Misunderstandings...

Quite the understatement for Toni Morrison's Paradise. This is such a deep story revealing a group of women who were each so completely and utterly misunderstood that it is a tragedy. The feelings, emotions, and vivid description in this story keep you reading for more, but lets you feel so much of what the story truly holds. It really ties it to those of us who live and have grown up in Oklahoma. Many of us remember even up into the 1980's how blantantly race and gender have been such a weighted issue holding back the liberation and individuality of so many. It was really eerie to hear about all of this happening in Oklahoma. Quite a mesmerizing story that delves into some seriously deep issues of humanity.

NOT 90210

Less than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis is so much more than Beverly Hills 90210 ever thought of being, as are all books when compared to movies/tv. This brings you to the darkest part of Los Angeles into a world of chaos that has become a reality for too many of our youth today. This is good as a wake-up call/reality check for all of those in denial, but it also just made me sad for all the new challenges that each younger generation must face. It is overwhelming.

I AM WOMAN!

So, I had a sweatshirt growing up with this written on the front right underneath a picture of Lucy from Peanuts...but even more appropriately I should have had a picture of Erica Jong. This book was enthralling. It was exciting. It was LIBERATING! And it was hilarious! Some parts were really deep, and the overall message was amazing. It basically says that a woman does not need to be defined by her children, husband, family, or lack thereof. She is defined only by herself and she should strive to accept herself. Not who she wants to be, or who she wants others to think she is, but just the truest form of her, cellulite and all. :) This made me happy to see such a "come to grips with being YOU" novel, instead of just focusing on the rest of the world and how you are viewed by everyone else. I think this is a great identity finder for young women. It could help them realize that they can dream big and in no particular order...i.e. you don't have to wait to get married before you buy your dream house, you don't have to wait until you have kids before you go to Disneyland, etc.

What's in a name...

So I am reading along in The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon, and the names are amazing. First of all, the main character's name is Oedipa Maas. Oedipa is a very unique name, and Maas...more...? What is really interesting is her husband who is trying to avoid a certain look where he would be stereotypical to the point that he is overly sensitive, very overly sensitive...but we call him Mucho, which makes me think of Macho - which he is not. Plus the fact that his name is Mucho Maas...in my most childish understanding of Spanish, his name means "lots more". I know this isn't literal, and that his real name is Wendell Maas, but still this is quite entertaining. And just in case there is anyone out there who is not yet intrigued, in walks the shrink named....wait for it...Dr. Hilarius.