This book is based on a movie that is based on a book. I’m not sure which part is more confusing.

#47: Lush Life by Richard Price

Every single review I have read of this book mentions the author’s connection to HBO’s The Wire. The show is astoundingly good (anyone know where I can get the box set for cheap?), but this book takes Richard Price’s inside knowledge of crime and punishment to a different level. It’s one thing to see and it’s another thing to read. Trying do decide what voice inflection the characters would use or invisioning the inside of a squad car was more difficult that I thought it would be.

One of the most exciting (should I say exciting when the book is about a pointless murder?) aspect of the novel is that it is set in New York City’s lower east side. It’s not a neighborhood I’m all that familiar with, besides the Economy Candy Shop, but it is full of history and culture. The entirety of Lush Life takes place within a small piece of urban territory, but at times it feels like a landscape of endless depth. New York actually becomes one of the dramatic players, allowing people to become involved with one another therefore furthering the plot.

Finally, I feel the need to tell you that this is the first book I checked out of the NYPL. That’s right, I have a library card now. Success!

126 Crosby Street New York, NY 10012

I know I’ve written about the Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe before, but because today is World AIDS Day, I’m going to write about it again. For the last two and a half years, I have worked in the HIV/AIDS community in a professional capacity. By experiencing the medical and social needs of men, women, and children affected by this pandemic, it has become very clear that it will take the help of the entire world to end this. However, there is ALWAYS someone just around the corner in need of a little help, too. Housing Works is a fantastic organization with whom I’ve worked pretty closely and while I may be a tad bit biased, they’ve got a great bookstore. How can I say no to a place that hosts spelling bees, comedy shows, basement sales, and even (as I saw one time) wedding receptions? Book donations are always welcome and proceeds from sales go to the fight against HIV and homelessness. So when you’re in New York City, stop by and take a look around, if not for yourself but for someone else.

Let’s be real, I may not have read a lot of books in November but I sure did make a ton of cookies.

Quick question: Is Chuck Klosterman the accompanist on Glee? IMDB says it’s some guy named Brad, but I’m pretty certain the show could stop at any second and we’ll all learn about how Steely Dan and the Dallas Mavericks are connected through one episode of The Price is Right. In the end, he’ll relate the baby mama drama back to America’s obsession with puppets and then leave for Japan where everything is more relevant. Guess we’ll see after the kids pretend to be in Grease..

#46: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson

Finally finished this series because a friend smuggled it back from Europe. Hooray! It wrapped up a very long story line in the form of miraculous medical recoveries, exciting courtroom drama, and political conspiracy. One of the things I’ve found interesting about the series as a whole though is that although the plot changes, the characters don’t exhibit redemption or a shift in personality. They pretty much stay the same throughput the three books, which isn’t so bad, just unexpected. I liked the ending here with all the legal battles (I’ve always wanted to be on a Grisham-style jury), which was fun to read but when the characters got emotional, I didn’t believe it. They tend to always be slightly standoff-ish even when they’re supposed to be in love, or in pain, or just generally freaking out. Maybe that’s a cultural or translation thing, I don’t know. Either way, as a crime novels go this whole series is pretty top notch - thrilling, suspenseful, and eerie to the core.

Side note: This weekend I got my hands on the orginal Sweedish movie of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It is creepy as all get out and not recommended for those with weak stomachs.

If you give a girl an H1N1 vaccine, she deserves a cookie… even if she has to make it herself.