Each week, the staff here at The Anchor give their recommendations on an album, book and movie to enjoy. Here are our recommendations for the week of 1/15-1/21.

Album- Funeral by Arcade Fire

Recommended by Sarah Nabi

Funeral is the 2004 debut studio album by the Canadian indie rock band, Arcade Fire. The album has an undoubtedly unique sound, exemplified by the menagerie of instruments (everything from the guitar and bass, to the xylophone, organ, accordion, and recorder) that lend themselves to what can only be described as a cathartically upbeat rhythm and quickly pace. Don’t be fooled though, the harmony of voices sing lyrics that are flooded with the pain that comes with loss. Having made the album following a series of deaths and breakups amongst the band members, Funeral captures the agony that lives when loved ones do not, and the joy that (eventually) exists despite it. If not for the engaging sound, listen to Funeral for its impressive lyricism and endlessly relevant message.

Film- Lord of the Rings Trilogy by Peter Jackson

Recommended by Francisco Aguirre-Ghiso

How do you adapt a tale like Lord of the Rings? With the novel’s sheer scale in worldbuilding and content, many found it impossible to fit all of it into a film. Peter Jackson on the other hand, dreamed it to be possible. What came next is an 11 hour trilogy regarded by many as one of the most successful and well-executed dream projects in cinema history. Lord of the Rings excels on all fronts as a film; it is immensely enjoyable, wonderfully crafted and true to the world building of Tolkien’s original novel. The ambitious nature of this project cannot be understated, as many believed that a novel like Lord of the Rings was unadaptable to film. But with the help of some masterful producing, a nifty contract and a talented cast and crew, Lord of the Rings not only became a great film trilogy, it became regarded as one of the best, if not the best film trilogy of all time. The third installment of the trilogy, Return of the King, won all 11 awards it was nominated for at the 2004 Oscars, including Best Picture, and grossed over 1 billion USD. The Lord of the Rings films are beacons of entertainment, guides on how to create impactful and unwavering stories. No trilogy will stand the test of time as Lord of the Rings will. I myself rewatch this trilogy every year with my family, as many do all around the world. The joy of cinema is to get lost in the world on the screen, and no film will immerse you in a story like Lord of the Rings will.

Book- Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephan Chbosky 

Recommended by Sarah Nabi

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a quick, easy read that is perfect for readers that are short on time. Don’t be mistaken though, its pages hold the poignant story of Charlie, a freshman in the 1990s, as he navigates the endlessly confusing time that is high school. We see ourselves reflected in the book’s characters through their moments of intense vulnerability and joy. making the novel genuinely touching. While we do explore the darkness of trauma, the difficulty of fitting in, and the weight of loneliness, we are also lucky to be privy to the blossoming of love, the perseverance of friendship, and the innocence of youth. The Perks of Being a Wallflower will stay with you long after you’ve flipped the last page.

If you want to submit your own recommendations, contact Francisco Aguirre-Ghiso at [email protected]