Date Night: 'Sister Carrie' by Theodore Dreiser

I can't exactly remember when or why I first encountered Sister Carrie, but I absolutely cherished it. I was a girl who grew up in the post-Backlash era (which wave of feminism is that?) so I had no trouble immediately accepting Carrie as a heroine after my own heart, and the thought never occurred to me that there was anything remarkable about the fact that she has her cake and eats it too. Theodore Dreiser's heroine is presented to us with no judgement and nor moralizing ending; unlike Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina, Carrie has affairs and a career and she ends up as a successful stage actress, quite independent of the men who frankly have mostly held her back.

Sister Carrie is the ultimate companion for a date night, because a date night with a good book is all about self-care and living your best life, which is something Carrie does with aplomb. When she finds her life dissatisfying (obnoxious gentleman caller, physically-demanding work in a factory, living in a shabby flat), she changes her circumstances. The proper meal for reveling in your inner-Carrie is a Chicago steakhouse style dinner, preferably including an expensive and well-marbled Sirloin with asparagus. Drink a bottle of really red wine by yourself while you sing along with the 'Chicago' soundtrack and attempt some Catherine Zeta-Jones style leg kicks for good measure. Finally, make a scowl like the one above.

Date Night is a recurring post of my recommendations for a curated evening at home with a good book. Solitude is assumed and preferred. 

Date Night: 'The Witches of Eastwick' by John Updike

I have read The Witches of Eastwick and I've watched the film adaptation starring Cher, Susan Sarandon, and MIchelle Pfeiffer; and after all that, I still can't decide if it's all about misogyny or misandry. Either way, ambiguities and challenges of sexuality and gender are on full display, and Cher wears overalls almost the whole time. 

The perfect date night with The Witches of Eastwick involves the audio book version, which will free up your hands for a fun craft, like making creepy voodoo dolls of local, quirky townsfolk you hate. Although Bookhive's "Date Night" itineraries are meant for one, you may want to gather a coven of friends for this one, because everyone knows that whenever women gather in groups of more than two, dark magic starts brewing (also menstruation syncs up). 

Your Witches of Eastwick Date Night meal should a hearty Rhode Island clam bisque and an elaborate mulled wine that you can "brew" in the slow cooker. Cackle as you throw spices into your pot. Whatever desert you chose should include apples, because witches are constantly accessorizing with apples (see also: Once Upon a Time on ABC).

Apparently the book was a huge departure for John Updike, which I can't speak to because I've only read one other book by him (Brazil) and it was equally wacky and misogynist/misandrist (?) and also almost certainly very racist. When I read The Witches of Eastwick, I was simultaneously drawn to it and completely repulsed by it, and I had a similar experience with the film. Both are very strange and very worth your time. 

Date Night is a recurring post of my recommendations for a curated evening at home with a good book. Solitude is assumed and preferred. 

Date Night: 'The Magus' by John Fowles

The Magus is a perfect date-night book because it's not a book you generally want to admit to having read; it has a terrible and undeserved reputation because of a quote sometimes attributed to Woody Allen "If I had my life to do over again, I'd do everything exactly the same, with the exception of watching 'The Magus.'" (This quote refers to the film adaptation, but I've seen other wordings that make it specific to reading the book, and I've also seen it attributed to several other wits). That's awfully rich coming from the director of 'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion.'

The Magus is long; like, crazy long. But it will read incredibly fast, especially because it is so mysterious and suspenseful, almost all the way through. It is a really complex, wacky novel that starts out terrifically, and it just keeps building and building until there is quite literally nowhere else to go, and then it ends (kinda). If I tell you the ending is weird and bad, you won't be motivated to read it, but it's a book that is all about the journey, which is awesome.

So, a date night with The Magus definitely includes a pitcher of great Sangria, to drink while you pretend you're skinny-dipping off the coast of Capri while a bizarro Greek millionaire spies on you from his mansion, natch. Since it's January, crank up the heat in your house and maybe run your shower to up the humidity a bit. Attire yourself in various caftans or fancy swim suits that aren't intended for actual swimming. Then decorate your home with Bacchanalian paraphernalia, preferably from the 1970s. Then read and enjoy!

Date Night is a recurring post of my recommendations for a curated evening at home with a good book. Solitude is assumed and preferred.