Books, Music and Movies

Okay Atlas Shrugged is by far the most academic/philosophic novel I have ever read. I read it over Christmas break 3 years ago. It is also the most "dense" book I have ever read.

This book reads like a manual for capitalism. What I found to be most amazing about this book was the foresight that Ann Rand had for what could happen if business was suppressed and what communism would actually do to a country that had been operating on capitalistic values.

I for one am opposed to giving something to someone who has not earned it. Although I am not opposed to assisting someone who is temporarily down on their luck. I believe that we need people who come up with bright ideas and are then acknowledged for their good contributions in the form of consumption and as a result of consumption, money. I don't think that money is the end all be all, but it rather a form of energy or a communication. Take Bill Gates for example. Love him or hate him, he built an empire on a product that is in virtually every household in the western world. He has earned his money. I for one admire Bill Gates immensely.

There is a part about 3/4 of the way through the book where one of the characters makes a radio address. I was thoroughly bored with it in the first few pages as it pretty much covers the viewpoints expressed earlier in the book. I looked ahead and it was something like 90 pages long. So I skipped it, vowing that if something seemed confusing, I would go back and read those pages. I never found it necessary to do so.

The book did also have some unusual twists in it that were interesting to read. I never fully knew what direction it was going to go. I think the key to actually finishing this book is to have plenty of time to sit down and get into it. I would re-read it if I had this kind of time. It might also be noted that I am not a huge fan of overly philosophic books. This is one of the few fiction books that actually caused a shift in my viewpoint.

Happy Reading -Jen

Ron Rutherford's hotly anticipated debut solo album, "Lone Wolf" is now available from several online locations. This site provides information about Ron as an artist, plus information about the album, photos of Ron and the studio sessions, as well as audio clips of the songs.

Ron Rutherford
Rarestar Music
Rarestar Records
Tujunga CA 91042
www.ronrutherford.com
www.cdbaby.com/ronrutherford
www.myspace.com/rarestar

Join Aaron Nicholson, Deedee O'Malley, Jorjeana Marie and a very special guest artist this Friday night at the Hub starting Oct 27th for a concert not to missed.

Aaron Nicholson - Singer/Songwriter
"Some music has the ability to stop time, and Aaron’s music does that." - Deedee O'Malley
"No cheap date!" - Ed Asner

Deedee O'Malley - Singer/Songwriter
"Mind-blowing power like you’ve never heard" - Inside Indie Music Magazine
Winner of the Lilith Fair Competition

Jorjeana Marie - Comic Hostess
Fun AND funny - a sarcastic breath of fresh air and engaging physical comedianne.

This Week's Special Guest - Bethany and Rufus
“Unbelievable!” is the word most used by audiences when first hearing Bethany & Rufus,hose cello and voice duo breaks new musical ground, sliding with seamless ease between groove, jazz and a gritty, unvarnished approach to traditional folk music.

Each Friday - Oct. 27 thru Dec. 8th, 10:30pm
Hub Theatre, tickets $15
5245 Lankershim blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601
info: 818-859-7056 - myspace.com/latenightliveLA
A Woodriver Production

This book is by Mark Haddon and was recommended to me by Kate. At first I was truly skeptical because it is about an autistic boy. (In fact it is written from his viewpoint.) I was concerned that there was going to be a lot of psych based simpering in this book and I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is none at all.

I did enjoy this book. While I was reading it I felt like I got a glimpse of what it is like for an autistic person and I could see the mechanisms that created this situation, what the being was operating off of. While this was not pleasant necessarily to confront, it was interesting because I know that there is a tech to handle that.

I would not say that the book is funny, but there are parts of it that are amusing and it is certainly interesting. The main character is not a victim and I actually admired him very much.

Personally, there is almost nothing worse than spending good money on books that suck. I am fresh out of books at the moment, having finished two Janet Evanovich books back to back. Please send your suggestions.