Read
Mandy Len Catron
A couple of years ago, Mandy Len Catron published her essay “To Fall in Love with Anyone, Do This” in the New York Times’ Modern Love column, and it went about as viral as you can get. The essay was based on her fascinating experience using 36 increasingly personal questions—curated from a psychology study—to help make two strangers fall in love. The wild success of her essay led to her new book, How to Fall in Love with Anyone: A Memoir in Essays. She effortlessly balances her own experiences with contemporary research about love. Len Catron covers age-old questions about how to fall in love, how to stay in love, what love really means—and whether there are really
any answers at all.
—Raela Schoenherr
Raela Schoenherr is an editor at a Minnesota publishing company. She loves to talk books and writing on Twitter at
@raelaschoenherr.
Drink
Pinot Noir
This month, I’m highlighting an amazing pinot noir. Fullerton Wines of Willamette Valley, Oregon (an area we’ve covered in this column before), makes excellent pinot noir and chardonnay. Their second label, Three Otters, is a great pinot noir with just the right amount of bright fruit and freshness. This wine, made 100 percent from Willamette Valley fruit, is primarily aged in a tank to retain the fresh acidity, and rounded out by aging about 25 percent of the blend in a barrel. You’ll find notes of bright berry fruit and incredibly soft tannins. Serve with just a slight chill. $24.99. —Kevin Castellano
Kevin Castellano is the general manager of Wayzata Wine and Spirits and a lake-area wine and liquor expert.
Listen
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is a virtual project made up of fictional band members, created by British musician Damon Albarn (who rose to fame in the ’90s with rock band Blur) and his cartoonist countryman Jamie Hewlett. On their fifth release, Humanz, the duo has crafted yet another playful and futuristic soundtrack that draws on electronic, pop and hip-hop influences. With 20 tracks, clocking in at 49 minutes, the record can feel like an endurance race chock-full of apocalyptic themes. It’s an über-modern album, full of beats, hooks and plenty of guest appearances—like Mavis Staples, Grace Jones, De La Soul and more. Standout tracks include “Momentz,” “Charger,” “Let Me Out” and “We Got the Power.” The album is available online and at local book and music stores.
—Sean Schultz
Sean Schultz is a lifelong musician who enjoys consuming popular culture. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two dogs.
