Book Review: 7 of 24

So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother)
by Micol Ostow with illustrations by David Ostow
Barnes & Noble link

(Note: this is one of four library books I need to get finish reading before the end of the month. Moral of the story: never borrow seven books at a time when you have at home 100+ of your own you need to read...)

Once in a while, in the young adult literature world, you stumble across a book that manages to capture what it's like being a teenager in its purest essence. The social pitfalls, the schoolwork, the dreams and dares. But what it does differently is it does it without making it vapid, you with the bookworm personality or the outcast who hasn't yet asked out the love of their life. Sure, it may also be in a framework that you didn't grow up in, but hey, it's neat to get a different perspective. So Punk Rock... is one of those books.

Book Review: 6 of 24 (this gets personal)

Amberville
by Tim Davys
Barnes & Noble link

(Note: I happened upon this book while browsing my favorite Tumblr blog, Libraryland. The moment its existence was made known to me, I had to go out and buy it. It needed to be in my life twenty minutes ago.)

Talk about unexpected surprises. Tim Davys, an anonymous figure from Sweden, threw a doozy at the literary world. Taking elements of Chandler and Hammett, adding a dash of whimsy, and added his/her/hir secret ingredient; Davys unleashed a quartet (so far, two of them are out). What is the secret ingredient, you ask? Stuffed animals. Yes. As in teddy bears, bunny rabbits, and elephants with cotton-filled tusks and trunks. Still with me? Good, because believe this: this whole concoction is a miracle and must be witnessed by all who enjoy books.

Book Review: 5 of 24 (damn, I need to catch up)

1984
by George Orwell
Barnes & Noble link

(This read was in celebration of Banned Books Week)

This is no underestimated, underground book. 1984, upon its release in 1949, changed pop culture. It added such phrases as "doublethink" and "Big Brother's watching you" into the lexicon. The notion of paranoia, of a government having control over everything from the media to how people are exposed to it, rings true for today. Especially in North Korea, where a totalitarian society, a living Oceania, currently reigns over its people.

Second Favorite Band of All Time continues to be awesome

Easy Wonderful
by Guster
Barnes & Noble link

(Fun fact: I preordered it from the band's official website, becoming the happy owner of one of the 500 autographed copies.)

Guster had been going strong for a long time, their first album Parachute coming out in 1996. Their last release Ganging Up on the Sun, which brought the world the lovely "Satellite" and the rocking "The New Underground", arrived in 2006. After that, there was an uncomfortable silence. Where did the boys from Cambridge go? Then early this year, they released "Jonah", for a Haiti charity album. Shortly after, happy news: their new album was due by the end of the year.

If you've been a longtime fan, already hearing the first single ("Do You Love Me") has gotten you a little worried. Wait, Guster was pretty level in its musical moods, but why the sudden burst of happiness? Oh no. What to do? Well, give it a shot and listen closely. You may be surprised on what you'll discover.

Overdue Reviews, Part 2

The Red and the Black
by Jerry Harrison
allmusic entry (please refer to your favorite legal digital music provider for clips and the sort)

While David Byrne faffed about with Brian Eno and Tom Tom Club (Talking Heads' rhythm section: Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth) made themselves a gold album, Jerry Harrison released his first solo album to little fanfare. Well with the influx (the albums were out within months of each other), one of those albums was bound to get lost in the hooplah. A shame though, because it is definitely not only worth checking out, but arguably one of the best albums to come from the decade of excess (and Teddy Ruxpin).