Advice

[rkold]

I'd like some advice on two fronts, and neither requires and interest in dolls or anime. *shock*

Lately, I've been reading at the gym, and I just finished the two books given to me by muscatlove and yanchamonkey The Nanny Diaries and Good Omens. So, I'm looking for some book recommendations. I don't want anything dry or depressing, so nothing involving peak oil or politics. The main characters should be engaging, because I find if I dislike or hate the main characters I can't easily get through something. (i.e. Catcher in the Rye where I kept wanting Holden Caulfield to get hit by a bus.)

My other request is somewhat gym related as well. In 2005, I bought a unique H.Eaven purse in Harajuku. It's lovely in that it holds more than it should, always gets comments, is non-leather, and has a perfect strap. However, it is also big and bulky and I can't stand just carrying it to the gym. So I'm looking for a new small purse. It just needs to hold an ipod, and a few other things. I prefer cloth, I like straps that go around your torso, cause I find that is the easiest way to keep purses on. I know a lot of people love etsy, but I really don't know who is good and when I tried to find "purses" I got a lot of hits and some were for laptop bags ~.~ I'd like something cute and different with not too much white. (which is why I am not using my berry purse)

Any help or suggestions with either query would be most appreciated.

EDIT

LIKED:
Nickel and Dimed
Traitor's Moon
Bed Knobs and Broomsticks
Office Ladies and Salaried Men


Neutral:
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Geisha of Gion


DISLIKED:
Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix

Comments

[thundermew.livejournal.com]

(i.e. Catcher in the Rye where I kept wanting Holden Caulfield to get hit by a bus.)

I.. I think I love you.
I thought I was the only one who hated him.

Lessee.. something I have that could be interesting to you... The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio and The Best of Everything, those are both good books. If you want recommendations on old true-crime stories, I've got a lot of those.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Oh, I have weird tastes too. I mean I love pop sociology. lol

And no, you are not the only one who hated Holden. It use to irk me to no end when people talked about how he represents teens because he most certainly didn't represent me in any way *I* wanted to be represented. He was an obnoxious, self-centered, spoiled, ass. I seriously think that might be my least favorite book I was ever forced to read in school with second place going to Ethan Frome. The only redeeming part of that book was it had the most inane method to attempt suicide I've ever read.

Maybe I should have wished for Holden to take a ride with Ethan. ~.~

Are we talking true-crime like History Channel/Discovery Channel style? XD;

[thundermew.livejournal.com]

It's stuff pre-dating 1965, usually. It ties into my whole early-mid twentieth century history obsession. ^^; Not, like, blood and gore and Hannibal Lecter stuff.

Oh, and for small purses that are indestructible... how much are you looking to spend? I like my LV pochette. ^^; I couldn't destroy it if I wanted.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

It's not so much destroy as I want small, cute and comfy. I just hate using my old digital camera bag which is what I am currently doing. ~.~

Hmmmm I don't think I've ever read much in that genre.