Month: December 2016

Posted in Books, Reviews

My Top Ten Books of 2016

Posted on by melissaburgess

image1-1Before we close out the 2016 calendar year, I wanted to be sure and share my list of the top ten books I read in 2016! Reflecting almost entirely nonfiction, this list is some of the most eye-opening, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking literature that my eyes and mind took in this year. (Yes, I did read some fiction, but when compiling this list, all of my choices ended up being nonfiction!)

These are in no particular order and some certainly have a theme to them, but I’d recommend anyone looking to pick up a new read try one of these! Whether you read by Kindle or prefer the classic paper between your fingertips, or even prefer the sounds of an audiobook; whether you read on a bus, in a plane, in a car, in the park…..  reading is one of the most wonderful, rewarding treasures the world can offer us. There’s nothing quite like losing yourself in a book.

Below the cut – my list of the top ten books I read this year.

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Posted in Movies, Reviews, Uncategorized

Movie Review: “Jackie” is Haunting, Memorable Biopic

Posted on by melissaburgess

image1Pablo Larrain’s 2016 biographical drama film, “Jackie,” released earlier this month, is a fascinating, haunting look into the life of Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy around the time of her husband’s death. It is fascinating, intimate and memorable – and a film I would recommend to all, whether you’re invested in this iconic figure or not.

I was fortunate to catch this flick at the historic North Park Theatre in Buffalo. I’d never been before, but I truly see why they call it “Buffalo’s best.” It is a beautiful, one-room theatre, stage and all, with a screen set up on said stage for viewing of movies. The 600-seat theatre was established in 1920 and is absolutely picturesque. It’s certainly a beautiful way to watch a film. (It also happens to be five minutes from my home and the only local-ish theater showing the film, so…. things worked out nicely.)

“Jackie” stars Natalie Portman as the title character, and is an intriguing look at the time in Jackie’s life surrounding her husband’s death. The film flips back and forth between the ‘present’ time, which is an interview between a reporter and Jackie in Hyannis Port, MA, and reflecting back on the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. This is Portman’s first time portraying Jackie, and I think she wears it well.

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Posted in Travel & Experiences, Uncategorized

A Weekend in Syracuse

Posted on by melissaburgess

15420805_10208507647912773_8315346953026149003_nAlright, so I’m a bit behind with this post but I wanted to do a quick write-up of our (my husband and I) trip to Syracuse a bit ago! On a snowy Saturday afternoon, we did the just-over-two-hour drive across the state to Syracuse! I’ve been through the city before (mostly passing by on car or via bus) but never been through, so this was a nice change of pace without going too, too far from home.

On our way out, we stopped at the Montezuma Winery in Seneca Falls, New York. I hadn’t been in about three years but wanted to make a quick pit stop. Great place for some last-minute Christmas gifts (I picked up some wine, a few glasses and other assorted decor). I love quaint little places like this. Sadly, the winery dog that was there last time I went was nowhere to be found. (I really, really love dogs, okay?)

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