Gabriele Meiringer

Interests

I love to read, usually one book of fiction and three or four non-fiction books teeter on my nightstand.

The Writers Store eZine used to be my joy until I had to pass the baton because of health issues. Its continuing growth and strength fill me with pride.

I am interested in animal welfare on a small and large scale. Writers Store customer and Emmy award-winning documentarian Allison Argo's recent PBS show on Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History moved me beyond words.

We volunteer at the local animal shelter, walking dogs and brushing cats to help socialize them until they find a forever home.

When health and time permits I enjoy making greetings cards and bead jewelry.

But most of all, what gives me the greates pleasure, is my family, kids and grandkids, and pets. Oh, and Dan, my man!

Books

My favorite books include: most recently The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, A Gesture Life by Chang-rae Lee, Ana Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, East of Eden (Steinbeck). I have thoroughly enjoyed most biographies by Writers Store friend and way-back customer Donald Spoto: Blue Angel, The Life of Marlene Dietrich; The Kindness of Strangers, The Life of Tennessee Williams; Marilyn Monroe – The Biography; Notorious, The Life of Ingrid Bergman; Passion for Life: Elizabeth Taylor; The Hidden Jesus: A New Life, and more! I’ve probably read every self-help book ever published, with The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, Destructive Emotions by the Dalai Lama, and The Great Tao by Stephen Chang making the greatest impression on me.

Movies

Since I haven't written any movies I'll use this space to list some of my favorite flicks; a work in progress. Here's a taste:

Most recently: United 93, Transamerica, Brokeback Mountain, Million Dollar Baby, Hustle & Flow, The Motorcycle Diaries; All-time favorites: Fargo; Wings of Desire; The King of Masks, Maria full of Grace; Babe (yes, I know!); One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest; Dr. Zhivago; Coming Home, On the Waterfront, Twelve Angry Men, Blazing Saddles

Television

Yikes, a bunch of my favorite tv shows are in syndication, is that a reflection on my taste or the state of tv programming?

Sopranos, The Dog Whisperer, any crazy animal show, Nova, Frontline, Desperate Housewives, Meet the Press, No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain, David Letterman, The NewsHour w/ Jim Lehrer, The Daily Show, Bill Maher, Boston Legal, Oprah Winfrey, Nightly Business Report, The Office, Scrubs, Seinfeld, West Wing, Six Feet Under