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Dee's avatar

I loved the visuals and the sounds Of the film, Killers of the flower Moon, but.... the further I get from seeing it, the more of the book I wished was in it. Not enough coverage of the economic oppression and the conspiracy to take wealth. Any thoughts?

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Francie Taylor's avatar

What a gift! Books and music to add to my lust list. I'm 70. I used to go dancing to Heart at the Aquarius tavern in North Seattle--back when I had cheekbones. It kind of broke my heart to hear her say she couldn't pick Led Zeppelin out of a line up. My son is 22 and he would know them anywhere! The storytelling around Jimmy Page and young Bonham is so worth knowing! Have you heard Heart with Carrie Underwood playing Alone? At one point, it makes me shiver every time I hear it. Happy New Year!

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John Jordan's avatar

Thanks for this list. With so much stuff available, it’s good to your reccos. Love The Charismatic Voice! By now the vid may be a year or two old, but watch where she listens to Spirit of the Radio, by Rush. And the Puddles Pity Party one is good, too. Cheers and Happy NewYear!

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Rose's avatar

Please, please watch the Charismatic Voice cover “Hi Ren”! ❤️

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Chris Gartland's avatar

Thank you for Kara Jackson. Learn something new every day.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you, Chris.

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Feijão E Arroz's avatar

I have never met a glutinous tortilla chip and I’ve lived in Texas most of my life. I like your best of list.

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W. McCrae's avatar

Don't tell me you can't find Juanita's Chips at any Fred Meyer up there in Seattle, Sherman. They're incomparable. Josefina will never catch your wandering eye again.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Juanita's are good. Josefina are better!

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Magpie Mama's avatar

Thank you for sharing! I love learning about other people's favorites in the hopes I'll find a new favorite something or other. Favorite movie: Wonka; book: fiction--Mean Spirit by Linda Hogan (so heartbreakingly true and awful), nonfiction--Wintering by Katherine May, poetry--Evidence by Mary Oliver; food: 10% milkfat plain yogurt by Cabot (divine on pancakes with a dollop of jam!); drink: dark roast decaf; sacred space: Our Lady of the Pines, West Yellowstone, MT.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

I haven't seen Wonka yet. Read Mean Spirit long ago. Have not read May. Oliver is one of the all-time greats. I'm lacrose-intolerant so my lactose-free dairy consumption will always be inferior to the real thing. I MISS REAL ICE CREAM!

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Deb Olin Unferth's avatar

Great list. Some of my favorites here too. Happy new year, my friend! Looking forward to reading all you’ll be laying down.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thanks, Deb! I'm so happy we met and so happy you're here.

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Amanda Wald Rachie's avatar

Wow! Thank you for this list of bests. I like to dip tortilla chips in creamy peanut butter. When I was in Fred Meyer today at the end of an aisle, I was startled to see your best tortilla chips featured there. My mother's name was Josephine! I bought the chips. Especially like learning of The Charismatic Voice and found her splendid take on Janis Joplin singing "Ball and Chain" at the Monterey Pop Festival. Have the book of Killers of the Flower Moon on hold at the library and will see the movie when it comes out on DVD.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Chips and peanut butter. Whoa! My Dad liked peanut butter and onion sandwiches. Yeah, her take on "Ball and Chain" is great.

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Amanda Wald Rachie's avatar

Yumm!!! Your Dad's peanut butter and onion sandwiches sound delicious. I'll try that. I'm not a vegetarian but I am low income and aware that peanut butter and bread, as well as peanut butter and tortilla chips, adds up to inexpensive complete protein.

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appleton king's avatar

thanks for this "photograph" into your own unique zones of interest unguarded and of value....i popped kara jackson into the playlist thanks

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thank you. I think Jackson is so very good.

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KathT's avatar

Thanks,Sherman. Especially loved the Charismatic take on Heart covering Stairway to Heaven. Lydia Davis is great too.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thanks, Kath!

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Framing-the-Story w/AK's avatar

Thanks! Ordering them right now.

Although I have three years on you, I'm hoping that if I listen to what you listen to, read what you read, and eat what you eat, I'd be able to write at least half as good as you by the time I'm 70.

I think my plan is pretty realistic.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Hahahahhaha. Well, I think I was a better writer when I was 37!

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Framing-the-Story w/AK's avatar

That's arguable. And I'll settle for whatever I can get.

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Mary Kay's avatar

Thanks for the list Sherman. I am continually learning how much I still don't know!

Happy New Year...and a peaceful one to all!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Thanks, Mary Kay.

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Nadine3892's avatar

Thanks so much for sharing. I loved all these pics. I wasn't familiar with The Charismatic Voice. I am going to be going down a long rabbit hole watching her videos. She is so joyful. I love Kevin Morby too. And you end it all with snacks! Hooray!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Yes, her joy is so compelling.

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Framing-the-Story w/AK's avatar

Thank you for this, sir. Just ordered The Best Minds and became a subscriber to The Charismatic Voice. Looking forward to devling deeper into both. Lydia Davis is awesome and I paid tribute to her on my own Substack, although not in a conventional way. The last season of Succession was indeed mind-blowing.

Question: How are La Cocina de Josefian tortilla chips different from all the other tortilla chips? Since they're made of corn, they're all gluten free. Just curious.

Happy New Year!

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

"Gluten free" is overt advertising that is loud on the package. A gluten-free person won't have to read the ingredients to know that it's gluten-free. It's also overt advertising that the company cares about gluten-free people. It draws attention in a few diffrent ways.

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Framing-the-Story w/AK's avatar

I agree. I was just curious if particular brand had a special taste for you, different from the other brands.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Yes, it's the texture and crunch. The chips are thin but crispy and are just slightly oily enough.

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