Book of the Foreseeable Future: The Fountainhead

And it's time for another edition of Book of the Foreseeable Future. This book post of mine is an oldie but goodie, folks. 

I continuously read, but sometimes the books aren't worth recommending (re: 50 Shades of Grey), and I stand by my recommendations, so I'll only do it for a book that's really worth spending the 10+ reading hours with. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is definitely worth it. Although it might be closer to 15+ hours. Not going to lie, the books is a pretty weighty. And I'm saying that in both meanings of the word. 

Hardly anymore do I feel like a book I read has expanded my mind (re: 50 Shades of Grey), but this one was like taking a study on art, architecture, personal motivations, philosophy, greed, financial success and true success. The characters and what drives them are thoroughly constructed and elucidated, that you feel like you're learning about yourself and what drives you. The book is a foil for a creative person's life. It gives you a backdrop to examine yourself in the scheme of the working world. I could go on and on. I highly recommend it. I've been recommending it to different friends of mine for the past few weeks now. Do yourself a favor, read the book. You'll be better for it.

A moment from it:

He added, "Don't worry. They're all against me. But I have one advantage: they don't know what they want. I do."

Lauren's Rating: 9.3 egos out of 10 skyscrapers

Book of the Foreseeable Future: Bright Shiny Morning

 

It's been a while since there's been an installation of "Book of the Foreseeable Future" (insert booming announcer man's voice here). This is mainly due to the fact that the latest book I picked for this article was hella long. Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey (yes, that James Frey) is 501 pages of teeny tiny font. This man makes you work for it, that's for sure. Bright Shiny Morning is about Los Angeles, primarily, and the people lucky or unlucky enough to be living here. It follows a rich and famous movie star with more than a few problems, a Mexican-American girl's romantic journey, a young couple brave enough to go there with nothing, and a homeless man trying to do good. Each story is at once heartwarming and tragic. There are definitely moments in the book that I almost cried because of the beauty of it and moments that made me sick. It's really got it all. So if you simultaneously want to be terrified of and thrilled to move/travel/visit LA, this is the book for you.

Lauren's Rating: 7.7 bottles of Chablis out of 10 golf course weddings

Book of The Foreseeable Future: One Day

'Ello you fine folks! In another installment of "Book of the Foreseeable Future," I bring to you: One Day by David Nicholls. This was a truly lovely book. I carried this all around Big Bear, and I had no shame in people seeing me with this book like I do when I'm reading other sleezy romance novels Hemingway or Proust. 

I was recommended this book by a few of my reader-friends. A girlfriend said I would love it, and my gay boyfriend said after reading the first chapter, he knew this was just my kind of book. It's true. It's romantic and complicated, but also intelligent. It covers these friends' lives for one day over a twenty-year period--get the title now--nudge nudge--and how their relationship evolves and changes as they change.  Plus, its plot is unexpected, and I can say, I was shocked--like audibly gasped shocked--more than once while reading this. 

I give it 9 awwws out of 10 perfect kisses.

And I hear chatter--just quiet rumblings--that a movie is out about it with Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. For a little peek:

http://www.focusfeatures.com/video/one_day_anne_hathaway

I gotta go see that movie now. I hear it's good. Tissues might be necessary.

Words

"An autobiography is only to be trusted when it reveals something disgraceful. A man who gives a good account of himself is probably lying, since any life when viewed from the inside is simply a series of defeats."--George Orwell


Pic from Vogue Turkey

Book of the Foreseeable Future

Hey all! So I told you I would be doing sporadic book recommendations/ reviews and the time has come for another Book of the Foreseeable Future: On the Road by Jack Kerouac. 

I decided to read this book knowing full-well I was at the risk of being labeled "hipster". But honestly, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. A few friends said it was a great adventure book and really inspiring, so I went into it with high expectations. 

And I gotta say...not that great. First, I'm going to preface this by saying I'm sure it was revolutionary for its time (it was written in the 50's and I'm sure was terribly scandalous) and perhaps it describes a particular segment of the population at that time blah blah blegh idontcare. Here's how I look at it: if I have to force myself to read 250 out of the 310 pages, it's not a good book. I need not rant, but the writing style coupled with unlikable characters and no plot, made for some rough reading. If you want to read about the "beat generation", then by all means, pick this book up, but honestly, I'd save myself the trouble if I were you. 

Lauren's Book Rating: 1.6 hangnails out of 10 rotten tomatoes

Book of the Foreseeable Future

If I was really a professional, I would have a "Book of the Week" or "Book of the Month," but let's be real. My reading habits are slightly too erratic for something that consistent. I try to read every night before I go to bed, but drunken nights happen, and those put a wrench in my reading schedule. So anyway, I will try to recommend books as I get through them. 

Therefore, I would like to present--drum roll please--the "Book of the Foreseeable Future": My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares.

I'll try to be brief about a description so as not to be a total spoiler, but this book is about love and relationships through time. It involves past lives and such, and that's all I'm gonna say. It's really good; I highly recommend it. There were a few nights I went to bed much too late and I have this book to blame if that gives it any credence. 

I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think!