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 10/7-10/13.
Album: Rubber Soul (1965)
As fall slowly settles in, take a moment to listen to The Beatles’ sixth studio album, Rubber Soul. Despite being underrated, the album, at only 35 minutes and 14 songs, one of the most cohesive, consistent albums of the Fab Four’s repertoire in my opinion. Despite its consistency, the themes of the songs vary: the opening “Drive My Car” a jaunty, fun driving tune; the following “Norwegian Wood” has a distinctive musical depth and storyline lyrics; “Michelle” adds a French-infused love song, and finally, perhaps the most notable of the album, the beloved “In My Life,” one of the band’s most mature sounds that covers themes of life, death, and all the people along the way. If nothing else, the album was a shift from the commercial sensationalism of Beatlemania while reflecting other bands at the time (notably Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and The Kinks), and transitioning the band to a mellower sound that grounded the more introspective listeners to come.
Movie: Notting Hill (1999)
My favorite rom-com ever, Notting Hill provides just the right combination of mushy, romantic scenes and witty humor within a stereotypical, but exciting, archetype. The bookish, quintessential British man from a small town meets the acclaimed American actress of New York, and Julia Roberts (Anna) and Hugh Grant (Will), as the titular couple, deliver charming performances with quality executions rare for the genre. However, it’s the background characters that cement the movie as a favorite; from Will’s eccentric sister Honey, to his childhood friend Bella, the characters feel real, like someone you could know in your own life–they simply make the story more relatable. Does the film have some logical fallacies? Sure, most rom-coms do, but my advice is to ignore the improbabilities and just come along for the ride. Lean into the ridiculousness, enjoy the humor, and feel inspired by the sincerity, simplicity, and sappiness of William and Anna’s romance.
Book: Circe by Madeline Miller (2018)
Circe, a novel by Madeline Miller (who’s actually a historian, for all of you worried about misconstruing Greek mythology) is a captivating retelling of the life of the little known eponymous enchantress. The plot delves deeply into her character, transforming her from a mere figure in the Odyssey into a complex and sympathetic protagonist, one that the reader can easily begin to root for. Miller’s prose is both lyrical and engaging, making the ancient world feel vivid and alive. The story explores themes of power, transformation, and self-discovery, as Circe navigates exile, gods, mortals, and misfortune. Miller blends mythology with modern storytelling – something found in her other books, The Song of Achilles and Galatea – and engages the current reader, who might otherwise be bored by the traditional tales of Greek mythology. With a strong female protagonist who is developed, and not just a figurehead of feminism, Circe provides readers with a deeply intellectual and truly intriguing experience.
