Lifestyle: Annie Fay Blog

Spring Reading 2

5/13/2018

As an artist and writer, I find lots of inspiration through reading. Reading is a simple form of escapism: with the flip of a page or the scan of a paragraph you can transport yourself to faraway cities or towering mountain ranges. I am a voracious reader and am always looking for new novels to add to my constantly expanding collection. Over the past couple of months I have read about 30 books and wanted to share some of my favorites with you this week!!

If you’d like to see other books I have blogged about in the past you can view those posts here and here.

There Is No Right Way to Meditate: And Other Lessons by Yumi Sakugawa

Yumi Sakugawa is one of my favorite authors. She takes intrinsic meditation concepts and makes them simple, accessible, and beautiful by juxtaposing concise prose and breathtaking illustrations. “There Is No Right Way to Meditate” is a book everyone should have in their household to refer to on good days, and not-so-good days, to find inner peace and an opportunity to breathe ((even if you only have time to read a few pages)). I also highly recommend her other book, “Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One With the Universe.”

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Ruiz utilizes Toltec Wisdom to empower the reader to live their best life. This books beauty comes from its simplicity. The four agreements ((1. Be impeccable with your word, 2. Don’t take anything personally, 3. Don’t make assumptions, and 4. Always do your best)) are incredibly straightforward and almost innate ideologies. Don Miguel Ruiz provides anecdotes and examples that allow the reader to truly accept and own these agreements. I highly recommend this book and think it is a truly transformative read.

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

The concept for this book is incredibly charming: an elderly man in France has a bookshop on a boat. Yet, it isn’t just any bookshop. He aims to prescribe books, like medicine, but to treat feelings; intangible feelings like birthday morning blues or nostalgia for childhood. This is a love story, an adventure, and a book that depicts the power of storytelling.

Tender Is The Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I adore Fitzgerald’s use of language. I honestly never even care what story I am reading of his because I am more concerned with his diction and ability to turn words into such vivid images. This story is as beautiful as it is complicated and sad. I highlighted so much of my copy because I just love his use of words so much.

Sticky Fingers by Joe Hagan

I absolutely LOVE reading anything that has to do with rock and roll subculture in the 1960s and 70s so I could not wait to read “Sticky Fingers” by Joe Hagan, the first biography on Jann Wenner, the co-founder and publisher of Rolling Stone Magazine. This book is dense. It is full of facts and incredibly cool information on people like Annie Leibovitz, Andy Warhol, and Mick Jagger. I’d equate it to reading a history book on Rolling Stone...and if you’re into that sort of thing than this book is phenomenal.

Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives by Adam J. Kurtz

This quick read goes nicely with the blog post I wrote this week on releasing yourself from a creative funk. Kurtz offers simple advice on how to engage your creative side, how to manage projects, and how to manage yourself when you’re feeling inspired, uninspired, or aren’t quite sure where to start during the in-between times.

This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Again-LOVE Fitzgerald. This book is beautiful and the jaded protagonist reaches a point of disillusionment through his boarding school experience, time at Princeton, and the tumultuous romances which follow. Fitzgerald’s writing is impeccable and so heavily intertwined with his personal life. Highly recommend reading this story and all of his other work.

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

“The Mysterious Benedict Society” was by far my favorite series as a child, so I was delighted to discover that Trenton Lee Stewart had a new novel out when I was searching for books to read for my Children’s Literature courses at UCSD. As 10 year-old-me would have wanted, I had very high expectations for this story - and I was not let down in the slightest. Even as a young adult, I still am blown away by Stewart’s ability to write novels that keep you turning the pages even after 1 in the morning. The story is full of twists, turns, and adventures. The protagonist, Reuben, is incredibly 3-dimensional and feels just as real as the characters I loved as a child. The story revolves around Reuben who discovers a mysterious watch...and honestly you’ll just have to read this book to see where the story goes from there.

Make sure to comment down below any great books you’ve read recently!!

Happy reading babes.

© Annie Fay Meitchik. All Rights Reserved. All content on anniefay.com is my own or credit is given when applicable, please do not use any of my images before contacting me above or @ anniefaymeitchik@gmail.com.

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Summer Reading

7/9/2017

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Reading is a simple form of escapism: with the flip of a page or the scan of a paragraph you can transport yourself to faraway cities or towering mountain ranges. I’ve been traveling through time and space, reading this past week all about San Francisco in the 50s, Buddhism, existentialism, and more - if you’re looking for a new book to enjoy keep on reading this post!!

The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

“The Dharma Bums” is a fantastic novel about love, life, adventure, and spirituality through the perspective of a bhikkhu in San Francisco. Through intense hiking excursions, introspection, and friendship; the main characters learn about themselves and the world around them. Kerouac is known for his whimsical and detailed descriptions of nature, which is what drew me to this book.

The Subterraneans by Jack Kerouac

Again, Kerouac's descriptive way of writing had me hooked!! This novel centers around the breakup of main characters, Leo and Mardou, but more than that the stories narrative is used to delve into bigger topics: racial divides, economics, and 1950s Americana subculture in San Francisco.

On Booze by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“On Booze” is essentially a timeline of anecdotes experienced by Fitzgerald primarily in the 1920s. It’s a super quick read and if you enjoy some of his other work ((my personal favorite is The Diamond As Big As The Ritz)) you should check this out!!

Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs

I am currently reading “Naked Lunch” by William S. Burroughs and enjoy the structure of books where you can jump around and read them in no particular order.

If you’re currently reading an AMAZING book make sure to comment down below so I can check it out!!

Happy reading.

Love,

A

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Spring Reading

5/28/2017

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Spring is a time of growth. Rainy days nourish the earth, and fresh flowers sprout. As humans, spring is a time for rejuvenation and new intentions that were lost in winter resurface. The positive shift in the weather means more time spent outdoors, and there’s nothing better than the simplicity of sitting at the beach or perching at a sunny café reading a good book. This spring I have read and discovered many new great reads that I’d like to share with you today!!

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

“The Rosie Project” is a hilarious examination of the human psyche through the perspective of our protagonist, Don Tillman, an Australian geneticist on the search for his ideal life partner. Written in a voice reminiscent of Dwight Schrute, from The Office ((one of my all time favorite shows)), this quick read will have you laughing from the very first chapter alone.

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

As I loved “The Rosie Project”, I felt I had to read Simsion’s sequel, “The Rosie Effect.” Similar to the first book in the series, “The Rosie Effect” continues to follow the lives of Don and Rosie. As Don Tillman prepares for a major change in his life, he continues to struggle with basic social mannerisms in his hilarious way. This is a great spring or summer read and like the first book in the series, will have you laughing out loud!!

Not That Kind Of Girl by Lena Dunham

As the critically acclaimed HBO series “Girls” just came to a close after 6 years, I felt it was a perfect time to check out Lena Dunham’s novel “Not That Kind of Girl.” If you watch the show, you will definitely notice the many similarities between Hannah Horvath ((played by Dunham)) and Lena. Her personal stories reveal a lot of truth about womanhood, college, working, and life in general. Although sometimes absurd, a bit off putting, and strangely ridiculous; Dunham’s unique voice and perspective is overall refreshing and entertaining.

Miss You by Kate Eberlen

Timing is everything. In this novel by Kate Eberlen, the main characters, Tess and Gus, continue to miss each other in a spiraling love story covering an array of topics ranging from autism to cancer and wealth’s effect on relationships. This book is a bit tolling emotionally at times, but there is a balance between the heavy aspects and the lighter, sexier anecdotes. The characters are well developed and I like that each chapter switches from one lovers perspective to the next, similar to “The Time Traveler’s Wife” in that sense.

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

This is a book I could not rave about enough!! Empowering, enlightening, and fulfilling; “You Are A Badass” will motivate you to achieve your wildest goals. Unlike many self-help type books, Sincero’s voice is anything but preachy. She is incredibly relatable and explains each topic in a down-to-earth tone that is both easy to follow and engaging. To anyone looking for love, a confidence boost, or inspiration to follow their dreams - I would highly recommend giving this beautiful book a read.

The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak

Jason Rekulak’s debut novel, “The Impossible Fortress” follows Billy, a young boy interested in computers on his quest to win a computer game contest and fall in love with Mary, the local hardware store owners daughter. Bringing you back to an age of mixtapes and awkward high school relationships, this slightly nerdy read is a fun tribute to the 1980’s.

Make sure to comment down below if you've read any great books this past month or two!!

Happy spring reading babes.

The end. (:

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Spring Reading 2

There Is No Right Way to Meditate: And Other Lessons by Yumi Sakugawa

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Tender Is The Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sticky Fingers by Joe Hagan

Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives by Adam J. Kurtz

This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

Summer Reading

The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

The Subterraneans by Jack Kerouac

On Booze by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs

Spring Reading

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

Not That Kind Of Girl by Lena Dunham

Miss You by Kate Eberlen

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak

Archives

Categories

Spring Reading 2

​There Is No Right Way to Meditate: And Other Lessons by Yumi Sakugawa

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Tender Is The Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sticky Fingers by Joe Hagan

Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives by Adam J. Kurtz

This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

Summer Reading

The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

The Subterraneans by Jack Kerouac

On Booze by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs

Spring Reading

​​The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

Not That Kind Of Girl by Lena Dunham

​Miss You by Kate Eberlen

​You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak

Archives

Categories

There Is No Right Way to Meditate: And Other Lessons by Yumi Sakugawa

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Miss You by Kate Eberlen

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero