Whoever said that Hollywood stars are mindless and brainless people couldn’t be more wrong – at least if we’re talking about Gwyneth Paltrow and her circle of friends who have been invited to become part of her special book club. This “book club” is actually part of Gwyneth’s effort to encourage readers of her web site to take up reading as a pastime this winter.
While some people might prefer to go out and ski or engage in other quite costly winter pastimes, the Hollywood star prefers to sit back and relax at home with a good book. Apparently, some of her friends – celebrities and non-celebrities alike – lean towards the same idea. In her web site, Goop, Gwyneth asked some of her friends to list down their all time favorite reads and no less than Madonna is part of that group!
The Telegraph actually found this newsworthy and published a feature on it:
She introduces the recently-divorced singer saying: “Madonna Ciccone rules the world, is a loyal friend and a terrific mother”. Also featured in the reading list are Turlington and her best friend Abby Kane.
Paltrow writes: “These are the women who read voraciously and with passion. No TV for them before bed (I need a little something, even 10 minutes of ‘The X Factor’ or a forensic pathology documentary, just something, for Lord’s sake!).
“I always like knowing the literary preferences of people. I think it gives a better understanding of their inner life.”
Madonna’s favourite books are listed as the Richard and Judy Book club favourite, The Time Traveller’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger, The Bad Girl by renowned Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa, and Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.
While we might not be part of that club, there’s nothing stopping us from trying those books out. We might learn a thing or two.
Comments (2)
You’ll probably be seeing and hearing that phrase a lot in the next weeks, even months, as it is the tag line for the new tourism campaign that the city of Angels has launched. On Friday last week, Los Angeles city officials kicked off a new tourism campaign that is aimed at boosting the economy and providing jobs.
You would think that this part of the world would not have a lack of tourists. Indeed, last year, they still had a record number of visitors. However, the economic troubles of the country – and hence the city – are far from over and the authorities are bracing themselves for the worst. As such, they have launched this campaign in an effort to attract more visitors.
Mind you, they have put a lot of money into this campaign – a whopping $2M worth! Initially, the campaign is geared at reaching Southern California residents who might want to take a trip to the city. Eventually, the campaign will be widened to target other places in the US as well as international markets.
Despite the money that Hollywood movies brings in – and they capitalize on Hollywood for tourist attractions, believe me – the city knows that tourism is the lifeblood of their economy. As such, $2M is but a small price to pay to entice people from all over the world to spend their money in the city.
That’s So LA is replacing the old campaign dubbed See My LA. It still features the most popular attractions in the city.
Comment (0)
Visiting Hollywood is something that many people dream of. There really is not much that you need to do to entice the average person to visit THE Hollywood. However, did you know that there is another place named Hollywood? This one is located in the state of Florida and despite its geographical distance, the two Hollywoods do have some ties that bond them together.
Take this recent stunt by the Hollywood Office of Tourism (Florida). Capitalizing on the success of Hollywood (California) movie Marley & Me, the Florida office has decided to give away freebies to tourists who will visit and book through their online portal. The Miami Herald has this news:
Visitors to Hollywood who register for rooms online can fetch great rates and a special gift to coincide with the first month of movie theater screenings of the new family film Marley & Me, according to a statement released last week by the Hollywood Office of Tourism.
Through January, guests who book rooms on www.visithollywoodfl.org will get a free copy of the bestseller Marley & Me by former Sun-Sentinel columnist John Grogan.
Set primarily in South Florida, the book, which was transformed into a movie, is a heartwarming tale of a mischievous but lovable Labrador retriever and his impact on his human family.
Scenes were shot at several recognizable locations, including Los Olas Boulevard, Dolphin Stadium, The Miami Herald and Nick’s Bar and Grill on Hollywood beach.
The Hollywood Office of Tourism gives Hollywood two ”paws up” for its dog-friendly accommodations at local hotels and public facilities, including Poinciana Dog Park at 1301 S. 21st Ave. and Hollywood Dog Beach on the ocean between Pershing and Custer streets.
That just goes to show that the reach and influence of Tinsel Town goes far and wide – even if it’s because of a mutt movie star.
Comment (0)
The news has been out for a several days now. John Travolta’s son, Jett, passed away last weekend. At first, it was not clear just exactly what caused his death. After an autopsy was done, however, it was disclosed that Jett died of a seizure while they were vacationing in the Bahamas. Jett had a history of seizures and was just found unconscious in the family vacation home’s bathroom.
Jett was cremated and his family has since then returned to the US. Access Hollywood reports:
The couple received an urn with his ashes and left the island chain on Monday night, according to Obie Wilchcombe, a member of the Bahamas parliament and a family friend.
“Everything was in place, the cremation was completed, and they decided to leave,” Wilchcombe told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
He said the family is back in Ocala, Florida, where they have a home.
Funeral plans have not been announced.
In Ocala, Mayor Randy Ewers said the city sent the Travolta family condolences and will give them space and privacy.
“They’re fantastic people, really family oriented,” Ewers said. “We want to respect their privacy as much as possible.”
In a public statement Sunday, Travolta, 54, and Preston, 46, said they were “heartbroken that our time with him was so brief.”
As for the rest of Hollywood, everyone who is somebody – and even those who may not be qualified as superstars – have sent out messages of support and love for the family.
Comment (0)
