Eve's Hollywood by Eve Babitz

Eve's Hollywood by Eve Babitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How have I not heard of Eve Babitz before? One of the most original, creative, and entertaining voices I've come across. I was wowed by her unique take on/love letter to LA. (She also deftly describes New York.) Babitz's wit and attitude are second-to-none. If you wondered what it was like to grow up in Hollywood in the 50s and 60s and live through the 70s, Babitz is your author.

It's a very breezy--but not lightweight--read. Totally atmospheric. Here's a sample of a sentence you come across and come back to multiple times:

"Richard Greene, the bluegrass breakneck violin player sounds the way The Girl in the convertible looks when she runs her fingers underneath her honey tresses at a light to free her hair for a moment from its own weight."

Sex, fame, and taquitos. It's all there in Eve's Hollywood.

Cover Distraction Rating: Do you have a pulse? Off-the-charts.

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Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another post-apocalyptic tale? Who needs it, right? Well, Station Eleven turned out to be the definition of a page-turner. One of those books where you finish a chapter, get ready to turn out the light, and end up reading at least one (or two) more. I loved how all the characters share a common thread and how it is explored pre and post-flu.

Cover Distraction Rating: Nil. Unless your train line has a Station Eleven.

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