Sex, Drugs, Rock n' roll, Death and Redemption.

I have finished one of those books that sits in your gut like a stone and makes you raise your eyebrows and breath deeply more then once. The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx is an unbelievable, real time look into the mind of a highly addicted rock star. I know there are plenty of rock biographies out there with shocking stories of drugs and sex but this one is head and shoulders above the rest.

Nikki Sixx, bassist of Motley Crue, actually kept a diary in 1987 when he was a full blown alcoholic, cocaine, heroin, and pill addict. Anything he could get his hands on he would do and at 100 mph. He would often write entries after coming down from a coke binge or after he hadn't slept for 48 hours. The original dairy entries are recorded and then through out the people being discussed in the entries make comments with Nikki commenting as well. For example if in the diary Nikki is talking about one of the countless crazy nights he had with Tommy Lee, they interviewed Tommy about it and included his comments as a retrospective. It is incredible to see how Nikki reacts to his own diary entries and just how tormented he was then and how clearly he sees it all now. It is almost as if you are reading his diary with him sitting there.

It truly is heart breaking to see how much pain he was in. From the outside it looks like just another idiot rock star who has too much money to spend and is irresponsible but Nikki's problem started long before he ever found drugs. His father abandoned him, mother sent him to leave with his grandparents, and he never found an outlet for his sadistic creativity. His path was set way before he knew where he was headed.

I didn't particularly care about Nikki Sixx or Motley Crue for that matter before reading this book but I am very interested in the human psychology of people who feel like they are trapped. It certainly gives a new insight into individuals with addictions and maybe because of this book, next time you encounter an addict you will hesitate just a second before passing judgement; if your trying, a second is just long enough to see through the self obsessed behavior and see how much pain is involved in the lifestyle.

No one dreams of becoming a drug addict, no one takes that first hit with the intention of ruining their life and the lives of others around them for the drug. But in that hit, drag, puff, or swig they find a brief but intense flash of sanity and calm. They find a long sought answer, a mute button for their mind, a validation that has so alluded them. Drugs become their best friend and their worst enemy. And just as fast as they find it, it is gone and the never ending search has begun. All control is abandoned and nothing else matters but going back to the place where they were happy. Nikki's struggle shows us just how people who seemingly have it all can be the most emotionally bankrupt.

This book is written in a style similar to a graphic novel with lots of drawings and graphic visual illustrations. It works to give you a little piece of Nikki's mind and really creates a very dramatic reading experience. It's one thing to read the words, but to feel them is rare and by reading this book you feel every twist, turn and drop of the emotional roller coaster Nikki Sixx was riding to his death.

The Heroin Diaries gives an insight into a world most of us do not know first hand but probably have experienced in some way; addiction. To not be an addict is a blessing and for those who are it is the most difficult path they could have chosen but there is always a way out. Nikki Sixx has survived what 99% of others couldn't and has come out of the tunnel to tell his story. So, if you want to be shocked, saddened, and uplifted through out the course of reading a book, it doesn't get much more real than this.

The Heroin Diaries

By: Nikki Sixx

413 pages

"Every book you see here has been somebody's best friend."

I have just finished reading one of the best novels I have picked up in a long time. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is a much needed breath of fresh air. It is an intelligent, fast paced, intricate story of a young bookshop apprentice, Daniel, who finds himself swept into the mystery surrounding a mysterious author.

Young Daniel is taken to the cemetery of forgotten books by his father with the instruction that he is to never tell anyone about the place and that he may choose one book out of labyrinth of shelves to make his own. It is here that he finds a book, which turns out to be the only copy in existence, written by the author Julian Carax. Daniel is mesmerized by the story and wants to read anything and everything written by Carax. In his search for novels by the author he learns there has been a mysterious figure hunting them all down and burning them. Intrigued by the story, Daniel starts to investigate further and discovers the amazing and emotional story of Julian Carax. Not only does he discover it, but he becomes a major player in it. The danger, friendships, love and compassion that Daniel finds through his search for an answer and a legend is a very real look into the human psyche and showcases what the difference is between being alive and living.

It's a story of crime, passion, literature, life, and moral dilemmas. It is about all these things but not one in particular and doesn't try too hard to create drama, it just happens. The story takes many twists and turns but never loses its way or gets too convoluted. This is a book about books and any reader will really enjoy it. The love I have for words and a proper arraignment of them into something that stays with me long after the last page is turned is something that I have found here in this story. From one reader to another, I highly recommend this great story.

The Shadow of the Wind
By: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
486 pages

Beware the Bard

Today class, we are going to talk about everyone's favorite subject....Shakespeare (que groan). I know I know, but I swear this is not one of those lessons, in fact the goal here is to maybe, with just the slightest bit of luck, welcome a new reader to the world that is Shakespearean literature.

I know in my case I was doomed for want of a sharper pencil for sticking in my eye when it came to Shakespeare because of freshman year high school english. We started out of the gate with the "classic" tale of Romeo and Juliet. As a 14 year old, I would rather have had my mom show up at my school carrying the lunch box I intentionally left at home. The teachers were not interested, the students were not interested, and it became a quicksand bog we just "had to get through".

So from day one Shakespeare was a dreaded, irrelevant, guaranteed pain in the ass. However, in the course of many more forced readings of the man himself through out both high school and college I have found a way to....wait for it....ENJOY Shakespeare. Now, I know your thinking there is no way, but I confess I cheat. In the case of Shakespeare it is the meaning that matters more then the words and if because of the outdated Shakespearian language you cannot notice the puns, the jokes, and the references then it is wasted effort on your part trying to read it. So for that reason I read the work of Shakespeare through the spark notes "No Fear Shakespeare" series. This series contains a version of the play as it was originally written on the left hand page and then on the opposing page "translates" it into modern language. Now yes, some purist will say this is blasphemy and that the story is ruined in translation, but to that I answer is it not better to give people a chance and expose them to the story rather than get all hung up on the prose and verse?

To give you an example of what this series can do I am pulling from King Lear. The original Shakespeare is on the left hand page and the modern translation is on the right. Act 3 Scene 1;

Original (Left hand page)
Gentleman: Contending with the fretful elements. Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea or swell the curled water 'bove the main, That things might change or cease. Tears his white hair, which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, catch in their fury and make nothing of. Strives in his little world of man to outscorn the to-and-fro conflicting wind and rain. This night-wherein the cub drawn bear would couch, the lion and the belly pinched wolf keep their fur dry-unbonneted he runs, and bids what will take all.

Translation (Right hand page)
Gentleman: Struggling with the wind and rain. He's shouting at the wind to blow the earth into the sea, or make the sea flood the eart-he wants to see the world return to primal chaos. He keeps tearing out his white hair, which the blindly raging winds catch up and blow away into nothingness. Small but brave in his surroundings, he's trying to stand up against the wind and rain blowing back and forth. He's running bare headed, calling for the end of the world, out there on a night like this, when even savage animals ravenous with hunger crawl under cover and hide.

See how much easier it is? It opens up the amazing story telling of Shakespeare to people like me who were left with such a bad taste in their mouth that even the sound of his name made our eyes roll.

The series never came more in handy then during my junior year of college when I took, for some reason I still cannot remember, Early Shakespeare: A look into the early works of William Shakespeare; Lit 4321. The book alone could crush your soul...and your skull as it turns out. The textbook was 3,417 bible like pages. Carrying this book around was enough torture for a lifetime, let alone having to open it and read it. The soda can next to it will give you some perspective of just how big it truly was.

This course however, combined with the ability to actually read and understand the plays has opened me up to the genius that was Shakespeare. One of my favorite stories now is "Twelfth Night" and I found "Hamlet" to be fascinating as well. 

So, if your like me and were destined to hate Shakespeare for lack of comprehension and lack of "giving a crap" to figure it out, then I strongly suggest picking up any one of the "No Fear Shakespeare" guides. These stories are classics for a reason and the message is still relevant even if the language and prose is not. Go ahead give it a shot...no need to fear the bard.

98 3/4 percent guaranteed

A little perspective and renewed appreciation of life in general is always a good thing and for me, that oddly enough comes from reading Oh, the places you'll Go by Dr. Seuss. I know this may seem strange but this book is like a mini spiritual guide and some of the best encouragement you can ever seek to find. When things don't go the way I've planned or I feel lost in this 6 billion person world, I pull out this children's classic and sit down for 5 minutes and let myself get taken in by the color, simplicity, and purity of the message. This book is often given as a graduation present, which is very appropriate, but it is such a great read for an anytime re-assessment of life in general.

To me this book is one that is a realistic way to convey the mess that is life to young children. It is great to fill their heads with hope and big dreams, but for a kid (and now adult) like me, I much preferred realistic versions of what I was up against. It ends with hope, as all life should, but it doesn't brush over the fact that a lot of time you will hit walls that you just can't get over. There will be times when you think you've hit the bottom, but that is the best place to start because you can only go up from there.

There are two pages in this book that frighten and sadden me at the same time. It's because I see so many people, usually middle aged adults, who have made this there reality. The pages are about what Dr. Seuss describes as "The waiting place".

The page reads; "...for people just waiting. Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting. Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a better break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or another chance. Everyone is just waiting."

The waiting place is a place I never want to be. I want to create the life of my dreams and the only thing stopping me or anyone from that life is ourselves. Create your own destiny, be willing to make mistakes, be willing to be silly and take risks. Failure is only as devastating as we let it be. Failure is beginning of triumph. One thing that I have started to make a priority in my life is to try and regain childlike wonderment. As a kid everything was interesting and exciting and falling down was expected. Responsibility and age should not be able to steal that from me or anyone else. The most dreaded word in the English language to me is "Routine". This short, simple children's books reminds us all that we may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control how we deal with them. Our happiness and spirit is ours for the making.

My goal in life has always been to do it my way. The good, the bad, and everything in between as long as it was my decision and what I waned at the time then I have no regrets. This book with its rhymes and colors reminds me that I am the captain of this ship and if I don't like something, who says I can't change it? I have brains in my head, and feet in my shoes, and I can steer myself any direction I choose. At this time in my life, this message resonates more now then it ever has before. And if you find yourself in need of a little encouragement or you realize maybe your one of those people in "The waiting place" remember that......KID YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So next time your in a bookstore or you come across this book in your child's bookshelf, do yourself a favor and take 5 minutes to sit down and read it. It will brighten your day and remind you that it's never too late and no mistake is too great (that was my own rhyme ;).

"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go" -Dr. Seuss

"Women hold up half the sky"

"Half the Sky" written by Nicholas Kristof and his wife Sheryl WuDunn is one of those books that is heart breaking and difficult to read but does so much good to shed light on the real issues of the world. This book is about women's issues through out the world. I know that tag "women's issues" turns some people off right away but it is about equality and the often atrocious treatment of people and women particularly through out the world.

A major part of this book is about Human trafficking which is an absolutely horrible aspect of our modern society. Young girls are sold into sex slavery and in many cases hooked on drugs so they will not leave the brothels they are forced to work in. They are subject to physical violence if they do not comply. This book is written with specific women highlighted to give a face and a name to this global problem.

After reading this book, you cannot pretend you don't know about what is going on in the world. It will certainly open your eyes and your hearts to a level of compassion you didn't know you could reach. These real women are in this world and live hell as a reality everyday. They have names, have dreams, children, and goals for themselves and have the same right to an opportunity to achieve them as your daughters, sisters, and friends.

Nicholas Kristoff is an op-ed writer for the New York Times and his column deals with humanitarian and social issues all over the world. If you don't read the book, I encourage you to read his bi-weekly column. It will continue to give you new perspective and knowledge about what is really happening in this world.

"Half the Sky: Turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide." Nicholas D. Kristoff and Sherly WuDunn. 250 pages

"Your as good as the arguments you get".

Today I finished reading "Bono; in conversation with Michka Assayas". The book is written as a series of conversations that Bono had with French music journalist and friend Michka Assyaas. It's a very quick read, basically just an extended magazine article. They talk about Bono's young life, the death of his mother, his views on celebrity, his humanitarian work and any other tangent that Bono seemed to find a way to throw in. Bono is a personal hero of mine because of his work outside of the music industry. To me he is a celebrity who gets it. What I found most interesting about him is just how deeply his Christian faith plays a role in his life. There was rarely a time in the book when three pages went by without the mention of God, prayer, or faith. I personally am not of that persuasion but to see it work in a genuine way is refreshing. Bono swears, he drinks, he fights for the underprivileged and disadvantaged; he took all the right lessons of the faith and has been a great champion for them. This book is one that gives more insight into a public figure who some people may have preconceived notions about or feel they know what his story is. But I assure you that after reading this book you will find a complicated and deeply profound human being who realizes that celebrity and fame is fleeting and that there are more important causes then selling out arenas worldwide.

When discussing fairly basic topics he would say the most profound things without planning to or trying to make himself look good. He is a natural thinker and philosopher. For example, when asked about being an aging rock star he said "Some people die at seventeen and put their funeral off until they're seventy-seven. And I see a lot of dead young people, I see a lot of alive old people."

So if your looking for a quick summer read and an unconventional autobiography I recommend this book highly. I was already a fan of Bono's but his candid conversation has made him more of a man then the myth of cataclysmic rock star...which is how he always wanted it in the first place.

4 for the price of....2? Maybe

Yesterday I did one of my all time favorite things; I went to the bookstore. Borders is going out of business so I have been checking back in to see what's left and what the discounts look like. I have mixed emotions about this whole thing. I love getting books cheap, but I am sad at the idea of someday soon no longer being able to physically go to the store and browse for hours. This topic runs into the e-book vs. print book debate which I will post about soon. But as for yesterday, I ended up buying four books for $28. These four will be added to the large stack of yet to be read books that I have accumulated but I eventually get to them all.

What I love most about book sales is that it releases people from the feeling of "getting your monies worth" which allows us to step outside the box of what we usually buy. There is a mentality of "If I'm spending $15 I want to like the book so I'm going to go with the familiar". This is such a hindrance to the joy you can find in being pleasantly surprised. My mom is a perfect example; She hates period pieces, or historical fictions so when she saw "The Help" months ago she wrote it off as something she would hate. But the inevitable hype got her to read it and she really loved. Now whether this will translate to a dramatic shift in genre choosing, I doubt it, but she did gain an appreciation for the unfamiliar.

So literary tip for the day: Step outside your comfort zone. You may be pleasantly surprised, and if not, there is never a wasted experience and whether you know it or not you learned something.

Happy Reading.

Intro

Hey everyone,

My name is Taylor and I have opinions! I have opinions about a lot of things but my passion lies in literature. I began reading at a very young age thanks to Hooked on Phonics and I have not stopped since. I feel like there is too much "critical influence" when it comes to literature; why and for what reason I like or dislike a book stops and ends with me. I find value in all experiences and reading is no different. I will talk about things I'm reading, things I have read or general ideas about the community of literature as whole. I can promise to say interesting things, as I can also promise to say some uninteresting things. The whole idea of blogging and putting my opinions on a pedestal of accountability is new to me, but if you feel so inclined to check back we can go on this journey together. There is a promise I can make however, this blog will be more interesting then your run of the mill Lit 101.

"Books are humanity in print." -Barbara W. Tuchman