The True Bad Girl

"The Good Girl's Guide to Bad Girl Sex" is not a bad book, if you're a "good girl".

The author separates girls into 4 categories:

-the bad girls

-the good girls who are ignorant

-the good girls who like sex, but don't understand their sexuality

-the prudes

Being a bad girl reading this book, it was just a review of everything I already knew for the most part. Eh, maybe my sister will benefit more.

Rant(s)

Confession: this was my first Palahniuk.

At the beginning I was intrigued. Didn't really know what was going on, but enthralled all the same. Palahniuk introduced us to Buster "Rant" Casey, a strange soul, who's story was told through the people he met/loved in his life.

In the middle, I wasn't sure I liked the book anymore. It was grotesque (not in the fun way) and wasn't making sense. All over the place, with no reason why. I knew I would finish, but I was feeling very negatively toward it all.

At the end, it all came together. Once I started looking at the metaphors more closely, it made sense and shook me up a bit. I don't want to go to in depth for those who haven't read it, but Palahniuk basically tears into the younger generation and the need for some form of stimulation to live life. Its very chilling, and really made me look at my life a little bit.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Chuck Palahniuk is no Kurt Vonnegut, but he does know how to get into your head.

Life at These Speeds

I didn't expect this book to be good. An 8th grader in track watches his whole team die in a fatal accident.

But it was actually really good. Nicely written, realistic tone. Good for anyone.

Random Family

This true story was so depressing.

A journalist followed 4 generations of women from the Bronx through their trials and tribulations: drug addiction, pregnancy, first love, death, prison.

It highlighted everything that was wrong with society then (1980's) and today. From Health Care, to Jump Start programs, these men and women are the ones suffering.

Outliers

Malcolm Gladwell believes exactly what I have always known: that success is a combination of hard work and luck.  There are a lot of hard working people in the world, unfortunately not all of them are lucky enough to be successful.  

It makes me wonder what I've done in my life for ten thousand hours.  Several things come to mind, however I don't think I can apply any to my career (reading would only work if I was intending to be a book editor, which I definitely am not).

In the end, however, my dad is right.  While is was a very interesting read, in five, ten years, it will be dated.  

"Hard work is a prison sentence only if it does not have meaning."

In the Company of Angels

At first, I thought it was alright.  Not great, but alright.  But the plot never really grew.  These characters were stuck in their battles almost.  And then the author throws in a random bit about the Mother Superior's family doing scientific testing on children.  Save yourself and don't read the book.

The Prophet

Pretty good.

Very inspirational for a 100 pager.

I loved the part where he talked about teaching and influencing children, but not controlling them.  Definitely a lesson some people could use.

Here's my favorite quotes:

"Work is love made visible."

"Yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream."

"Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy."