Dr. Murphy attends a Charger football game with his daughter Bronwyn.
Courtesy | David Murphy

BOOK: Lewis Carroll’s “Alice” books

I turned to these while I was in graduate school for some light reading to complement the journals and textbooks I was reading most of the time. They are fun stories, and I enjoy them as such, but I also appreciate the way Carroll plays with both language and logic in them making sense out of nonsense and vice versa.

MUSIC: Christmas Music

It is difficult to name a single song, but my family will testify that I have a definite soft spot for Christmas music. From Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day, I am frequently listening to our collection at home, in the car, and in the office. It is relaxing, joyful, and uplifting. Plus, where else can you seamlessly transition from Bach to Neil Diamond or from crooners to choirs?

MOVIE: “The Hobbit” (1977)

I’ve always enjoyed animated films, but this one stands out in my memories from childhood. I remember watching and rewatching it with my brothers. We can still sing many of its songs, as well as those from the 1980 follow-up, “The Return of the King.”