By: Lindsay LaChapelle;
Mosaic Staff Writer,
With winter break quickly approaching, anticipation for the end of the semester is building, but it’s not only the students who are anxiously awaiting the vacation. The Salve professors are just as eager to put aside their studies and relax. Many plan on filling their time with books, movies, and TV.
Dr. Daniel Cowdin. Dr. Daniel Cowdin of the Theology department is looking forward to watching several TV series this winter with his wife and daughter. He is excited for the return of Downton Abbey and the new season of Larkrise to Candelford on PBS. “On a little edgier note, we also eagerly await Madmen and are thrilled that Whitney is back,” says Dr. Cowdin.
Media credit: Salve Regina Faculty Page
According to Dr. Cowdin, his family loves to watch Once Upon a Time as well. “The characters live in two worlds—the world of magic, where they are characters like Snow White and Prince Charming, but also in a regular New England town called Storybrooke,” says Dr. Cowdin. “It’s fun.” Dr. Cowdin and his wife also frequently watch Top Chef on the Food Network. “Clearly we watch too much TV, and I haven’t even begun with the sports…” says Dr. Cowdin.
Dr. Cowdin also plans to take a trip to the movie theater to see the new adaptation of Tolstoy’s classic novel Anna Karenina starring Kiera Knightly and Jude Law. Having already seen the film The Sessions, Dr. Cowdin highly recommends it. “The Sessions [is] an absolutely beautiful story of a man afflicted with polio who seeks the help of a sex therapist,” says Dr. Cowdin. “Believe it or not, religion (both Catholic and Jewish) is portrayed beautifully in this film.”
This winter Dr. Cowdin’s reading list consists of Jon Sweeney’s The Pope Who Quit, Mary Oliver’s Blue Pastures, and Geraldine Brooks’ Caleb’s Crossing. According to Dr. Cowdin, Mary Oliver is a poet he uses often in his classes. Her newest work, however, is a collection of essays. “I am interested to read her in a different style and also get to know her life a little more,” says Dr. Cowdin.
Dr. John Quinn. Like Dr. Cowdin, Dr. John Quinn of the History Department will spend a lot of time with his family. “My wife and I are planning to do some Christmassy things with our kids,” says Dr. Quinn. “We are going to take them to see the light display at LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro, Massachusetts and we’ll spend a day in Manhattan with them looking at the Christmas trees and dis
plays in the shop windows.”
According to Dr. Quinn, he is looking forward to seeing the movie Lincoln. “I’ve spoken to several people who recommend it highly,” says Dr. Quinn.
As for books, Dr. Quinn will read a history of the Renaissance in Italy for a journal review. He is also considering reading Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. “I may also pick up again a book called Coming Apart by a sociologist named Charles Murray,” says Dr. Quinn. “I started reading it a couple of months ago and thought that it offered some depressing but interesting insights into the challenges presently facing America.”
Dr. Patricia Combies. Dr. Combies of the English Department will be busy catching up on her reading list this winter break. “Recently I’ve gotten into science fiction particularly dystopian and utopian novels,” says Dr. Combies. She plans to read Oryx and Cracke, a new science fiction novel by Margret Atwood and Fields of Compassion, a scientific approach to compassion by Judy Cannato. Like Dr. Cowdin, Dr. Comb
Media credit: MCT Campus
ies will also read Mary Oliver’s newest work.
Dr. Combies plans on spending many hours at the movie theater over her vacation. She would like to see Argo, Lincoln, and Les Miserables. She also plans to see Anna Karenina, although she thinks it may be disappointing. “I am not big on movie adaptations,” says Dr. Combies.
As far as TV, Dr. Combies will watch a variety of different things. During the Holiday season she watches many Hallmark Christmas movies. “They’re so sappy, but I love them,” says Dr. Combies.
According to Dr. Combies, she also likes to watch sports. “I am a big patriot and Celtics fan,” she says. She will also frequently watch Food Network, especially the competition shows.
“Most of all I am looking forward to having time to rest, read, and get away to see something new,” says Dr. Combies.
