Current reads

I picked up Helicopter Heroine: The Story of Valérie André, Combat Pilot and Surgeon while visiting the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California, and I’ve been working through it these past few months. Written by Charles Evans, the book tells the fascinating story of André’s life, from growing up in Alsace to carrying out her medical studies during the Second World War and her close calls with avoiding Nazis in occupied France to working as a neurosurgeon in French Indochina. It’s based on the author’s interviews with André herself, and you really feel like you’re there in the operating room or in the field with her. An inspiring and engaging read. LL

Meticulously well-researched (the footnotes have a stunning amount of detail), Unbroken (2010) by Laura Hillenbrand tells the story of Louis Zamperini as he grows from adolescent delinquent to Olympic distance runner to soldier in the Second World War. Zamperini, who served in the Air Force, spent over 40 days drifting in the Pacific Ocean after his plane crashed, fending off sharks and dodging strafing attacks with two fellow survivors. He washed ashore on the Marshall Islands and was then imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp for the rest of the war. The book recounts Zamperini’s resilience throughout the beatings, psychological torture and attempts to be cajoled into participating in propaganda against the Allies--and his return to “civilian” life after the war, his struggles to adjust and how he overcame those challenges. It really is a remarkable portrayal of survival. (If you’re more of a cinema fan, a film based on the book was released in 2014.) LL

Essential viewing

Did you read Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice in your English literature class? Maybe you saw the 1995 BBC series with Colin Firth or the 2005 film with Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen? Excellent. You’ve never heard the quote “Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?!” Also excellent. In either case, it’s time to watch a Youtube series called  (2012). It’s a modern-day retelling of the classic novel told through a series of 100 short vlogs. The story follows Lizzie’s life as she goes through grad school, deals with her sisters and meets… William Darcy (#HeartthrobSince1813). The series was accompanied by other interactive media (like Twitter accounts designed for the characters) and won an Emmy award in 2013 for “outstanding creative achievement.” LL

With the recent announcement of Gladiator II, I thought it was the perfect time to rewatch the classic original Oscar-winning film Gladiator. Though it’s been 24 years since the release of the first instalment, the film still holds up incredibly well. With Oscar worthy performances from Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix and solid work from the rest of the ensemble, that isn’t shocking. But what really surprised me though is the quality of visual effects. Usually when I go back to films that I loved years ago, I’m very disappointed by the CGI and it often breaks my immersion entirely. I’m happy to say that this is not the case with Gladiator. Director Ridley Scott did a great job bringing ancient Rome to the screen in a captivating manner. I can’t wait to see him do so again in the upcoming sequel! CS

Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out 2 has been released, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to watch (or rewatch) the first film in the series: Inside Out (2015). The animated film shows the “inner workings” of the mind of a young girl who’s recently moved to a new city as she struggles with school, fitting in and growing up. Different emotions--joy, sadness, fear, disgust and anger--are portrayed as distinct characters who control how Riley behaves, form her personality and are responsible for making and storing memories. It’s an insightful take on human psychology and the animation is fantastic. LL

For foodies

I tried the New Bona Via restaurant in Bonnevoie with a colleague and had the chance to enjoy their terrace on one of the (few) sunny days Luxembourg has been lucky to see in recent weeks. Reasonably priced and tasty dish of the day served during the week (bavette, or flank steak, accompanied by potato wedges was on the menu the day I went). LL