I’ve had Charles de Lint’s The Blue Girl sitting on my nightstand for more than a month, but I just couldn’t seem to get around to reading it. It first came onto my radar in March, when I heard it discussed at a Young Adult Fantasy session at PLA. Since I’d been reading "urban fantasy" books with teen protagonists, this made my list, and I finally managed to read it this weekend.
I can see why de Lint is so reknowned. This book has everything: ghosts, fairies, monsters, bullies, friendship, love…It was a pretty great read. The book is set in the fictional town of Newford, which de Lint has visited in more than one of his novels. It tells the tale of Imogene and Maxine, two high school girls who are social outcasts. Imogene is outgoing and strange, while Maxine is smart and controlled by her domineering mother. Recognizing kindred spirits within each other, the girls become best friends. But when Imogene’s reckless bravery captures the attention of the school ghost, he inadvertenly unleashes a world of trouble on the girls. "Aided" by a band of malicious fairies, the ghost accidentally siccs the soul-sucking anamithim on Imogene, and she and Maxine must use all their wits and courage, not to mention a little magic, to save themselves.
Patricia McKillip’s Solstice Wood is a slightly different sort of fantasy from what I’ve been reading lately. It’s such
an unusual book, I’m not entirely sure how to describe it. In fact, I was probably about halfway through the book before I finally got a firm grasp on what was going on. Sylvia Lynn, who fled her childhood home seven years ago, has returned for her grandfather’s funeral. Summoned by her grandmother, Iris, Sylvia reluctantly returns to the town of Lynnwood, but hopes to make her visit a short one. Unfortunately, things begin to go wrong almost immediately; Iris is not what she seems, Iris’s close friend Owen is harboring a dangerous secret, Sylvia’s cousin Tyler is in desperate trouble, and Sylvia grandfather has willed to her the one thing she wants least: Lynn Hall, the estate where she was born. As Sylvia comes to terms with her grandmother’s secret identity and tries to rescue Tyler, she is forced to admit just exactly what she is and why she ran away so many years ago. A most unusual book.
I just discovered the coolest website: fredflare. It’s full of awesome, kitschy things, such as lamps, light switch covers and jewelry. I particularly adore these plant decorations. Lawn art for the urbanite, these little guys are made to stick inside potted plants, so not having a lawn is no problem. I also saw a cuckoo clock that I like, not to mention an owl necklace, which could further my obsession with the little hooters.
I’ve always kinda liked Christina Aguilera, and even though she’s considered a “pop star” she’s garnered enough respect that that’s not an embarrassing admission (the way it would be if one said they always kinda liked Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson). Though she was lumped in with them as part of the late-90s blonde pop sensation, she always seemed a bit different to me. First there’s her voice; no one can deny her talent. Her videos were often edgier (see “Fighter” for example) and her music seemed more influenced by other genres. I can’t fathom Jessica Simpson singing alongside Li’l Kim, but Christina did it twice. I’ve also always thought she exuded a weird blend of do-me sex appeal (“Genie in a Bottle,” “Dirrty,” “Lady Marmalade”) and feminist confidence (“Fighter,” “Can’t Hold Us Down,” “Beautiful,” “What a Woman Wants”).
Her newest disc, Back to Basics, drops on August 15, and I’m curious to hear the two album set. She claims that it was influenced by jazz, and I’m sure she was also inspired by married life. According to an article in People magazine:
“Back to Basics pays homage to vintage jazz, soul and blues styles, which Aguilera says inspire her. ‘Not to say that music today doesn’t have heart, but it’s really few and far between because technology has advanced itself so much that anybody can be a singer,’ she says. ‘Back in the day, you had to know how to sing.’
Her new single, “Ain’t No Other Man” is really great (evidently it was inspired by her new hubby); I just added it to my workout playlist. I’m excited to hear more.
Well, apparently, the Bronze Age collection extends beyond dinnerware. I love this lamp, and I need this little owl for my collection.
