Empty Nest recommendations for movies and books

By Curt Swarm

A must see movie is “A Man Called Otto” with Tom Hanks, Mariana Trevino and Tom Hanks’ son, Truman. Both Ginnie and I read the book, saw the original Swedish movie on Netflix, “A Man Called Ove,” and now the American version. Outstanding! Although Ove’s love of Saabs over Volvos plays much better than Otto’s love of Chevys over Fords. BTW: Mariana Trevino upstages Tom Hanks, hands down.

“Blonde” starring Ana de Armas, based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates, on Netflix, is a shocker. This fictionalized version of Marilyn Monroe had me going over scenes in my head for days. Bobby Cannavale, playing Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn’s second husband, does an outstanding job. Warning: movie should be rated Triple R!

“The Wonder” on Netflix is a wonder. I read the book by Emma Donoghue a couple of years ago, so when the movie came out, Ginnie and I settled in. Like the story of a virgin birth recurring throughout history, a woman who appears to live without food, also pops up now and then. In fact, in my book review below, Martin Luther, in the 16th century, also encounters a woman who allegedly lives without food.

Speaking of Martin Luther, if you don’t read another book the rest of your life, read “Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World” by Eric Metaxas. Actually, you could spend the rest of your life reading “Martin Luther.” There is so much material, information and history, and Metaxas is such an intricate, detailed biographer, that I read the Introduction, Epilogue, footnotes, Appendices (something I don’t normally do), and am ready to start reading the book again and again and again.

Have you ever read a book and wished you could read more of that book and author?

Well, the well doesn’t run dry with Metaxas. Can’t say I agree with his politics, but as far as one of the best authors writing today, he has the corner market, biographies in particular. And with Kindle — when I’m done with one book, voila! I don’t even have to leave my recliner and another book is in my sweaty palms.

Metaxas’ threesome of “Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World,” “Amazing Grace: William Willberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery” and “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy,” is the greatest reading I have ever done. Throw in “Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life,” and “Fish Out of Water: A Search for the Meaning of Life” (Metaxas’ autobiography) all of which I read, and I’m just getting warmed up. In the hopper are, “More Men, and the Secret of Their Greatness,” “Is Atheism Dead?” “If You Can Keep It, The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty” and “Letter to the American Church” all of which I haven’t read, but plan to, and I’m set with reading material for the rest of my life. Eric Metaxas also wrote over 300 children’s books. Holy smokes, Tonto! It’s probably my imagination but I feel like my IQ increases about 10 points just by reading his books. His vocabulary is mind-boggling, but with Kindle, just touch the word and the Oxford Dictionary definition pops up. Nifty.

Metaxas is heavy reading, but rewarding. Just for fun I picked up Rick Bragg’s, “The Speckled Beauty...A Dog and His People ... ” It’s a dog story, similar to John Grogan’s, “Marley.” You’ll love it. I had read a couple of Bragg’s (I’m not bragging) books a few years ago: “The Prince of Frogtown” and “I’m a Soldier Too: The Jessica Lynch Story,” for which he and his newspaper got in a little controversy over whether the book was true or not. Anywho, Bragg is an excellent Southern writer in the “good ole-boy” tradition. He has a number of other books that are also best sellers. Lord have mercy.

Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com