How Not to Look Old by Charla Krupp 06/26/08

Despite opinions to the contrary, I am not high maintenance.  According to Charla Krupp, I am medium maintenance on most things and low maintenance (!) on others.  Ha!

Of all the fashion books I’ve read of late (and there have been several!) this is, by far, the best.  Krupp is practical and informative, she gives “real world” examples that even those of us who live in the Midwest can follow.  Well, all except for that “go barelegged even in the winter” thing.  Anyone who lives in Michigan and goes barelegged in winter would a)freeze and b)cause people to wonder about her.  But not in a good way.

Krupp writes this book in an entertaining, but serious, manner.  None of that flippy “Oh, we all know appearance *really* doesn’t matter” business.  She is one of the few who recognizes – and says – that appearance DOES matter.  If not to your mate, then to the rest of the world.  People make judgements about you based on your appearance, so you might as well have a good one.  Take work, for example.  Men can “age gracefully” but women do better if they look younger.  There are many examples of this, but let’s look at newscaster.  Diane Sawyer is till blond, still young looking.  Her male counterparts? Who cares if their hair is gray?  It may not be “fair” but it is a reality.  Let’s not ignore it.

Since we aren’t ignoring it, Krupp explains all about “maintenance” and what a woman needs to do.  Okay, “needs” is a strong word.   You may decide you don’t need to do any of this, but if that’s the case, you probably will just skip the book anyway.   In each area, she explains the high-, medium- and low-maintenance versions.  You find yourself on the continuum, which may be different in some areas,  and there is your blueprint.  She encourages you to modify, modify, modify to make it work for you.

There is none of that awful advice often given to women older than 40.  Only wear long sleeves no matter how hot it is, for example.  (I honestly read that in another book and I just couldn’t stand it.  In Michigan, in summer, anyone wearing long sleeves would look ridiculous.  Not a look a woman wants!) She talks about how to adapt fashion trends to suit you.  Helpful.

As with most books of this sort, you should take what you like and ignore the rest.   Not everything is for everyone but at the very least you’ll leave this book knowing what it is you’re ignoring!

 

Fledgling by Octavia Butler - I have no idea when I read it

I just realized that I never wrote about this.  The details aren’t going to be clear now, since it’s been awhile, but here we go:

Shori has no idea who or what she is.  She is found, and protected by Wright.  He finds her and takes her in while she regains her memory.

The memories are not good.  Her entire family was killed and she just barely escaped death herself.  what’s worse, is that it isn’t over.  She finds others like her but she can’t remember anything from before the fire that killed her family.

I think this was supposed to be the first in a series, but Butler died.  too bad.  I’d really like to know what happens to Shori and the rest of them.

Kitty and the Silver Bullet by Carrie Vaughn 06/24/08

One of the advantages to not being able to sleep is that I get to read a lot.  I finished the last “Kitty” book and then this one, since 6:30 this evening.

So, when we meet our reckless heroine again, she is with Ben, on her way to visit Cormac.  Of course, that’s just the beginning.  Kitty’s mother gets sick - cancer - and Kitty has to go home despite being banished from the Pack.

Rick, a vampire from Denver (Kitty’s hometown, in case you’ve forgotten), asks Kitty for help in getting rid of the old vampire Master so that he can be Master.  As a bonus, they’ll get rid of Meg and Carl, the pack alphas, who killed Kitty’s friend TJ and who banished Kitty.

There is a vampire war and a were war and our reluctant heroine becomes Pack leader, along with Ben.  Ben, who has become her mate.  Weird to hear them refer to one another as mate, since that’s what Anishinaabe do. 

The thing about these books is that you never know what’s going to happen next and you can’t put the book down.  Okay, maybe you can, but I can’t.

Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn 06/24/08

Kitty is pretty tired after all that happened in the last book, so she takes a vacation at a remote cabin in the mountains.  She doesn’t get any peace, though: first, Cormac brings Ben there because he’s been bitten and someone is leaving Kitty “presents.”  things like dead rabbits nailed to her door.  Lovely things like that.

First, Cormac, Ben and Kitty try to figure out who is messing with Kitty.  Once they do, they have to then try to get Cormac out of jail for killing the person who was trying to hurt Kitty.  A good part of the book also was about Kitty helping Ben come to terms with being a werewolf.  He wasn’t all that happy about it, but he seems to be getting more accustomed to it.

It will come as no surprise to any of you who know me or who have read others of these, that I love a story that centers around relationships and this one certainly does, even more so than previous Kitty books.  Vaughn is good at keeping the story moving and not giving away the ultimate conclusion. 

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris 06/20/08

After staying up until 1 am on Wednesday, trying to finish this, then having a VERY long day on Thursday, I didn’t actually finish it until Friday.   I am sorry I had to wait so long.

As always, the newest Sookie Stackhouse book is a treat.  I barely refrained from buying it in hard cover.  Only the lack of room to put it prevented the purchase.  I seriously have 60 books that I have not read and no bookshelves.  Must buy a bookcase.

So, Sookie hasn’t heard from Quinn since the deal in the last book with the hotel colllapsing.  There are were wars going on and very possibly a vampire war in the making.  Sophie Anne is dead.  There is a new king.  Bill has shown up again but Sookie appears to be uninterested.  Eric is behaving more like a lover and less like the aloof guy he’s been thus far, he’s remembering the time he had amnesia and how it was with Sookie.  To tell you much more would give it all away, but if you’re a fan, you must read.  If you haven’t read the series yet, go back to the beginning and read ‘em all. Soon.

Three Fashion Books

They don’t really require much.  All were fine, nothing spectacular.

1. The Pocket Stylist

2. Style A to Zoe by Rachel Zoe

3. City Chic.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Meeting & Event Planning by Robin E. Craven 06/12/08

This was not really what I was looking for but if you’ve never planned an event or meeting before, this would be a good resource.

Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor by Linda Wells 06/17/08

I agree with most of the published reviews: this is just a rehash of what’s been in the magazine.  Still, there were good bits.  I wrote down her “Facial 101″ and, if I ever remember to do it, I’ll follow those directions.

If you haven’t been reading Allure faithfully or if you just want a review, this book is okay.  Nothing really new and I would have been mad if I’d bought it rather than getting it at the library.

Fabulosity by Kimora Lee Simmons 06/17/08

When Fabulosity came out back in 2006, there were several comments on amazon and other places about how vapid it was, how trite, how it was all about how to look “hip hop” and blah blah blah.  I didn’t read it then for some reason, but it’s been on my list, mostly because I am a fan of Kimora.

 

I got it from the library and I’d definitely put this on the list of books that a young woman should read.  Sure, if you’re an adult who has learned all this stuff, it’s going to seem simplistic.  There are a lot of young women who haven’t and that’s who Kimora’s market is.

 

I did find some useful things, though, and I’m definitely an adult woman.  It wasn’t so much things I didn’t know, but things that were a good reminder.   She had useful things for a person new to the work world that I’ll bet no one else has told them.  It may seem evident to a person who has been working for a while but not if you’re new.

 

Kimora’s basic message is dream big and you can achieve it.  It might not be *her* life that you aspire to but whatever it is, you can work toward it and probably get it.

Miss Julia Paints the Town by Ann B. Ross 06/15/08

I can’t seem to resist a Miss Julia book.  Can’t resist despite the fact that Miss Julia sort of gets on my nerves and I am not that happy that the only black people in the book are servants who fit the stereotype of the good servant who just lives to serve her employer. 

What I like about them is that Miss Julia continually gets herself and other into all manner of trouble, despite “knowing better.”  It’s always interesting to see what sort of problems Miss Julia creates for herself.  I think, perhaps, other than that whole servant thing, I see myself in Miss Julia.  Especially as it relates to her continued suspicions of Sam when they aren’t warranted.