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Happy Tuesday All,
And welcome to the Cultural Reads Newsletter! A bi-weekly book, music, and movie recommendation from different countries all around the world.
For previous newsletter editions, check out the archive.
In this week’s newsletter: Nicaragua, Brazil, Arabia, Sweden & Taiwan.
Gabriel Traversari spent 20 years as a TV star in Miami before moving back to his motherland Nicaragua with one goal: building the country’s cultural sector.
He started a boyband, directed two internationally featured movies, organized multiple cultural events, and published five books.
His most peculiar book is an interview with Lillian Somoza, daughter of Nicaragua’s notorious military dictator, Anastasio Somoza.
In my latest interview, you can find about Gabriel’s work, his ties to the Somoza family, and his Nicaraguan recommendations.
Xique Xique is a music project from São Paolo, influenced by the VOODOOHOP Collective.
The duo, formed by French DJ Dunwich and Brazilian music producer Biba Graeff create songs with deep grooves, hypnotic melodies and organic rhythms.
My favorites are 1542 and Siriema.
The last one reminds me a bit of one of my favorite techno playlists, EMOTIONAL.
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Lawrence of Arabia is an all-time classic. The movie is already 60 years old but still surprisingly captivating.
The story is based on Thomas Lawrence’s life as a military advisor to Bedouin forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire from 1916 to 1918.
If you can, go and watch the film on a large screen. Luckily, some movie theaters still feature it as a special.
If you don’t have the opportunity, you can rent it on Amazon Prime for $3.99.
I just finished rereading Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, a story about a journalist investigating a young girl’s murder.
It’s one of the best thrillers of all time and listed in The Guardian’s top 100 books of the 21st century.
The novel has been made into a Swedish and Hollywood movie, with each a 7.8 on IMDB.
Given its popularity, chances are that you’ve already read it. If that’s the case, check out one of my other favorite Scandinavian thriller authors, Jo Nesbo.
My favorite book is The Snowman, which is part of a series that starts with The Bat. Check this page for the correct reading order.
This week’s playlist is Taiwanese Indie, featuring chilled songs from popular Taiwanese artists.
Thanks for the tip Jessica!
If you have any good playlists, please share it with me by replying to this email!
If a story moved you.
Does it really matter if it’s true or not?
The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness by Joel ben Izzy
