In which I am a rebel and don't mention the day of the week in the title*

*I went back and read the rules and didn't see anything about having to include the day of the week in the title of the post, so I'm deviating for deviation's sake.

I am currently writing this entry at a friend's house while we watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I was sitting there talking with the group when I suddenly realized that I hadn't posted yet today and thankfully my friend is letting me use his laptop. It's very hard to concentrate while Voldemort asks Lucius for his wand, Lucius' pimpcane is broken, etc, etc, but I must persevere.

Well, barring extenuating circumstances it looks like we're going to be seeing another punishment next week. I hope everything's okay with you, Casey.

Carlyn, congrats on getting into grad school!! That's awesome! I'm going to be applying this fall, so I slightly understand the stress you were going through. And Indiana University is actually my top choice at the moment, so it possibly we'll end up in the same state for grad school?

I've really enjoyed reading your book recommendations and I hope mine stand up! I've never been that good at summarizing books, so I'll just attempt to tell you guys what I like about the books. These aren't in any particular order, just as they come to mind.

1. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides: This is a story about a young girl (Callie) growing up in a Greek American family in Detroit. She is genetically a man and this becomes more and more apparent as she reaches and goes through puberty. The story follows her self-realization as she becomes he. Jeffrey Eugenides is one of my favorite authors (the second book on this list is also by him!) We're shown both her story and her grandmother's story (who immigrated to the US from Greece). I think I actually enjoyed the grandmother's story more than Callie's, but I did like both.

Ohhh and now it's the seven Potters scene! I have to take a little blogging break to watch this. Okay, I'm back.

2. The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides: Again, Jeffrey Eugenides= one of my favorites. And it's not just because he's from metro Detroit like me, I swear. I don't think this is really a spoiler, but in case you don't want to know the main events the story is based around (the title's a bit of a giveaway), then stop reading now. The story follows the Lisbon family: mother, father, and five daughters. As the story progresses the girls become more and more withdrawn until they all commit suicide. The point of the story isn't their suicide; the story is told from the point of view of a neighborhood boy who always knew of the girls, but didn't really know them. In my opinion the real point of the story, and where the value is found, is in the idea that you can't always know why something happened or why someone did something. We have to accept not always having a complete knowledge of something and a lack of that knowledge does not diminish the event itself.

3. American on Purpose by Craig Ferguson: I love Craig Ferguson, he is my favorite late night host and one of my favorite comedians (second to Bill Hader, for whom I have an inexplicably strong love). This is his autobiography. I read it over Christmas break and it's funny, educational, meaningful- just all around good, to sum it up. Craig's an alcoholic and he's been clean for over 10 years now. The majority of the book details his decent into alcoholism and his subsequent trip to rehab and clean living. He's able to describe his lowest lows without making you feel sorry for him and without dwelling in his past. And all while being funny, of course.

4. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll: I have to say upfront, I haven't read this in quite a long time, but it's been one of my favorite books for years- it dates back before I'd even picked up a copy of any Harry Potter book. Embarrassing fact, I used to scoff at Harry Potter and say it was a passing fad and wasn't nearly as good as Alice in Wonderland. Oh, young me, how little you knew. Anyway, I don't think I need to explain what this book is about, but if you haven't read it then I highly recommend that you do!

I think this will mark the end of my recommendations! If I went on longer I would start listing books which I'm sure you guys have all already read and loved (Harry Potter, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Ender's Game, Paper Towns- to name a few).

I have a question for everyone: do you wear makeup? This is something I've been thinking about lately because I've been wearing less and less makeup over the past few months. It's partly out of laziness and partly because I just don't feel like I need as much anymore. It's generally just some foundation and cover-up in the morning before class for me. And if I'm feeling fancy, a little mascara.