Tips for Tuesday - Books: When the Lights Are Bright Again & Games: Bold Maid .

We may have been given complimentary copies for review purposes of one or more of any books or other products mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Book: When the Lights Are Bright Again

Today we are recommending When the Lights Are Bright Again created by Andrew Norlen. This book is a collection of letters from Broadway Industry professionals to themselves regarding the things they have learned about themselves, their industry, and/or the world at large during the pandemic and the resulting Broadway shutdown and their hopes and dreams for Broadway's return .  The book also includes beautiful not-to-miss photographs by photographer, Matthew Murphy,  of some of the artists whose letters are included in the book. The letters included range from those of better-known Broadway actors like Rob McClure and Ali Stoker to those of lesser-known actors and even include those of some actors just starting out in the business as well as those of other industry professionals like dressers, stage managers, costume designers and more. 

The letters vary in focus. Some concentrate on and what they have learned during the pandemic, others focus on how they hope the theater industry will be different when they return, or what they will feel returning to Broadway, and more. Accordingly, the book is divided into different sections which include Joy, Healing, Creativity, Grief, and more.  All of the letters are so full of hope that it is palpable. It really gives you an appreciation for the world of Broadway and the artists who inhabit it, and it makes you happy and grateful to be a part of their world even if just as an audience member. With that in mind, in the back of the book, there is even a space for you to share a letter of your own even if just want to share it with yourself. 

Games:Bold Made

Despite the name, the card game Bold Made really bears more resemblance to the classic card game Gin Rummy than to the card game Old Maid not only because of the way the game is played but because there are actually no old maids in the game at all. What there is is a deck of cards filled with portraits of a dazzling array of real-life inspirational women from a wide variety of different fields.  There are famous female aviators, female inventors, female judges, and many more. There is even an expansion pack that you can buy full of inspirational female athletes. The game is not only entertaining and extremely impactful in the way it reminds girls that they can do anything, but it is informative as well teaching girls (and boys) about these amazing women by including a brief paragraph about each woman included in the deck in the rule book included with the game.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.