The Arts Desk’s weekly picks for music, movies and more
By ELIZABETH BUNT — arts@theaggie.org
Book: “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore (2024)
“The God of the Woods” is perfect for fans of the mystery/thriller genre as well as anyone looking for their next page turner. Set in New York’s Adirondacks in 1975, it tells the story of 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar’s disappearance from summer camp. Her sudden disappearance mirrors the missing persons case of her older brother a decade earlier. The novel spans generations as the reader slowly uncovers the ugly secrets of the Van Laar family. “The God of the Woods” is an intricate mystery that doesn’t rely on cheap plot twists or scares to unsettle its readers. It has something for everyone, even those who are not typically fans of the thriller genre.
Song: “Motel 6” by River Whyless (2018)
River Whyless is an indie/folk band based in Asheville, North Carolina. They are known for their festival appearances at events like Newport Folk Festival and Bonnaroo as well as their NPR Tiny Desk Concert. This song comes from their 2018 album “Kindness, A Rebel” and was written by the band’s Ryan O’ Keefe. It tells the story of two people parting ways in a Motel 6 parking lot and the subsequent emotions of the narrator. Its sound is lilting and dreamy, floating from verse to verse. The final line of the chorus, “From a dream / I’m waking up / and for the first time / I’m terrified of waking up alone,” drives the nostalgic heartache of the song home.
Album: “Reading, Writing and Arithmetic” by The Sundays (1990)
“Reading, Writing and Arithmetic” is the debut studio album of English alt-rock band The Sundays. It appeared on several Best Album lists including Pitchfork’s rankings of “The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums” and “The 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the 1990s.” The songs on this album are a showcase for lead singer Harriet Wheeler’s voice. Her uniquely expressive voice creates a dreamy vibe and adds another layer of sound to the already complex album. This is an album that can make listeners feel like the protagonist in an indie movie.
Movie: “Wildcat” dir. Ethan Hawke (2023)
This movie recommendation is directed toward all English majors and book lovers. “Wildcat” is director Ethan Hawke’s biopic of Flannery O’Connor. Starring his daughter, Maya Hawke, it blends the details of O’Connor’s life with the visualization of her short stories. The stories become more and more prominent as O’Connor copes with her Lupus diagnosis. “Wildcat” also centers heavily on O’Connor’s relationship with her Catholic faith, themes of which bleed through all of her fiction. The Hawke pair does an amazing job adapting both O’Connor’s inner life and fiction to the screen, and their work brings a new spotlight to one of the greats of American literature.
Written by: Elizabeth Bunt — arts@theaggie.org
