I am the mother of a dancer, a long-time dance fan and avid consumer and patron of the arts, so I wasn’t going to miss this film even knowing nothing but the title. I must admit I don’t watch the above mentioned shows, as the competition is too much for me. I am more sad and devastated for the talented but disqualified than I am happy and uplifted for the “winners.” Angst and tears are involved by the first commercial break so, for my own sanity and that of my family, I resist the urge to watch. During the Olympics, I am often reduced to a tearful mess, unable to leave the couch, riveted to every athlete profile no matter the sport or the time of night it airs. It is a weakness of mine.

My reaction to this film was no different. I started crying at the introduction to Michaela DePrince’s story of adoption from war torn Sierra Leone and scenes of her suburban Jewish mother hand dying the undergarments and flesh netting of her tutus brown to match her skin. I winced at the barbaric devices still used to “enhance” and “train” the dancers’ feet to arch; I gasped and shielded my eyes when young dancers fell, crushed by the pressure to perform; and my heart broke for Joan Sebastian Zamora and his mother who use their precious phone card’s minutes to repeatedly say “good bye” and “I love you” over and over, neither one able to bear hanging up first. Granted, my reactions were extreme, but I share this information to illustrate that you will not be lulled to sleep in your seat by fanciful dance scenes and classical music. This is not a passive experience; it is competitive sport, high art, high stakes, high emotions. And the athletes and artists are children and young adults.

My favorite aspect of this film is not only the fact that it exposes the dedication to the art, the craft of ballet dancing and the athleticism and training of ballet dancers, but that it honors the tradition and history of the art form while at the same time exposing the process as completely modern in every way, for better or worse. The “worse,” you can imagine, is the pressure on these kids and their families, both emotionally and financially, as well as the reality of the lack of funding and the hard fact that there is more talent than there are positions available. The “better” is the changing shape and color of the dancers. Oh,sure, there was a “classical” ballerina featured in the film, but only one tall thin blonde beauty. The other dancers came in all shapes, sizes and ethnicities. I loved that the ballet companies of today and tomorrow have eyes and hearts wide open for dancers who are physically, ethnically and socio-economically diverse.

This is not your grandmother’s PBS ballet. The movie is extreme sports, prime time entertainment and reality TV all rolled into one inspiring, enjoyable movie theater experience. Don’t miss it! And take a sports fan — someone who doesn’t think they like ballet. They’ll thank you.

Better yet, go to the ballet. Help preserve this art form, and provide an audience for these dancers. It’s the least we can do.

LUNAFEST will take place in 150 cities this year, and we suggest you get on their site right now and buy tickets to the event near you. Proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Fund, an organization which focuses on prevention and to which we will be donating all the money we used to contribute to Susan G. Komen, as well as local non-profits. In San Diego, the event was hosted by Boobs on the Move, a grassroots effort to empower people to stop breast cancer through active prevention and generosity.

Amy and I attended the San Diego event last week with our great friend, Elin Stebbins Waldal, author of Tornado Warning: A Memoir of Teen Dating Violence and Its Effect on a Woman’s Life. We were blown away by every film. Here’s Amy’s take on the evening:

LUNAFEST is an event custom-made for me, featuring shopping for a cause at the raffle table in the lobby of a historic theater, soulful live music, an audience full of women and nine female-powered films. I was in my element!

The program started with a wonderful performance by singer Laura Roppe, author of Rockin’ the Pink, her autobiography of being a cancer survivor and former lawyer turned singer. If her songwriting skills are any indication, it is sure to be a great read. I was especially touched by the songs “I’m Still Here” and “Little Daughter.” I was seated behind Laura’s daughter and her grandmother, who were both glowing while Laura sang these very personal songs.

The films were as diverse as the female population itself, ranging from the quirky stories of Worst Enemy and A Reluctant Bride to serious issues explored in Susan Koenen’s I am a Girl, about an amazingly brave 13-year-old girl trying to figure out how to tell the boy she has a crush on that she was actually born male, and Every Mother Counts: Obstetric Fistula about a devastating effect of poor maternal healthcare in countries like Bangladesh and Tanzania. Intimate slices of lives are examined in The Wind is Blowing on My Street, which was shot in Tehran; Missed Connections which may result in some fairy tale happily ever afters; and Lori Petchers’ powerful Life Model about a 75-year-old nude model whose acceptance of her own body empowers female viewers of all ages. One of my favorite films was Andrea Dorfman’s How to be Alone which was billed as “a poem and ‘how-to’ manual about being alone.” You can watch this movie, which stars poet/singer/songwriter Tanya Davis, below.

Every attendee got a goody bag filled with tasty Luna Bars and important information for women of all ages from the The Breast Cancer Fund, which identifies and advocates for elimination of the environmental and other preventable causes of disease. Before I put on my eye makeup or fill up my reusable water bottle, I will visit their website to make sure I am making the best, most informed decision about what to put on and in my body.

What could be better than doing good by going to the movies?!

Believe in Yourself ~ Inspire Others ~ Spread Joy! is filled with beautiful black and white images and inspiring quotes all written by my dear friend, Amy Wise. You may remember Amy from the popular post she wrote for us, Why My Husband Won’t Be Seeing “The Help.” 

Amy is a great writer and a truly special person. We met on Facebook but have become very close friends in real life, getting together every week with the equally special Kim LePiane, whose Soul Sisters is a breath of fresh air in this chaotic world. Amy and Kim are two of the most supportive women I know and their optimistic approach to life is infectious, important and totally motivating.

Reading Amy’s book is like getting the perfect pep talk from your most trusted friend. Her words will inspire, encourage and empower you, and will give you the confidence to make all your dreams come true. Amy’s last name is “Wise” for a reason!

What makes this book even more amazing is the story behind it, which you can read about in her Introduction. During a devastating five-year struggle with illness, legal battles and financial issues all caused by the shocking realization that the water she had been using in her store was actually reclaimed sewer water, Amy started jotting down quotes to express her feelings. Focusing only on the positive, these ideas got her through the darkest times of her life – and they can get you through yours, too. The fact that she was able to turn her thoughts into a book that has been on Amazon’s Top 100 New Motivational Books since it came out a month ago is proof of the power of her words.

To quote Amy herself, “Dreams become reality when we open our eyes and take the steps to get there.”

I’m here to tell you that neither one of those issues detract from the core message of the movie or should prevent you – or your children – from seeing it.

An astonishing thirteen million children are bullied each year in the U.S. alone. And what’s most shocking about this movie is not just the horrifying way the bullies treat their victims – it’s the dismissive attitude of the adults in charge. Children have an inalienable right to feel safe at school and on the school bus, and it’s up to the grown-ups to make sure they are. It’s not okay to brush off bullying as simply “kids will be kids.” Bus drivers need to pull over when they see a child being bullied. Teachers and principals need to punish those doing the bullying rather than tell the victims to “stay away from them.”

It’s time for adults to be accountable, and for kids to stand up for their peers. In our litigious society, people are afraid to get involved even when they know someone is suffering. Where does that leave children who are being bullied, physically and verbally, every single day?

Take your family to see Bully, discuss it and get involved in The Bully Project. It’s time to make a change. Our children’s lives depend on it.

THE WHIPPING CLUB by Deborah Henry

Wow. Deborah Henry’s first novel is a powerhouse that will set you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Set in 1960s Ireland, it’s a love story between a Catholic woman and her Jewish husband. It’s also an indictment of the hypocrisy and cruelty of the Church, a story about secrets and shame, and ultimately a glorious ode to the human spirit. This is a highly original tale told in razor sharp prose. Mark my words – this book is going to be turned into a movie that will have all the A-listers fighting over it.

THE SNOW CHILD by Eowyn Ivey

A stunning debut, this magical story is so achingly beautiful, I tried to read it as slowly as possible to savor every breathtaking description. Set in 1920 Alaska, the book revolves around Mabel and Jack, determined to make a life for themselves as homesteaders in this cold, harsh wilderness. Still silently grieving over their childlessness, the couple builds a child out of snow. The next morning, the snow child is gone but they see a little blonde-haired girl running through the woods. Is she real? Can she be the daughter they’ve dreamed of? No matter how hard you try not to get to the end of the book, once you do, you will feel your own heart melting. This is a book to treasure and re-read every winter.

LEFT NEGLECTED by Lisa Genova

If you’ve read Still Alice, you know that what Lisa Genova writes stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. In her latest novel, high-powered executive and mother of three Sarah is an expert multi-tasker who can’t afford to waste one second of her day –until she has a car accident which leaves her with a traumatic brain injury and the inability to see half of her world. This is a fascinating story which hits home the point that it’s time for all of us to slow down and take a good look at what’s most important to us. Step one: put down the cell phone, let someone else do the dishes and take a few quiet hours to accompany Sarah on her life-changing journey.

BEST KEPT SECRET and OUTSIDE THE LINES by Amy Hatvany

I’m grouping both of these books together even though, subject-wise, they are worlds apart. In Best Kept Secret, recently-divorced mom Cadence has a daily glass of wine or two just to take the edge off. When those glasses turn into bottles and her secret drinking starts to effect her ability to care for her young son, Cadence must face the fact that she is an alcoholic. Although this is fiction, the story feels so real and the writing is so raw, I kept wanting to reach out to Amy on Facebook to let her know I was rooting for her. This is the kind of book you’ll feel compelled to share with all the women in your life. Amy’s characters are so complex and easy to relate to – it’s what makes all her books so special. Her latest novel, Outside the Lines, is about a young woman determined to find her mentally ill father who left her twenty years ago when she was ten years old. Thought-provoking – Does great art require a touch of madness? Is it okay for someone to choose to be homeless? How does a true artist do justice to both his art and his family? – this is a great book club selection.

THE ORCHARD by Theresa Weir

As much as I had trouble believing Best Kept Secret was a novel, I had to keep checking the cover of The Orchard to make sure it was really a memoir. This is a fascinating –often shocking – story about the personal impact pesticides have on one family. After marrying into a family of apple farmers, city girl Theresa moves to rural Illinois, where crop dusters provide the soundtrack to her new life. This is love story, a cautionary tale and a modern day Silent Spring which will have you happily spending the extra money for organic fruits and vegetables.

Q by Evan Mandery

You have never read a book like Q before. Here’s the premise: the unnamed narrator gets a visit from his future self who warns him not to marry Q, the love of his life. When he finally listens, his future selves start to make frequent visits, all from various times and all full of new advice depending on what he does differently. Not only is the story so creative but every sentence is so clever, you may find yourself smiling foolishly in appreciation.

THE CROWN by Nancy Bilyeau

Combine the religious symbolism of The Da Vinci Code with the historical fiction of The Other Boleyn Girl, and you have this juicy new novel which takes place during the English Reformation. Filled with scandal, royalty, mystery and murder, this fast-paced story will keep you reading long into the night.

SHE CAN RUN by Melinda Leigh

As you know, I like a really good thriller. This one, about the wife of an abusive Congressman who takes her children and flees, is a really good thriller. Here are the two highest recommendations I can give it: 1) I couldn’t read it before I went to sleep because it was too scary, and 2) I knew who the murderer was until a few pages later when I knew it was someone else until a few pages later when I was convinced I was right the first time. The book kept me frantically turning pages all the way to its satisfying ending.

Want even more suggestions? Click here for some more of my recent favorites.

This finely-layered novel is told from the perspective of the bright, 16-year-old Sarah Kunitz. Through her eyes, we are offered an intimate look at her upper middle class family in 1970 suburban Boston. It’s an enviable portrait from the outside, but behind closed doors it is a darkly different story. Sarah’s mother is taking pills and floundering.  Sarah and her brothers must find ways to escape their parents’ bitter disagreements and their father’s difficult personality. Those harsh realities are soon replaced with confusion, grief and anger when their mother dies in a car crash. A certain drifting sadness looms while their father begins an affair with a young woman and Sarah embarks on her own romances.  Consequences abound, but Keener weaves the threads into a taut ending.

The novel carries with it the full implications of its title. What is a night swim?  It’s moving into dark waters with little illumination to guide us, trusting – without certain reason to –that we will be able to navigate the muck, the humming currents, the chilly viscosity, and emerge intact. When we close the book, we know that Sarah is not going to merely survive; she is going to thrive. This is a deep exploration of the Kunitz family, and our own humanity, that will resonate long after you have finished reading.

Keener is a big talent with a particular knack for detail and a finely tuned ear. Through the skilled rendering she offers of this family and the characters who surround them, she gives us a story that makes us cringe and lurch, laugh and, literally, weep. Her writing is never obvious, yet her lyrical prose will wow you. Even when describing the seemingly ordinary, Keener injects poetry. Sentences like these kiss every page of the novel:

“By now it was pitch-black outside and the large globe light above the table reflected off the windows like a bloated fish.”

“Her flower heads had turned brown, her petals wrinkled as old peoples’ faces”

Not every writer has the ability to move readers the way Keener does. Her writing is richly textured and she strikes perfect pitch with Sarah. We are swept into the world of a teenager on every page, including plenty of squirmy and self-conscious moments.  It is a high-wire act to give authentic voice to a teenager of a different era, but Kenner never stumbles. She is particularly adept at handling Sarah’s sex life in a realistic manner, capturing so much of the awkwardness inherent in teen sexuality, including birth control and Planned Parenthood.  Sarah comes alive as a realistic navigator and takes us along on a rich exploration of family life and coming into one’s own.  Sarah’s moment in time echoes the nation’s 1970 zeitgeist – pent up, poised for and on the verge of great change. Keener does a brilliant job lacing bits of music and other cultural signposts of the times – Woodstock, the lyrics to “If I Had A Hammer” — into the narrative, keeping us firmly rooted in the era without bombarding us with it.

There is much feeling in this novel, yet the writing never becomes precious or sentimental. It aches with suffering and shimmers with strength. Sarah’s explorations allow readers to examine their own relationship with truth, sorrow, loss, longing and joy.  Sarah gives us a careful look at something we all tend to do – rush past pain – and teaches us to keep hold of our true selves no matter how we might veer.

Readers will be glad they dove into Night Swim.

Anna March writes our monthly Empowering/Embarrassing column as well as the weekly Aural Fixations column at The Rumpus. She has been nominated for a 2012 Pushcart Prize, and her work has appeared in Salon, Connotation Press and other publications. Her novel, The Diary of Suzanne Frank, is forthcoming. You can keep up with her on Facebook.

The highly sanitized depictions in the film removed the vast majority of Bella’s “violet blotches,” decorating (Meyer’s word choice) her with a few tiny bruises on her arm and shoulder. This diminishment can be seen as positive, given that it results in a depiction that does not romanticize Bella’s bruised and battered body to the same extent as the book. (For more on this line of analysis, see this post.)

However, the horrors of Bella’s pregnancy are not diminished to the same extent. Seeing her skeletal, ghostly figure on the large screen, with sunken eyes and protruding collar bones, makes visible the book’s claim that the fetus is killing her. Yet, the film ultimately depicts the pregnancy and resulting birth as miraculous, a framing that also suggests the fetus is more important than Bella. Bella is portrayed as an heroic martyr, an ultimate mother-to-be, rather than as a delusional lovestruck teen with a seeming death wish. What a message for young audiences who are also privy to the popularity of teen motherhood that shows such as 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom foster!

Perhaps the most problematic and ick-inducing moment is the poorly-handled scene where Jacob “imprints” on baby Renesmee. As he looks into the baby’s eyes, he envisions her as a young girl, a teen and, then, a woman. He falls to his knees in front of baby Renesmee at the close of the scene, in gooey admiration. With child sexual abuse scandals rocking the nation, it would be hard to pull off any depiction of the imprinting strand of the narrative that doesn’t call to mind sexual abuse and pedophilia – but the director’s choice to have the baby age in Jacob’s mind doesn’t make the ick factor more palatable. If anything, it emphasizes that Jacob sees the baby he falls in love with AS the woman she will become. Ick ick ick.

Does the film have good moments? Sure. I especially liked the self-referential comedy  where the movie poked fun at itself and the franchise. The wedding toast speeches were a comedic highlight, as were all of Jessica’s lines. Bella asking Edward, “What, you’re not  a virgin?” added another comedic touch to the otherwise often pro-abstinence, sex-is-dangerous, pregnancy is a “godsend” message of the film.

The Twilight films have struck a cultural nerve. We need to pay attention to such zeitgeists even if we are not “fans” – such pop culture phenomenon take the pulse of the current moment, acting like cultural barometers. I just wish this pulse didn’t include a dead-looking young mother-to-be who cares nothing for herself, only for her Edward and the “little nudger” growing inside her. I also wish it didn’t include an adult male falling in romantic love with a baby girl. That is one meme that surely deserves to be slayed once and for all.

Natalie Wilson is the author of Seduced by Twilight. She teaches literature and women’s studies at Cal State San Marcos, and you can follow her blog here.

The movie is a poignant slice of life/coming-of-age/immigrant story set in present day Los Angeles. The main characters — Carlos Galindo, an illegal Mexican immigrant working as a gardener in the wealthy suburbs of L.A., brilliantly and subtly played by Demian Bichir, the handsome, corrupt Mexican politician from Weeds, and his teenage son, Luis, played by Jose Julian — seem one dimensional on paper: hard-working immigrant father, struggling to make “a better life” for his son who is embarrassed by his Spanish-speaking laborer father and is being seduced by the local gangs and trappings of the American Dream he feels he has coming to him. Within a few scenes, their dimensionality unfolds.

The series of events, decisions, repercussions and consequences that befall the pair are heartbreaking on many levels. There is a social and/or moral issue raised with almost every interaction in the film. I’m making it sound really heavy, and while it is serious, there is so much humanity, good acting, and even humor. This is a movie that stays with you.

I found that it was the little moments — the understated moments — that affected me the most like the scenes of Carlos sleeping on the couch in his clothes, while his son sleeps in the only bedroom. The scene in which the entire contents of Carlos’ work truck are on the living room floor while he sleeps. The care Carlos takes while washing the few dishes in his sparse yet immaculately clean kitchen. The general decay of Carlos’ neighborhood contrasted with his well-tended garden. The way he looks at his son and, in turn, the evolution of the way his son looks back at him.

Carlos, the individual with the most integrity, also happens to be living and working in this country illegally — a fact he is hyper-aware of and which he never takes for granted. His ethics are constantly tested and, yet, with each interaction with those who have wronged him, with those who have supported him and with others in similar circumstances to his own, he is a mensch, the finest example of a human being. When his desperation finally gets the best of him I found myself rooting for him even though I knew that he was wrong.

Immigration, along with so many of the issues that plague this country, is complex. So are the immigrants — the real human beings that are affected by the laws, bureaucracy and prejudices surrounding this issue. We are an imperfect people living in an imperfect world. But we are all people, and people are at the heart of this issue, this crisis. We need to lead and govern with our hearts. We are all complicit. Those like Carlos who try to remain “invisible” and those who make it easy for people like him to do so when it is convenient or economical. Who gets to decide what makes a better life? Whose life in the end gets to be better? At what cost? And at whose expense?

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve read a dozen thrillers. I know. I’m trying to figure out what that means, too. Maybe it’s just because they’re good summer reading, or maybe it’s because, unlike real life, they tend to end with everything resolved and tied up in neat little packages, and I need the reassurance of that now.

Whatever the reason, I devoured each of these books in a day or two, and found them riveting. You’ll see there are ten – not twelve – listed here because our philosophy is to only feature things we like. We’re not into bad-mouthing so if we can’t recommend something, we just won’t talk about it.

If you’re looking for mystery and mayhem, these are some top choices. I’d love to hear your suggestions, too.

The book that started it all was Linda Castillo’s Breaking Silence, which I read in one cross-country flight. The subject matter – murder in Amish country – is irresistible, and the story is filled with so many unexpected moments, I often found myself gasping, grateful that the passengers next to me were wearing headphones. I love reading about female investigators because they are strong and smart and brave, yet their tales are often filled with self-doubt and love-gone-wrong (stereotype much?) Police Chief Kate Burkholder is a compelling example of this, and I can’t wait to go back and read Castillo’s previous books about her.

Blind Fury by Lynda La Plante also features an appealing female investigator. Making her sixth thriller appearance, Detective Inspector Anna Travis is contacted by a killer she put in jail years ago, who insists he can help her solve a recent string of murders. The story’s polite British tone belies its depth of emotion and horror, making the shocking ending even more upsetting.

Another fascinating book whose style is beautifully incongruous with its disturbing content is In Malice, Quite Close by Brandi Lynn Ryder. This debut novel, whose title is taken from a Rimbaud poem, is sophisticated and rich – and the unraveling story is like a car wreck from which you can’t seem to turn away. French ex-pat Tristan Mouralt kidnaps young Karen Miller, truly believing he is saving her from a mundane life, and transforms her into Gisele, the belle of an exclusive art community. When she is found dead in a swimming pool, the who-done-it begins. Part Lolita, part art world expose, this book is truly a work of art itself.

The shady side of the art world is also explored in Alafair Burke’s Long Gone, which combines so many timely issues and plot twists, you’ll need to remember to come up for air even though you’ll just want to keep reading. Alice Humphrey dreams of opening a Manhattan gallery, and when she’s given that opportunity by a mysterious man who she later discovers lying on the floor – dead – she ends up in the middle of a police investigation, realizing she’s been set up. This is the kind of cautionary tale that makes you think about what you would do if you were in the same situation – and makes you sweat.

Everything about Mice by Gordon Reece scared me. The title alone gave me the creeps, referring to the mousy, victim-like personalities of teenager Shelley and her divorced mom. The two live alone in a remote area of the country, where Shelley is now home-schooled after being brutalized by a trio of “frenemies.” You know mother and daughter are not going to simply be living happily ever after, and the tension builds to a breaking point as an intruder shatters their sense of security and they decide not to be victims any more. In this age where bullying has become such a huge issue, this is an important and thought-provoking book.

I can always count on Gregg Hurwitz for a fast-paced ride full of twists and turns, and You’re Next is up there with his best. Just when Mike Wingate – raised as a foster child after being abandoned by his father at age four – is settled down with a wife and child and life is good, his past comes back to haunt him. Mike is such a real character and his dreams and fears are so easy to relate to, I was horrified at what was happening to him. I literally couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, and was tempted to start skimming because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next!

Elizabeth Brundage blurs the line between movies and reality in A Stranger Like You, the suspenseful story of an aspiring screenwriter who decides to show the producer who rejected his script that the ending she called “implausible” is actually possible. He locks her in the trunk of her car and leaves it in the parking lot at LAX, setting off a chain of events that brings together a young soldier, an Iraqi exchange student and a runaway girl in a powerful climax that would make a great film.

Hollywood also takes center stage in Marcus Sakey’s The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes, which is so well-written, it will make your brain hurt trying to guess what’s going to happen (which, by the way, you won’t). A man wakes up, naked and alone, on a desolate beach in Maine and can’t remember anything. He finds a BMW containing clothes that fit him and a California car registration in the name of Daniel Hayes, and all he knows is that he feels a deep connection to an actress he sees on a hotel room TV. He sets off to Malibu to try to find her – and himself. The story deals with ethics and crime and identity and love and loyalty, and the writing is so, so good.

Christine Lucas can’t remember who she is, either. The narrator of S.J. Watson’s Before I Go To Sleep loses her memory every night, waking up each morning in unfamiliar surroundings to a strange man who says he’s her husband. This psychological thriller kept me on edge until the last page, and had me changing my mind regularly about who she should trust and who she shouldn’t. This is a book that will keep you up at night and that you will definitely remember long after you’ve finished it.

Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante may be the most devastating book of the bunch. It, too, is about a woman who has memory problems – this seems to be a recurring Baby Boomer theme – but hers are due to Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Jennifer White was a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon until dementia took over. Her best friend has been murdered and Jennifer is the prime suspect, although she has absolutely no recollection of the fact that Amanda is even dead. This is a harrowing story, told from the raw and often-confused point of view of Jennifer herself, which left me hoping that one day soon Alzheimer’s will no longer be a mystery.