Amber's Notebook: GIVEAWAY And Designer Spotlight: $100 to SHOPBOP G...

Amber's Notebook: GIVEAWAY And Designer Spotlight: $100 to SHOPBOP G...: "I am so excited to present my readers with the biggest giveaway I have been able to feature yet: $100 to Shopbop!! ShopBop carries so many ..."

Falling is Like This - Kate Rockland

Whew! My apologies for the total lack of post-age lately. Moving has been quite the chore, and I've been SUPER busy. I have, however, been doing tons of reading - per usual. Voila, new post :0)


As much as I love punk rock, I’ll admit – I missed its heyday. I’ve never been to CBGB (although I do know where it once was), and grew up in a small town that didn’t breed the greatest of local acts. I’ve always been jealous of my dear boyfriend, who grew up in the suburbs right outside of NYC, and got to experience many small, local shows. I give dear boyfriend lots of credit for exposing me to some of my now-favorite artists, and fully rescuing me from a life of top-40 music (quelle horror!). With that said, I felt I really connected with protagonist Harper Rostov in “Falling Is Like This”. I picked this book up based on my patented “cute cover” system, and was intrigued to see a blurb from Courtney Love (She reads? Huh.). Our girl Harper is a budding journalist/punk-rock girl living in the East Village, who finds herself caught up in a whirlwind romance with the guitar player of her favorite local band. Basically, she’s living the life I desire, minus the part about her being from Jersey – the only state whose residence always declare “But I’m from the NICE part.” If you’re into the punk and rock scene, you’ll notice a plethora (I revel in every excuse to bust that word out) of reference made to bands and locations throughout the novel. Now, on to the good stuff!

• It’s chick lit – plain and simple. There’s little in terms of sophisticated writing here, and the book is just screaming to be made into movie starting Miley Cyrus, or whoever the reigning teen queen is at the time. This isn’t negative necessarily; I love to turn my brain off while reading at times and be immersed in the story: more of an observation. 
• The multitude of music and location references: I did feel the book gave a nice picture of the quirky East Village, the down-trodden, once-was-great Coney Island, and even the sights and sounds of riding the subway. However, there were a few things that bugged me: Gwen Stefani had pink hair during Return to Saturn, not Tragic Kingdom. I mean really, people. Tragic Kingdom was the platinum blonde, red-lipped Gwen we all know and love. Must I keep track of everything! Also, I haven’t decided if the author really did her research regarding current bands within the scene, or just picked up the latest issue of Alternative Press. It could go either way, really.
• Character development: I wish it was a bit stronger, if only because I wanted to know more about them. This clearly isn’t an epic 800 page Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows novel (Speaking of...*squee* new movie, and *double squee* Harry Potter Wizarding World! What’s that? I’m 24? Silence), and I suppose wanting to learn more would be a sign of connecting with the characters, yes? For me, I did see a lot of myself in Harper, and vice versa. Obviously others reading experience will differ, but I think this might be one big reason I fully enjoyed this book.

I’m still puzzled as to why a book based around the punk rock scene gathers it’s title from an Ani DiFranco song, but that doesn’t detract from how much I enjoyed this read. Check it out, and rock on!

Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen

I'm a sucker for cotton candy. Although fully aware that it's simply spun sugar in pretty colors...there's something about dissolving that sweet, cloud-like mass atop a stick that warms my little heart. What's more synonymous with cotton candy then the circus? (Irony: I'm currently watching Daria, and a quip was just made regarding Mr. Football Player Kevin running off to join the circus. The universe works in mysterious ways.) Attending the circus as a kid seems to be one of those universal childhood experiences. Sitting under the big top, watching the animals, clowns, and daring young men on the flying trapeze is magical and awe-inspiring. For the majority of us our circus experience begins and ends under that big top. This book brings the, well, casual circus goer into the world beyond the cotton candy. 
I do have to say this book was a bit off the beat and path of my usual selections. Although my history as a competitive gymnast and part-time antigravity yoga enthusiast qualifies me (in my own mind) as an honorary carney, I'm usually not one for time-period reads. This books setting? Great depression. I'm also not big on books with a more serious tone, and this certainly wasn't billed as a comedy. Well - consider my tune changed. To reiterate the adjectives blazoned across the back: compelling, vivid, engrossing, rich, and emotional...each and every one of these describes the experience I had while devouring this in 48 hours. 
And now, my top 3 highlights (I tried to come up with a 3-ring circus pun...and got nothing.):

• Holy research Batman! Ms. Gruen really delved deep to ensure accuracy in both her description of circus life, as well as depression-era America. According to the author interview at the back of the book (Nice surprise! Almost like a great behind-the-scenes feature on a DVD), many of the anecdotes within the story are drawn from real life experiences written in diaries and learned through first-hand accounts of performers from the era. I found all the factoids legitimately intriguing and educational, but woven through the narrative in such a way that it moved the story along - rather then sticking out as *FUN FACTS*
• The story moves seamlessly between present day Jacob Jankowski - 90 year old (or 93, he can't remember) nursing home resident, and 23 year old Jacob - coming into his own as an adult during the 1930's. Time-shifting can be a tricky business, but Ms. Gruen balances the two skillfully, making it clear which Jacob is currently narrating. On the topic of narrators, I found myself checking the author's name about 1/4 of the way through, and being pleasantly surprised when the name was female. Seeing as that my male-brain mind reading skills have been on the fritz, I can't guarantee accuracy, but it did seem that Ms. Gruen captured the voice of a man in both youth and old-age. 
• There's certainly something for everyone here: love story, coming-of-age tale, and a murder mystery are all part of this engrossing read. This isn't an easy book to predict. I'm aware that what I'm about to reveal may be controversial, but alas...here it goes: when I'm reading and finding the story almost too compelling to go on, I often flip to the back page and read the last sentence. I KNOW, I know, way to ruin it for myself, right? At times (such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) it can be a HUGE spoiler. Other times, like this one, it can be misleading and reveal nothing. I enjoyed that I was forced into maintaining the air of mystery until the end, as the author intended.

I must say, there's a reason this bad boy has been on every major best-seller list. It's a fabulous book. My only complaint lies with two characters having similar names, ergo creating some confusing passages and the need for flipping back to reference. Honestly, this can most likely be attributed to my gerbil-like memory, and may not be an issue for all. 

Just like a nice stick of cotton-candy, this book is inciting, sweet, and over too soon. It's also possibly inspired me to continue my carney-like path by trying out a class at New York Trapeze. Here's hoping for a safe return to solid ground.

I Don't Care About Your Band - Julie Klausner

Let’s face it – dating is tough. If you type in “dating” in the amazon.com search bar, you’ll receive 18,907 results. The Millionaire Matchmaker is just one a dozens of dating shows on TV. Carrie Bradshaw wrote a column about sex and dating, {which some how managed to afford her MANY expensive shoes on a freelance writers’ salary...and designer dresses...and a brownstone on the Upper East Side with closet space most 20-something New York ladies would kill for. The mind boggles). We all want to find mister (or misses) right. As much as dating can be rough...it can also be brutally hilarious. Enter Julie Klausner. Miss Klausner (who, after reading this book, should be my new best drinking buddy) details her loves, losses, and one-night stands all while being a 20-something in NYC. I must say, Ms. Klausner is willing to put it all out there, with stories that will make you think - heck, at least it's never been that bad! If you appreciate the ridiculous antics of the Sex and the City ladies: Charlotte’s date who licks her face, Carrie’s politician boyfriend who wants her to pee on him, and Samantha’s...well...everything, this book is right up your alley. It is a bit of a slow start (although that could have been just me reading at 10:30 at night, cozy in bed, eye’s shut...zzzz), but once it picked up, I was totally on-board. Here are my highlights:

• The book contains an analysis on the dynamics of Kermit and Miss Piggy’s relationship in the first few chapters. Muppets = win.
• Told in memoir style, Klausner adopts a tone that’s more self-awareness, less self-helpy. She tells each story in such a way that makes you think: “Oh, girl. Yes. Been there.” She recognizes that, as she puts it “...shitty guys. I dated them in college like it was my major.” Hilarity ensues.
• The stories...oh, the stories. There’s the NYU student with bedbugs, the vegan who only liked the taste of his own semen, and the dude who genuinely believed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was pure cinematic genius (if anyone can explain to me HOW that movie had a single redeeming quality, I'll give you a quarter).

After reading Klausners trials and tribulations, there’s a good chance you’ll feel a bit better about your own.The goal of Klausner re-visiting her disastrous dating past, despite first appearances, is not to parade these dudes out for public humiliation, as snort-inducing as it is. The point is to encourage us women to focus our attention on our interests and desires, and being the center of our own universe - rather than focusing all our attention on that random dude that you met at [fill-in bar here] you probably don't even care that much about, or wished you didn't. So, I would like to raise a glass to Julie Klausner: who was willing to reveal embarrassing moments most would shove back into the deep recesses of their memories, in the name of female empowerment! Here's looking forward to book #2.

*Side Note* If you’re on Twitter, follow Julie Klausner (julieklausner). Her musings on wanting to engage a gyno waiting room of women in a conversation about Sex and the City was outstanding.

The Morning Of...

So, as much as I love books, I also adore music. The lovely boyfriend is a musician, and introduces me to so many new, up and coming artists. Lately, I've been rocking out to The Morning Of's latest album - The Way I Fell In. The songs are powerful, and the mix of their male and female vocalists creates a great balance. Speaking of female vocalist...holy VOCALIST. This chick has pipes, and definitely knows how to use them. Check out the video below for their single "Tell Me I'm Wrong." Love the treatment. It's simple, but oh-so effective.

Stiff - Mary Roach

This was a recommendation from my father, the doctor. If you have a delicate tummy, or aren’t big on all things potentially squeem-inducing, this one will probably be a skip for you.

In my house as a kid, there was no room to be touchy regarding all things medical. Both my parents worked in hospitals, and it would be totally normal to have conversations revolving around topics most would consider “inappropriate” for dinner-time conversation (although my Mom really tried to squelsh the conversations...too bad she was outnumbered). The kicker was having a pigs leg in our fridge, covered in my fathers “practice stitches.” In case you were curious (which, if you’re still reading this, I warned you about the squeem-inducing possibilities here), pigs skin is remarkably similar to humans skin in both texture and behavior. It really does make the perfect practice canvas. Trying to explaining WHY that pigs’ leg is in the meat drawer (ha) of the fridge to a group of 15-year-old girls who just want a snack at the sleepover is less then ideal for your social life. See? Listen up kiddies, there’s serious life lessons here.

Anywhos, if you have a tummy of steel, or a natural inquisitive disposition to all things medical, then Stiff might be a book for you. My dad picked this up for a beach-read (I swear, my family is totally normal. Promise), and I found the conversations him and I had about the book to be fascinating. I grabbed this from my parents place for the plane-ride back from the holidays. I do have to warn you, the cover, along with the content, will probably get you some looks (Like yours truly received from the people on the plane, on the bus, on the subway or in my local laundromat. No, I’m not crazy. Stop staring – it’s rude). In a nutshell, Stiff is a look at what happens to bodies (dead ones) when they are donated to science. Cool, right? Just me?

If you don’t have experience with Mary Roach, she approaches the topics of her books (which also include the afterlife, sex, and spacewalking) completely blind, and writes with a fabulous sense of humor. (If the cover doesn’t put people off, the giggling Ms. Roach’s writing will cause you just might.) Some might think that using humor while discussing the deceased might come off as disrespectful, but I assure you, it never comes close to approaching that realm. If anything humor is used to temper a subject that can be uncomfortable. Ms. Roachs’ writing style was just one of the fabulous things about this book (I always appreciate a woman with a snappy wit). In addition:

• We’ve all heard the adage that two things in life are certain: death and taxes. While most people think of death as the end of their ability to further man-kind, Stiff presents a difference perspective. Bodies donated to science go on to contribute to much more fascinating endeavors then simply becoming a cadaver in a medical school lab. Why, you could be part of a forensic study to determine how bodies decompose in different states to aid detectives in solving murders, or be nailed to a cross in order to test theories surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus. Aiding in crash tests to develop safer cars, or helping the FAA understand why a plane crashed could also be in your future! Seriously, how many of us have actually made that much of a significant impact on society while a fully-functioning (and, umm, alive) human being?
• While some chapters are dedicated to the uses of cadavers, others delve into the history of medicine in regards to the dead. Anecdotes about the origins of the phrase “saved by the bell” (Hint: Nothing to do with the tumultuous relationship of Zac Morris and Kelly Kapowski), medical cannibalism past and present, and the bizarre experience of watching an organ-harvest from a beating-heart cadaver, while maybe not the best cocktail party conversation starters, provide a whole new perspective on medicines roots.
• As much as bodies donated to science DON’T end up in medical school labs, a good portion of them do. The chapter dedicated to just that subject hit home the most with me. I have friends going through medical school, and have heard my father discuss his med school cadaver on many occasions. The student/cadaver relationship (abet, potentially a tad one-sided) is one of the utmost respect and even pride. The discussion of ceremonies held in honor of the cadavers from each year is down right touching.

The science nerd in me totally got down with this book. I do have to say that after completing it, I can’t imagine being put in a wooden crate and lowered into the ground for all eternity, when there are so many other options out there for me in the afterlife! Give this one a go. At the very least, you’ll have a plethora of facts to gross-out family members at the next holiday gathering.

This is Your Brain on Music - Daniel J. Levintin

Rarely do I ever buy a book without having previous experience with the author, or utilizing Amazon’s nifty “if you like this, you’ll like..” feature. But, with this particular book, I went forth blindly and pick it up based on my patented “Stephanie Might Like this Attributes” – cute title and fun packaging. Funny enough, this decision making process works equally well for wine...but I digress. Being on an Amtrak train for 2 hours with no Wi-Fi calls for swift action. A quick skim of the back blurb got my attention – “Why yes, I WOULD like to know why certain songs get stuck in my head (earworms). I would also like to know how to remedy the situation! I would like to know why 16 year old white boys in the suburbs feel the need to listen to “gansta-rap” about their hard life on the streets!” I’ve always been a science person (First attempt at a college major: pre-med. Success: negative), and consider myself a huge (read: As in spend the majority of my disposable income on concert tickets and I’m pretty sure Steve Jobs should give me a cut of iTunes profits huge) fan of music. Also,I played the flute for 5 years, so I figured I would still retain basic musical knowledge, and this would be a refresher.

How could I possibly not enjoy this book?

Well, let me tell you, such a feat is possible. In all fairness, I tend to have the patience of a hamster, (Do hamsters have little patience? How long does one run on that little wheel anyway?) and tend to give up on a book if it hasn’t captured my attention in the first, oh, 20 pages. Harsh? Perhaps. But life is too short to struggle through unlikable books that aren’t required reading for scholastic reasons. In this case, I made it substantially further then my patience would normally allow, but like I said, 2 hour Amtrak trips can drive one to perform outstanding feats. My main complains are:

• I’m no longer a student. I have no desire to read anything written in a textbook-like manner. I do have a continuous thirst for knowledge, but have found many a book that can satisfy without me feeling like I should be taking notes for a pop-qu>iz later in the week (which would be such a bummer, man.) The first chapter on music theory and the science behind the nervous system was incredibly dry. While I understand that setting up a foundation for those with zippo musical and/or science knowledge is required, I’m pretty sure a slightly more relaxed style would have done the trick. I’m just trying to read a book for enjoyment, not feel like I’m having a conversation with one of those annoying smarty-pants people who feels the need to demonstrate their big bad brains by using as many $0.50 words as possible. Keep it simple, man. At the end of the day, this is music, not rocket science.
• That really exciting tid bit on the back of the book about earworms? Maybe takes up a paragraph. The book doesn’t focus on the fun-facts to know and learn portion as much as I had thought. I’m sure there are all sorts of interesting facts regarding humans, music, and science...this book isn’t where to find them. The author seems much more intent on name-dropping and discussing his career progression. No one likes a bragger.
• There are a lot (and I mean, A LOT) of musical pieces references throughout this book to provide examples of concepts in action. Unless you have the iPod of champions, there’s a good chance one person won’t be familiar with EVERY piece mentioned (especially if you are one with musical tastes confined to the Top 40 genre). This leads to the reader (or maybe just me) either skimming that reference because she is currently trapped on a train without internet access, or running to her computer to illegally download music (once her internet connection is back up and she’s desperately trying to enjoy this book but it just won’t let her) to understand whatever point is being made. Including a CD would have been nice...but probably would have increased the cost of the book to an unacceptable price.

I tried to like this book. I did. I had high hopes! Science + Music should = Win for Stephanie! This was a big flop, though. I would like to have le boyfriend (and musician extraordinaire) take a peek and give his thoughts, but for now, I’m going to have to go with big thumbs down. I’m beginning to think that understanding the science behind what makes my ears happy may take the enjoyment out of the listening experience. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go let my neurons fire to some happy-ear-making Beatles sound waves, without a care in the world as to, neurologically, why that is.