Kate Murphy is a journalist in Houston who writes frequently for The New York Times.

Anthony Bourdain is a chef, author and host of “No Reservations,” an Emmy-award-winning television show on the Travel Channel, which chronicles his culinary adventures.

READING I just finished Sarah Bakewell’s terrific “How to Live: Or a Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer.” It’s Montaigne’s essays presented in a casual and contemporary way that reminds you why he is still relevant after nearly 500 years. I went out and got a tattoo because of that book. The lettering is in Greek but the best translation is “I suspend judgment,” a credo that Montaigne related to personally.

I am still working on Joel Brinkley’s “Cambodia’s Curse.” Cambodia was one of the first places I visited abroad. I wasn’t prepared for the grim reality there. It struck me hard.

And of course, there’s Lucky Peach, an uncompromising new food publication and suicidal project I’m involved in. The first issue is 200 pages, without advertising, about ramen. Who would have thought?

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LISTENING I’m kind of obsessed with Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi’s album, “Rome,” which has a lushly beautiful soundtrack vibe that appeals to me. When you’re on the road 240 days a year, listening to something that makes you feel like you’re in a film makes it better. Also stumbled onto the amazing works of Mark Lanegan recently — shamefully late — and particularly love the song “Wedding Dress.”

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WATCHING I tend to binge on directors. Just came off a long Wong Kar-wai jag. His films have incredibly beautiful people, gorgeous lighting, a romantic feel, and I like his sense of humor.