I thought it might be fun to open myself up a bit here on my website, and share some of my favorite books, movies, restaurants and activities. If you would like to send me your's I will include them under your name.
So here we go...

BOOKS
I am primarily a fiction reader, so there are many fiction suggestions here, but there are a few books on this page which have had a profound influence on me which are non-fiction, including the very first one, which has rocked my world!

THE END OF OVEREATING
by Dr David Kessler
This book is all about the manufacturing and marketing of food. It is a fascinating, and down-to-earth study on the brilliant campaign the food industry has waged to keep us addicted for life.

A NEW EARTH: AWAKENING YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE
by Eckhart Tolle
If you have not read Eckhart Tolle you are missing the work of a brilliant thinker and writer, who puts us in touch with how we look to the past and future to create our world, and that NOW is where we need to be.

INSIDE THE KINGDOM
by Carmen Bin Laden
An inside look into the world of Saudi Arabian women, written by the former wife of Osama's brother.

STOLEN LIVES
by Malika Oufkir
A fascinating story of the imprisonment of a notable Morrocan family for 20 years.

SHE'S COME UNDONE
by Wally Lamb
The perfect novel for any woman who has grown up overweight. Very touching and real.

THE KITE RUNNER
by Khaled Hosseini
An incredibly moving fiction book about growing up in Afghanistan as the Taliban began occupation

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS
by Khaled Hosseini
By the same author. A woman's heartbreaking story in a strict Muslim dictated society.

FIERCE INVALIDS HOME FROM HOT CLIMATES
by Tom Robbins
This novel travels the world as it tells the story of a CIA agent under a comical curse. Be prepared for endless metaphors and a truly unique perspective on Catholisism.

MIDDLESEX
by Jeffrey Eugenides
This novel spans countries and generations with a fascinating tale of a man born to be a woman, and his Turkish history.

THE LIFE OF PI
by Yann Martel
A brilliantly written novel about a man stranded with a tiger in a lifeboat and other life-altering experiences.

SAVING FISH FROM DROWNING
By Amy Tan
A different tack for this Chinese-America writer, she weaves the fascinating fiction story of a tour group who go to Mayanmar (Burma) and are kidnapped.

MOVIES
These are in no particular order of favorites or types of movies. Just ones I thought should be seen.

IDIOCRACY
This is a crude, rude, tragic and yet brilliant satire on on possible future for America. Made by the guys who brought us Beavis and Butthead, so be warned...

FAST FOOD NATION
Unlike the book this is based on, this is a real movie with a story line: not a documentary. It looks at the fast food industry through the eyes of the company executive, the young girl who works at a chain fast food restaurant, and the migrant workers employed in the processing plants.

FOOD INC.
This is a documentary about the food industry. If you would like to get unaddicted to unhealthy foods see this movie. But be warned: it is quite graphic, and has some startling facts about the food we eat.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
A charming film on family dynamics. Excellent acting by Toni Collete, Greg Kinnear, Steve Carrell, and Alan Arkin...and the incredible Abigal Breslin.

LOST IN TRANSLATION
An unusual film about an older actor and a younger woman in Japan, trying to understand the culture and their connection to each other. Scarlett Johannsen and Bill Murray.

AMADEUS
The life of Mozart brilliantly portrayed by Tom Hulce, and his alledged murderer, Solieri, played by F Murray Abraham. This film has it all: incredible acting, gorgeous music, and cinematography beyond comparison.

YOUNG AT HEART
Utterly charming documentary on a group of seniors who make up a performance choir: with one major difference from other choirs. The average age is 80ish, and the songs are all rock and contemporary.

THE VISITOR
I was so moved by this film about a quiet, lonely man who's NY apartment, which he seldom visits, ends up being occupied by an African couple unbeknowst to him. He develops a relationship with them which is life changing for everyone.

INTO THE WILD
A fascinating true story of a young man who decides to live alone int he Alaskan wilderness.

UP
An animated story of a man who loses his wife and decides to attach his house to thousands of balloons and float away. Gorgeous and heartwarming.

Okay...enough for now...more later...