Happy 35th, Hello Kitty!

I'm off to China for three weeks to go hug a panda and fulfill a life long dream! Before I left, I knew I had to check out the Hello Kitty Three Apples exhibit. I went last Saturday and had the best time! Three Apples is a celebration of Hello Kitty's 35th birthday. Last Saturday was super fan day and plenty of people came dressed for the event which was serious business--as in all out HK harajuku style. I was sad I didn't have a little red bow to wear in my hair. Festivities included a book signing with the creator of Hello Kitty, Yuko Yamaguchi, 21+ happy hour, meeting Hello Kitty, and karaoke (with some excellent song choices, I might add. Tainted Love, Say My Name? Amazing.)

Three Apples is a celebration of all things HK. There is an excellent art exhibition on display, HK themed rooms with all the HK merchandise you could ever imagine having and more, and a pop up store with some exclusive 35th anniversary gear along with Tokidoki x Hello Kitty collab stuff. Note: the store can get very crowded! The line was out the door, around the block for the tiny pop up shop. If you're looking to check it out, try going at the end of the day when the line has dwindled. The store closes an hour before the exhibit closes (store closing: 9pm, exhibit closing: 10pm).

I picked up the 35th anniversary Three Apples tee. Check out the adorable fluff tail on the back. :) Excuse the wrinkles.

















If you love Hello Kitty or if you're just looking for a good time, check out Three Apples at Royal/T in Culver City. Royal/T is a Japanese inspired exhibition space with its own shop, and a cosplay themed cafe. The cafe is featuring a special Hello Kitty themed menu, with a HK tea set, waffles, pancakes, and sandwiches, all of which feature miss HK herself on the food. I ate at the cafe, it was delicious! I shared kobe beef sliders, sweet potato fries, HK waffles, and a pot of their specialty Royal/T milk tea which is a combination of black tea, rose petals, and fruit brewed in soymilk. YUM!

Check out some of the pics I snapped on my iPhone:




















































The exhibit runs from October 23-November 15 with plenty of special events sprinkled in between. Admission is free! Check it out!
Royal/T
8910 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 559-6300
For more info, visit: http://sanrio.com/threeapples

Three Apples Event Schedule:

10/31 – Hello Kitty Halloween Party
10 AM – 6PM

• Trick-or-treat goody bags to the first 100 visitors
• Hello Kitty Halloween-themed decorations
• Hello Kitty will be available for pictures from 1PM – 3PM
• Bring in your Hello Kitty-inspired carved pumpkin and win a prize!
• Wear your costume and win a prize!
• Hello Kitty themed food in the café

11/1 – Hello Kitty Birthday Party, Birthday goody bags to the first 100 visitors!
10AM – 12PM

• Breakfast with Hello Kitty
• Hello Kitty themed waffle and pancake dishes will be available in the café
• Visit from Hello Kitty

12PM – 1PM

• Artist workshop with one of the Three Apples artists
• Workshop will include a hands-on project with the artist (advanced registration)

1PM – 2PM

• Hello Kitty tattoo booth
• Various artists will create one-of-a-kind temporary tattoos

2PM – 3PM

• Mama’s Apple Pie” interactive contest wheel

3PM – 4PM

• Birthday cake with Hello Kitty!

11/7 – Hello Kitty Artist Party, JapanLA presents Hello Kitty Artist Party in association with Juxtapoz
7PM – 11PM

• Hello Kitty art-themed goody bags to the first 100 visitors
• Meet the artists
• Several artists will be on hand to discuss their work and Three Apples
• Group paintings – various artists will have a live group painting (Pieces will be auctioned with the proceeds going to LA Works)
• Interactive coloring party – attendees of the party will have giant Hello Kitty color sheets thus creating their own group “coloring”
• Meet Hello Kitty / photo ops
• DJ

11/13 – Hello Kitty Goth Party
8PM – 12AM

• Goody bags to the first 100 visitors
• “Hello Kitty’s Bats and Cats Masquerade”
• A retro, 80’s-inspired Goth party
• Dancing and DJ
• Performance group
• Meet Hello Kitty / photo ops
• “Best Dressed” contest and prizes
• Hello Kitty themed food at the café

11/14 – Fashion Show Party
7PM – 11PM

• Goody bags to the first 100 visitors
• Several designers will be creating one-of-a-kind Hello Kitty inspired fashion pieces that will make their debut on the runway
• These one-of-a-kind fashion/art pieces will be sold the night of the event
• Interactive workshop with one of the designers
• Meet Hello Kitty / photo ops
• DJ
  

Fall TV Schedule

Here it is: a roundup of the good, the mediocre/bad, and the ugly. Also, the status and reviews of this fall's new shows. What's missing from this list? Breaking Bad, the United States of Tara, and Flight of the Conchords as their season premieres have not been announced (with the exception of the FotC which may not see a third season. Sad, sad face. I hope Bret/Jemaine opt to do one or else I'll cry myself a river.) Also missing are the season premieres of 24 and Lost, which premiere in 2010. 24's 8th season will premiere on January 17th, 2010 and Lost's last season will premiere early February.

SUNDAY:

• 8pm: The Amazing Race (CBS): About: adventures throughout the world with teams who compete for $1 mil. With an endless amount of new locations and interesting challenges, this show never disappoints and I'm happy to watch it season after season.
  >>Up against: Extreme Makeover (ABC), The Simspons/The Cleveland Show (FOX), Sunday Night football (NBC)
  

• 9pm: Dexter (Showtime): About: A serial killer that doubles as a blood splatter analyst for the Miami P.D. I have a love/hate relationship with this show. The tension in last season was great and Jimmy Smits pretty much stole the show. However, I have gripes about the dialogue in this show. It's too cheesy and can be very distracting. I'm watching to see if this season can match up to the last. John Lithgow guest stars as the elusive serial killer and villain this season.
  >>Up against: Desperate Housewives (ABC), Three Rivers (CBS), Family Guy (FOX), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
  

• 10pm: Mad Men (AMC): About: An ad agency set in the 50s. There is a reason why this is AMC's shiny hit show two seasons in a row. Great actors, great scripts. Worth watching. I'd warm up to it a little more if it wasn't such tight awards season competition against my all time fave: House.
  >>Up against: Brothers and Sisters (ABC), Cold Case (CBS), Californication (Showtime)
  

MONDAY:

• 8pm: House (FOX): About: A dysfunctional, but genius diagnostic doctor. If it wasn't already painfully obvious, I'm the biggest fan of this show. I will continue to pimp this show for all it's worth until the bitter end. With that said, I thought last season ended with a great finale, and this season's opener blew me away. I loved the 2 hour cinema-style premiere. Definitely, definitely worth watching as Hugh Laurie and company continue to deliver. Stay tuned for major character changes this season.
  >>Up against: Dancing with the Stars (ABC), How I Met Your Mother (CBS), One Tree Hill (CW), Heroes (NBC)
  
  
• 9pm: No pick. What's on: Dancing with the Stars (ABC), Two and a Half Men/Big Bang Theory (CBS), Lie to Me (FOX) Gossip Girl (CW), Trauma (NBC)
  
  

TUESDAY:
Honestly, Tuesday is a tank for TV. FOX should move Fringe back to Tuesdays so it doesn't have to compete with a slew of other shows worth watching. Take a look of what's on:

• 8pm: NCIS (CBS), The Biggest Loser (NBC), 90210 (CW)
• 9pm: Dancing with the Stars, after that concludes, Scrubs/Better Off with Ted (ABC), NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS), The Biggest Loser (NBC), Melrose Place (CW)
• 10pm: The Forgotten (ABC), The Good Wife (CBS), Sons of Anarchy (FX)
  

WEDNESDAY:

• 8pm: No pick for 8pm. I'm ambivalent towards ABC's new 8pm comedy programming and NBC's new medical drama, Mercy. What's on: Hank/The Middle (ABC), The New Adventures of Old Christine/Gary Unmarried (CBS), So You Think You Can Dance (FOX), Mercy (NBC), America's Next Top Model (CW)
  
  
• 9pm: Glee (FOX) About: a high school glee club, I am big fan of FOX's new musical comedy and I am a big fan of the show's creator, Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck, Popular). I've been loving the upbeat feel and musical injections. Watch to see how they mashup the classics with more modern hits.
  Honorable Mentions: Modern Family (ABC): This is ABC's underdog. I watched the fall preview of this show without much excitement, but this show is surprisingly great. Also, Law&Order: SVU (NBC): great guest stars this season, which include Wentworth Miller (Prisonbreak) and Eric McCormack (Will&Grace).
  >>Up against: Cougar Town 9:30 (ABC), Criminal Minds (CBS)
• 10pm: No pick. What's on: Eastwick (ABC), CSI: NY (CBS)
  
  

THURSDAY:
This is by far, the most concentrated, densely grouped night. There are too many good shows on, all competing for the top spot and because of that, I'm constantly trying to keep up.

• 8pm: Vampire Diaries (CW) About: A teen falls in love with a vampire, This is a new fall show, and it's easily CW's top ratings earner and because of that, it has received a full season pick up. This show is Twilight-esque with the slightest bit of edge. I had high hopes for ABC's Flash Forward and I wanted so much to recommend it, but it's been a disappointment. See review below.
  Honorable Mention: Bones (FOX). Watch out for Zooey Deschanel's guest spot coming up soon. It should be interesting to see her star opposite her real life sister and star of the show, Emily Deschanel. No word on whether or not it will be for just one ep, or a multi-episodal arc.
  >>Up against: Flash Forward (ABC), Survivor (CBS) Community/Parks and Recreation (NBC)
  

• 9pm: The Office/30 Rock (NBC): About: a mockumentary office comedy/a show about a show (a comedy about a variety show to be precise), This is a toss up hour for me, but I love NBC's The Office a little bit too much. Season five was a little bland at times, but this season has been great so far. Check out the episode titled 'Niagara'. I am a big fan of NBC's 30 Rock, especially after season 1 and 2, but I have to say, this show has been going a little downhill for me. It can be hilarious at times, but it's been losing its premise and plot points. Things get a little muddled and too crazy at times, and not in a funny way, just in a ridiculous way (See: season 3 finale, the ridic kidney telethon? Come on.).
  Honorable Mention: Fringe (FOX): I love this show, and I'm happy it got another season. Joshua Jackson and John Noble are just too amazing on this show. Plus, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is on it, what could beat that?
  >>Up against: Grey's Anatomy (ABC), CSI (CBS), Supernatural (CW)
  
  
• 10pm: No pick, but ABC's Private Practice is still going strong, along with CBS' The Mentalist, and FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
  
  

FRIDAY:
No picks for Friday, either. Friday is where shows go to die (i.e. NBC's Southland recent cancellation). It's not a strong ratings night, which is not surprising since everyone is usually out and about at the end of the work week, and all shows on this night are pretty much suffering, including ABC's once immensely popular Ugly Betty. Fox's eleventh hour save last season, Dollhouse, has also been moved to this night and it's not looking good. Syfy's Stargate Atlantis has been kicking it's butt in ratings. Translation? Cable network performing better than a primetime TV? Yikes. Looks like Dollhouse may be headed for another fate of cancellation chopping block. Here's what's on:

• 8pm: Supernanny (ABC), The Ghost Whisperer (CBS), Brothers/'Til Death (FOX), Law&Order (NBC), Smallville (CW)
• 9pm: Ugly Betty (ABC), Dollhouse (FOX), Medium (CBS), Stargate Universe (Syfy), Monk (USA)
• 10pm: 20/20 (ABC), Numb3rs (CBS), White Collar (USA)
  

NEWBIE ROUNDUP: Which new fall shows to watch, and which ones that have been picked up, or in danger of cancellation.

ABC:

1. Eastwick, This show plays off the premise of the Witches of Eastwick (a John Updike novel), but the plot is muddled and cheesy. Status: In danger. Verdict: skip it.
   
2. Hank, ABC uses Kelsey Grammer's star power to fuel this show, but the show itself is alot of fluff. Verdict: skip it.
   
3. The Middle, This show is alot like Malcolm in the Middle, so it's a little difficult to differentiate, and because of that, I'm iffy. Status: back nine picked up, Verdict: DVR it.
   
4. Modern Family, Surprisingly really great, and very enjoyable. The relationships aren't shallow and actually have some depth and the characters are very lovable and hilarious. Status: back nine, Verdict: watch it.
   
5. Cougar Town, I wanted to like this show because it stars Courtney Cox Arquette, but it's just unfunny and it tries too hard. Status: back nine. Verdict: skip it.
   
6. Flash Forward: I had high hopes for this show. Previews looked awesome, the premise was strong (the whole world blacks out and sees a small glimpse of the future) and it looked like it could be a hit (with a very Lost-esque feel), but it just wasn't so. It continues to disappoint. Because I had such high hopes, I will continue to watch and hope it'll get better, but so far, it's not looking so good. Verdict: DVR it.
7. The Forgotten, a very appropriate title as I nearly forgot it from this list. Verdict: skip it.
   

CBS:

1. Three Rivers, It's harsh, but this hospital show just bores me. Verdict: skip it.
   
2. NCIS: Los Angeles, alot more action oriented and alot less funny than the original NCIS. Verdict: skip it.
   
3. The Good Wife, Great cast (Julianna Margulies, Chris Noth), and promising premise of a woman caught in a political scandal with her state attorney husband. Verdict: watch it.
   

CW:

1. Melrose Place, Bad reviews, bad ratings=not a good sign. Status: CW orders 5 more eps, Verdict: skip it.
2. Vampire Diaries, CW's ratings earner. No brainer for a pick up. Status: full season pick up, Verdict: watch it.
   

NBC:

1. Trauma, Nothing in particular about this show stands out as an original medical drama. Status: in danger. Verdict: Skip it.
2. Community, I want to like this show because it seems like it has potential, especially with Joel McHale as the show's star, but I'm iffy as it doesn't seem too funny to me. Status: *edit* back nine, Verdict: DVR it.
   
3. Mercy, I'm not too impressed with this show as it tends to fade into the background of many other shows with similar premises (i.e. the long running ER). It has started to pick up in ratings, so we'll see how it goes. It may surprise us. Status: *edit* back nine, Verdict: DVR/skip it

FOX:

1. Glee: I already reviewed this show above, so it should be pretty obvious where I stand, and where the critics stand. Status: full season pick up, Verdict: watch it
2. Brothers, Status: in danger, Verdict: skip it.
   

Where the Wild Things Are: A Review

I saw Where The Wild Things Are last Friday, and I have to say, I am in complete love. Spike Jonze is a visionary, and the movie was just stunning. There were some scenes that were just absolutely breathtaking-- the whole world of where the wild things are, I can't even believe Jonze managed to capture it and bring it to life.

Spike Jonze wrote this script with Dave Eggers (You Shall Know Our Velocity!, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) and expanded a 10 sentence children's book into an noteworthy script. There were times when the dialogue seemed a little muddled or nonsensical, but I'm assuming it was intentional considering it was through the lens of a little boy. The CGI, animatronics, and suitmation made the viewing experience so surreal, almost like a hyper reality where the lines of fantasy and real life became blurred. It was unlike anything I had ever seen in a movie. I know it sounds like I'm just ranting and raving, but I can't help it, this is a total fan girl moment for me. I was just so impressed!

Of course, the music was amazing, and Karen O and the kids couldn't have complemented the movie any better. The fact that the songs were very thematic and done by the same artists added a continuity to the film that made it feel more legitimate. The casting was also impeccable, I thought the voices sounded like they belonged perfectly to the monsters. I thought that James Gandolfini, as Carol, was particularly excellent. He really sold me. I loved that Jonze brought them each to life by giving each one a very distinct personality and name. Max Records, who plays Max in the movie, gave a very touching performance, and I was convinced as soon as he yelled, 'Let the wild rumpus start!' Tangentially, didn't anyone really think he looked like Ellen Page? It was freaky. He'd be her doppelganger if he wasn't much younger and well, a little boy.

I know there have been a handful of negative reviews and backlash towards the violence in this film, but I think people have to remember that this isn't a children's film, it's an adaptation of a children's novel. This was never meant to be a feel-good, lesson learned, Disney type of movie, and WB never marketed it that way. In fact, a majority of its campaign was focused on broad-based and adult markets. Obviously, I didn't think it was very violent at all, but I'm much more desensitized and I haven't been a kid for awhile now. What I do know is that this movie is a real depiction of what kids can be: tyrannical buggers who occasionally pitch hissy fits.

The verdict, in case you haven't paid close enough attention to my embarrassing adoration throughout this whole post? Go see it--especially if you grew up reading this book as a kid. Film adaptations can often miss the mark, but this was near perfection. You can tell this movie was a labor of love that Spike Jonze spent years perfecting.

One last great thing from the film? Max's suit! It was so awesome and perfectly worn and loved. I used to covet the wolf suit that Max wears. I wanted to romp around and wreak havoc in it. I still do! Ah, the good ole' days. It was the Max suit, the easy bake oven, and a cabbage patch kid--all of which I never got! Boohoo.

Coming up this week: a roundup of this fall's must see TV schedule per request.

Fall movies and music

With fall here comes new fashion and new releases in movies and music. Here's what to look forward to:

1. Where The Wild Things Are, October 16, starring Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini. An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book. Spike Jonze, an amazing visual landscape, and Karen O? Nothing could be better.
   
   
2. Paranormal Activity, October 16, starring Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat. This is the much hyped and reportedly scary as hell movie that has finally gotten a nationwide release. Think Blair Witch Project type hype. This low, low, low budget movie got picked up by Paramount Pictures and originally got a limited, after midnight only release, but now after staggering box office numbers and plenty of fans, this movie will finally be in your local theater. This home movie, shaky cam style film is about a couple who is haunted by a demonic spirit and in an effort to catch it in action, they set up cameras around their house. This is also the movie that Steven Spielberg got a screener of, took home to watch, and was so freaked out, he returned it back to Dreamworks in a garbage bag.
   
   
3. New York, I Love You, October 16, starring Natalie Portman, Shia LaBeouf, Hayden Christensen, and MANY more. An anthology film of several stories (directed by several different directors) revolving around love in one of the greatest places on earth, New York City. See this film if you love a whole cornucopia of actors (i.e. He's Just Not That Into You).
   
   
4. Antichrist, October 23, starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg. The controversial film by Lars von Trier that shocked (and mainly disgusted) audiences in Cannes. What's it about? A couple who tries to cope with the loss of their son. Beware of severed genitalia, rough sex, and violence.
   
   
5. Saw VI, October 23, starring Shawnee Smith, Tobin Bell, Donnie Wahlberg. Just in time for Halloween, yet another chapter of the Saw franchise.
   
   
6. Michael Jackson: This Is It, October 28: A mashup of rehearsal footage from MJ's last tour and a goodbye to this musical legend.
   
   
7. Youth in Revolt, October 30, starring Michael Cera. Based on C.D. Payne's novel of the same title. Watch Michael Cera try and get the girl yet again with his offbeat, quirky, and awkward style.
   
   
8. The Box, October 30, starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella. Richard Kelly's (Donnie Darko, Southland Tales) story about a struggling couple who receive a mysterious box with a strange proposal: receive $1 million by pushing a button, but pushing it will also kill one person they don't know.
   
   
9. A Christmas Carol, November 6, starring Jim Carrey. Another remake of a classic. Carrey plays Ebeneezer Scrooge in this animated telling of this classic story. Watch it if you're a fan of Robert Zemeckis-style animation (Beowulf, Monster House) and if you love that warm and tingly feeling Christmas gives you.
   
   
10. 2012, November 13, starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet. An apocolyptic tale of well, the world ending. A creepy Nostradamus feel, and some crazy, scary, and chilling scenarios. Watch the first five minutes here.
    
    
11. New Moon, November 20, starring Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Robert Pattinson. The highly anticipated sequel to 2008's Twilight. Find out what happens after girl and boy fall in love, when boy leaves girl. Expect long lines and die hard Twilight fans in t-shirts that say just that. What do I hear? Millions of screams, and the sound of cash registers nationwide.
    
    
12. Nine, November 25, starring Daniel Day Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Fergie, and MANY more. A Rob Marshall (Chicago) story that tells the tale of a man with the nine, yes nine, women in his life. Expect theatrics and plenty of music, which is certain to please just like Chicago.
    
    
13. The Road, November 25, starring Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron. After a postponement of almost a year, this movie is finally getting a release. This is a film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's (No Country For Old Men) book by the same title about a man and a son struggling to survive in a post-apocolyptic world. If it's anything like McCarthy's novel it will be dark, depressing, and disturbing: the makings of what sounds like a good movie to me.

Some movies that are out now that are definitely worth watching:

1. Zombieland : Zombies, bloody guts, the adorable Jesse Eisenberg, and a special celebrity appearance.
2. The September Issue : A look inside the making of the September issue of Vogue with the great Anna Wintour. Bring your best friend, not your boyfriend.
3. Inglorious Basterds : Another Tarantino great.
4. (500) Days of Summer : Wonderful, amazing, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel... need I say more?
5. Adam : Hugh Dancy plays a man with Aspergers who learns to deal with the loss of his father and learns how to love the lovely Rose Byrne.

Besides movies, I'm looking forward to new music. I can never get enough of that. Fall's here, which means a whole bunch of new album releases! Here's what I'm listening to now and what I'm looking forward to:

1. Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - The Break Up, available now : This is Johansson's sophomore effort and let just tell you, it is a million times better. It's surprisingly great and the songs have a catchy, folksy quality to them. Pete Yorn, of course, doesn't disappoint at all.
   
2. Madonna - Celebration, available now : it's a greatest hits album, as if I even needed an excuse to put Madonna on continuous loop. Check out the two new songs: Celebration and Revolver (feat. Lil' Weezy).
   
3. Paramore - Brand New Eyes, available now : I'm warming up to it, but at this point, I still like Riot! better.
   
4. Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack, available now : I love Karen O. and this does not disappoint. It's beautiful, and so aesthetically pleasing in every way. Can't wait for the movie release!
   
5. New Moon Soundtrack, October 20. Featuring Death Cab for Cutie, Thom Yorke, Muse, and Lykki Li--now that sounds like a great soundtrack.
   
6. Weezer - Raditude, October 27 : I'll say it now, I'll say it again. I love Weezer always and forever. I can't wait for their new album.
   
7. John Mayer - Battle Studies, November 17 : Looking forward to some Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston inspired love and heartbreak songs.
   
8. Norah Jones - The Fall, November 17 : One of the best and most beautiful jazz voices out there.
   
9. Timbaland - Shock Value 2, November 24 : I hated Shock Value, but I'm hoping for greatness this time around since it includes collaborations with Kings of Leon (who, by the way, I L-O-V-E), The Fray, Paramore, Justin Timberlake, and Lady Gaga. I'm also VERY curious about Brandy rapping, who goes under the new alias "Brand Nu" for her rapping efforts.

So, what will you guys be seeing and what will music will you be buying/illegally downloading?

Good things come in five

With a lack of much else to do (besides the job hunt), my friends and I have started a book club because a) we're awesome and b) we're a bunch of nerds. I chose our first book assignment and since it was our first, I decided to take it easy on everyone else and choose something quick and light: Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I have been confined to my house these past couple of days due to a wisdom teeth extraction (ouch!), so I had some time to kill. After exhausting my season 1 DVDs of House, I cracked open the book last night and read it just in time for our meet tomorrow.

It was a bittersweet, yet sweet (if that makes any sense at all) read, although I thought Albom was a bit preachy at times with lessons that are precisely (ala not subtly at all) laid out to the reader. But nevertheless, it was a quick, and nice read. Since I am so cheesy, I presented an exercise to the members of our group to compile a list of the five people they'd like to (or expect to) meet in heaven. Here is mine--it's a work in progress, seeing as I'm still living.

1. Someone that I have helped in my lifetime.
2. Someone that has helped me in my lifetime.
3. My significant other--I'm a sap who hates to be alone. Besides, it's heaven--why should you be alone?
4. Madonna--hopefully the lesson she'll teach me there is regret. Regret that she didn't realize we were best friends sooner.
5. Coco Chanel--'nuff said.

Since the theme is 5, here's a list of the last 5 notable books I've read:
1. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath : I can't stress how much I love this book.
2. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote : a very short, and holly golightly read. Get it? Ha.
3. Blindness by Jose Saramago : not for the weak-hearted, as it can be very disturbing.
4. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie : a classic murder mystery.
5. Choke by Chuck Palahniuk : quite disturbing, yet quite hilarious.

The next five books I plan to read. Any feedback? Suggestions?
1. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
3. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
4. Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin
5. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess