All These Things That I've Read

Everybody knows that summer is the best time to read. You don't have to worry about going out in the hot sun and getting a pesky tan while you stay pale in a cool, air-conditioned house. That being said, I have started the summer off with a bang in the reading department. Two weeks in and already three books down. Furthermore, those three books have been three of the most entertaining books that I have read, and here they are.

In order of reading:

• I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe -- a rather lengthy book (688 pages) that tells the story of a southern girl who goes to a big college and discovers that it is just the same as the "cool kids" from high school. The book chronicles the freshman year of the title character as she tries to maintain her sense of self and character. Its really an enthralling read that kind of makes you realize how weird everything is in college. And if you were wondering, I've decided the Benedictine equivalent of Charlotte Simmons is Josie Judd.
• Choke by Chuck Palahniuk -- from the author of Fight Club comes another twisted book. (For the record, as always the book was better than the movie) In this book, a twentysomething guy has to care for his mother in a mental institution. In order to pay for her care he pretends to choke on food at restaurants and then the people that save him feel a responsibility for him, therefore they send him money, gifts, etc. However, the biggests mysteries involve religion, birth, and parenting. A good read for fans of Fight Club, both book and movie.
• Fargo Rock City by Chuck Klosterman -- its books like this that help define people. Klosterman is a dynamic author whose views on music and pop culture and their intertwinedness are terrific. He is the main reason that I had the desire to right the music section for the school newspaper. He's hilarious and smart and clever and insightful and so many things that every author should be. This book, which preceded his other outstanding book Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, is a commentary on music as a whole, not just heavy metal. Though the main part of the book is indeed about metal, there are so many more things that he delves in to. I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to music fans and pop culture devotees.

Street Cred

• His blog may be poop, but clearly his musical tastes are not. You may remember when I shouted the praises of this band a month ago.
• Here's a nice article on how the Suns have saved the NBA. Too bad they aren't going to get to the Finals.
• Audioslave get a 6.8 on the Pitchfork scale. The review itself gets a 10.0 on the funny in a weird way scale.
• Kurt Cobain's daughter Frances Bean was out with some crazy lady. Frances looks a little like her daddy. (courtesy of Stereogum)
• What happened to Lindsay Lohan? (courtesy of the Superficial)