Reading
So I finished Lethal White by Robert Galbraith. It was very good. Didn’t disappoint. 🙂 And now I’ve started Coyote America by Dan Flores.
I borrowed this from one of the wonderful members of my writing group and I’m only a chapter in so far, but there have already been some interesting tidbits about coyotes and their history. This is a non-fiction book with the subtitle “A Natural and Supernatural History” so that should give you some idea of what it’s about.
I can’t say I know much about coyotes and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one, which the more I read this book almost seems rare! Apparently, coyotes are everywhere in America including NYC (!!). So who knows maybe before I finish this book, I’ll have a coyote sighting. 🙂
Watching
A couple weeks ago I noticed that one of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movies was available on Netflix, Strangers On A Train, so I had to give it another watch.
Strangers On A Train is about two men who meet on a train and get to discussing a person in their life who they would be better off without, thereby leading to a “suggestion” that they trade murders. The perfect plan, right?
Without giving too much away, what I like about this movie is the idea that a completely random occurrence could lead to something unpredictable and horrifying. Sounds odd when I say it out loud like that, but we all like to be disturbed sometimes, right? That’s what horror is all about, although this is a thriller. Also, I really like the carnival scenes. Really adds to the sense of unease and chaos. 🙂
I’m a big fan of classic movies and of Alfred Hitchcock. My favorite Hitchcock movies are Rear Window and Vertigo, but there’s a bunch of them I like. Shadow Of A Doubt comes to mind, which is one I had never heard of until a couple years ago. Also, a couple that aren’t thrillers come to mind–Mr. and Mrs. Smith (a screwball comedy) and The Trouble With Harry (black comedy). He made a bunch of movies so there’s plenty to explore if you’re interested. I’ve even watched one of his silent films, The Lodger, which I thought was pretty good. That was on YouTube, where I believe most, if not all, of his silents are available.
Listening
I find myself more and more listening to instrumental music, or electronic, but the point is–no vocals. I often find it more soothing and relaxing, and I find it much easier to work to. I actually have trouble working to music with vocals. I find it a little distracting. On a bit of a side note, when I’m writing fiction I prefer the timeless sounds of…silence. Just me and the voices in my head. 🙂
I have several favorite instrumental playlists on Spotify–Peaceful Piano, Lo-Fi Beats, Jazz Vibes and Genre Glitch. There’s some interesting stuff here. Lo-Fi Beats is basically mellow hip hip without the rapping and Genre Glitch is electronic music with a lot of computer-y sounds.
I also have a Ravenclaw Common Room ambient sounds track, which is really wonderful. There’s a little music but it’s mostly just different sounds. Taken all together it’s a really cool thing to listen to while working or anytime you need some ambient noise. I found this on Ambient-Mixer.com.
Alright, that’s it for this month. What are you reading, watching and listening to?
Amanda Linehan is the author of North, about a young woman on the run from her past, the law and an old adversary out to get her. Her newest release is Bored To Death: A Vampire Thriller, about a 300-year-old vampire trying to restore the balance between life and death. She has published five novels. Get a free short story every month when you sign up for her newsletter.
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