Adornment

This necklace is really lovely.

Message with a capital M

Uglies takes place in the future when technology is much greener and hovercars are the norm. This future society also has found a way around discrimination based on looks, anorexia, and "ugliness." As soon a kids turn 16, they are whisked away and made into a "pretty."

This book follows Tally who desperately wants to be made pretty. Her friend Shay wants nothing to do with it, and has plans to avoid the operation by running away.

I liked the detail that went into creating this world - all the slang and the back stories. I did not much care for the heavy-handed Message behind it. Teens aren't idiots. This tries so hard to convince teens to be happy with their individuality and to take care of the environment. If it weren't for a ripping good story, I would have been forced to toss this one aside and avoid the annoyance As it is, I will read the next book cause I need to know what happens next.

I give this a 5.

Fragments of maps

Palimpsest begins with the description of a factory that creates all the city's vermin. Stamping out glass like mosquitoes and mice whose hair starts out too stiff when they are new but softens in a few hours. How can anyone not be captivated by that?

The story follows four strangers initiated into the strange city at the same time and bonded forever after. The city can only be accessed via sex. Almost all find it by accident - a fling with a stranger leads to waking up with a small map fragment of the city etched forever on their skin. Only by finding and sleeping with other map holders can they access more parts of the city.

Not only is the story amazingly original and imaginative, but the author writes like an artist. Every word choice and turn of phrase is so well thought out. This really is an amazing book. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

You know...

This is a color I don't have yet in my shoe wardrobe.

Style

Just had to share a picture and a link to this fashionist post. This lady has some amazing style.

Space-saving

I have a frustratingly small bathroom. But I'm working with it and someday I dream of adding a half bath in the basement to take the pressure off this tiny space during gatherings. This clever idea is an option for saving some precious counter space. (Found via Stuff Under Twenty).

'Cause she's not

I do not read enough graphic novels. I adore the mix of art and story-telling, but I never seem clued in to when really good ones are published. It may be time to hunt down a site to keep me up to date.

I learned about Skim from a random twitter post. (Have I mentioned how much I'm enjoying twitter?) It's all about a high school girl called Skim because she's not. It follows her crush on her Englsh teacher, her troubles fitting in with any sort of group, and her fascination with a classmate whose boyfriend committed suicide.

It's a wonderful book. I think teens would find a lot to relate to here - all the uncertainty and awkwardness and angst. I give it a 6.

Boot-worthy

Now this dress is boot-worthy.

Innocence

Don't you love this cover? I would hang it on a wall if I could.

The Story Girl is a sweet tale of innocence and camaraderie and childhood.

A series of happenings in the lives of eight kids (many of them cousins) who pal around together on Prince Edward Island. There's no Anne Shirley in this, but if you love Anne then you'd like the Story Girl and her pack of friends.

It's no life changing book, but I enjoyed escaping to Prince Edwards Island and dipping into simple childish tales. The story girl herself is no perfect creature, and you get the feeling that Montgomery may have identified even closer with this character than any other. Just a guess though since I have yet to read all of Montgomery's books. I give this one a 5 out of 10.

Unflinching

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days is a slowly paced Romanian film about a roommate trying to help her friend obtain an abortion. Don't let it's slowness frighten you though - the pacing is perfect for the subject matter. And while at times I found myself wanting to shake Gabita, I did really appreciate this film ("enjoy" is not a word you can use here.) It honestly and unflinchingly tells it's tale without melodrama and with perfectly done filming. I give this a 7.

Sultry

My current favorite.

Italian beaches and dastardly doings

The Talented Mr. Ripley was a pretty good read. Everything felt so exact and precise and reflected the main character's foibles well. Even the sunny beach scenes couldn't entirely dispell the idea that some bad shit was going to go down. And there's absolutely no "good" characters in here. Everyone is complicated and dimensional. I just wish that I'd felt more tension while reading this. For the most part, I read along thinking how tings would not end well for some folks but not all that worried for any of them.

I will give this one a 5.