Revolutionary Road

I picked up a copy of this earlier in the year when the film first came out in theaters. I'm a big believer in reading the book before seeing the movie... I know I'll want to read the book eventually, and I don't want the plot to be spoiled!

I truly enjoyed the book. I think Richard Yates was a gifted writer with a keen eye for the often tragically beautiful American psychological landscape. The book had overtones of Mad Men, which is one of my favorite shows (this blog, entirely devoted to the AMC golden child, is a daily read). However, it seems that Matt Weiner, Mad Men's creator had never heard of the book.

Unfortuneately, the movie just didn't do it for me. I loved the actors (how could anyone not adore seeing Kate and Leo reunited in a cute white clapboard house in the NYC suburbs?) but it didn't capture the spirit of the book. Also, I think the producers of Mad Men are correct in playing up the glamour of the era as they focus on the serious issues. A lot of that mystique went by the wayside in the film. Not much to say other than that if you didn't enjoy the movie or haven't seen it, I encourage you to turn to the book instead!

(fairly) recent reads

Finished Jen Lancaster's Pretty in Plaid. Did not fail to please... but I think I've read too many Jen books because her humor didn't seem as outrageous to me in this book... maybe because it focused on a younger and less snappy period of her life and temperment, but I fear that I'm becoming used to her attitude. No worries because today she requested to FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER. I think I've arrived ;)

Finished Lydia Peelle's Reasons For and Advantages of

Breathing. This was a pre-release read, but I encourage you all to take a look when it comes out on the 21st. She's a beautiful new writer from Nashville who has a way of capturing both the

spirit of nature and humanity. These are

short stories, which I don't normally turn to, but I promise this are easily-digested and not at all prosaic-- will not dissapoint.

It's not as silly as it sounds, but I also finished Phyllis Reynold's Naylor's Intensely Alice. I've been reading this series since childhood and feel like Alice is part friend, part sister, and part me. I don't expect many of you will pick up this book, just being

honest in my sharing :)

Bon reading :)

-ACL

Another Lovely Weekend on the Cape

A little sunburned from boat-cruising and the 80 degree temps in Boston on Sunday during the Sail Boston exhibit of "the tall ships," I've returned from quite a nice weekend.

In between changing a tire outside the Vineyard Vines store on Saturday night, glasses of wine in the hottub on Friday and a late lunch at the lovely Miel Brasserie on the water at the Boston Intercontinental Hotel on Sunday, I concentraed on magazine reading this weekend, zipping through New York magazine's Summer issue and the August issues of Vogue and Vanity Fair. My favorite Vanity Fair item in its partial form here... I'll admit to being choosey about my subway reading in fear of the judgmental eyes of other passengers!

Listening to...

Regina Spektor. She's been a favorite of mine since I became obsessed with 2007's Fidelty and Samson, from her debut album. Her new one, Far, is a must-listen. And equally brilliant.

A Meditative Post

CAUTION LONG AND SLIGHTLY SELF-INVOLVED, PONDERING POST AHEAD

When I first started my blog, I had very little idea of what I actually wanted it to be. Primarily, I knew I wanted a place from which I would conduct a dialogue with the other blog writers who I began to follow last summer.

I also was ready for my own outlet; I've never been a committed journaler or diarist, but while doing some soul-searching last summer/fall, I kept a beautiful Cath Kidston notebook turned planner turned thougt collector until it was full of notes, quotes, musings and information from my life that I had deemed important enough to write down at some point. Essentially, it was an inspiration notebook; I guess it loosely fits into the "journal" category. Maybe more of the "disorganized scrapbook" one.

I think this notebook was the genesis of this blog. Except that the notebook was private. This endeavor, inherently, is not. However, my blog is anonymous to my readers and a complete secret to my friends and damily, and true to my borderline-perfectionist nature, I believe it will reamin this way until I have it just the way I want it. Now, I realize a blog is an ever-evolving thing, and I don't know if the kind of stasis I desire can be found with this sort of an outlet.

Either way, this blog will continue to evolve and change as I want it to-- because it's my digital version of that gorgeous notebook. So I ask you to bear with me; hang in there as the image and content of this blog change to become what they are meant to be.

I hope to be more candid, straight-forward, and focused (in my own way) with this project in the upcoming months *when I have the time!*

PS The name of my domain and the bloggy-provider I user are subject to change as well. I am not satisfied with either at the moment, but I'm brainstorming.

The Happiness Project

Just wanted to take the oppurtunity to turn you on to another extraordinary blog: The Happiness Project. Author Gretchen Rubin set out on a year-long quest to make herself happier. She wasn't depressed, led a full life, but thought it could somehow be more enriched. Follow her blog for inspiration, insight and fantastic quotes from famous great thinkers that only legitimize her quest to be happier.

The thing I like most about Gretchen's approach is that she quickly decided (after laborious research on the subject, the likes of which only a true book-writer could accomplish) that the only way to be happier was to be truer to herself. She doesn't try to become a different person or someone she's not; she just becomes more her.

Also, she's writing a book of the same name due for release later this year! I've had the oppurtunity to take a peak and it provides all that her blog does and more. Not to mention, she's a great writer; straight-up, self-deprecating and well-read, just like I like 'em.

So yay Gretchen Rubin! Go check it out :)

The September Issue

I've blogged about Anna Wintour before, and I truly cannot wait for the documentary The September Issue. All info to be found in the trailer below:

Meanwhile, I haven't even had a chance to read the latest Vogue, as I've had my head buried in books and save my magazines for the treadmill... and I tend to gravitate toward the lighter fare of People for that kind of seriously activity (although this being the most reputable and overall most respected celebrity tabloid-type magazine out there, it's the only one I read).

Anyway, movie looks informational, dishy and slightly funny as well. Can't wait to see it this fall!

Summer Reading (so far)

I'm not a big reviewer, I prefer to discuss books in person. But I figured I'd still share with you my summer reading so far.

Firstly, I was able to get my hands on an advance copy of Jane Stanton Hitchcock's newest, Mortal Friends. I promise, it does not disappoint. A Washington native myself, I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Hitchcock's descriptions of politics and power in the nation's capital. Always smartly observed, her writing is humorous and clever. I agree with The Wall Street Journal's review in that the social-comedy aspects of the novel are better-developed than the mystery plot, but that's why we read Jane's books, no? It comes out on Tuesday, go pick it up, it's worth the hardcover price.

Next, Chandler Burr's You or Someone Like You. This books appeals to the English major in me, with its Hollywood intellectual book group and constant Shakespeare and Auden references. If you're not a fan of classic or serious English literature, I can see how the constant epigrams may tire you out, but this is certainly a provocative look at intellectualism in Hollywood which also deals in idenity-searching and contemporary religous issues. I didn't always see how the posturing-book club side of the novel connected to its message about the issues, but it was a delightful read, nonetheless. Anne Rosenbaum (its protagonist) reminded me of myself in the best ways and the worst ways. And, the cover art is to die for.

Finally, I just had the pleasure of speed-reading J. Courtney Sullivan's debut, Commencement. I'd call this chic-lit for the academic crowd. Much like Martha Moody's Best Friends (which I've previously blogged about) this follows a group of friends through college as they grow into adulthood. This plot is typical of many first novels by young female authors, but this managed to be sophisticated in both its characterization and plot; it becomes quite a page-turner. The characters are truly relatable, much in the way that each of the Sex in the City girls were relatable in their own way. With its Tiffany-box blue cover, and red ribbon, this novel is met with equal pleasure as the fabled and beautiful blue box itself.

I'm going to stick to my decision to not share my reads-of-choice until I'm finished. This is mostly due to my habit of reading too many books at once (I'm reading approximately four different novels right now) and sometimes I put them down in the middle not to be returned to until years later. (Such is the case with approximately five books I started last summer, sitting on my shelf this season pleading to be re-examined; we shall see). Either way, I'll certainly continue to share what I finish.

Happy Sunday, I'm off to peruse the Times,

ACL

My Songs

These are my top rated songs on iTunes... I listen to music mostly to chill out. I have other songs for driving and walking around the city, but these are most often playing when I'm at home unwinding!

ADELE- Make You Feel My Love
Coldplay- Amsterdam
Coldplay- Death and All His Friends
Damien Rice- Dogs
Daphne Loves Derby- Pollen and Salt
Evan Rachel Wood- Black Bird
George Harrison- Something
The City- Joe Purdy
I Know- Jude
Neil Nathan- Do Ya
The Platters- My Prayer
Primitive Radio Gods- Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand
Primitive Radio Gods- Fading Out
R.E.M.- At My Most Beautiful
Regina Spektor- Fidelity
Regina Spektor- Samson
Righteous Brothers- Unchained Melody
Steve Tyrell- On The Sunny Side of the Street

Enjoy! All songs available on iTunes!

Revisiting Part II

Keeping with my revisiting of old favorites from yesterday, I have just redownloaded Songs from Dawson's Creek, Vol. 2. Talk about a throwback. I love Dawson's and Felicity in high school and this particular was always on rotation in my fabulously large five disk-changer stereo. Those were the days. Anyway, if you're in the mood for some Jayhawks, Evan&Jaron or Wheatus, this is your go-to. Here's a favorite song...