Positive Liberty

In keeping with the meme, and with the season, here are a few of my favorite things.

A favorite book of mine has always been T. H. White’s The Once and Future King. It can be read as a serious retelling of the Arthurian legends, aimed squarely at the ideological excesses of the twentieth century. Or you can just read it for the sheer fun of the thing, which is considerable, and which you can’t do with, say, 1984. Another favorite of mine that I don’t believe I’ve yet recommended is Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities, a classic of modern fabulism.

One of my favorite beers — because, come on, who needs cookies and coffee anyway? — is Éphémère. It’s a light-bodied, apple-flavored ale, and even people who hate beer often end up liking it. It also boasts not one, not two, but three accent marks.

If you balk at the fruity stuff and want a “real” beer, I recommend Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA. But if you only sort of like beer, then the chances are good that you’ll really loathe this one. It’s aggressive, even hoppier than most IPAs, and significantly sweeter, too. It’s like beer, but concentrated.

A favorite album of mine is The Cocteau Twins’ Heaven or Las Vegas. Assembling a good music mix in our oh-so-traditional 5-disc changer is kind of like baking a cake: All the ingredients have to be in place or the result just doesn’t work right. This album is the sugar, without which you wouldn’t have a cake at all. Pop music should always sound this good.

A favorite classical piece of mine is Antonin Dvorak’s symphony From the New World. For those in search of something a little less familiar, consider Ignace Jan Paderewski’s Concerto for Piano in A Minor. Paderewski had a fascinating life, serving as prime minister of Poland and leader of the Polish government in exile during World War II. He was also considered the greatest concert pianist of his time.

Other favorite historical figures include Matteo Ricci, Voltaire, and Mary Wollstonecraft. There are many more, but these three never cease to fascinate me.

My favorite bookstore has got to be The Book Loft in Columbus, Ohio. It’s one of the few bookstores within which it’s possible to become thoroughly lost. Back when I was a student and had no money, I would never let myself buy more than one book per visit, which was excruciating.

(Readers take note: Products from our recent posts can be purchased at the ever-popular Positive Liberty sidebar.)