Fall Reading List

Photo Courtesy of ArtsJournal.com

I love absolutely nothing more than sitting in the cool fall sun with a nice cup of coffee and a good book.  I yearn for days off so I can make that happen, and now that it is officially November, it's time to say goodbye to the indian summer we've had in New York and say hello to fall.  Here are a few of the books I'd like to read this fall:

• Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford- As I've mentioned in previous posts, this book has me feeling super nostalgic for New York in the early 20th century, and it's been an excellent introduction to poetry.
• Loving Frank by Nancy Horan- I've been dying to read this book for ages, and coming from the home of an architect, it's no wonder why. 
• Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller- This is November's book for one of the book clubs I keep y eye on through meetup.com, and it's on every Random House list I've looked at.  A definite must read.
• Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious and Otherwise Commendable Things From Time Gone By by Lesley M.M. Blume- I wouldn't be so interested in picking up a newly released book (too much hype involved), but this one is worth an exception.

I only have four more books to go before I reach my goal for the year.  Hopefully I can get a few of these books finished before I head to New Orleans for Christmas!

Hipster Must-Read: Blindness

I am usually not a fan of fiction, and when I pick up fiction it usually tends to be ridiculous and easy reads books by Chuck Palahniuk and Bret Easton Ellis.  But, lately, I've promised a certain someone that I would try to read more fiction, and along with that, I'm trying to pick fiction that has been actually recognized for it's greatness.

So, I picked up a copy of Jose Saramago's Blindness.  The premise is pretty simple, an entire community becomes stricken with an epidemic of blindness, save for one very lucky woman who is left with her vision.  The story explores the human condition as society falls into ruin and we are exposed to the worst of people when they are left to become helpless.

Saramago strays from the typical literary path in his writing.  He has a structure and style unlike any I've seen in a book, and you never even learn the name of the characters.

In 2008, it was made into a film starring Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, and Gael Garcia Bernal.  But I definitely recommend reading the book before watching the movie if you can.  I felt as though the screen adaptation was rather accurate, but my only problem was that my imagination worked less than it could've and I just ended up picturing the actors in all the roles.  I will say, however, that I can't wait to go back and watch the movie again and see how it compares.

Blindness was a quick read and a great foray into the world of fiction for me.  I'm glad I choose something that was written by someone who has actually won a Pulitzer.  It gives me hope that I can one day get through the stack of classics and other Pulitzer winners that's sitting on my dresser!

Hipster Must-Read: Bohemian Manifesto

Hipsters are the new bohemians.  And as a self-proclaimed hipster (not to be confused with a trustafarian), and an avid (maybe obsessive) reader, I couldn't help but pick up a copy of Laren Stover's Bohemian Manifesto.  And I definitely see the connection.  Stover explores Bohemian lifestyle and culture from past French bohemian's through present hipster types.  Stover discusses everything from wardrobe, to food, to the language of love through five different types of bohemians; the Nouveau Bohemian, the Gypsy Bohemian, the Dandy Bohemian, the Zen Bohemian, and the Beat Bohemian.  She lists must-read books for bohemians, cookbooks that explore the bohemian lifestyle (I am dying to get my hands on this),  must-see bohemian films, and even a recipe for absinthe.

I've discovered that I am a mix between the Nouveau Bohemian and the Zen Bohemian, if that's at all possible.  My love of food and finer things makes me a little bit Nouveau, but my love of the earth, growing my own food, and being a bit of a hippy definitely files me under the Zen Bohemian.  But let's face it, with my love of getting manicures, watching crappy SyFy movies, and reading a book on being bohemian, definitely makes me much less of an actual bohemian.

Yes, the book is a little bit ridiculous, but it's fun.  And besides, there is something so ridiculous/romantic about the bohemian lifestyle that you can't help but want to be a part of it.  Or maybe that's just me...

Hipster Must-Read: Bright Lights, Big City

I've been dying to read this classic Jay McInerney novel for ages.  Having been a huge Bret Easton Ellis fan for years, I couldn't wait to read the novel of his 80s literary rival.  And when I finally broke down and got a copy, it took me all of two days to finish it.  And with a film remake version set to come out next year, there is no better time to do so.

With similar tones to Less Than Zero, McInerney's semi-autobiographical novel explores the seedy underbelly that was the 1980s New York yuppie scene.  My favourite.  I love reading about the different areas of New York and how they change now, and let's be honest, I love reading about discontent people in their mid-20s (something about it just strikes a chord with me, what can I say?)

I've added a couple more McInerney novels on my list, and also added the Michael J. Fox film version to my Netflix queue, although I'm sure to be disappointed.  But since McInerney never really repeated his super star status with any other books, I'm wondering if I'm going to end up disappointed?

Summer Reading List

I am quite the librophile when I choose to be, and while it has it's ups and downs, there is nothing I enjoy more than sitting in my backyard enjoying a book and beverage on a hot summer afternoon.  I feel as though in the summertime there is absolutely no better way to spend my time, so at the beginning of every summer I compile my summer reading list, and this years list is intense.

The Classics- I didn't take standard English classes in high school, so while everyone else was reading the classics, I was in my creative writing classes, and now, I've fallen behind on standard literature.

• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.  With the new Emma Stone movie coming out, I figure there is no time like the present to catch up on this novel.
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  I'm kind of obsessed New York of the past and the cultural effect that Zelda and F. Scott had in this city amazes me.
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.  I should probably read some Mark Twain at some point in my life.
• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.  This is an ambitious one, but the movie is supposed to come out next year, and I always love reading the book before watching the movie.

Contemporary- I rarely read any contemporary fiction, mostly because I've read everything by my favourite contemporary authors, but I've managed to scrounge up a few books for this summer.

• Pygmy by Chuck Palahniuk.  It's the only book of his I haven't read, it'll probably take me a day.
• Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney.  He was the 80s rival and contemporary of Bret Easton Ellis, this book was made into a movie later on that I've avoided seeing until I get the chance to read the book.

Non-Fiction- I'm obsessed with non-fiction books, especially anything having to do with food politics, and biographies.  I'm sure this section of this list will expand by the end of June!

• Mapplethorpe by Patricia Morrisroe.  I'm kind of obsessed with Robert Mapplethorpe, but know nothing about him.  I'm setting out to change that.
• Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer.  Vegetarian, I am not, but I like to learn about the meat industry, and what animals go through so that I can gain a deeper respect for what I'm putting in my mouth.  
• Food Rules: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan.  Pollan's previous book, The Omnivore's Dilemma changed my life.  Hopefully this one will do the same!

So there's the beginning of my summer reading list.  It seems quite ambitious and I'm sure there will be many a times where I will get off track and something new will inspire me!

Authors I Love: Chuck Klosterman

I am a bit late to board the Chuck Klosterman bandwagon.  By this time, he's written 6 books, and I've only read 2.  Granted, those 2 books probably took me 4 days to read, and that's exactly why I'm obsessing.  I cannot put his books down.

The first, and Klosterman's second, given to me by my former manager was, naturally, Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, which if you've somehow managed to escape, is a collection of popular culture essays.  Klosterman stole my heart when he wrote about the 1980s Lakers vs. Celtics rivalry, which mirrors my current sports obsession, or when he wrote about my childhood favorite, Saved by the Bell.

The second, I finished in a day and a half.  Yesterday, I spent nearly all day on my couch reading Killing Yourself to Live, which is a narcissistic, obsessive account of rock music and relationships, told as Klosterman drives across the country.  A self-aware homage to High Fidelity, I found myself making a list of albums I needed to listen to in order to understand where Klosterman was coming from as he wrote.

I have four Klosterman books left to read, which will take me, oh a week.  I hope that those novels can make me a) nostalgic for my youth, b) jealous of his knowledge, c) craving new music, and d) wanting to be a better writer.  Let's be honest, I read Klosterman because I am Klosterman.  I may not be as talented of a writer, and I may not get to work at a really awesome magazine due to all my obscure knowledge, but truth be told, everything Klosterman thinks, is probably right along the same lines of what I think.

Uh oh, I've given myself away.  Hopefully there aren't too many Klosterman fans out there who now can see deep into my soul based on what they've read in his books...

Top 10 Favorite Books of 2009

I am not the New York Times Best-Seller list. I don’t rush out to buy the newest books, and I have never read a Twilight novel in my life. But I love literature and think my opinion is valid, so here is a top ten list of the books I have read in the past year:

10. Geek Love
Catharine Dunn’s novel about a family who’s members are nearly all in a carnival sideshow strikes a chord and common theme among books I like to read…it’s bizarre. It manages to be crazy, emotional, and sad all at the same time. I recommend it for anyone looking for something a little bit different from the New York Times Best Sellers.

9. Famous for 15 Minutes
Ultra Violet was an integral part of the Andy Warhol factory scene in the 60s. This memoir, albeit not well written, is fascinating to anyone interested in Warhol, Dali, and the sex, drugs, and rock and roll scene that was the New York 60s. Now out-of-print, it is relatively easy to find a used copy online.

8. Animal Farm
2009 was my year of catching up on classics. Unfortunately, most of those classics did not make my list, but George Orwell’s metaphorical novel has affected my core. Read in the course of two hours at a local coffee shop, I found myself deeply upset, and I don’t think I ate meat for weeks.

7. Drugs are Nice: A Post-Punk Memoir
Lisa Crystal Carver’s memoir of the 1980s and 1990s underground is missing the one thing you’d think it would have: drugs, at least from her. What it does have is lots of music references, the start of ‘zine culture, alleged Nazi’s and the story of one woman’s pain and strength to get through it.

6. Into the Wild
I found my copy of Into the Wild on the street and had I not, I probably never would have read it. Part of me envy’s Chris McCandless’ adventure, and the interviews with everyone he touched during his travels is inspiring. Later made into a movie starring the amazing Emile Hirsch, this story is wonderful and heartbreaking.

5. Middlesex
Jeffrey Eugenides ode to a hermaphrodite is his first, but not only appearance on my list. Spanning from Greek grandparents, to Grosse Pointe, Michigan, this novel is truly an amazing read.

4. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs
Chuck Klosterman’s best selling essay collection makes it pretty high on my list. It is perfect for anyone in their 20s, it deals with topics relevant to growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, and it made me want to rewatch My So-Called Life.

3. The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand’s objectivism is not a popular topic among most people, and while I wouldn’t consider myself an objectivist, I will say this. I want to be Dominique Francon. Her powerful female role is admirable and inspiring, if only one day I can be that much of a ball buster.

2. American Psycho
Bret Easton Ellis tribute to New York and all it’s Patrick Bateman’s in the late 1980s. This was the last B.E.E. book for me to read, the most difficult, and my favorite. I had to speed through this one because I began thinking like Patrick Bateman and my inner monologues kept me up at night.

1. The Virgin Suicides
Jeffrey Eugenides first novel that was later adapted into a feature film by Sophia Coppola. Not only is it my favorite read of 2009, but it’s quite possibly my favorite read ever. Written with grace and eloquence, The Virgin Suicides hits a note that anyone who has ever faced adolescence can relate to.

Why I Can't Read "Chick-Lit" Novels

Okay, I am constantly exposing my close friends to new authors and books. Anyone that knows me knows that I love to read. Magazines, periodicals, gossip sites, fashion blogs, classic literature, everything. However, there is one type of book I usually stray away from. That is the so-called Chick-Lit novel.

Perhaps it's the fact that I pride myself and reading rather masculine literature, or that I secretly have a dream of reading an Ellis novel and seeing a gorgeous brooding male across the coffee shop reading the same novel and we'd be forever linked by our love of literature, or maybe it's just that I always claim to not be that girly.

Well, to humor a good friend, I recently read Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger. The story is about Bette, a newcomer to the New York City PR scene. This good friend of mine thought it would be an appropriate title for me considering my internship in entertainment PR. Knowing I would never willingly go buy this book myself, within days of recommendation, she had thrust her copy into my hands. Now I remember the real reason I don't even buy these books.

They are too damn wonderful and addicting. I couldn't put it down. Literally, I had thoughts of skipping work in order to read this book. And the worst part, the entire time I really just wanted that to be my life. I loved to drama, the name dropping, the fashion references, and most importantly, the love story. Feminist I may be, but nothing gets to me like a happy ending.

So, I may not be filling my bookshelves with Chick-Lit novels from this day forward, but I'm definitely not ruling any of them out. Turns out, I may be much more feminine then I give myself credit for. But, let's keep this between you and me, because if any of my guy friends find out, I'll have to endure hours of "I told you so." ;)

Hipster Must-Read: Female Chauvinist Pigs

A male friend of mine had a copy of the book Female Chauvinist Pigs by Ariel Levy in his room recently. Me being me, I picked it up and started to read and next thing I know, I was swiping this book from his place with promises to return it the next week. Less the two days later, I'm bypassing the returning of this book with hopes to share it with everyone I know, male and female.

Now, I am not a hard-core feminist. But every once and a while, a good, strong feminist piece of literature speaks to me. Levy's book focuses on the rise of raunch culture, meaning Playboy, Girls Gone Wild, and the like. She believes that due to the increase participation of women in these raunch culture arenas, we as women are no longer allowing just men to objectify us, but we are no objectifying each other and ourselves.

Well, I'm not going to go in detail about the entire book, it's far too short and a quick read for me to do that. But I am suggesting you read it. Now. Go.

It may not change your life, but it will definitely cause a greater sense of awareness at all the young, female stupidity around you. It's worth a shot, right?

Authors I Love: Bret Easton Ellis

I go through a lot of phases. I go through phases of intense exercises, phases of eating peanut butter obsessively, and phases of reading every book by one author. This summer that phase was Bret Easton Ellis. The author of Less Than Zero , The Rules of Attraction, and American Psycho , I couldn't put any of his books down. Sure, they're a bit bizarre, and somewhat graphic (okay, I'm sure American Psycho is super graphic, but I haven't read that one yet, it's happening soon, I promise). I just can't help but love everything about the ease of reading his working, and the attitude of the super privileged.

I'm sure many people have seen the movie versions of his books. I remember watching Rules of Attraction in the days of my youth, but I now have a much bigger appreciation for the film, even if it does star James Van Der Beek (excuse the capitalization and spelling, I don't care enough to look it up). However, if you've seen the 80's classic Less Than Zero starring Andrew McCarthy and a very young and delicious Robert Downey Jr., don't let that be a deciding factor of B.E.E., the movie is a horrible interpretation of the book (in my opinion). The good news is that B.E.E. is supposedly writing a sequel to this book due out in 2010.

I am not a literary critic or genius, but I know what I like, know that I love these books, and all I can do is pass them on. So seriously, go out there and pick one up, I suggest starting with Less Than Zero his first novel, still written when he was a college student on an meth binge. How could you not want to read something like that?