Big Tops, Murder, Elephant Tails, etc.

Who knew books could actually be captivating? I devoured Water for Elephants like a child with cotton candy. And now I have a stomach ache too.

The sweet sounds of the circus came to life in Sara Gruen's novel. I literally did not want to put it down. Perhaps it was the setting, 1930's prohibition America, that sucked me in. Or the protagonist who skipped out on his final exams to jump a train to nowhere. Just that kind of recklessness that lead to exciting, unforgettable stories.

Reading each scene was like watching a movie -- rich, fully detailed descriptions of the sounds and smells of the wandering circus life. The crooked ringleader, the performers, the working men. All the drama and politics behind the scenes of what appeared to be a flawless show.

Books like this make me wish I lived in an era where hopping on a train and going with the wind would land out interesting stories like this one.

The best part of the book: the anecdotes, especially the ones involving the circus animals. An elephant stealing tanks of lemonade; toothless wildcats; impossible performances -- all real stories. Read and wish you were apart of the greatest show on earth!

The Selfish Bastards at Wuthering Heights

This, however, was an excellent novel.
And yes, I did finally finish reading it. Yay me.

To begin, the book was impossibly confusing, what with Hindley and Hareton and Heathcliff -- I couldn't keep the characters straight. And of course, there's Hareton and Hareton and Catherine and Catherine. It was much too much too keep up with.

So I drew a family tree. Which drew a nice wind.

Then I sailed on the breeze that blew me through the book with minor pitstops on the way.

I must say, the infatuation of the characters with the other characters is so melodramatic...like a soap opera. Ah, the soap opera of the 1800s -- Wuthering Heights. I saw a sign on a table at the bookstore today that was labeled "Undying Love." Surprisingly, the beloved novel was nowhere in sight! Someone at the bookstore has yet to brush up on their classics.

Haunting and thrilling, though somewhat dry at particular points, this cautionary tale of lovers that could never be will make you want to strangle the characters to death.

Originally uploaded by 9 0 0 0

Self-explanatory

Moose Droppings

Caribou Coffee, how I love thee. You are more expensive than Starbucks, but the cute little moose on your coffee sleeves makes me smile. So does your free wireless. The moose droppings that you place so lovingly on the lid of my mocha latte are delicious as well. Little chocolate-covered pieces of crack.

As I sit here, freezing my ass off with your high-blasted air conditioning, I enjoy the serene melodies that drift ever so slowly out of overhead speakers. I almost want to fall asleep but, alas, there is work to do.

I love your moose droppings. Please send more. Thank you.

To Die By Your Side...

The Smiths.
A classic band with sweet tunes that make me wish I lived through the '80s. Something about Morrissey's voice makes me swoon and wish I was around to be a groupie. I also find the thoughtful lyrics relatable and catchy. The no-bullshit attitude towards their music makes the band all the more appealing.

I'm currently listening to "The Very Best of The Smiths" and I must say that I am rather disappointed that I did not discover this band sooner. The song that first caught my attention was Handsome Devil, drawing me in with the words "Let me get my hands / On your mammary glands." You just don't get music like that anymore.

The song I relate to the most is definitely There is a Light That Never Goes Out. There is a beauty in thinking about dying in a car crash and not caring much about it. "To die by your side, oh the pleasure, the privilege is mine" has stuck in my head since the first time I heard the song.

The Smiths. This is what great music sounds like.