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

[ladybrick.livejournal.com]

I think all of King's best stuff takes place in prison (Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) Though I'm also quite fond of The Stand, as long and as creepy as it is.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I think It is my favorite King story hands down. Yes, it is scary as all hell, violent, and at times disturbing, but wow, I couldn't put it down.

I thought Rita Hayworth was OK, I actually preferred Apt Pupil for showing more than banality of evil, in a way King often doesn't.

I also loved the Talisman which is why I was so annoyed at how bad Black House was.

The Stand has a few prison sequences :P

[ladybrick.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Apt Pupil was great too... I think that's really one of the scariest things King ever wrote.

I've read The Stand 4 or 5 times now. I seem to get sick most every time I do read it, though.

Oh, sci-fi... Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash is good. I should read his other stuff.