Jenna's Guide to Good Reading

Let me level with you: reading is in the title, and books will feature heavily around here. However, I reserve the right to rant (for good or ill), shamelessly plug things/people/places I like, as well as post whatever I want.

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And I asked myself about the present: how wide it was, how deep it was, how much was mine to keep.

from Slaughterhouse-5 by Kurt Vonnegut (1969)

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As a general rule, people, even the wicked, are much more naive and simplehearted than we suppose. And we ourselves are too.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1880)

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some men never die and some men never live

“1813-1883″ by Charles Bukowski

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The Top 5 Books I Read in 2014:

The Path of the Wicked by Caro Peacock (pictured above) - This book published in 2013, is the 6th in a mystery series starring Liberty Lane, a female private investigator in the early part of Queen Victoria's reign. I have enjoyed all the books in this series, but the overarching plots of recurring characters really kept me interested in this book. It is best, though, if you read this series in order.

The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox (2006) - (Subtitle: A Confession) I absolutely was engulfed by this book. It's a whopping 700+ pages, packed with plot, ambiance, suspense, and lovely turns of phrase. I was impressed both with the writing and the story itself. The opening line made me want to know the main character, meet him, and understand him.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1952) - This book is one that definitely will keep you confused and guessing right till the end. It's a book that I was glad I read with a book club; it's a good book for discussion. I found the portrayal of racism in job-hunting in the early 1900s fascinating. However, the most important theme to me was that of identity. This book made me rethink who I think I am.

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley (2014) - This is another book that is the continuation in a mystery series with a young female protagonist. This is the book in the Flavia De Luce series that makes her and her childhood make sense. I would definitely reread this book...also, there's a new book in this series coming out soon, which is exciting. This book had the feel of finality, so I'm glad that Alan Bradley is picking up Flavia for another mystery.

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk (1996) - I did not expect to enjoy this book. I had seen the movie years before, and I did not enjoy it at all. But for me, the story was meant to be read. The way the author crafts the story, gives clues, and keeps the story moving (all in his debut novel) is fascinating. I was interested until the last page, and I'm glad I bothered to read it.

Image: goodreads.com

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Smallpools!

A very good friend and I went on an adventure to Seattle earlier this week - to see Smallpools in concert. With them were two bands we didn't have much experience with, but all three bands were ama...

I went on a roadtrip this last week with a great friend! We went to see Smallpools, as well as Magic Man and Panama Wedding. Here's the full post.

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"Who can be in doubt of what followed?"

from Persuasion by Jane Austen (1817)

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Pictured above are just a few of the musicians I've been listening to this summer. If you're searching for new music this summer, I strongly advise falling in love with Soundcloud, but here's a place to start!

LP: I've been listening to her latest album, just released in June 2014 called Forever For Now. She has such a surprising and rich voice. I find her music very enjoyable, which is of course why I bother to mention her. My favorites from this album have to be "Your Town" and "Someday."

Saint Raymond: This is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom, and he's currently touring with Ed Sheeran (not a bad gig). He's released a few EPs, the first released independently. His voice is unique, in a nice way, and I love that his music is thoughtful but also good for sing-alongs. In some ways, he really reminds me of Ed Sheeran and Tom Odell, but in really good ways. He seems to have a lot to say for a 19-year-old, and I look forward to hearing his music for a very long time. I particularly recommend "Fall at Your Feet" and "Young Blood."

Smallpools: I saw this band live when they were touring with Neon Trees earlier this summer, and I was very impressed right away. So then I had to go look them up! So far, they have an EP out, and I hope there will be an album soon to follow, as they played a full set when I saw them. I've already heard their songs featured on a commercial or two, which I think bodes well for up-and-coming musicians. Check them out! "Mason Jar" is my favorite so far.

Image: originmagazine.com, national-anthem.co.uk, untitled-magazine.com

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I recently read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (2007), and I am very glad that I finally did. It's a book that I remember seeing in the library, one I never checked out, even though I've always wanted to read it. So a friend of mine loaned a copy to me, and I finally read it.

There's a reason this book is still high on the Young Adult reading lists that float around the internet. The story deals with tough subjects like suicide, guilt, the meaning of life. The narrator, Clay Jensen, has to deal with the reality that the girl he had a crush on (Hannah) has killed herself and labeled him as a reason for that choice.

Usually, in my experience, stories view suicide from the outside, like Salinger's Seymour Glass or Baldwin's Rufus. Readers can only guess what led to their choice, but this book offers a unique perspective in that Hannah explains herself to those she needs to tell as best she can. This book is fascinating and challenging in the best ways.

I'm very glad I got around to reading it. If you haven't, consider doing the same.

Image: goodreads.com

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"Dignity cannot wait for better times."

Alberto Cairo, "There are no scraps of men" TED talk (2011)

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"The past is never where you thought you left it, Fin."

from Fin & Lady by Cathleen Schine

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Everyone is flawed and strange; most people are valiant too.

Andrew Solomon from Far from the Tree (2012)

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From a Himmel Street window, he wrote, the stars set fire to my eyes.

from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

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Upstream Color (2013) is one of those movies that is pretty confusing the first time you watch it. But when you get done, you want to watch it again. It's only the second time that you have a clue what's going on and understand the depth of the symbolism employed in the story.

Shane Carruth did it all (almost) in this film and behind the scenes. It's pretty impressive. The movie is big in scope and imagination, which I have to appreciate. It's also a movie that is well thought out and a little terrifying.

I can't say much about the plot because it's a confusing sort of surprise, but it's worth watching for all the reasons listed above. It's a film that will interest psychology buffs and film lovers alike.

Image: slate.com

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I will admit I checked out The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E Pearson from my high school library in 2008 because the title includes my name. So I came for my common first name with the narrator and protagonist, but I stayed for the story.

This story explores the problems our society could face with major medical advancements, but also significant limitations. In this world, antibiotics are useless. So "simple" illnesses are now life-threatening. But there's "biogel" which can make up entire limbs and organs.

I don't want to give anything away because that's mostly why we read books, right? So Jenna Fox, she who shares my name, finds out a lot about herself and life in general.

After all, if there's one question that really interests me, it's "What does it mean to be human?" And this book works with this question.

Image: barnesandnoble.com

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It is a great injustice that those who die are often people we know, while those who are born are people we don't know at all.

from The World to Come by Dara Horn

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I'm listening to (and enjoying)...

New Politics, A Bad Girl in Harlem: This album is catchy. Also one of the least romantic albums I've heard in a while (especially "Fall Into These Arms" which makes me smile whenever I hear it). I have to say that I like that. It's nice to see music that's still enjoyable to listen to but isn't too kitschy.

A Silent Film, Sand & Snow: This band is one of those I just stumbled upon. That happens sometimes with good results. I like this band's feel, although I'm not sure how to describe it. Look up "Anastasia," "Danny, Dakota & the Wishing Well," and "This Stage is Your Life" to see what I mean. It's not really pop, but it's not rock either. They're just unique.

Jagwar Ma, Howlin: I love this band so much. I listen to this album on repeat. I guess it just speaks to me. This album is easy to listen to, really. You don't have to listen really hard to the lyrics or guess what's going on musically. But it's still unique and enjoyable. Thinking about it, it's not technically the best album ever, but I still love it. My favorite tracks are "That Loneliness" and "Come Save Me".

Images (left to right): rockfreaks.net, amazon.com, pitchfork.com

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A Taste for Rabbit by Linda Zuckerman (2007) is one of those books that sticks with you. For years and years. I read this shortly after it came out, and it's a book I still think about somewhat regularly - which might say a lot about my brain.

The story is an allegory, but it's a powerful one. Harry the fox lives with foxes, obviously. He hasn't had a rabbit to eat in a long time. When he was young, the rabbits managed to hide away. Hence the foxes having a taste for rabbit. From there, though, the story gets far more complicated. From there, he meets creatures he never thought he would - like a rabbit named Quentin who talks and wears clothes just like him. How can someone just like you be less (or food)? But what makes someone like you?

This story effortlessly and epic-ly blends morality, fantasy, and fiction together in a blend that is entertaining but mostly memorable. The story asks tough questions if you let it. If you think about what it means to be "other," what it means to be "human," then this is a book you should read. And savor. And think about a lot.

Image: barnesandnoble.com