Friday, March 28, 2014

Book Report - Orange is the New Black

Title: Orange is the New Black
Authour: Piper Kerman
Length: 298 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days
Grade: B

What it's about: With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before. But that past has caught up with her. Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424—one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman’s story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison—why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they’re there

The ending is the most important part: The ending was wonderful and made me smile so much.

Last word: I was so surprised at how positive this book was. I really enjoyed this.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Song of the Day - Airhead Thomas Dolby


This is the only Thomas Dolby song that I like. My sister won the twelve inch of this at a dance and played it all the time, so this is her song.

Weird, I remember this song rocking a lot more and being a lot more danceable - must have been the mix that Mrs. Bowie had.

Just listen to the words - they're the best.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Book Report - Vampire Academy

Title: Vampire Academy
Authour: Richelle Mead
Length: 332 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days
Grade: C-

What it's about: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

The ending is the most important part: Considering this is a series, this book can actually stand alone. There is no compulsion to read the next book in order to finish the story.

Last word: Not interesting, not compelling, not reading the rest of the series.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Song of the Day - Not in Love Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith


Holy Cats! I am obsessed with this song!!!

It's a Platinum Blonde song that I loved in the eighties, sung by Robert Smith of the Cure, and has this excellent electronica groove. I love the sound of this song. So haunting, so danceable - it speaks to both sides of my personality.

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Book Report - Uglies

Title: Uglies
Authour: Scott Westerfeld
Length: 448 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days
Grade: B

What it's about: Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license - for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all.

The ending is the most important part: The ending was predictable with just enough curiosity to read the next one.

Last word: I like the messages in the book, but I hate the terminology.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Song of the Day - Flashdance (What a Feeling)


Flashdance came out when I was still dreaming of becoming a professional dancer. Coming from a very working class background and knowing that I was going to have to be one of these people who make their own dreams come true - no one was going to help me, no fairy godmother, this movie really spoke to me.

Plus, Irene Cara. What pipes!! Feel free to sing this song out loud. Really loud.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Book Report - The Secret Lives of Dresses

Title: The Secret Lives of Dresses
Authour: Erin McKean
Length: 290 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days

What it's about: Dora is in love with a man who barely notices her, has a job she doesn’t care about, and dresses entirely for comfort, not style. All a far cry from her vivid, eccentric childhood, growing up with her beloved grandmother Mimi.

However, when disaster strikes, Dora knows she has no choice but to return to her childhood home and take over running Mimi’s vintage clothing shop. And there she makes a surprising discovery – Mimi’s been writing stories to accompany every dress she sells. Romantic, heartbreaking tales about each one’s secret life before it got to her shop...

Dora starts to matchmake these lonely frocks with new owners, but will the stories help her as well? Trading her boring high street clothes for vintage glamour is one thing. What she needs to know is whether she can trade her safe old life – and love – for something better too?

The ending is the most important part: The ending was lovely - but I want more!! I wanted this book to go on forever. Sequel, please!

Last word: I recommend this book to everyone. It is a wonderful story full of all things lovely and beautiful. I want to live in this book.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Song of the Day - Close to the Edit


I love The Art of Noise, but my sister loves them more. This was one of those bands that I introduced to someone else and they ended up loving them even more than I.

This is the first Art of Noise song that I heard and it blew my mind. If you're hearing this for the first time, you're welcome. If you're hearing this as a blast from the past, you're welcome.