Wednesday, April 29, 2015

What I'm Reading, Week 16


I waited what felt like an eternity for this to come off hold, and by the time it did, I'd forgotten all about it. I must say, though, I'm having a hell of a time reading it, in the best possible way. It's set in early 19th century England, so there's that right off the bat to get me engaged, and it seems so far to concern at least one very odd man who intends to bring the practice of magic back to his country. I've read Susanna Clarke before, and she has an interesting habit of writing somewhat in the style of the period in which she sets her tales. I find it enjoyable, but I fear it might be a hindrance to less voracious readers. Nevertheless, I'm excited to discover what follows in this book! Tentatively, I'm quite willing to recommend it.

Happy Wednesday!

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

What I'm Reading, Week 15

Back to the world of non-fiction, and what a relief! The Infernal Devices series turned out to be hideously and unnecessarily heart wrenching. I assume it was written with the specific object of making adolescent girls cry their eyes out. Pfffffff.

But this was pretty good!


Karen Abbott's American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare was a very enjoyable biography of Gypsy Rose Lee. Flaws: a little shallow, and the way Abbott jumps back in forth in time is a bit confusing on occasion. Still, Ms. Lee's life story is so interesting and muddled (usually deliberately), you can't help but enjoy it. I also liked this much more than Sin in the Second City, which I read a few years ago and was my first exposure to Abbott's writing.

If you like novelistic history/biography, naked women, or the art of completely changing every aspect of your life, definitely check this one out.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

What I'm Reading, Week 13

I read some sad bits over the weekend, so right now I'm going through Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices trilogy.


Pretty similar to a hundred other YA fantasy novels, except Cassandra Clare knows how to use the subjunctive. I'm deeply pleased.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Mani Monday Tuesday: Zoya Giovanna

Better late than never, right? I AM OBESSED WITH THIS COLOR.


Guys, I can't even. After years of sticking with creme finishes in my polish, I suddenly find myself yearning for glitters, metallics, shimmers, and duochromes. Expect a lot of new colors in the coming weeks. Zoya Giovanna is a stupidly pretty metallic green-teal that applies like a dream with so little evidence of brushstrokes that I think I'm having heart palpitations. It reads slightly greener in real life than in the photo, but just as shiny, if not more so. It's been a long time since I've fallen this hard for a polish. Boy, does it feel good.