It's Kind of a Funny Story

It's Kind of a Funny Story (by Ned Vizzini) is a book about a a ambitious teenager, Craig Gilner who suffers from depresion due to the stress of his school (Executive Pre-Profesional High School). He stops eating, sleeping and one night he attempts suicide. This gets him checked into a mental hospital. And like any good mental hospital it has its characters, some of them outgoing others more reclusive. The hospital offers Craig a place to confront and fix his problems.

Some people who had read this book said it was dull, yet truthful. I personally liked it. I found it to be an engaging story. It was a nice journey to watch Craig grow and change as a person. The begging where he is explaining how he got to where he is is a bit tedious but it is necessary. It was a nice book to listen to while I cleaned and gardened.  I'd recommend it to anyone who has ever had depression or just has some extra time on hand.

Going Vintage

Going Vintage a teen novel about a girl (Mallory) who gives up all technology and lives like it's 1962 when she discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her with an online avatar. She also sets out to complete a list her grandmother wrote of things she wanted to do when she was also a junior in 1962. The list includes items like "run for pep club secretary" and "do something dangerous".

 The book is nice fun, light reading with a vintage twist. It would be a great beach read. Mallory's relationship with her sister is really admirable. The characters, like Oliver are so realistic I can imagine them running around my school.  And the ending has a surprising twist.  It is a must read if you like vintage things and/or wan't a fun, lighthearted book.

(from here)

 I enjoyed it because lately i've felt like my generation is some what lacking in face to face communication. Also because recently I interviewed my grandmother about her life during world war 2 for a history project.  I learned a lot about what growing up was like for my grand parents. It made historical events that felt distant feel relatable. 

(P.S. The author Lindsey Leavitt has a pinterest board of her inspiration for the book)

Populaire

 

  Populaire is french romantic comedy about a typist named Rose Pamphyle.  Rose starts out as a small town klutz living with her widowed father. But fed up with her small town life she decides to take a job as a receptionist for the owner of an insurance agency, Louis Échard. For the most part Rose is terrible at her job, accidentally shredding documents, and writing meetings on her boss's hand. But Rose has  hidden talent, typing. Louis recognizes this and decides to start training her for a speed typing competition. 
  The movie is in french but it has subtitles and is available on Netflix. It is great if you love 50's fashion. The movie isn't much different from any other rom com but it has great cinematography. The characters are also very interesting naive but willful Rose and competitive, closed off Louis. If you love rom coms, france and/or 50's style this movie is for you.  

The Frozen Castle

 Here are some mind blowing photos taken by Alexia Sinclair in a frozen castle. The castle was located just outside of Stockholm and had been left untouched since the 17th century.
                                                              Frozen Castle Pictures

The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories

 I am absolutely in love with this book by Tim Burton. This book features 23 poems accompanied by brilliant drawings, some more gruesome than others. Every poem talks about a different character, each  an outcast in their own way. There is a wide variety of characters, but from Stain Boy to Voodoo girl you are sure to love them all. The book shows both the ugly side of exclusion and the resilience of the human spirit [or in the case of this book the oyster spirit].  The book is a Tim Burton take on the island of misfit toys and a must read.