I like anything that is different than the norm. Independent works. Never mainstream. I hate Hollywood endings. I went through a foreign film phase but now find it difficult to read subtitles anywhere except on the big screen. I like fiction books that allow me to learn about new cultures and countries. My guilty pleasure is chick lit. I mix it up..sometimes you juts need an easy read.
Some authors I enjoy:
Serious Works
Chick Lit
John Irving Jane Green
Lisa See Emily Giffin
Wally Lamb Jennifer Weiner
Haruki Murakam i Sophia Kinsella
Dave Nichols
Paul Auster
My taste in music is very diverse. I am into a lot of different genres. One thing that I am not proud of--I have not kept up with the times. Most of my collection of taste is old school-- be it R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Jazz, Classic Rock, Disco, Funk, Soul, Blues, World, Dub. I especially like 70's Oldies. The only new tastes I have developed in recent years include Downtempo, Chill Lounge, Ambient type music. I don't spend a lot of time listening to music. Only when the mood hits me. It pained me to convert all my CD's to iTunes...especially since my iTunes are all messed up now. I now mostly enjoy Spotify and Pandora. I love the suggestion element of these apps. It allows me to find new music.
Artists I Like (Small Selection)
Cassandra Wilson
Nina Simone
Bebel Gilberto
Cesaria Evora
Bob Marley
Gregory Isaacs
Alpha Blondie
Bares Hammond
Shaggy
Culture
Player
Ambrosia
Alicia Keyes
Mary J Blidge
Fugees
Lauren Hill
Jay Z
Tupac
Notorious BIG
Eminem
Earth Wind & Fire
Bee Gees
Teddy Pendergrass
Marvin Gaye
Barry White
Whispers
Buddha Lounge
Luther Vandross
Freddy Jackson
Sade
Stones
Led Zepplin
Queen
Pink Floyd
The Who
Billy Joel
Elton John
Living in NYC, I am at the heart of the theater center (with exception to London) and take advantage of this perk. When time/money allows, I see quite a few plays. I do not like musicals so On Broadway only the Plays apply. However, I most enjoy the Off Broadway performances, with theater companies like Manhattan Theater Group, Roundabout Theater, and Rattlestick. I would love to explore more of the Off Off shows but they can be so hit or miss! Play by Play and TKTS are the best ways to see theater at a deep discount (if not free).
Plays I Really Enjoyed (recent)
Venus and Fur
Srickfly
Good People
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Streetcar Named Desire
The Glass Menagerie
I enjoy films that are out of the ordinary Hollywood mold. The big studios have started making junk (as the American people like) and with prices at $13+ I seldom see films in the theater. Oscar time always brings 2-4 winners that I enjoy. Thank god for Netflix and Moviebox...we can now enjoy movies cheap. I love the indie films as well as a god documentary, drama, comedy or love story. A good mystery or thriller at times.
Directors
Francis Ford Coppala
Tyler Perry
Steven Speilberg
Roman Polanksi
Martin Scorsese
Oliver Stone
Clint Eastwood
Quintin Tarrantino
Woody Allen
Movies I Love
Scarface
Midnight Express
Pulp Fiction
Taxi Driver
Godfather
Midnight in Paris
Forrest Gump
Crash
American Beauty
Actors
Al Pacino
Robert DeNiro
Helen Miren
Kevin Spacey
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Meryl Streep
Dustin Hoffman
Jack NIcholson
Sean Penn
Judi Dench
In summary, what would life be without culture? The arts? A boring, lonely place. The arts make you laugh and cry. Thay make you question your life's choices. They make you think.