, I just adore him.
If you get a chance, I highly, highly recommend checking out his performances of “Waving Through A Window” and “For Forever” from Dear Evan Hansen. Get your tissues ready.
Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives
I stumbled upon this book by chance. My office received a package one day from somebody who I believe had done freelance work for us or had talked to my boss (I’m not totally sure exactly what the answer is, but either of these feel like they could be right). Inside were two books called Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives, as well as small promotional items. I started flipping through the pages and words immediately started jumping out at me. As a writer, words really have the power to hit me in the gut and I greatly appreciate short prose structure that flows effortlessly. And Adam J. Kurtz nailed it for me. I’m not a big fan of word art, so I don’t have a lot of verbal affirmations around my room or house. That doesn’t mean I don’t need a little pick-me-up every once in a while and having a book full of thoughts and encouragements is super helpful for me. And this book covers so many different areas of a (creative) person's life, from getting started on a project to relationships with others. Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives provides great reminders on how to keep a level head, how not to get down about progress or failures, and to not hold onto anger.
You can find copies of Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.
The Sun and Her Flowers
I have been waiting for the release of The Sun and Her Flowers for so long! Two summers ago, I busted through Rupi Kaur’s debut novel Milk and Honey in one day. Actually, that same day I finished two other books, so really it was just a full-blown immerse literary day. When I first read Milk and Honey, I started crying. I’m not kidding, full on tears in the middle of Starbucks. Her words just really resonated with me and each page carried so much power. So I was so excited when I heard she would be releasing a second book! Rupi Kaur's ability to strike a chord in so few words is truly a gift that I admire and would love to have one day. Her simple doodles and drawings that accompany her pieces really complete each page. As somebody who had no problem expressing my emotions or getting in touch with my vulnerability, this book and Rupi Kaur's work really speaks to me.
You can find copies of The Sun and Her Flowers at your local Barnes & Noble, Third Place Books, Target, and even on Amazon.
What were you loving in November?