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: 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?