Gretch-a-sketch (old)

(One of these days I'll get a full-fledged logo and everything...)

Counting down things in any form makes me feel a bit like Casey Kasem. (For you younger folks, he was kind of like Ryan Seacrest but with a better voice and not so ahem flamboyant.)

Books
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
This one caught my interest long before I even knew what it was about, because my ancestors come from the Isle of Guernsey located in the English Channel. Written solely through letters and telegrams, this book is awash in history, war stories, and romance. The main character, Juliet, is so likable that I wish the whole thing had been narrated by her. The diverse cast provides some genuine hilarity, which is balanced out with the memories of World War Two.


Love is a Mixtape, by Rob Sheffield
To be honest, I thought this book had been the definitive volume on mixtapes for years. Turns out it's only been out since early-2007. Thankfully, in about twenty years this will still be the definitive volume on music and love. You have to be a music geek to truly appreciate it, but it's more accessible than Perfect From Now On: How Indie Rock Saved My Life, which is what I'm reading right now. Rob's connection to his wife Renee is so palpable that it's heartaching to read at parts. Someday, I'll buy a copy and instead of storing it with my books, it will go on the shelf with my favorite albums.

Violet on the Runway, by Melissa Walker
There are endless versions to the "small town/awkward girl becomes overnight sensation," which in the book's case, transfers to the realm of modeling. For technically being a YA novel, there was a surprising amount of drug references and language. It's amusing, but not a stand-out. On the other hand, I do have to tip my hat to Melissa Walker for perfectly executing a Rivers Cuomo/Buddy Holly/Clark Kent joke overflowing with snark. Also, I tried reading the sequel but Violet was being so unbearable that I didn't get very far.

Music
She & Him, Volume One
I have such a huge girl crush on Zooey Deschanel, the "She" in the band's title. The "Him" is M. Ward, whom (who? whom?) I don't know much about. I don't see how anyone could not like this CD. Zooey's signature quirky style shines through in every song. Her lyrics seem simple at first, but there's lots of meaning once you really listen. I was impressed by her cover of "You Really Got A Hold On Me," but her rendition of The Beatles' "I Should Have Known Better" didn't thrill me. Call me a purist, but I'm wary of every single Beatles' cover out there. There's a strong country element that harks back to Patsy Cline, as well as a titch of the 50's Doris Day sound. My mother would also like to point out that she loves this cd and occasionally has to admit I have good taste in music.

Joshua Radin, Simple Times
If you absolutely can't wait for the store release on September 30th, go buy it from iTunes. That's what I ended up doing and I don't regret it at all. Joshua's signature "Whisper Rock" sound has never sounded better. Simple Times deals with break-ups and bad dreams and environmentalism, but the overall tone is cheerier than his first album We Were Here. There's a strong theme of moving forward which I really need in my life right now. Mmm...he makes me melt. I don't care when or where you buy it from, just please buy it.

Television
30 Rock, Season Two
It about near kills me that 30 Rock doesn't come back until the end of October, because of all the shows on television, this one weathered the Writers' Strike the best. Ignore the guest spots by Jerry Seinfeld and David Schwimmer and focus on Carrie Fisher, Al Gore, Matthew Broderick, and Edie Falco. There are maybe only two weak episodes out of fifteen--that is one superb track record for a season of tv. The characters are more developed in Season Two, as is the flow of humor. The best musical scene in the history of television very well may be Midnight Train To Georgia, as seen in Episode 210. We also get to see the return of Floyd, Dennis Duffy, and Devon Banks. 30 Rock, you are truly made of WIN.

Movies
Get Smart
I'm not going to lie, I had really high hopes for this one. About an hour into it, I was still all, "Um...what?" Then it picks up at the end, but my expectations were dashed by that point. Anne Hathaway is hot and Steve Carell is funny when he yells. That's it.

Big Dreams, Little Tokyo
Okay, this is more like it. Dave Boyle (a Utahn--holla!) wrote, directed, and starred in this delightful little indie flick. Here's the synopsis from IMDB, because it's getting late and I'm getting drowsy. "Big Dreams Little Tokyo is the story of Boyd, an American with an uncanny ability to speak Japanese. Boyd aspires to succeed in the world of Japanese business but finds himself mostly on the outside looking in. Meanwhile, his roommate Jerome, is a Japanese American who has always felt too American to be Japanese but too Japanese to be American. He aspires to be a sumo wrestler but finds his weight and blood pressure are thwarting his dreams. Together they struggle to find their place in a world where cultural identity is seldom what it seems." Boyd is nebbish and awkward, yet still charming. Jerome was freaking hilarious and their Japanese friend Mai is so perfect in every scene. The amateur filming comes off more skilled than one would expect. I smiled more than I laughed, but sometimes that's a really, really good thing when it comes to entertainment. You might have a hard time finding it, but pounce if you get the chance.