ALBUMS

THEN: 

 

Musicology—Prince

My one and only Prince concert was at Arco Arena in September 2004, on the Musicology tour. It was the most I’d ever paid for a ticket, and I had nosebleed seats. Despite barely being able to hear or see anything, it was still, hands down, the best concert of my life. I cried big, joyful, ugly tears during “Purple Rain.” RIP Prince. 

 

NOW:

Stranger to Stranger—Paul Simon

A new album from Paul Simon doesn’t mean more of the same—whatever “the same” was. He’s partnered up with Italian electronic dance musician Clap! Clap! for three tracks, and fuses electronica with African woodwinds and custom-made instruments on this exciting foray into the new…while bringing the old.

 

BOOKS

THEN: 

Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins

Even Jackie Collins herself would say that without Jacqueline Susann there would be no Jackie Collins. And women’s fiction would be poorer for it. Reading Jackie Collins is a downhill ride in a convertible. Sex and more sex, cigarettes over lunch, shoulder pads, frosted lipstick and leather mini skirts…but beneath all that tinsel it’s still a damn good story. 

 

NOW: 

Valley of the Dolls: 50th Anniversary Edition by Jacqueline Susann

When I was a teen my mum had a bookshelf full of “lady books” like Valley of the Dolls; Jacqueline Susann taught me about the power of women’s fiction—the thrill of sex, drugs and LOTS of emotion, no-holds-barred. Hey, guess what: We’re NOT delicate. Fifty years after its first publication, it’s no less thrilling for first-timers, and if it’s been a minute since you read it, revisit the Valley. It’s a good time. 

DVDs

THEN: 

 

Hero

Before Jet Li was the token martial-arts guy in The Expendables, his name was synonymous with “OMG, this movie will be awesome.” One of my Jet Li favorites is Hero, a 2002 masterpiece that will leave you kicking your jaw out of the way when it drops on the floor, and still stands as one of the great “spectacle” action movies. 

NOW:

 

Kung Fu Panda 3

With the exception of Toy Story and a handful of franchises, most animated movies take a huge nosedive in quality after the first big splash, and the sequels become cash grabs. Not true with Kung Fu Panda. The third in the series is as hilarious and delightful as the first, and now that Po has a whole panda reunion it’s all the fun with 10 times the amount of panda. What’s not to love?