Book Review: The Phantom of the Opera, Journey to a Woman, Gamer Girl

The Phantom of the Opera: The original novel by Gaston Leroux, was amazing (if confusing for a six year old to read- no matter how much your six year old likes dark things or how good of a reader they are, do not let them read it, they will become confused as I did) and I very much enjoy it now; it's one of my favorite re-reads. The movies and various productions that it has spawned are all interesting in their own way (even the one I did in my backyard as a child *facepalm* moving right along!) BUT I still prefer the book. In case someone is unfamiliar with the plot, it runs thusly: boy meets girl. Girl becomes an orphan, the two are separated. SEMI-EVIL GENIUS LIVING IN OPERA HOUSE. Reunited.

Journey to a Woman: this book was written in 1960 by Ann Bannon about the life of a lesbian in the fifties. She was in love with a girl in college but married a man and became increasingly unhappy, eventually leaving her family and friends to find the long-lost girl of her dreams. The story is by no means idealistic but rather has a stark realism that is all the more powerful. The main character is named Beth, and she makes bad decisions, emotional decisions and is a real human being to readers. I like this book and have read it several times, in addition to its companion piece Beebo Brinker.

Gamer Girl: by Mari Mancusi. My grandmother bought me this book several years ago and I have read it perhaps three times. I like it, it's an easy, fast (fun) read about a girl in high school who falls in love online and in real life (with the same boy!). The characters are interesting (especially the token Goth who likes My Chemical Romance...) and there are a couple little plot twists. The whole thing has undertones of fantasy and art, with the requisite drama for a book set in high school. Actually, writing about it has made me want to read it again... I'm off to do just that!

Book Review: Distant Waves, Death Count, Life of Pi

Distant Waves: by Susan Weyn. This book was good, not great. I have yet to find a fiction book I really dislike, and this one is no exception. It's historical fiction, featuring Nikola Tesla as the reason the Titanic sank. With mediums and things, this book is very interesting and a fun, quick read. There's a little romance, a little implausible science, a little tragedy. I liked it well enough. If you have the inclination or like books of the sort, you'd enjoy it.

Death Count: by L.A. Graf. Yes, I am showing off my geek here, as this is a Star Trek novel. I really liked it, there was some great humor, really interesting plot twists and brilliant characters. Spot on, to my mind. Especially Kirk, who I never really pictured that way until I read the book and then I was like, "oh, yeah, obviously. Duh." It was really a very suspenseful and I could picture it making a great episode. Any nerds, read this book. You shall not be disappointed.

Life of Pi: by Yann Martel. This is apparently based on a ture story, which just makes it all the more interesting to read. I don't want to give any spoilers, but it's an amazing book. You should definitely read it.

Music: Vampires Everywhere

I'm too lazy to do much research on them, but I think they're fairly decent. Definitely not the best band I've ever heard, but I got the CD cheap and it had pretty coverart. Yes, I'm that easily drawn in.

Anyway, I really like "Bleeding Rain" and "Undead Heart" as well as "Children of the Night" though I have yet to figure out if the band takes itself seriously. It seems to be a little too much of a walking cliche to do so, but then I'm sure they think they're pretty badass.

The sound is pretty good, the lyrics are repetitive but decent and it takes a couple listens to really get the hang of what they're saying. They seem to be a combination of techno/oontz-oontz, hard rock and metal. Like they tried playing "Crazy Train" on a keyboard set to snare drum/techo beat and screaming the words instead of saying them, then decided that was a really great sound. Weird.

Their music will really keep you awake, though. And the beats to several are quite catchy, even if they're hard to sing, hard to hum and really difficult to tap out correctly with a pencil. Their image in my mind calls up 'emo/punk trying to be goth' but like I said, I don't know them that well, I only have one CD. They are definitely on the list of things I would embarrass myself dancing to, but then I'll dance to pretty much anything.

If you like metal or alternative stuff that really can't quite be called Goth within the traditional parameters, you may like this band.