Style and Cheek

Some of you may be thinking, “but Julia, you have a fashion blog, why are you suddenly writing about books?” Well, once upon a time this little blogger was an English major and spent a lot of time reading poetry, novels, short stories. Maybe life got in the way, but since college I hadn’t done much reading until recently. Who knows, maybe this will become a thing – “What are You Reading?” because I would love to hear your thoughts about what you’re reading. People get really passionate about books and you can only really understand where they’re coming from if you’ve read the literature yourself.

Right now I’m reading The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway which was suggested to me by multiple people and honestly, I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in forever. It’s a very quick, very easy read, and I’ve actually never read Hemingway, but this is an essential summer book. So many people hate on the character Brett and though I am not finished with the book I can see why people would find her standoffish, or frustrating, or immoral. Even I have been frustrated with her, “I do what I want” attitude, but at the same time I can see the very human qualities in her (mostly) unattractive actions. Jake however, loves the misery. He hates the misery, he loves the misery and with his condition maybe wallowing is all he can do. But beyond the messed up love story, I’m very much a fan of all the scenes involving the male drama and bonding. Bromance makes for entertaining reading  and I can see why so many people love this book. It might be a new favorite for me.

My friend Alexis is reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel which she started out reading with her daughter but the book got a little too philosophical for the youngin’. Alexis hasn’t seen the movie and neither have I, although I’ve heard a lot of people rave about the cinematography. I had to read this book the summer before my senior year of high school and I don’t think my teacher could have picked better summer reading. I remember being so frustrated about having required summer reading and I’m sure I left it to the last minute but it’s still to this day a book I would recommend.

My friend Alex is reading 1984 by George Orwell (per my suggestion, I think) and he’s loving it so far. It took me, I don’t know, a year or so to read that damn book. Not that it isn’t accessible, because it is. And not that it isn’t deep and thought provoking, because it definitely isn’t a boring read. I enjoy how there are big ideas presented but the main character is just one cog in the giant wheel, and even though you’re reading the story of his experience you know it’s much bigger than that. I’m sure Alex will enjoy this book. He’s a thinker.

Dan is reading Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy which he says is the most violent thing he’s ever read in his life. And yet, he says it’s beautifully written and the philosophical ideas are keeping him into it. But all that emphasis on violence? Ugh. The details he has told me just from the first chapter makes me not want to try this book at all, which is unfortunate because Cormac McCarthy is a great writer, great with language, very visual. But I’m a wuss. Beheadings and scalpings? No thanks. I don’t think I could handle it.

So, what are you reading?