-Twilight. Delightfully insipid, mindless reading. I finished it in 3 one-hour segments. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the print belongs in the large print aisle of the library. Thoughts: I can't stand whiny, weak heroines. Bella shows some flashes of strength, but then quickly folds under what tweens will call Edward's "love" but we all know is his desire for complete control. He doesn't tell her what they're doing 99% of the time, and everything in the relationship is on his terms. I'm torn on this one--I'm glad that it has gotten more high school age girls reading, but I wish that it had healthy relationships and strong female characters for girls to look up to. I guess I have to accept it for what it is and simply hope that it will lead these former non-readers to more meaty literature.
-Eleanor's Story: An American Girl in Hitler's Germany. Now this is what a strong girl looks like! This memoir is written for young adults, but everyone should read it. For so long, we've been taught a singular view of history--the old white man with a PhD. This book gives us a glimpse of Hitler's Germany through an unlikely source: an American girl trying to find her identity in a country devastated by war. The author draws you in with her compelling story--a young American family returns to Germany just as WWII breaks out--and keeps you hooked with her easy prose and unique experience.
-Diary of a Wombat. What an adorable book. This fuzzy little wombat has quite the adventure with the new human neighbors. The pictures are great, the deadpan humor is wonderful, and the wombat will steal your heart.
Manifesta. Anyone, but especially teen girls, reading Twilight should pick this and Full Frontal Feminism up for a primer in Third Wave Feminism. It explains where we are, how we got here, and how to keep moving forward in a world that is still not equal.
Music I've been loving:
Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam. Amazing guitar licks and soulful blues from a twentysomething from the Isle of Man. I envision a tour with Fedora ;) <--but seriously, that would be awesome.
Fleet Foxes. I can't get enough of the harmonies and lush sound of Mykonos.
Bon Iver. Indie rock from Eau Claire, now hitting the big time. What's not to love? I still remember the day that the video from his duet with Lykke Li popped up on my "most popular" youtube box--I was so excited and surprised!
What I've been up to:
-Uncle Jimmy Z's 50th birthday party in Lewiston last weekend--which involved grilling out, free beer, a DJ who played waayyyyyyy too much country, and yes, a performance of The Worm.
-Sylvia's long-awaited return to Milwaukee, celebrated with a night at La Cage and lots of hugs. I'm so happy that she and Jeanette are finally reunited after 6 long months apart.
-Finding studs. Hahaha, but not what you think--I was decorating my apartment and turned 4 nails into right angles :) The end result is lovely albeit slightly off center :P You can't tell unless you really stare at it though.
Agenda for today:
-Drink more coffee, shower and get dressed, do laundry and dishes. Maybe cook something.
peace and love,
m
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