Flick Pick/Get Lit: Sharp Objects

I finally read Gillian Flynn's intriguing debut thriller, Sharp Objects, a few years ago. I couldn't put it down. When I learned that HBO was developing a limited series around the material, I was all in. The casting hits the spot and Jean-Marc Vallee (Big Little Lies) is directing. Amy Adams is one of my favorite actresses; her range and ability to portray so many different types of characters is not credited highly enough. If you're a fan of dark thrillers with a female lead, I imagine you might be a fan of this project. I recommend checking out the book before the miniseries premieres on July 8th. It's a quick read and does not disappoint. If you enjoyed The Sinner, you will probably like this one as well.

















Now Playing: "Believe" by Amen Dunes

The INFJ Book Questionnaire

1. Your favorite book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

2. A book you started but never finished: Pretty Little Killers: The Truth Behind the Savage Murder of Skylar Neese by Daleen Berry (not a bad book just need to jump back into it)

3. A book you still haven't read but want to: A Stolen Life: A Memoir by Jaycee Dugard

4. A book you hated: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (hate is a strong word but I never really liked the artwork or cared for its negative, repetitive nature when I was a child).

5. A book that made you happy: Hello From Heaven! (...After-Death Communication) by Bill & Judy Guggenheim

6. A book that made you sad/cry: Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, A Life Reclaimed: A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings by Michelle Knight

7. A book that reminds you of someone: Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

8. A book that reminds you of somewhere: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (traveling in Europe)

9. A book that you've read more than once: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

10. A book that made you think: Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge by Laren Stover

11. A book that was better than the movie: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (although I also liked the movie)

12. A book by your favorite author: Barrell Fever: Stories and Essays by David Sedaris

13. A book featuring your favorite character: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

14. A book that was a guilty pleasure: I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie by Pamela Des Barres

15. A book that no one would expect you to like: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt

16. A book that describes you/you can relate to: Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

17. A book from your favorite genre: Lily Dale: The Town That Talks to the Dead by Christine Wicker (Nonfiction/Metaphysical/New Age -- although Memoirs/Humor/Essays and Art/Coffee Table books are also some of my favorite genres)

18. A book that you tell others to read: What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love by Carole Radziwill (one of my favorite books)

19. A book that you love at Christmas: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

20. A book that you love at Halloween: Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice and Ghost Stories of Pittsburgh by Beth E. Trapani

21. A book that made you scared: The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers by Michael Newton

22. A book from before you were born: None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen

23. A book from your childhood: Kenny and the Little Kickers by Claudio Marzollo & Jacqueline Rogers

24. A book that you wish you were in: Pittsburgh Born, Pittsburgh Bred: 500 of the More Famous People Who Have Called Pittsburgh Home by C. Prentiss Orr

25. A classic book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

26. A book that makes you laugh: My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler

27. A romantic book: Come to the Edge: A Love Story by Christina Haag

28. A children's book: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

29. A sports book: The Color of Sundays: The Secret Strategy That Built the Steelers Dynasty by Andrew Conte

30. A cook book:  Ladurée Macarons The Recipes by Vincent Lemains (I prefer to bake)

31. A book that taught you something: Mysteries of the Unexplained by Carroll C. Calkins

32. A coffee table book: Fornasetti: The Complete Universe by Mariuccia Casadio

33. A unique book: The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

34. The last book you read: Stone Houses: Traditional Homes of Pennsylvania's Bucks County and Brandywine Valley by Margaret Bye Richie

35. The next book you're going to read: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

36. A book you wish that you wrote: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

It should be noted that after I completed this post, I took a look at my selections. I never realized that I read a lot of books that have death as a major plot point. I'm not sure how that ties into my psyche but there you have it. To see my virtual bookshelf, click here.












Now Playing: "The Walker" by Gayngs

Get Lit: A Few of My Favorite Coffee Table Books

Please excuse the horrible lack of feng shui happening within this collage. Its asymmetry is most disappointing.

I collect a lot of things. A minimalist I am not. And there are few things in life that I love more than books. Some women dream of having a jewelry box full of diamonds or a closet stocked with designer shoes but I lust after a home library. I tend to gravitate toward non-fiction. I enjoy memoirs, satire/humor, essays and anything on the occult. But my biggest love is for coffee table books. Not only are they fascinating to read and visually admire but they're also one of my favorite things to decorate with. Nothing makes a room look more put together than a well-placed book. I appreciate a wide variety of subject matter: fashion, art, photography, beauty, architecture, music, design... The list is endless.

I mostly get my books used from various online retailers (Amazon, ebay, etc...) but am always scouring thrift stores as well. To check out my virtual bookshelves featuring thousands of my favorite titles, you can visit my Pinterest. In the mean time, I thought I'd share just a few of my favorites:

• Well-Read Women: Portraits of Fiction's Most-Beloved Heroines by Samantha Hahn.             If you're a fan of quotes and watercolor illustrations, you'll appreciate this book. It's a pretty book to flip through and especially nice as a gift for the woman in your life who loves literature.
• Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture                                                                            When this book was originally published several years ago, it was at the top of my Christmas list. For fans of architectural store design, this one is for you. Lovers of Takashi Murakami's iconic collaboration with Louis Vuitton will cherish having this book displayed in their homes. 
• Habitually Chic: Creativity at Work by Heather Clawson.                                                           If you follow the sensational style blog Habitually Chic, you must add this fabulous book to your collection. For those who have a passion for making a living out of doing what they love, you will take away much inspiration. Creatives will particularly be receptive to its content. Over the years, I've proudly displayed this book at the office, on my desk at home and anywhere that needs a touch of brightness. 
• Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel by Lisa Vreeland.                                                           If you grew up reading fashion magazines like I did, you will be familiar with Diana Vreeland's iconic career at Harper's Bazaar. For the most part, Vreeland was before my time (and her own for that matter) but this book provides a stellar glimpse into the fashion publishing world's past. This is mostly a visual photography book showcasing Vreeland's extraordinary contributions to the industry. 
• Face Paint: The Story of Makeup by Lisa Eldridge.                                                                     Surprisingly enough, before this book was published, there really wasn't anything on the market quite like it. It's hard to believe that no one had put together a book on the history of makeup. That might sound frivolous but the cosmetics industry is massively profitable and has a strong following. It's no surprise how popular this book has become. I adore the artistry and femininity behind makeup so of course I appreciate every page of this very well put together book. I'm also a major fan of Lisa Eldridge's work as well as her YouTube channel. If you're a beauty lover, this is a must-have. 
• Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen.                                                                                                 Here we have another incredible book that was spawned via a wonderful blog. This is a fantastic display of impeccable style at all ages. Our society tends to favor youth and beauty over the wisdom and elegance that comes with time but this book defies that stereotype. One of my all-time favorite style blogs brought to life in book form.
• Kate Spade New York: Things We Love - Twenty Years of Inspiration, Intriguing Bits and Other Curiosities                                                                                                                               I love Kate Spade's whimsical designs and affordable price points. For fans of the brand, this is a terrific book to add to your collection. It features a delightful selection of style inspiration that girlie girls of all ages can appreciate.
• Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People by Hamish Bowles.                                                       This was one of the first coffee table books I ever bought. When it comes to this sort of genre, no one does it better than Vogue. I have since purchased a number of books from the magazine and they're all worthy of the cost. As a particular lover of the subject matter, this is one of my favorites.
• Mark Ryden: The Tree Show by Holly Meyers & Mark Ryden.                                                   Mark Ryden is one of my favorite contemporary artists whose work is so unique and magical. Some of my favorite pieces are featured in this collection. If you're a fan of this style of art, I highly recommend owning this book. If I ever strike it rich, Mark Ryden would be the first artist I would contact to commission a painting for me. I hope to add another book by him into my collection in the near future. 

Now Playing: "Call" by Francesco Yates

Quoteworthy

"The unreal is more powerful than the real. Because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. Because it's only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. Stone crumbles. Wood rots. People, well, they die. But things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on."
-Chuck Palahniuk













Now Playing: "Magic Light" by Wampire
*One of my favorite and most-played songs of the year.

Quoteworthy

"A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."
-Saul Bellow 1915-2005















Now Playing: "The Fall" by Rhye

The Virgin Suicides.

"What we have here is a dreamer... someone completely out of touch with reality."

Love the book. Love the movie. Favorite.









Now Playing: "Playground Love" by Air
*Obviously?! ;)

Book Update! Chapter 2 Is Finished!

I just finished writing the second chapter of my first book! I'm aiming for each chapter to be atleast 3,300 words. I wasn't sure how difficult or easy this task would be but so far, so good! The second chapter surprisingly turned out a little bit longer than the first. I am at exactly at 6,800 words!

I'll go back to revise and edit tomorrow and start working on Chapter 3! My goal for this week is to surpass 10,000 words and I'm confident that I will be able to do it! If I write roughly 20,000 words per month, I should have my book done by Spring (mid-April, hopefully). It would be lovely if I could have all my query letters out by May. I really hope I am able to find a great literary agent! Fingers crossed! XX

Love,
Krista


Now Playing: "Fader" by The Temper Trap

Book Update: Chapter 1 Is Finished!

Chapter 1 of my first book is officially "in the books"- pardon the intentional pun. I'm so proud of myself for putting in the work and staying on track. My goal is to write something everyday. The first chapter is a little under 3,300 words. I'd like to be finished with the entire book, query letters and proposal by May.

I'll most likely need to step-up my writing in order to get 5 chapters done per month. But this first week I was only concerned with getting used to writing the book. My only goal was to get chapter one completed and I did!

My goal for next week is not necessarily to finish another chapter but to have atleast 10,000 words written. That should equal about two more essays. It's hard to tell because I'm not sure how long each one will end up being. I have about 18 stories on my chapter outlines. To have a long enough book, each chapter or essay should be around 3,300 words. This would take me to about 60,000 words. That's a little short but I have seen memoirs that are only 210 pages. I believe that would account for less than 50,000 words.

Length of chapters aside, I am trying my best to write in a style that I would enjoy reading. Although I consider myself an "open book" when probed, I generally keep things to myself. However, I have been so excited and proud of my book that I did share what I wrote with a select group of people whose opinions matter to me. They all found the book to be relatable, funny, creative and original. These are things that I am striving for and I am taking their advice into consideration!

I'll be sure to keep the blog updated on my progress! Wish me luck :)

Love,
Krista


Now Playing: "Crystalised" by The xx

2011 Astrological Guide!

This afternoon, Sydney Omarr's 2011 Astrological Guide for Aquarius arrived in the mail! If you know me well, you know that I love astrology. I have always been drawn to it but over the past few years, I have studied it further. I had last year's edition and loved it so much that I had to get it again. It provides a daily horoscope along with a ton of valuable information on the planetary positions and moon phases. Fascinating!

I was excited to read that Jupiter is in Aries in 2011. This is great news for Aquarians. The book said that 2011 is the perfect time to write a book, blog or communicate with people in a tangible way. My goal for this year is to complete my book, blog regularly and start my YouTube channel. The stars are aligned!

Speaking of my book, I am really proud of my progress during this first week of writing! I have about 2,000 words completed and hope to finish my first chapter today or tomorrow! I have read what I have so far to my sister and cousin and both really responded to the material. This made me so happy! :)

I'm expecting a few more things in the mail this week. I'll be writing beauty blogs on those goodies, so be sure to keep a lookout for the new posts!

Love,
Krista

#Now Playing: "The Cave" by Mumford & Sons