Brett Easton Ellis.

I picked up Brett Easton Ellis because I'm usually fond of books set in my hometown. Plus, he's all the rage right now in the indie scene apparently...and it bothers me when conversation comes up about a book I haven't read. Not to mention... the book was mentioned in Elle, Vogue, GQ, Details, and Nylon. Based on the fact that it was suggested to be by my perpetually broken hearted tragic ex boyfriend, I figured there would be a certain level of wallowing and angst. Much to my chagrin its pretty much what imagined it would be. Kind of a Bukowski wanna be, totally narcissistic, I live in LA and live the good, rich life but oh my gosh I'm still just so depressed and so empty and just sooo fucked up all the time. But, like I wanted there's a load of references to Hollywood Blvd and Sunset.....
Ill probably still read the follow up to it... Imperial Bedrooms that came out this last Tuesday. I don't know why I'm such a sucker for a story about my home town, but I am. That, and I cant have all these sceney babies reading a book I haven't read and cant comment on right? If only to tell them I read it too and its shit.

I am Charlotte Simmons.

Bonfire of the Vanities was my first Tom Wolfe book, and though its undeniably better than Charlotte Simmons, Charlotte is still worth the time. Instead of the playboy fugitive, and the legal eagles of 'Bonfire' this one is set on the fictional ivy league university campus of Dupont, and its characters are the students.

All in all, despite the fact that every character was annoying in some way or another and that I really didn't care very much for anybody in the entire book.... I still liked the book. Its Wolfe, man. He's gifted with words. The end is a little bleak for my liking...but it does touch on the realities of selling out, and the way it is to give up on the person that you might've become and settle for the person that you are.

The best part of the book is undeniably, her innate egoism... mixed in with her almost painful shyness. Makes you want to stick your chest out and say " I am Charlotte Simmons." Or rather, I am Jenelle Star. You know.

The library, a gay coffee house.

Though I'd have no qualms spending $350.00 on a pair of distressed boyfriend current elliott jeans, I was very annoyed to spend 18 bucks on some tortellini and a cheese croissant at the library coffee house in long beach. For a midnight snack sort of place, not very budget friendly. And speaking of distressed boyfriend current elliott jeans.....need some!